Upper Elementary Students Represent Kenya and Congo-Brazzaville at Model United Nations

Upper Elementary Students Represent Kenya and Congo-Brazzaville at Model United Nations

Upper Elementary students at Greenspring Montessori School traveled to New York in February to represent Kenya and Congo-Brazzaville at the Montessori Model United Nations Conference. The students have been researching and preparing speeches throughout the school year on topics such as promoting international cooperation on peaceful uses of international security, disaster risk reduction, combating desertification, empowering youth in inclusive and sustainable food systems, and the rights of indigenous peoples.
 
 
The students did extensive research on their topic and wrote position papers outlining suggestions to address these issues from the viewpoint of their country. From there they used key points of the paper to draft speeches. These speeches were delivered at the MMUN Conference to delegates from other schools who were researching the same topics. Suggestions were debated and discussed in the committees until they were able to draft resolutions to gain consensus.
Two members of our group were elected by their committee to speak at the closing ceremony. The entire group consisted of more than 1,600 people: delegates, coordinators, chaperones, and Bureau members, so it was quite a large crowd to address.
 
The students also had an opportunity to visit the United Nations building, where they got to sit in the General Assembly room in the very place where UN Ambassadors listen to speeches, debate, and ultimately vote on resolutions impacting our entire world.

We are so grateful that our Upper Elementary students have the opportunity to engage in this meaningful work learning conflict resolution and problem-solving skills with children around the globe.

2024 Adolescent Social Justice Data Fair

2024 Adolescent Social Justice Data Fair

As part of a unit on data literacy, our Adolescents have been investigating social justice issues of their choosing in Humanities and Math classes. The students interviewed their families on social justice topics and then brought their findings to the class to brainstorm together. From there, they picked their own topics to research and formed a thesis statement. 

This work introduces the concept of data literacy, offering our students an opportunity to find quality data and evaluate their sources. They then worked to aggregate and present their research to support their thesis. Some of the topics included how food delivery services might impact rural and urban food deserts, how immigration laws in the United States impact illegal immigration, and the spread of online and in-person anti-Semitic incidents. The adolescents presented their work to families, staff, and Upper Elementary students at a Social Justice Data Fair.

School Partnership with Montessori Lancaster in Mérida, Yucatán

School Partnership with Montessori Lancaster in Mérida, Yucatán

We are happy to announce an exciting new partnership with Montessori Lancaster in Mérida, Yucatán in Mexico. We have been diligently working for two years to identify and partner with an established Montessori school in Latin America to provide children and adolescents at both schools an opportunity to connect with peers across cultures.

As part of our capstone experience, our Adolescent students will be traveling to Mérida this spring to meet students at our sister school for the first time. Throughout the school year, our Adolescents have been diving into a deeper understanding of the Spanish language and cultures in Latin America. 

Our Sister School Committee is led by Sra. Ale Equivel Castillo, our Dual Language Guide, and comprised of staff members committed to establishing a global partnership where our children and adolescents can establish lasting relationships across cultures. We thank all members of our Committee including Natalia Torres (Toddler Dual Langauge Assistant), Fernanda White (Lower Elementary Dual Langauge Assistant), Sylvia Glassco (Dual Language Director and Director of the Adolescent Program), and GiGi Gould (Advancement Assistant). 

Ale has worked to establish a partnership with Lancaster Montessori in her own hometown of Mérida. She visited the school during a recent trip to Yucatán and I felt in love with the staff and the school. Lancaster has a large Adolescent Program and we are looking forward to visiting their class in the spring for a seven day trip. Our students will have an opportunity to get to know the Adolescents at Lancaster. They will also be visiting Chichén Itzá, an ancient Mayan city named one of the new seven wonders of the world, and venturing into the local community for several cultural experiences!

2024 MLK Day of Service

2024 MLK Day of Service

Thank you to all of the families who volunteered and donated items for our MLK Day of Service to benefit PIVOT Baltimore. Because of your generosity, we were able to complete our goal of creating 100 care packages and providing hundreds of dollars worth of additional supplies for women returning from incarceration. These resources signify hope and a second chance for many women in Baltimore. ⁠

It was such a joy to gather once again on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day to work with our children and model acts of service in our community. ⁠

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.

Winter Reading List: Service and Stewardship

Winter Reading List: Service and Stewardship

We have pulled together a beautiful collection of books to talk about service and stewardship with children. Take a look at her recommendations below! You can find these books in our library if you would like to borrow them to read with your child.

Books about Service in our Communities

Thank you, Omu!
Everyone in the neighborhood dreams of a taste of Omu’s (pronounced AH-moo) delicious stew! One by one, they follow their noses toward the scrumptious scent. And one by one, Omu offers a portion of her meal. Soon the pot is empty. Has she been so generous that she has nothing left for herself?
Extra Yarn
By Mac Barnett (Author), Jon Klassen (Illustrator)
A young girl and her box of magical yarn transform a community in this stunning picture book. With spare, gently humorous illustrations and a palette that moves from black-and-white to a range of color, this modern fairy tale has the feel of a new classic.

 

Maybe Something Beautiful: How Art Transformed a Neighborhood
by F. Isabel Campoy (Author), Theresa Howell (Author), Rafael López (Illustrator)

What good can a splash of color do in a community of gray? As Mira and her neighbors discover, more than you might ever imagine! Based on the true story of the Urban Art Trail in San Diego, California, Maybe Something Beautiful reveals how art can inspire transformation—and how even the smallest artists can accomplish something big. Pick up a paintbrush and join the celebration!

