NMS delegation posed with a friend at the American Montessori Society Conference in Denver, March 2018. Each year, thanks to the generosity of NMS Annual Fund contributors, our school has the opportunity to send a group of at least 4 teachers to the national conference of the American Montessori Society (AMS). This year, the participants were (above, from left to right): Lisa Levine (Lower Elementary 1 Teacher), Elyse Kalins (Beginners 2 Teacher), Katie Quann (Music Specialist), Beth Black (NMS Head of School), Neus Carmona (Beginners 1 Teacher), and Michael Silverstone (Lower Elementary 2 Teacher). This trip serves NMS on a number of levels: students benefit from attendees’ professional gro
“No one can be free unless he is independent: therefore, the first, active manifestations of the child’s individual liberty must be so guided that through this activity he may arrive at independence. Little children, from the moment in which they are weaned, are making their way toward independence.” —Maria Montessori, The Montessori Method The main goal in a young child's life is to develop independence. In Montessori’s observations of fifteen-month-old children, she realized that children of this age are not satisfied by toys alone; rather, they want to meet challenges that require their maximum efforts. Young children want to gain control of their hands and bodies, so once they are aware
The term “privilege” can be a controversial and challenging subject to discuss, both for those who have it and those who do not. Privilege (in my experience) is often referred to as it pertains to race or class. However, there are many types of privilege and most of us are privileged in some way. Below are some areas of privilege that we have explored as faculty and with students through read alouds (younger grades) and discussions (older grades). Aesthetic: Do I fit into my society’s definition of beauty? (dependent on the country/culture) Orientation: Am I able to show affection in public free from fear of ridicule or persecution? Socio-Economic: Can I afford to see a doctor? Can I afford
Each spring at NMS, the Elementary Expo presents a culmination of research projects created by students in first through sixth grade. The students prepare for weeks in advance—choosing a topic of interest, asking strong questions, researching to gain understanding, and finally creating a poster board that displays their findings, often with a 3D model, slideshow, or other supplement. The process, driven by individual students’ curiosity and hands-on learning, fits naturally in the context of Montessori philosophy. Elementary teachers and parents see the preparation and concentration leading up to the Expo, so they have some idea of what to expect during the final presentations. But if you ar
