Working so carefully.
In Montessori classrooms, "work" means so much. For starters, it's all about the process, instead of the product. About developing rhythms, habits and consistency, repeatedly practicing with that which will help you grow. For instance, →
A school community
We recently sat down with Charlotte Wood and Jamie Bauer and asked them to share their thoughts on the role a school community plays in Montessori. There's been a lot of attention in the media →
Teacher as Learner
We witnessed one of the most amazing interactions today. We wanted to share some of the details with you. We actually managed to capture some of it on camera. In so many respects, it is these →
Measuring Montessori
There's a very interesting and relatively recent etymology to the importance of evaluations and tests in schools. At the turn of the century, the number one cause of death was infection. Children, of course, were →
Don’t Should on your Parents
Our very own Charlotte Wood wrote an excellent article for Maria Montessori dot com. The article is entitled, "Don't Should on your Parents". You should check it out! Way to go Miss Wood! We're so →
Happy, engaged, and social
We talk a lot about academics, showcasing activites and exercises, writing about the benefits and outcomes. Yet, underlying all of this beautiful work, is a fundamental belief in the social component of learning. We like →
Shape Work Book Signing
Barnes and Noble has graciously invited us to sign a few copies of our latest book, Montessori: Shape Work, this Saturday, at 1:00 p.m. The event will take place in their children's department. We're really →
Baan Dek Family
We couldn't help but share. One of our students wrote this: We are a Baan Dek family. Baan Dek is fun for everyone. We work. We help each other. We play. We line up. Our →
The Value of Cursive
We wrote a post for QZ entitled, "Why We Shouldn't Write Off Cursive." Here's a brief excerpt: In 1863, when the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, Abraham Lincoln said, “I believe in this measure my fondest →
The Key to the Universe
Our friend, Jim Fitzpatrick, who has been involved with Montessori for more than forty years, gave a wonderful TEDx presentation on the power of the binomial cube. He jested, in all seriousness, that it's the →
Rewards and Punishments
As adults, we spend a lot of time trying to think of ways in which we can handle or control a situation or a child. Often, we resort to tricks and techniques, little exercises that →
Spotlight Sheryl Morris
In our first Spotlight of the new year school year, we're very pleased to introduce you to Sheryl Morris. When we first read her story, we were instantly struck by at least two very interesting, →
This is why we do what we do.
Our friends at the Cobb School in Simsbury, Conneticut, started school today. It marks the beginning of their 40th year. Looking at this original picture is not only nostalgic, it's hopeful - full of so →
The Building Blocks of Life
Over the summer, we sat down to put together our thoughts on what education means to us: the values, principles and dreams that we hope to embody and impart. We started to call them the →
Raising a Child of Possibility
We are so pleased to showcase this very special TedX Video, Raising a Child of Possibility, with Hugh Weber and his beautiful daughter Emerson. We encourage you to take a few minutes to watch it. →
