Check out this link to an economist named James Heckman. He looks to early childhood education as a huge fixer of American problems, and has done a great deal of research to back it up. The Economics of Human Potential...
It is quite interesting and continues to pave the way for Montessori to play a larger role in the educational scene.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
A Peek Inside...
Recently, a friend challenged me to use this blog as an opportunity to give those outside of the Montessori community, a peek inside a Montessori classroom. I've been mulling this challenge over for a bit and I think I'm ready to take it on. I like that it forces me to look with fresh eyes upon the Montessori classroom I get to spend my days in. I also find myself a little nervous at the opportunity to potentially glorify the truth in an attempt to stroke my ego. My goal is to present the Montessori Method through my experiences, not promote me through this blog. We'll see how it goes. So I present to you, installment one of a Peek Inside courtesy of RM 146.
I'd like to start with the idea of choice. One of the great misunderstandings of the Montessori Method, is the notion that students generally do whatever they want, whenever they want. Are you kidding me? Do you know what a classroom of 23 9-12 year olds given the freedom to do whatever they want would actually be like? I have an idea. Click here.
The classroom environment is prepared in a way that gives students boundaries and opportunities to make choices within those boundaries. Here's example from RM146 today:
After lunch we had a science workshop. Our theme in science this year is Biology. Currently we are focusing on the different Kingdoms of Life and the classification of living things. We have a shelf with various activities for the students to choose from that cover this topic. Here's what you would have seen today:
-Five students painting their homemade play-do model of a plant cell.
-One student using a microscope to observe and document a fungus she found in her back yard.
-Two students laying out a poster with pictures and descriptions of different fungi and plant life and matching it up with actual specimens in jars.
-Eight students reading short Biology articles and answering questions about the article.
-One student reading from a college level Biology text.
-One student figuring out how to use a compass for the first time.
-One student watching the other student figure out how to use a compass for the first time.
-One student floating from person to person, kind of checking in on what others were doing.
As you can see, not everyone is committed to Biology, and none of it looks quite as pretty as it sounds. But they have chosen to do these activities and that makes all the difference.
Why?
More on that next time.
I'd like to start with the idea of choice. One of the great misunderstandings of the Montessori Method, is the notion that students generally do whatever they want, whenever they want. Are you kidding me? Do you know what a classroom of 23 9-12 year olds given the freedom to do whatever they want would actually be like? I have an idea. Click here.
The classroom environment is prepared in a way that gives students boundaries and opportunities to make choices within those boundaries. Here's example from RM146 today:
After lunch we had a science workshop. Our theme in science this year is Biology. Currently we are focusing on the different Kingdoms of Life and the classification of living things. We have a shelf with various activities for the students to choose from that cover this topic. Here's what you would have seen today:
-Five students painting their homemade play-do model of a plant cell.
-One student using a microscope to observe and document a fungus she found in her back yard.
-Two students laying out a poster with pictures and descriptions of different fungi and plant life and matching it up with actual specimens in jars.
-Eight students reading short Biology articles and answering questions about the article.
-One student reading from a college level Biology text.
-One student figuring out how to use a compass for the first time.
-One student watching the other student figure out how to use a compass for the first time.
-One student floating from person to person, kind of checking in on what others were doing.
As you can see, not everyone is committed to Biology, and none of it looks quite as pretty as it sounds. But they have chosen to do these activities and that makes all the difference.
Why?
More on that next time.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Montessori and The Onion
Recently, there have been several articles in the Onion focusing on the Montessori Method. While The Onion is a satirical rag, I consider it an honor for the Montessori Method to recieve the attention.
Here are the links to the articles. Enjoy!
"Something Weird Going On In That Montessori School, Neighbor Reports"
"Montessori School Of Dentistry Lets Students Discover Their Own Root Canal Procedures"
Here are the links to the articles. Enjoy!
