Alternative Seating Options

Every classroom can provide alternative seating options for children.  Some children work better on the floor, some students work better in a desk, and some students work better while standing.  These options can be easily accomplished my using carpet squares, standing tables, bean bag chairs, and mats.  I think that all children love to have options and it actually improves their learning!

Peace and Love

Two of the main philosophies of Montessori are peace and love.  This is something that anyone can easily incorporate into their traditional classroom.  One of the most important lessons I have learned teaching Montessori this year is the benefit of a peaceful classroom.   Creating and maintaining peace is one of the most important things that happen each day in my class.  This starts with an attitude and demeanor of peace and love.  It continues with the creation of your peace corner.  This is not to be confused with a reading corner, which we often see in traditional classes.  A peace corner is a place where students can visit throughout the day to find peace, calm down, and just relax.  There are many things that you can have in your peace corner: peace books, peace flowers, a peace bear, peace rocks, seashells, an hourglass, a battery-operated candle, a zen garden........the list can go on and on.

What is Montessori?

Montessori education is an educational approach developed by Italian physician and educator Maria Montessori and characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development. Although a range of practices exists under the name "Montessori", the Association Montessori Internationale (AMI) and the American Montessori Society (AMS) cite these elements as essential:^[2][3]

• Mixed age classrooms, with classrooms for children ages 2½ or 3 to 6 years old by far the most common
• Student choice of activity from within a prescribed range of options
• Uninterrupted blocks of work time, ideally three hours
• A constructivist or "discovery" model, where students learn concepts from working with materials, rather than by direct instruction
• Specialized educational materials developed by Montessori and her collaborators
• Freedom of movement within the classroom
• A trained Montessori teacher

My name is Chelsea, and I am starting this blog as a place for traditional teachers to learn to make their classrooms into a Montessori classroom. I have been a traditional teacher for 6 years, but over this school year I have been evolving into a true Montessori teacher :) You see, Montessori is more than just materials and training, Montessori is a state of mind....a peace within you that flows forth into your classroom.  My goal is to help any teacher adopt the Montessori philosophy and mindfulness to create a Montessori environment in their classroom.  I will do this through pictures, videos, and simple explanations that anyone can understand.  Share and Enjoy :)