In this article, Montessori is described as an "alternative educational organization": I like the sound of that. I like knowing there is an alternative to the mainstream. As Mark Twain once said, "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." A lady by the name of Nancy McCormick is introduced in the article, as someone who for a long time tried to incorporate Montessori philosophy into public and private schools.
Maria Montessori is also talked about and this is a good description of what she strived for , "She combined sensory-rich environments and hands-on experiential techniques in the hopes of reaching children previously labeled "deficient and insane." What a huge MILESTONE! Including children who were thought to be inferior. Her work was not done in vain, and I am proud to see so many changes occuring today regarding children who can not conform to public education.
My son, Indiana, is an old soul, a wise soul, an intelligent soul. He is in 3rd grade at a public school here in Laramie. One of his daily homework assignments is to write an 8-12 sentence paragraph about his daily chapter reading. Indy decided he was going to create his own little journal to write these in. He divided a sheet of orange construction paper into four and cut out a section. He did this with about five pieces of paper, and then stapled them all together to create a 20 page 5.5x4.25 little notebook. I am very impressed and happy with his teacher who has so far allowed into to hand in his homework in this homemade journal. I am also aware that this may change in future grades when Indy is no longer allowed to write in his little journal and will be required to write or type on 8x11 standard sheets.
If I put Indy in a Montessori School, I feel I will never have to worry about a teacher who wants my son to stay "in the box". I feel that at a Montessori school, his ideas, his creativity, his ambitions will be nurtured and encouraged based on the fact that kids can design their own projects and pick and choose their interests. Maybe I'm only dreaming about this idealistic Montessori philosophy, but hey, I'm idealistic and I'm a dreamer.
Indy(Left) Emmet(Right
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