"Something Weird Going On In That Montessori School, Neighbor Reports"
"Montessori School Of Dentistry Lets Students Discover Their Own Root Canal Procedures"
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Who Is McGraw Hill?
Every where I look around my school I see the name McGraw-Hill. This is the company that produces our annual standardized test called ISTEP. It is also the company that produces a majority of our text books. It is also the company that makes the test that we use every quarter to measure student progress to see if the students will be ready to take ISTEP. It is also the company that provides the resources to understand the data gathered from the tests.
It seems to make sense that a company could provide these similar resources and supplies for schools, and of course they are not the only ones that do this. But this is a huge company making a lot of money off of public schools and the demand that they meet certain state academic requirements. This company has offices all around the world and also provides financial services and information and media services.
So what is the point? My point is this: McGraw Hill controls what is taught in Fort Wayne Community schools, along with many other school districts around the world. Is this a good thing? What is their underlying motivation? Who's interests do they have in mind? How much are they able to lobby the government to keep policy that involves high stakes testing (McGraw Hill products) as a must for public schools?
Who are you McGraw-Hill?
It seems to make sense that a company could provide these similar resources and supplies for schools, and of course they are not the only ones that do this. But this is a huge company making a lot of money off of public schools and the demand that they meet certain state academic requirements. This company has offices all around the world and also provides financial services and information and media services.
So what is the point? My point is this: McGraw Hill controls what is taught in Fort Wayne Community schools, along with many other school districts around the world. Is this a good thing? What is their underlying motivation? Who's interests do they have in mind? How much are they able to lobby the government to keep policy that involves high stakes testing (McGraw Hill products) as a must for public schools?
Who are you McGraw-Hill?
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Brain Research
One of my favorite things happening in education right now is the Harlem Children's Zone.
The brain research that is behind alot of what is happening at HCZ is the same as the core of the Montessori philosophy. It is beautiful. Here is a link to a podcast on "This American Life" about HCZ and brain research.
The brain research that is behind alot of what is happening at HCZ is the same as the core of the Montessori philosophy. It is beautiful. Here is a link to a podcast on "This American Life" about HCZ and brain research.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Common Threads
I spent the first part of the summer doing alot of thinking and some reading, and came across these common threads.
The first one is this video: The Story of Stuff
The second one came from trying to understand the history of the American education system and philosophy.
The third thread, which I've linked to before, is from Riane Eisler's book, "The Real Wealth of Nations."
I'll let you make the connections. As a Montessorian, these threads cry out for us to continue moving forward with the Montessori philosophy. The future depends on it.
The first one is this video: The Story of Stuff
The second one came from trying to understand the history of the American education system and philosophy.
The third thread, which I've linked to before, is from Riane Eisler's book, "The Real Wealth of Nations."
I'll let you make the connections. As a Montessorian, these threads cry out for us to continue moving forward with the Montessori philosophy. The future depends on it.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Montessori Movement
Here is an interesting article about the Montessori Philosophy and Jewish schools. I love this thought from the article...
"Montessori schools offer not only a specific model of education, but also a vision of the type of people they want their graduates to become.
“I don’t want [my children] to be crushed into a mold,” Yoni Gershan said. “Where are the leaders going to come from? They’re not going to come from a place where the goal is conformity.”
"Montessori schools offer not only a specific model of education, but also a vision of the type of people they want their graduates to become.
“I don’t want [my children] to be crushed into a mold,” Yoni Gershan said. “Where are the leaders going to come from? They’re not going to come from a place where the goal is conformity.”
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Parkinsons and Montessori
Here is another great article about one of the founders of Google. The more success these guys have, the more the Montessori story gets told.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Over 100 Years
I had the honor of being a part of an Indiana Montessori Teacher's Conference today. I participated in several sessions, and helped facilitate a couple.
I found myself in the middle of a great conversation that went along with a thread that is being woven on this blog.