The Thank you Letter
BJane Cabrera (Author)
After a wonderful party, birthday girl Grace sits down to thank her friends and family for all their kind gifts. But she doesn’t stop there! As she writes, Grace realizes there are so many things to be grateful for. So she thanks her teacher for helping her learn to write. She thanks her dog for his cheerful wagging tail. She even thanks the sky for being perfectly, beautifully blue. When Grace returns home after delivering her notes, she finds a wealth of affection–cards, letters, and notes from her neighbors and friends. A beautifully illustrated gatefold page shows how deeply her letters have touched the hearts of everyone around them.
Lend a Hand
By John Frank (Author), London Ladd (Illustrator)
Making a difference in the world can be as simple as planting a tree, giving up your seat on a bus to a disabled person, or training a puppy to become a guide dog. These are just a few of the simple acts of kindness featured in this collection of fourteen original poems. Each poem emphasizes the compassion and the joy of giving. Representing diverse voices—different ages and backgrounds—the collection shows the bridging of boundaries between people who are often perceived as being different from one another. The first step in bridging those boundaries is to extend a hand. Lend a Hand demonstrates that empathy and social awareness can start at an early age.
Maddi’s Fridge
By Lois Brandt (Author), Vin Vogel (Author)
With humor and warmth, this children’s picture book raises awareness about poverty and hunger. Best friends Sofia and Maddi live in the same neighborhood, go to the same school, and play in the same park, but while Sofia’s fridge at home is full of nutritious food, the fridge at Maddi’s house is empty. Sofia learns that Maddi’s family doesn’t have enough money to fill their fridge and promises Maddi she’ll keep this discovery a secret. But because Sofia wants to help her friend, she’s faced with a difficult decision: to keep her promise or tell her parents about Maddi’s empty fridge. Filled with colorful artwork, this storybook addresses issues of poverty with honesty and sensitivity while instilling important lessons in friendship, empathy, trust, and helping others. A call to action section, with six effective ways for children to help fight hunger and information on antihunger groups, is also included.

Books about Service for our Environment

Bird House
By Blanca Gómez (Author)
On a snowy day, a grandmother and grandchild find an injured bird. They take it home and care for it until it can fly around the living room. It is fantastic—just like everything at Abuela’s house! But a fantastic moment is also bittersweet, for the little bird’s recovery means that it’s time to let it fly free. 
Jayden’s Impossible Garden
By Mélina Mangal (Author), Ken Daley (Illustrator)
Amidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere: the squirrels scrounging, the cardinals calling, and the dandelions growing. But Mama doesn’t believe there’s nature in the city. So Jayden sets out to help Mama see what he sees. With the help of his friend Mr. Curtis, Jayden plants the seeds of a community garden and brings together his neighbors—and Mama—to show them the magic of nature in the middle of the city.
 
Timeless and vibrant, this story highlights the beauty of intergenerational relationships and the power of imagination and perseverance in bringing the vision of a community garden to life. Jayden’s love of nature will inspire readers to see their environment and surroundings as bursting with opportunities for growth and connection. At the back of the book, readers will find activities to make items found in the book, such as the milk jug bird feeder.
We are Water Protectors
By Carole Lindstrom (Author), Michaela Goade (Illustrator)

Water is the first medicine.
It affects and connects us all . . .

When a black snake threatens to destroy the Earth
And poison her people’s water, one young water protector
Takes a stand to defend Earth’s most sacred resource.

Kate, Who Tamed the Wind
By Liz Garton Scanlon(Author),Lee White(Illustrator)
A wild wind blows on the tippy-top of a steep hill, turning everything upside down for the man who lives there. Luckily, Kate comes up with a plan to tame the wind. With an old wheelbarrow full of young trees, she journeys up the steep hill to add a little green to the man’s life, and to protect the house from the howling wind. From award-winning author Liz Garton Scanlon and whimsical illustrator Lee White comes a delightfully simple, lyrical story about the important role trees play in our lives, and caring for the world in which we live.
What a Waste: Trash, Recycling, and Protecting our Planet
By Jess French (Author)

This educational book will teach young budding ecologists about how our actions affect planet Earth and the big impact we can make by the little things we do. Did you know that there is a floating mass of trash larger than the USA drifting around the Pacific Ocean?

It is not all bad news though. While this is a knowledge book that explains where we are going wrong, What a Waste also shows what we are getting right! Discover plans to save our seas. How countries are implementing green projects worldwide, and how to turn waste into something useful. The tiniest everyday changes can make all the difference to ensure our beautiful planet stays lush and teeming with life. It is a lively kid’s educational book with fabulous illustrations and fun facts about the world broken into easy-to-digest bite-sized bits.

Old Enough to Save the Planet
By Loll Kirby (Author), Adelina Lirius (Illustrator)
The world is facing a climate crisis like we’ve never seen before. And kids around the world are stepping up to raise awareness and try to save the planet. As people saw in the youth climate strike in September 2019, kids will not stay silent about this subject—they’re going to make a change. Meet 12 young activists from around the world who are speaking out and taking action against climate change. Learn about the work they do and the challenges they face, and discover how the future of our planet starts with each and every one of us.
The Kid’s Guide to Service Projects
By Barbara A. Lewis (Author)
This book describes the different opportunities for children to get involved in community service across a wide range of areas and interests, featuring over 500 ideas for service projects for young people. This is a great place to start with your child!