"The Montessori Method offers an enriched curriculum which incorporates and extends district, state, and national standards. Scientific and mathematical attitudes, appreciation for history and timelines, literacy across disciplines, research, and development of community flourish in the Montessori classroom. Students are actively involved in their education, learning the habits and skills necessary for self-directed, independent, life-long learning. The Montessori philosophy, initially developed for underprivileged children, specifically addresses the diversity in our community by providing a child-centered, individualized approach to teaching and learning. Personal and social education is integrated into ECMCS’ learning program.
Classroom life emphasizes the Montessori values of grace, courtesy, respect and responsibility.
Teachers model these values and expect them from student’s families throughout the school."
My Project
Creating peace - in the classroom, in the community, and in the world - is a fundamental aspect of Montessori education.
"Establishing lasting peace is the work of education." - Maria Montessori.
We recently had the pleasure of hearing Rebecca Ricker present her 'Peace Through Children's Literature' curriculum. Her curriculum includes a book about peace for each week of the school year, and a peace activity that goes along with every book. The books are divided into four categories: What is Peace?, It's Good to be Different, Kindness - A Pathway to Peace, and Peaceful People. We are hoping to have the complete set of books to use for our Peace Lessons throughout the year. We will read one of these books each week, and spend time discussing the message of peace that the book conveys. We'll also have a follow-up activity for the children to complete.
We've already done a couple of the lessons from Ms. Ricker's peace curriculum: we read "The Peace Book" by Todd Parr, and made our own peace book in which the children shared what peace feels like to them. We also read "Peace, Baby!" by Linda Ashman and Joanne Lew-Vriethoff, and introduced a Zen garden into our classroom as we discussed different ways to cultivate peace, even when we're feeling upset or frustrated. The children have loved these lessons, and we are really looking forward to working our way through the rest of the curriculum!
In our complicated, often decidedly UNpeaceful time, we really believe, just as Maria Montessori did, that peace is one of the MOST important things that we can teach in the classroom. We hope that you'll agree and help us reach our goal!
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