Maria Montessori, the founder of the philosophy was a scientist. The philosophy is based on years of observation research. The data has already been gathered. It is continually gathered every time each one of us as Montessori teachers makes an observation and differentiates instruction. Montessori is not a fad, or a new way of trying to band aid a problem. It is a century old philosphy and methodology of education.
The genius of the Montessori Philosophy isn't the math and language standards that are measured on standardized testing. (Although we can show the students being successful by those standards.) The genius is the standards that students measure up to that are not measured by the department of education: Standards of humanity and development as people, as thinkers, as self motivated, creative, teamworkers, as caring peacemakers. While the department of education may not see these as important, leaders in many other fields do.
I found myself in the middle of a great conversation that went along with a thread that is being woven on this blog.
Maria Montessori, the founder of the philosophy was a scientist. The philosophy is based on years of observation research. The data has already been gathered. It is continually gathered every time each one of us as Montessori teachers makes an observation and differentiates instruction. Montessori is not a fad, or a new way of trying to band aid a problem. It is a century old philosphy and methodology of education.
The genius of the Montessori Philosophy isn't the math and language standards that are measured on standardized testing. (Although we can show the students being successful by those standards.) The genius is the standards that students measure up to that are not measured by the department of education: Standards of humanity and development as people, as thinkers, as self motivated, creative, teamworkers, as caring peacemakers. While the department of education may not see these as important, leaders in many other fields do.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Tell the stories!
In response to my last post, regarding beating the legislators at their own game, and in light of the recent conversations with my peers regarding data, statistics, ISTEP scores, AYP, blah, blah, blah...
'Art addresses us in the fullness of our being....There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories or songs or images. Art awakens, enlarges, refines, and restores our humanity.'
-Dana Gioia
Tell the stories. The numbers only tell one fraction of a much greater story. We must tell the Montessori story. We must tell the stories of our students. We must put ourselves in a place where we are daily awed by what is happening in our midst and find ways to creatively communicate those occurences.
'Art addresses us in the fullness of our being....There are some truths about life that can be expressed only as stories or songs or images. Art awakens, enlarges, refines, and restores our humanity.'
-Dana Gioia
Tell the stories. The numbers only tell one fraction of a much greater story. We must tell the Montessori story. We must tell the stories of our students. We must put ourselves in a place where we are daily awed by what is happening in our midst and find ways to creatively communicate those occurences.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
The ISTEP Coup
ISTEP is Indiana's version of yearly high stakes standardized testing. Last week the students finished their first of two weeks of testing they will endure this spring. Schools around the state, urban, suburban, and rural, were in an uproar regarding the difficulty of the new test. Higher order thinking skills are being tested in a way they have not been previously, and many students were not prepared to deal with this, which leads me to the point of this post.
As a Montessorian, and someone who generally operates by common sense, I am passionately opposed to standardized testing and all the baggage that comes with them. My preferred course of action would be to fight for the elimination of them. Yet, this seems like an unbelievably steep uphill battle.
A ray of sunshine perhaps? The new move toward testing higher order thinking skills in theory, should favor Montessori schools, as that is what we see being fostered in our students as we follow the Montessori philosophy. If this leads to Montessori students scoring noticably higher, especially in urban areas, could it then lead to getting the attention of legislators and decision makers? Is the way to seeing more schools adopt the Montessori philosophy, to beat legislators at their own game?
The coup has begun.
As a Montessorian, and someone who generally operates by common sense, I am passionately opposed to standardized testing and all the baggage that comes with them. My preferred course of action would be to fight for the elimination of them. Yet, this seems like an unbelievably steep uphill battle.
A ray of sunshine perhaps? The new move toward testing higher order thinking skills in theory, should favor Montessori schools, as that is what we see being fostered in our students as we follow the Montessori philosophy. If this leads to Montessori students scoring noticably higher, especially in urban areas, could it then lead to getting the attention of legislators and decision makers? Is the way to seeing more schools adopt the Montessori philosophy, to beat legislators at their own game?
The coup has begun.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Three Cups of Tea
The first cup of tea, you are a stranger.
