PCMS News & Notes March-April 2018
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PLYMOUTH-CANTON MONTESSORI SCHOOL News & Notes MARCH–APRIL 2018 Golden opportunities e-enrollment is now underway, and we children, and we wrap up this busy month Rthank parents for their continued sup- with a Spring Celebration leading into port of a Montessori education for their Spring Break (Friday, March 30 through children. You have chosen a method of Friday, April 6). education that profoundly respects and is In April, preschool students will be par- tailored to each individual child. A trained ticipating in the Ann Arbor Symphony scientist, Maria Montessori understood, Orchestra’s Instrument Petting Zoo. Several through observation, exactly how and why orchestra members will share their instru- children learn. Montessori education ments with the children during this in-house teaches children how to learn instead of presentation on Wednesday, April 18. just what to learn. Mrs. Ewasek and Mrs. Shekar’s preschool To learn more about our full-day pre- classrooms will invite grandparents to visit school class and full-day Extended Day kin- on Friday, April 20. The children always look dergarten, we invite parents of both 3- and forward to showing their classroom to their 4-year-old students to an informational grandparents (or other special guests, if meeting on Thursday, April 12 at 6 p.m. grandparents are not available) and sharing Teachers will present information about their favorite activities. the options for both 4-year-olds and kin- Extended Day kindergarten children will dergarten children. We’ll also have several be traveling to the Creature Conservancy in current kindergarten parents and their stu- Ann Arbor on Thursday, April 26. They will Preschooler Adam H. sorts objects by dents available to answer questions and be introduced to several live animals, includ- shape and color, a visual discrimination showcase materials. ing an opossum, Australian laughing kooka- work. Before learning to read, Montes- burra, giant tortoise, boa, giant toad, sori students experience many visual Special events on the calendar armadillo, and Madagascar giant hissing discrimination activities, which help March and April are filled with special gath- cockroach. Sounds like a blast! build the skills needed to distinguish erings and learning opportunities, starting At the end of April we look forward letters, numbers, and other symbols with a presentation to preschool students on to Multicultural Week. Preschool parents that make up our written language. Michigan amphibians and reptiles and their will be sharing their cultures in the class- adaptations. As this newsletter was being pre- room through music, art, dance, dress, and pared we looked forward to the “Shells, language. The children truly benefit from Scales, and Pollywog Tales” program by the this rich exposure to different cultures. Huron-Clinton Metroparks Mobile Learn- They will also be exposed to many different ing Center on March 7. languages as they listen to The Very Hungry We also eagerly awaited Art Day on Caterpillar read by volunteer parents in March 10. This very popular Saturday event their native language. brings preschool students and their families to school for a morning of fun art projects. Our next Open House is April 29 March is parent conference month for all We will showcase our Montessori programs students (toddler, preschool, kindergarten). to the community at our spring Open We look forward to meeting with parents. House on Sunday, April 29 from 1 to 3 p.m. On Wednesday, March 21, theater direc- Enrolled families are invited to spend the tor Patsy Girnys will present a drama work- afternoon together here at school. Please Accredited by the National Association shop to the Extended Day kindergarten continued on page 3 for the Education of Young Children FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL Creating the right conditions Montessori environments are designed to help children reach their potential ontessori is more than a Mixed age ranges place. Here students explore ele- Mphilosophy of education— Dr. Montessori observed that ments of adult life and refine it is an approach to children that children developed in predict- their values and sense of self, in combines an understanding of able ways, in cycles of about six preparation for the final plane, Montessori human development with a years. She called these “planes of from 18 to 24, in which they methodology to create the best development.” The children in begin life as an adult and deter- teachers create conditions for assisting children each plane have distinct charac- mine what their contribution to in the construction of themselves. teristics, and the Montessori the world will be. the conditions for This is an important distinction environments at the various lev- between Montessori and tradi- els are designed to meet their The mixed ages in Montessori children to develop tional education: The growth, needs and interests: classrooms allow children to learning, and maturity that a n Between birth and age 6, the experience the full scope of each in such a way that child experiences in the develop- period of the absorbent mind, stage of development over several mental years are a direct result of children effortlessly absorb all to years, in a supportive environ- they may grow what he or she does, not the direct which they are exposed, and ment that provides the chance for result of what we do. It is our job Montessori classrooms at this them to be mentored by and, into adults who will to provide the right conditions. level allow for broad exploration later, to mentor their classmates. Through a combination of phi- using all of the senses. This is a culture of caring and make the world a losophy, Montessori materials, n Montessori elementary classes, mutual support by adults and and extensive training in the for children aged 6 to 12, pro- children alike. better and more implementation of theory and vide opportunities to use imagi- materials, Montessori teachers nation, to develop morality and Freedom and beautiful place. design environments that help social competence, and to greatly responsibility children reach their potential. expand academic and intellec- Dr. Montessori believed that Maria Montessori viewed the tual skills. only a child who was responsible child as the transmitter of culture. n In the third plane, from ages could be truly free. And only a We agree with her that children 12 to 18, the transition from child with freedom could learn are the only means through which childhood to adulthood takes to be responsible. Balancing these we can change the world for the better. In these ever-more- contentious times, they are the ones who will be able to move us Teachers study at the DIA toward a more humane culture that honors nature, the Earth, CMS staff spent our February professional development day and other people, no matter what Pengaged in art and visual-thinking workshops at the Detroit their belief systems might be. Institute of Arts. Montessori teachers create the The art workshop had participants make a project in clay and conditions for children to develop got each person engaged in creative thinking, discussion, and in such a way that they may grow techniques that can be used in the classroom to help students into adults who will make the feel comfortable being creative. world a better and more beautiful The second workshop was an introduction to visual thinking place in their individual way, in strategies. VTS is a research-based method that uses art to facili- their particular place, in the space tate open-ended discussions and help students make their think- of their particular lifetime. ing visible. Participants learned how to bring the VTS process What are the conditions that into the classroom. help us accomplish this amazing All staff from our network of schools—PCMS, Dearborn feat? Two of the most impor tant Heights Montessori Center, and Livonia Montessori School— are (1) the family-like composi- took part in these professional development workshops. tion of each class, due in part If you haven’t experienced the DIA lately, we encourage you to the mixed age range of the to check out the museum’s exhibits and programs. Learn more at children, and (2) the balance www.dia.org. between freedom and structure. 2 News & Notes / March–April 2018 www.pcmontessori.org two elements, which can also be thought of as choice and limits, Experience our school is the ongoing task of the Mon- on Open House Thursdays tessori teacher. In order to deter- Have friends or family members who are interested in an mine if or when to intervene in authentic Montessori education for their children? Tell a child’s activity, the teacher’s them about our Open House Thursdays! Every Thursday, most useful tool is knowledge prospective PCMS parents are welcome to tour our school of the students, gained through anytime between 9 and 11 a.m. It’s a perfect opportunity observation. to see our programs and classrooms in action. In a harmonious, well-man- Of course, prospective parents are always welcome aged Montessori class, the chil- to schedule school tours at their con venience. Simply call dren are free to choose within the office at 734-459-1550 to set one up. the limits of healthy self-con- struction and the boundaries of the community. Simply stated, a child has many choices, but his Golden opportunities continued from page 1 liberty as an individual ceases when it interferes with the rights invite a friend or neighbor to accompany you. They will be of the group. The ground rules amazed by the rich learning environment and scope of materials of a class are simple guidelines in the Montessori classroom. Preschoolers Jasmine R. that govern conduct, based on (left) and Chihiro N. proudly respect for self, for others, and Playground and parking alerts display a completed design for the environment.