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.

Celebrating the International Day of Peace with our Dual Language Community

Celebrating the International Day of Peace with our Dual Language Community

On September 21, 2023 children and staff at Greenspring Montessori School celebrated the International Day of Peace. Established in 1981 by a unanimous United Nations resolution, Peace Day provides a globally shared date for all humanity to commit to Peace above all differences and to contribute to building a Culture of Peace.

Peace is what every human being is craving for, and it can be brought about by humanity through the child.”

– Dr. Maria Montessori

Together we celebrate the International Day of Peace, or el Día Internacional de la Paz as we refer to it in our Spanish Dual Language classes. Children joined together to celebrate this special day with music and wishes for peace. They sang songs including “Paz Como Río/Peace Like a River” and “Paz y Libertad/Peace and Liberty”. Our Toddler, Children’s House, and Lower Elementary classrooms made peace doves and pinwheels that they displayed on a parade around campus. Lower Elementary students also reflected about the meaning of peace. Enjoy photos of this special day below.

As Dr. Montessori so eloquently wrote, “…an education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking.” Needless to say, this undertaking requires an unwavering commitment to children and their development into their full potential and self-understanding. Thank you to each and every one of you for your deep dedication to our children, our families, each other, and our school community – and to the creation of a better world. YOU are making the world a better place!

Preparing a Beautiful Meal in the Montessori Classroom

Preparing a Beautiful Meal in the Montessori Classroom

Preparing a Beautiful Meal is a daily Montessori practice in which children take ownership of creating a beautiful space for eating together. Beginning with our youngest children in the Toddler classrooms, these practices are instilled daily. The children are responsible for the setup each day, including laying a tablecloth or placemats, folding cloth napkins, and carefully carrying glasses, utensils, and glass or ceramic dishes. You will often see flowers on the tables that the children have arranged and placed to make the table more beautiful.

Children also participate in the clean-up process, including clearing the table, washing dishes, wiping down tables, and sweeping the floor. You see children collaborating and problem-solving during the process of setting up and cleaning up. Even cleaning up a spill or a broken dish is part of the learning! 

Above: Toddlers prepare snack and sit together for a beautiful meal.

During the meal, students have the opportunity to practice the Grace and Courtesy skills they have learned. For example, the children practice table manners, such as starting the meal together once everyone is seated, putting napkins on their laps, using utensils properly, chewing with their mouths closed, and excusing themselves from the table. They also practice conversational skills, such as taking turns speaking and asking each other questions.

 

We intentionally create these spaces for the children to engage with one another. For some, this may be the only meal of the day when they are able to sit down with others and engage in conversation. The children are in a sensitive period for developing these close bonds and sitting at a table together is an opportunity to meet those essential developmental needs.

How can families support in this initiative?

The case for real plates
You may have seen many adorable plastic bento boxes in your back-to-school shopping, however, we find that these can be challenging for children to open and scoop their food onto their plates. The same is true for squeeze yogurts and foods in plastic packaging. These are excellent for families when you are on the go, but they are often difficult for the children to enjoy in the classroom.

With a Montessori beautiful meal, children empty the contents of their lunch onto a plate and/or bowl for a few reasons. First, it helps to create an atmosphere of a sit-down meal at home. And second, it gives them the opportunity to practice very precise fine motor skills of scooping with a spoon or fork. We are finding that more convenient items, such as squeeze yogurts and perfectly portioned bento boxes delay the child’s precision with some of those table skills.

If you have more questions about how our Beautiful Meal will work in your child’s classroom, please reach out to your child’s Guide. We are so excited to be able to move back to this beautiful and important structure!

Lower Elementary Campfire

Lower Elementary Campfire

Our Lower Elementary students and families celebrated the end of a spectacular school year with our annual campfire! Mr. John led the children in skits, songs, and jokes that were the hit of the evening. Thank you to our Lower Elementary team for making this event possible!

Elementary Field Day

Elementary Field Day

Last week, our Elementary students participated in an end of the year Field Day! They enjoyed cooperative and team-oriented games with eggs, hula hoops, water balloons, bubbles, and more! The children had a blast. Take a look below to see more photos from the day.

Grand Opening of our new Montessori Nature Center

Grand Opening of our new Montessori Nature Center

We are excited to announce the grand opening of our Greenspring Nature Center! Come take a peek and meet some of our critters during our Spring Showcase on Friday, June 2nd from 3:00-5:00pm.

We created the Nature Center as an extension of our outdoor learning environments. The Nature Center will allow students to develop a broad understanding of nature, encourage a sense of respect and stewardship for the natural world, and care for all the inhabitants of the center. This nature-based space will offer a dynamic learning space for our students to meaningfully engage with life and the natural world.

“The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.”

– Dr. Maria Montessori

Meet a few of our residents in the Nature Center

Daisy

Daisy is a lionhead rabbit from the Carroll County Humane Society.

Barry & Lola

Barry and Lola are parakeets who came from a private owner who could no longer care for them.

Ivan

Ivan is a Russian Tortoise from a private owner who could no longer care for him.

Some of our other animals include Khalessi, a bearded dragon, and Oreo, a Guinea pig, as well as oscar fish, guppies, and beta fish. 

Stop by and visit the Nature Center soon!