The second cup of tea, you are a friend.
The third cup of tea, you are family.
Greg Mortensen was today's speaker, the final speaker of the conference. I recently finished Mortensen's book, Three Cups of Tea, and was so interested in hearing him speak, that I missed my flight home. Fortunately, I was able to catch another flight on standby. In January, Mortensen was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I don't know when I'll have another chance to personally meet and listen to a Nobel Peace Prize winner, so carpe diem.
Similar to Spike Lee, Mortensen isn't a public speaker. But he does have such an amazing story to tell. What started as a failed attempt to climb the second highest peak in the world, became a promise to build a school for the Pakistan village that nursed him back to health, and is now an organization that has built 78 schools throughout rural Pakistan. The Central Asia Institute now helps to educate thousands of children, giving them a future that was never an option for them before.
I won't attempt to re-tell his story here because that would diminish it's beauty. It is a story that greatly moved me. Mortensen didn't start with a goal to build 78 schools in rural Pakistan. He saw a need, one school in one village, and he was moved to meet it. Greatness is simple. Maybe that is why it is so hard for people to obtain.
Mortensen's work has drawn the attention of the Pentagon, as he is considered an expert in an area of the world that our government is generally pretty ignorant about. The schools he builds are also seen as an alternative to the extremist jihad schools that poor Pakistani children would potentially attend. Mortensen as acutally been referred to as a fighter of terrorism. He likes to think of himself as a promoter of peace. In an address of Pentagon officials, he noted that the striker missiles used to bomb Afghanistan cost $800,000 a piece. These missiles may or may not strike their target. At their most "effective" they destroy alqaeda strongholds. At their worst, the kill innocent women and children, or maybe make a new hole in the side of a mountain. $800,000 could build 30 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, educating thousands of children and keeping them from attending the extremist jihad schools. Which one is the most effective "fighter" of terrorism?
"Fighting terrorism" Mortensen says, "is based on fear. Fear is perpetuated by ignorance, which is the real enemy. Promoting peace is based in hope."
The second cup of tea, you are a friend.
The third cup of tea, you are family.
Greg Mortensen was today's speaker, the final speaker of the conference. I recently finished Mortensen's book, Three Cups of Tea, and was so interested in hearing him speak, that I missed my flight home. Fortunately, I was able to catch another flight on standby. In January, Mortensen was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. I don't know when I'll have another chance to personally meet and listen to a Nobel Peace Prize winner, so carpe diem.
Similar to Spike Lee, Mortensen isn't a public speaker. But he does have such an amazing story to tell. What started as a failed attempt to climb the second highest peak in the world, became a promise to build a school for the Pakistan village that nursed him back to health, and is now an organization that has built 78 schools throughout rural Pakistan. The Central Asia Institute now helps to educate thousands of children, giving them a future that was never an option for them before.
I won't attempt to re-tell his story here because that would diminish it's beauty. It is a story that greatly moved me. Mortensen didn't start with a goal to build 78 schools in rural Pakistan. He saw a need, one school in one village, and he was moved to meet it. Greatness is simple. Maybe that is why it is so hard for people to obtain.
Mortensen's work has drawn the attention of the Pentagon, as he is considered an expert in an area of the world that our government is generally pretty ignorant about. The schools he builds are also seen as an alternative to the extremist jihad schools that poor Pakistani children would potentially attend. Mortensen as acutally been referred to as a fighter of terrorism. He likes to think of himself as a promoter of peace. In an address of Pentagon officials, he noted that the striker missiles used to bomb Afghanistan cost $800,000 a piece. These missiles may or may not strike their target. At their most "effective" they destroy alqaeda strongholds. At their worst, the kill innocent women and children, or maybe make a new hole in the side of a mountain. $800,000 could build 30 schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan, educating thousands of children and keeping them from attending the extremist jihad schools. Which one is the most effective "fighter" of terrorism?
