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When my Montessori elementary class returns from winter break, we usually begin the new year by discussing the tradition of making resolutions. Together, we talk about what a New Year’s resolution is, what it means to set goals, and whether the students set goals with their families. As a group, we set resolutions for our classroom, determining the goals we should all work on. Students are also invited to set individual goals. Classroom Goals Respect the peacefulness of our classroom by working quietly Respect the orderliness and cleanliness of the classroom Include everyone during recess Encourage each other to try our best and use excellence Individual Goals Try to print more neatly Remember to organize the page properly and form letters correctly Use excellence in my work Practice patience and kindness with my friends Some years, we have focused our resolutions on developing leadership within the class and the school as a whole. We begin by brainstorming what it means to be a good l...

Throughout the year, Montessori teachers introduce themes that can guide the learning and exploration of the students. When possible, they work to integrate the theme across the curriculum. One of my favourite themes in the Montessori elementary classroom focuses on peacemakers and influential leaders. I introduce the theme to the students through books. We begin by reading inspirational books and stories together as a class and in small groups. We read the stories of Terry Fox, Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Anne Frank, Maria Montessori, Craig Kielburger, and others. Because lower elementary students are in a developmental stage of understanding and relating to justice, these stories are very meaningful to them. They ignite a spark of curiosity in the students that center on justice and compassion. They feel empathy for these amazing people, many of whom had to deal with harsh circumstances and injustice. The students are even inspired to make changes in their own lives based on thes...

Help me to help myself. —Maria Montessori The Child in the Family, p. 72. In her book Children Who are Not Yet Peaceful , Donna Bryant Goertz says, “We wisely welcome into our classrooms that small number of children whose behavior strikes us as eccentric, complicated, challenging, or confusing. These children are the indicators of how well the classroom is meeting the needs of all the children. They react when others don’t — and react overtly in ways that cannot be ignored. We have found that to assimilate these children and support them in their personal transformation, the class must be providing the maximum benefit to all children.” (Goertz, 2001) If we truly believe that all children can and have the right to learn, then there is a place for all children in your Montessori environment, including those with learning disabilities or who are “at risk.” Guiding Children with Learning Disabilities in the Montessori Environment It is true that some children will require additional time...