Montessori and Nature Education

A Presentation By Mariel Garcia

April 11, 2003

Dr. Maria Montessori• Born in Chiaravalle, Italy in 1870• Graduated from medical school as

the first female physician in Italy in 1896

• Became interested in the child’s learning process

• Returned to school and became a professor at the University of Rome

• Founded the first Casa del Bambini, or "Children's House” in 1906

• Developed the Montessori method of education

• Traveled extensively around the world throughout her life

• Died in Noordwijk, Holland in 1952

Dr. Maria Montessori

Montessori Terminology• Absorbent mind- the ability of the child to learn

unconsciously from his environment• Adaptation- the process of the response of

individual to the environment• Didactic materials- instructive materials used in

teaching• Freedom- the child’s free movements and

experiences in an environment that provides discipline through liberty and respect for his rights

Montessori Terminology

• Practical life exercises- exercises through which the child learns to care for himself and his environment

• Prepared environment- an atmosphere created to enable the child to be free to learn in peaceful surroundings adapted to the child’s size and interests

• Sensitive periods- periods of learning during which a child is particularly sensitive to a specific stimulus

• Attention is focused on the child

• Learning is at each individual child’s pace

• Children choose the work they do at school

• Attention is focused on the teacher

• Learning is at the group’s pace

• The teacher chooses the work for the children

Montessori vs. Traditional

• Practical life exercises• Sensorial activities• Language activities• Mathematics activities• Culture activities

The Montessori Curriculum

“There must be provision for the child to have contact with Nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony, and the beauty in Nature…so that the child may better understand and participate in the marvelous things which civilization creates…”

- Maria Montessori

Montessori and Nature Education

• Environmental education facility located in Arlington, Texas

• River Legacy Nature School provides “an environment that encourages a child’s inborn sense of wonder to flourish through indoor activities and outdoor exploration.”

• Emphasis on “inquiry-based learning”

River Legacy Science Center

Major PremiseIs the nature education taught at River Legacy

Science Center based on key components of the Montessori educational system?

Guiding Questions• Is the River Legacy classroom set up in a way

that is conducive to the child’s conscious absorption of the environment?

• Does the River Legacy classroom allow the child to learn in a way that does not stifle his or her freedom?

• To what degree is inquiry driven by Montessori?

HypothesisI propose that the River Legacy Science Center

does not provide nature education based on the principles of the Montessori educational system.

Methodology• Project based on observations rather than data

received directly from the children• Focused on classroom materials, activities, and

teaching style• Took additional notes for any miscellaneous

observations

• Opossum’s Den• 4-year old classroom• Tuesday class: 9 children

(3 girls, 6 boys)• 1 teacher, 1 assistant• Once a week, 2½ hours• Curriculum: habitats

River Legacy Nature School

River Legacy Nature School

• Spider’s Web• 5-year old classroom• Thursday class: 9 children

(8 boys, 1 girl)• 1 [Montessori] teacher, 1

assistant• Once a week, 2½ hours• Curriculum: elements of an

ecosystem

YYAnimal books available to kids?YYPictures of animals on walls?

YNHave the kids observed a hatching cocoon?

YYAre there care and handling lessons for visiting animals?

YYVisiting animals to the classroom?YYClass pet or animal?YYBirdfeeder outside window?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Materials: Animals

Classroom Materials and Activities

A Look Into the Classroom

YYPlant books available to kids?YYPictures of plants on walls?

YNDo the children garden?

YY*Do they learn a plant’s scientific name?

YN*Do the children use any natural/preserve art materials?

NNDo the kids take care of them?YYPlants inside the classroom?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Materials: Plants

Classroom Materials and Activities

Classroom Materials and Activities

NNDo the children arrange table items?NNDo the children clean the table?YYMagnifying glass on table?YYDoes it constantly change?YYIs it clean?YYNature table present in classroom?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Materials: Nature Table

Nature Table

Classroom Materials and Activities

YYBinocularsYNMetamorphosis books and puzzlesYYAnimal models

N*YShell collectionN*YFossils

N*N*Plant card gamesN*YAnimal card gamesYYGarden toolsNNPlant mister

Y*NSmall flower arranging vases

5 yr old4 yr oldMore specific Montessori materials:

Nature School Teachers

Teaching Style

YNHas the teacher ever enrolled in Montessori teaching classes?

YNHas the teacher ever sent her own children to a Montessori school?

YNHas the teacher ever taught at a Montessori school?

NNHas the teacher ever attended Montessori school?

YNIs the teacher a certified Montessori teacher?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Pedagogy: Training/Education

Teaching Style

N*N*Are the lessons geared toward the individual child (versus the entire class)?

YYIs the teacher objective in her lessons?

YYAre the lessons simple enough for the child to understand?

YYAre the lessons informative, but brief?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Pedagogy: Lessons

Teaching Style

N*Y*Does the child get to choose what they work on?

YYDoes the teacher take on the passive role of observer (versus active role)?

N*YAre children allowed to move freely around the room?

Y*Y*Does the child get to work on a certain activity for as long as he/she wants?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Pedagogy: Concept of Freedom

Concept of Freedom: Work Centers

Teaching Style

YYDo they go out into nature during different seasons?

YYDoes the teacher take the kids out into nature in different kinds of

weather?

YYDo they walk on the trails and/or in the woods?

YYDoes the teacher give children the opportunity to go outside often?

5 yr old4 yr oldMontessori Activities: Outdoor Curriculum

Outdoor Curriculum

Limitations• The brevity of the nature school session (2½

hours) may have affected activities and pedagogy observations

• The activities and lessons vary from week to week, and so may have affected similarities and differences to the Montessori method

• My presence in the classroom may have also affected observations

ConclusionAlthough differences between Montessori and River Legacy nature education were observed,

there were many [unexpected] similarities between the two educational methods.

Thus, the River Legacy educational system was found to contain some of the key components

of the Montessori educational system.