"Fighting terrorism" Mortensen says, "is based on fear. Fear is perpetuated by ignorance, which is the real enemy. Promoting peace is based in hope."
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Do the Right Thing
Today’s keynote speaker was Spike Lee. He was invited to speak because his last project was a documentary about post Katrina New Orleans called, "When the Levees Broke." My Spike Lee memories are of Mars Blackmon and MJ commercials, Reggie Miller dropping 8 points in 11 seconds on the Knicksand giving Mr. Lee the choke sign, and the lovable pizza delivery guy in Do the Right Thing.
It was immediately obvious that he is not a public speaker. He speaks through film. But he did give a few great sound bites:
In reference to President Obama, “…even if you didn’t vote for him, you gotta give the man respect. Give him some applause. You might as well get with the program it’s gonna be 8 years!”
“Our values system has been turned upside down. When I was a kid, (Spike Lee is now 52) we looked up to three types of people, athletes, the guys who could talk with the ladies, and the smart guys. Now, if you speak a whole sentence without cussing or using incorrect grammar, you are a sell out. If you are a drop out on the corner smoking a blunt, drinking a forty with your pants hanging down past your ass and your hand on your privates, you’ve made it. How the hell did that become what it means to be black?”
“1865 (the year slavery became illegal in the US) wasn’t that long ago. I’m only 4 generations removed from slavery. But the greater crime in our country’s history is all the land grabbing that went on from the Native Americans. You wanna see some messed up stuff, go to a Native American concentration camp. Yeah, I didn’t say reservation…”
“Reality shows have poisoned the mind of young people by perpetuating the lie of the overnight success. If you want to be successful you have to bust your ass.”
“Parents kill more dreams than anybody. In their supposed infinite wisdom, they think they know best.”
In reference to the digital revolution and Youtube – “I think its great, everyone has a voice now, but unfortunately not everybody has something to say.”
It was immediately obvious that he is not a public speaker. He speaks through film. But he did give a few great sound bites:
In reference to President Obama, “…even if you didn’t vote for him, you gotta give the man respect. Give him some applause. You might as well get with the program it’s gonna be 8 years!”
“Our values system has been turned upside down. When I was a kid, (Spike Lee is now 52) we looked up to three types of people, athletes, the guys who could talk with the ladies, and the smart guys. Now, if you speak a whole sentence without cussing or using incorrect grammar, you are a sell out. If you are a drop out on the corner smoking a blunt, drinking a forty with your pants hanging down past your ass and your hand on your privates, you’ve made it. How the hell did that become what it means to be black?”
“1865 (the year slavery became illegal in the US) wasn’t that long ago. I’m only 4 generations removed from slavery. But the greater crime in our country’s history is all the land grabbing that went on from the Native Americans. You wanna see some messed up stuff, go to a Native American concentration camp. Yeah, I didn’t say reservation…”
“Reality shows have poisoned the mind of young people by perpetuating the lie of the overnight success. If you want to be successful you have to bust your ass.”
“Parents kill more dreams than anybody. In their supposed infinite wisdom, they think they know best.”
In reference to the digital revolution and Youtube – “I think its great, everyone has a voice now, but unfortunately not everybody has something to say.”
Friday, February 27, 2009
Caring Economics
"The people we entrust with our pipes (plumbers) make $50 to $100 an hour. The people we entrust with our children (teachers) according to the US Department of Education make $10 an hour."
-Riane Eisler
I am currently soaking up the Big Easy at the National Montessori Conference. While I am attending various workshops and seminars, I thought I'd take the time to blog about the three keynote speakers.
Today's speaker was Riane Eisler. One word...Genius. Growing up in World War II era Austria, her and her family fled for their safety. Today, she is an economist and futurist, president of the Center for Partnership Studies and an author of several books - The Chalice and the Blade, Tomorrow's Children, and True Wealth of Nations. The focus of her work and her conversation today was something she refers to as caring economics.
