Call Us: 410-321-8555 ignite@greenspringmontessori.org
Lower Elementary Children Explore Natural History Through Going Outs

Lower Elementary Children Explore Natural History Through Going Outs

Our Lower Elementary children have been inspired recently by natural history and early humans. After receiving the first three Great Lessons – The Coming of the Universe, The Timeline of Life, and The Coming of Humans, they have initiated their own research on everything from early humans to the giant octopus. In true Montessori fashion, they have each been eagerly learning more about their chosen topics through research, field trips, and Going Outs.

Our Redbud and Mulberry classes recently visited the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History to explore the Human Origins exhibit along with many of the other wonders of the natural world! The children became interested in learning more about early humans after receiving the third Great Lesson, The Coming of Humans.⁠ This Third Great Lesson focuses on early humans and the three things that set us apart from the rest of the animals around us: a mind to imagine, hands to work, and a heart to love others. This Great Lesson is the first story to include humans and sets the stage for the many wonderful, historic inventions humanity birthed from the time they entered our timeline through the current day.

A small group of Lower Elementary students also went on a Going Out to the National Aquarium in Baltimore to research the giant octopus, sea slugs, and the peacock mantis shrimp. They each confirmed those creatures were there before going and they printed out directions to and from the aquarium to direct their chaperone. When they arrived, each student explored the aquarium to search for the exhibit that they were researching. They found out when they arrived that unfortunately the no longer lived at the aquarium. Determined to leave with information, these students asked aquarium staff about this animal and were able to get some interesting facts. In the rainforest exhibit, they were able to spot two out of three sloths, which was a highlight for everyone. They were also able to learn about and touch horseshoe crabs and jellyfish in the touch tanks. Shark Alley was the most exciting to explore, where they spotted a Sand Tiger Shark, a Sawtooth Shark and the Blacktip Reef shark.

Going Outs and field trips are an essential component of the Montessori Elementary experience. These tangible real-world opportunities are essential for our children to begin to engage with the larger world, and they can spark deeper, meaningful learning experiences.

A Celebration of the Gifts of Autumn

A Celebration of the Gifts of Autumn

In November we held our whole school Gifts of Autumn gathering. The children shared gratitudes, poems, songs, and nature finds. They “broke bread” together and enjoyed one another’s company.⁠ It was such a joy to see all of our children and adolescents together before the Fall Break. Enjoy a few photos below!

Mindful Moments with our Elementary Classes

Mindful Moments with our Elementary Classes

We are so grateful to Greenspring Parent, Nila Berger, for working with our Elementary students on mindfulness and movement this year. Nila is focused on several aspects of supporting the children in their growth and development. On the surface, she shares yoga techniques and philosophy to help them ground and center themselves, but the real work she is doing with the children is giving them the tools to help with self-regulation of their nervous system, as well as raising their level of self-empathy and societal empathy as well. Utilizing yoga philosophy, she gives the children activities from breathing prompts to journaling about their emotions especially when those emotions are ones that children (and adults) struggle to grapple with. The benefits of Nila coming into our room are so vast. She gives the children the ability to become more self-aware, regulate themselves, and build self-confidence. Learn more about Nila below!

Nila believes in creating a space where her students can make their practice their own and be their true authentic selves. Along with teaching yoga at various Baltimore area studios, she leads team-building activities for the varsity athletic teams at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) including stress management classes. She lectures on building resiliency through mindfulness at JHU and sits on the task force for overall student wellness at the University. She also built a post-trauma yoga program along with the University’s Counseling Center that launched in 2018.

Roots and Shoots with our Children’s House Writers’ Workshop

Roots and Shoots with our Children’s House Writers’ Workshop

Our Children’s House elders are participating in the Roots and Shoots program for their Writers’ Workshop this year. Roots and Shoots is a writing program created by Jane Goodall’s daughter Angel in tribute to her mother. The program focuses on empowerment and an understanding that anyone can make a difference if you persevere and care!

Their focus is on learning about and paying tribute to change makers, beginning with sharing the story of change-maker, Jane Goodall. The classes recently completed a group book about Jane Goodall. They read Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell and Jane Goodall: A Champion of Chimpanzees by Sarah Albee and shared their favorite moments from the books. Each writer picked two interesting facts that they learned about Jane and wrote and illustrated them for the book.

They are so proud of their work together and each child will receive a copy to bring home with them. We love this as a journey to practice handwriting and bookmaking, all while demonstrating their knowledge of Jane Goodall and her impacts on our natural world. We can’t wait to see the future projects in store for our Children’s House elders.

2023 Harvest Festival at Greenspring

2023 Harvest Festival at Greenspring

Thank you to everyone who attended our Harvest Festival this weekend! We hope you had a wonderful time. Children and families enjoyed a haunted house, bounce house, fire trucks, games, crafts, face painting, music, and more! Enjoy photos from the Harvest Festival below. 

Events such as the Harvest Festival are made possible because of our amazing parent and staff volunteers. Thank you to everyone who donated your time to set up this event, prepare food, and donate to our many events this week!