Montessori is a very important component of who I am as a teacher. I have taught kindergarten and now Grade 2 Montessori at Mother Teresa Catholic school. Everyday I am thankful for the gift of being able to guide students in their educational pursuits. The Montessori Method is then combined with our Catholic faith and Alberta curriculum. Below I have added buttons that link to sites I frequent to stay informed and inspired!
Our program combines Alberta curriculum with the Montessori Curriculum.
Montessori
Philosophy
Trained as Italy's first female physician, Dr. Maria Montessori is best known
for her creation of the Montessori Method of education. This method was a
revolutionary approach to the way children were educated. Dr. Montessori
created a system that addresses the development of the whole child. Through her
studies, Dr. Montessori recognized a natural curiosity and a desire to learn in
children. She focused on awakening that curiosity and desire to learn by
creating motivating learning experiences.
Dr. Montessori’s belief was that students learn best in an environment that
supports and respects each child’s unique development and at his/her natural
rate of progress. Learning should be joyful and at the right moment for each
child. Each child is given the chance to fulfill his/her potential
possibilities to become an independent and balanced individual.
Dr. Montessori developed what she called the “prepared environment”, which
possesses a certain order and allows children to learn at their own speed,
according to their own capabilities, and in a non-competitive atmosphere. It is
organized, open and aesthetically pleasing. It is geared to the child’s size,
needs, and interests. Under careful guidance by the teacher, the Montessori
environment prompts children to take initiative in their own education by making
choices, developing self-respect, and learning accountability to others.
Dr. Montessori recognized that the greatest value to learning was the
self-motivation of the child. Children move themselves toward learning. The
teacher prepares the environment, and then acts as a dynamic link between it and
the child. Through support and encouragement, but it is the child who learns and
is motivated through the work itself to persist in a given task. Montessori
introduces children to the joy of learning at an early age and provides a
framework in which intellectual and social discipline go hand-in-hand. Each
child is embraced as an individual and is provided with learning opportunities
to meet his/her changing needs.
“So the whole life of the child is an advance toward perfection,
toward a greater completeness.” – Maria Montessori
Philosophy
Trained as Italy's first female physician, Dr. Maria Montessori is best known
for her creation of the Montessori Method of education. This method was a
revolutionary approach to the way children were educated. Dr. Montessori
created a system that addresses the development of the whole child. Through her
studies, Dr. Montessori recognized a natural curiosity and a desire to learn in
children. She focused on awakening that curiosity and desire to learn by
creating motivating learning experiences.
Dr. Montessori’s belief was that students learn best in an environment that
supports and respects each child’s unique development and at his/her natural
rate of progress. Learning should be joyful and at the right moment for each
child. Each child is given the chance to fulfill his/her potential
possibilities to become an independent and balanced individual.
Dr. Montessori developed what she called the “prepared environment”, which
possesses a certain order and allows children to learn at their own speed,
according to their own capabilities, and in a non-competitive atmosphere. It is
organized, open and aesthetically pleasing. It is geared to the child’s size,
needs, and interests. Under careful guidance by the teacher, the Montessori
environment prompts children to take initiative in their own education by making
choices, developing self-respect, and learning accountability to others.
Dr. Montessori recognized that the greatest value to learning was the
self-motivation of the child. Children move themselves toward learning. The
teacher prepares the environment, and then acts as a dynamic link between it and
the child. Through support and encouragement, but it is the child who learns and
is motivated through the work itself to persist in a given task. Montessori
introduces children to the joy of learning at an early age and provides a
framework in which intellectual and social discipline go hand-in-hand. Each
child is embraced as an individual and is provided with learning opportunities
to meet his/her changing needs.
“So the whole life of the child is an advance toward perfection,
toward a greater completeness.” – Maria Montessori
- Characteristics:
- child directed
- individualized instruction
- hands-on approach to learning
- highly integrated curriculum
- uninterrupted work periods
- carefully prepared environment and a diverse set of Montessori
materials - respectful, joyful and cooperative
- creating a natural curiosity and desire of learning
These are reasons I belive in improving my teaching practice and honoring Alberta Curriculum and the Montessori Method.
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