In my own humble summary: (which is much less eloquent than her delivery, especially since she is Austrian and has this great accent which only adds emphasis to her already academic language) we as a society must experience a fundamental cultural transformation. We need to leave the old hierarchy of domination and fear and freedom for those on the top to do what they want and move toward a new hierarchy of mutual respect, mutual benefit and actualization. This new movement is a partnership in which leaders illuminate, provide, and empower life instead of trying to dominate it.
In our American culture, we only measure time by length and order. How long something lasted, did it happen before or after. We don't measure time's depth, the value or richness of a moment. Greek culture has a word for this called Kairos. A Kairos moment is a moment pregnant with great potential and lasting impact. According to Eisler, the current economic crisis is a Kairos moment. As we shift from industrial to post industrial, the opportunity is there to move to an economy of caring where value is given to life sustaining activities. The beauty of everything she was communicating, is that the Montessori philosophy fully promotes the ideals she speaks of, giving us as Montessorians a huge opportunity to play a role in creating the future.
-Riane Eisler
I am currently soaking up the Big Easy at the National Montessori Conference. While I am attending various workshops and seminars, I thought I'd take the time to blog about the three keynote speakers.
Today's speaker was Riane Eisler. One word...Genius. Growing up in World War II era Austria, her and her family fled for their safety. Today, she is an economist and futurist, president of the Center for Partnership Studies and an author of several books - The Chalice and the Blade, Tomorrow's Children, and True Wealth of Nations. The focus of her work and her conversation today was something she refers to as caring economics.
In my own humble summary: (which is much less eloquent than her delivery, especially since she is Austrian and has this great accent which only adds emphasis to her already academic language) we as a society must experience a fundamental cultural transformation. We need to leave the old hierarchy of domination and fear and freedom for those on the top to do what they want and move toward a new hierarchy of mutual respect, mutual benefit and actualization. This new movement is a partnership in which leaders illuminate, provide, and empower life instead of trying to dominate it.
In our American culture, we only measure time by length and order. How long something lasted, did it happen before or after. We don't measure time's depth, the value or richness of a moment. Greek culture has a word for this called Kairos. A Kairos moment is a moment pregnant with great potential and lasting impact. According to Eisler, the current economic crisis is a Kairos moment. As we shift from industrial to post industrial, the opportunity is there to move to an economy of caring where value is given to life sustaining activities. The beauty of everything she was communicating, is that the Montessori philosophy fully promotes the ideals she speaks of, giving us as Montessorians a huge opportunity to play a role in creating the future.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Ten Tips for Creating a 21st Century Classroom Experience
Here is a link to an article in Metropolis magazine. It highlights key elements of a 21st Century classroom that will allow education to move forward in a way that some think will best benefit the greater good. The list of 10 elements are all generally found in a Montessori classroom.
The Google Boys
Sergey Brin and Larry Page, the founders of Google, give a presentation at a TED conference.
"We started Google because we wanted to make the world a better place. Both of us went to Montessori school, and this has been incorporated into Google." At Google, they have a concept called 20% time. Employees get to spend 20% (the equivalent of a whole work day) of their time, doing what they think is the best thing to do.
The solutions to today's problems will come from people who are able to dream new ideas. One of the beautiful aspects of the Montessori Philospophy is that it enables students to develop the type of question asking and creative thinking skills necessary to be the dreamers of solutions. It also helps them develop the desire and concern to care enough to follow their dreams for the greater good.
"We started Google because we wanted to make the world a better place. Both of us went to Montessori school, and this has been incorporated into Google." At Google, they have a concept called 20% time. Employees get to spend 20% (the equivalent of a whole work day) of their time, doing what they think is the best thing to do.
The solutions to today's problems will come from people who are able to dream new ideas. One of the beautiful aspects of the Montessori Philospophy is that it enables students to develop the type of question asking and creative thinking skills necessary to be the dreamers of solutions. It also helps them develop the desire and concern to care enough to follow their dreams for the greater good.
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