Why Stay for Middle School?

February 11, 2022

You will notice that the Middle School classroom looks very different from the Elementary classrooms, and that the students’ rhythm of work also changes. Why do they have “immersion weeks” for farm work, art, theater, camping or team building, and why did they sell potatoes this year?

IT’S BASED ON KNOWLEDGE OF THE PLANES OF DEVELOPMENT

Montessori adolescent programs are designed with your child’s developmental needs in mind. Maria Montessori pointed out that human development is divided up into recognizable phases, which she called Planes of Development. She split up the first 24 years of life into four planes of development of roughly 6 years each. Around age 12, individuals transition from childhood to adolescence, leaving the 2nd plane of development behind and entering the 3rd plane. This is marked by changes in the body (puberty) and changes in behavior, preferences and interests.

IT RESPONDS TO THE HUMAN TENDENCIES

What Maria Montessori called the Human Tendencies are innate drives or instincts that accompany us throughout life, but which manifest themselves in different ways depending on our stage of development. These include but are not limited to: orientation, communication, order, imagination, abstraction, work, and self-expression. The way these tendencies are expressed changes during the transition from childhood to adolescence.

IT’S CREATED TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE ADOLESCENT

Knowledge of human development based on Maria Montessori’s lectures and writing helps Montessori adolescent guides create an environment and curriculum that is suitable for their students. Montessori programs are designed with the students and their needs (plane of development and human tendencies) in mind. Here are some of the developmental needs of the adolescents that are addressed in Montessori adolescent programs:

Need for belonging
Need for participation in meaningful work & community
Need for protection and guidance during time of great physical change
Need for real conversations & social life
Need for self-expression & physical activity
Desire to investigate the adult world, topics and work that connect to real life situations
Need for guidance understanding the adult world in which they will soon take part in
Interest in developing financial independence

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Music, Drama and Dance in the Montessori Classroom

January 13, 2025

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.)