When entering the Montessori classroom, you instantly feel a sense of order and calm. Everything has its purpose and its place. To a newcomer, like myself, the Montessori classroom presents a sense of foreign familiarity: I do not understand how the materials work, but I can explain the concepts they teach. With the teachers’ help […]
If we were hard pressed to describe the Montessori approach to education, in a practical, systematic way, we would start by trying to highlight the methodical, progressive nature of the activities, showcasing just how they build upon one another, slowly moving from the concrete to the abstract. The Montessori materials are intricately, harmonious connected, with […]
There are so many layers to Montessori. No where is this more apparent than in the simplicity and elegance of the trinomial cube. While the primary aim may seem rather obvious, to build a little puzzle in a box, the secondary aim, an introduction to algebra and preparation for the proof of the formula (a+b+c)3, […]
The Bead Cabinet is the stuff of magic. When a student first walks into the Montessori classroom, takes a deep breath and surveys the room, they are instantly drawn towards the beauty, simplicity and elegance of this seemingly magical material called the bead cabinet. Yet, what is it? Visually, it’s probably the most stunning activity […]
The binomial cube is a staple of Montessori classrooms. But, what exactly is it? It looks like a fun puzzle, and it is, but what’s the logic behind the blue, black and red wooden pieces? Let’s find out. Materials: Eight wooden blocks and rectangular prisms form a cube, the formula of which is: (a + […]