Cross of Life Montessori School
  • Programs
    • Toddler Program (15 - 36 months)
    • Primary Class (3 - 6 years)
    • Catechesis of The Good Shepherd
    • The Children's Garden
  • About Us
    • Director's Letter
    • COL Church
    • Mission Statement
    • FAQ'S
    • Staff
  • Montessori
    • Montessori Overview
    • Dr. Maria Montessori
    • Montessori Library
    • The Montessori Advantage
  • Admission
    • Virtual Tour
    • Enrollment Steps
    • Online Student Application
    • Tuition
  • Parent's Corner
    • Covid-19 Procedures
    • Parent Association >
      • PA Meetings and Teacher Appreciation Lunches
      • Pizza Days
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • February Parent Ed - Importance of the 3rd year
    • Forms >
      • Transportation Permission
      • Lunch Hour (12pm-1pm)
    • Student Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Quick Reference Page
    • Birthdays in the Primary Class
    • Class Supply Lists >
      • Toddler Snack Shopping List
      • Toddler Class Supply List
      • Toddler Snack Schedule
      • Primary Class Supply List
      • Primary Snack Shopping List
      • Primary Snack Schedule
  • Giving
    • Apogee Scholarship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Indirect Fundraising Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Contact

Blog

The Outdoor Environment

8/25/2016

 
Picture
“We have such a brief opportunity to pass on to our children our love for this Earth, and to tell our stories. These are the moments when the world is made whole. In my children's memories, the adventures we've had together in nature will always exist.”
― Richard Louv, Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder ​
Picture
Picture

Many, many years ago, when Dr. Maria Montessori was in the process of developing the Montessori method of guiding the development of children, she realized the importance of the outdoor environment. At our school, we are surrounded by thirteen wooded acres, and a wonderful natural area for the children to enjoy.  Our outdoor area is also a Certified Schoolyard Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation.
Picture
Picture
Our "backyard" offers a wonderful teaching playground for the development of the whole child.

“In the world of nature, there is scope for the perceiving and thinking mind in coming up against the unexpected and exercising the senses and muscles. These help develop coordination and integration and enhance the powers of intelligence.” (Dr. Maria Montessori, The Child in Nature)
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Core strength, balance, and self-awareness are developed as the child is allowed time to explore, at her own pace, in the natural world. ​
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
In the same way that we guide the child in the casa, we follow the child independently through the natural world.
Picture
"The land is where our roots are - the children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the earth" - Maria Montessori
Picture
Thank you to Meg Porter Photography for the beautiful photographs in this post. You can see more of her work on her website: megporterphotography.com or visit her on Facebook.

Welcome Back!

8/12/2016

 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
I think all Montessori teachers find the beginning of a new year to be an incredibly exciting time. This year was especially exciting because we made some minor updates to the classrooms including new furniture and artwork for the Primary room.

Dr. Montessori referred to the Primary Class as a 'Casa' because it is a house for children. It is a place where children belong, where each child is a valued member of the community. It is a beautiful place, carefully prepared for just for the children who dwell in it. Creating a Casa is truly a labor of love completed with attention to detail and a thorough knowledge of the Montessori method.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Child sized tables and chairs allow children to be seated comfortably while working
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Framed art as well as beautiful objects surround the children, rather than garish alphabet posters or plastic clutter. After all, would you have a poster with the numbers or letters of the alphabet taped to your living room wall?
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Children in a Montessori school learn through the use of all their senses - color coded beads aid the child in preforming math operations, sand paper letters introduce the sound and shape of our alphabet, and three dimensional objects like the Brown Stair introduce fundamental concepts of shape, size, order and spatial relationships.
Picture
Pictured here are the Geometric Solids, one of the Sensorial Materials used for introducing Math concepts. Think about the difference between looking at a picture of a sphere or cylinder on a computer screen and holding it in your hand feeling it's smooth curves, experiencing it's weight, and noticing how it rolls so easily in your palm. Montessori understood that children, in fact, all people, learn best when as many of their senses as possible are engaged.
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
In the Montessori training we learn that objects in the environment should 'call out' to a child, enticing him to work with that material. Imagine the thrill of being able to carefully handle beautiful depression-era glass, open a mailbox to discover a hand written letter from a friend, and balancing a bean bag or carrying a bell so precisely that it does not ring - while walking on the line. The children love participating in these activities and our teachers love to present these new experiences to children. We have already gotten started and our on our way to a wonderful year! 
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

    Archives

    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    January 2015
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011

    COLCM

    We are an AMI accredited Montessori school growing daily in spirit & intellect!

    Parenting Books

    Categories

    All
    Atrium
    Camp
    Catechesis Of The Good Shepherd
    Garden
    Growing Up
    Primary
    Toddlers

© 2020 Cross of Life Montessori
  • Programs
    • Toddler Program (15 - 36 months)
    • Primary Class (3 - 6 years)
    • Catechesis of The Good Shepherd
    • The Children's Garden
  • About Us
    • Director's Letter
    • COL Church
    • Mission Statement
    • FAQ'S
    • Staff
  • Montessori
    • Montessori Overview
    • Dr. Maria Montessori
    • Montessori Library
    • The Montessori Advantage
  • Admission
    • Virtual Tour
    • Enrollment Steps
    • Online Student Application
    • Tuition
  • Parent's Corner
    • Covid-19 Procedures
    • Parent Association >
      • PA Meetings and Teacher Appreciation Lunches
      • Pizza Days
    • Calendar
    • Events >
      • February Parent Ed - Importance of the 3rd year
    • Forms >
      • Transportation Permission
      • Lunch Hour (12pm-1pm)
    • Student Directory
    • Staff Directory
    • Quick Reference Page
    • Birthdays in the Primary Class
    • Class Supply Lists >
      • Toddler Snack Shopping List
      • Toddler Class Supply List
      • Toddler Snack Schedule
      • Primary Class Supply List
      • Primary Snack Shopping List
      • Primary Snack Schedule
  • Giving
    • Apogee Scholarship
    • Volunteer Opportunities
    • Indirect Fundraising Opportunities
  • Blog
  • Contact