What is special about Cascadia's Middle School?

November 15, 2021

Cascadia’s Middle School is a Montessori environment for adolescents. During each of the four planes of development, Montessori education provides a specific environment that meets the needs of the individuals at that plane. Your child’s preschool/primary environment was just the place for them when they were between the ages of 3 and 6, but as they entered the second plane (ages 6 - 12), they needed a new kind of classroom that would feed their inquisitive minds and provide for their new social tendencies. In the same manner, Cascadia’s Middle School provides a special environment for our 7th and 8th graders as they enter the 3rd plane of development, adolescence.

Adolescence (ages 12 - 15) marks the end of childhood and is a time of tremendous change; physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively. This is especially true for our middle school students who are at the beginning of this change. In fact, Montessori refers to them at this stage of development as “social newborns.” In early adolescence (ages 12 to 15), young adults are exploring and coming to terms with integrating different aspects of themselves. This is a period of rapid growth and early adolescents need enough food and sleep, as well as time to process and reorient. They also need deep support and acceptance from the adults in their lives.

All Montessori environments nourish the whole child - academic, emotional, social - but adolescent environments add personal reflection, purposeful work that serves the community, more opportunities for creative expression and other exercises to particularly support the individuals and their growth at this stage.

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Music, Drama and Dance in the Montessori Classroom

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Dear Maria, Winterfest is coming up. What place do music, drama, and dance have in the Montessori classroom? Sincerely, Curious

What are Going Outs?

September 18, 2024

Dear Maria, What are “Going Outs”? How do they help our children learn? Can I help? Sincerely, Cascadia parent Dear Cascadia parent, Going Outs are a key piece of the Montessori elementary experience. A Going Out is a child-led outing from the classroom and can take various forms. Children might go on an errand for the class community or for supplies for a special project (cooking, baking, arts & crafts, special experiment, etc.). They might go and see something in-person that they’ve been researching in class. Going to see a native animal or plant in its natural ecosystem, visiting the zoo to observe an animal, picking up books at the public library or visiting an expert to talk more about a topic or see a special demonstration might all be research-related going outs. The possibilities are endless and limited only to the child’s imagination…and to practicalities, because a vital part of Going Outs is that the children organize everything themselves! They’re responsible for organizing chaperones, transportation, necessary things to bring along, and getting an appointment or tickets if necessary. Going Outs are a huge part of how Elementary children learn about the world and practice independence! Many skills are involved in planning a Going Out, including map reading, learning about money, distance, time management, organizing a group, preparing practical items (using forethought to prepare for weather or unexpected events), and much more! Of course with the youngest children, your child’s guide and assistant will give lessons on Going Outs or assist them with planning their first trips. Young children might be invited to go along with an older and more experienced child and learn the process that way. Guides have established Going Out procedures to aid children in taking on this responsibility for themselves. (Part of these procedures involve notifying Susan in the office and parents & guardians about the going out date, time, and location, so don’t be worried about your child leaving campus without your knowledge.)