Multicultural Education and Montessori

Educating the Whole

Child for the Whole

World

Maria Montessori (1870-1952)

On Education for Peace

“Today those things that occupy us in the field of education are the interests of humanity at large and of civilization. Before such great forces we can recognize only one country-the entire world.”

Dr. Maria Montessori, 1947

Peacemakers

Madame Montessori,

You have very truly remarked that if we are to reach real peace in this world, if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children. If they will grow up in their natural innocence we shall go from love to love, from peace to peace, until at last all the corners of the world are covered with that peace and love for which the whole world is hungering.

Mahatma Gandhi, 1943

“Our hope for peace in the future lies not in the

formal knowledge the adult can pass on to

the child, but in the normal development of

the new man. The child is both a hope and

promise for mankind.”

- Dr. Maria Montessori

Concepts Intrinsic to Montessori Philosophy

Self-Awareness Activities

Self-Awareness Activities

Community Awareness

Community Awareness

Cosmic Education

“The child who has felt a strong love for his

surroundings and for all living creatures gives

us reason to hope that humanity can develop

in a new direction.”

-Dr. Maria Montessori

Concentration→Respect of Others?

Inner peace

Resilience and

recovery

Contemplative practice

Concentration

Developmentally appropriate

Activities, instruction, and materials are

geared to the developmental and natural

tendencies of each individual age group and

child.

Cultural Studies

Geography

History

Science

Environmental Studies

Social Studies

In the Children’s House: The “absorbent mind” period

A child becomes all of their impressions taken in from the environment. This is the time to casually introduce these experiences, experientially and sensorially.

At the Children’s House level

“ If a child can imagine a

fairy and a fairyland, it

will not be difficult for

him to imagine

America.”

-Dr. Maria Montessori

At the elementary level

Exploring society and the world

What is right and wrong?

How did everything come to be?

Questions about religion

Roles in society

The study of humankind

Pilgrims and Wampanoags-Integrated Study

Literature

Music

Art

Physical

Geography

of Mass.

Social

Interaction

Technological

Advances

Land and Sea

Resources

Basic needs

Of

people

Flora and

Fauna

Pilgrims and

Wampanoag

Fundamental Needs

Spiritual

Nutrition

Shelter

Transportation

Clothing

Defense

Montessori Model United Nations

In the Middle School

Focus on peers

Moral development continues

Questioning of values and social constructs

Wants to be productive in the community

Working on self-image

Sensitive and caring

Ready for abstract thinking

Pen pals

The Arts and Creative Expression

Literature

International Peace Day

Community Service

Guest speakers