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On Wednesday, March 8, four students and one faculty member from The Montessori School of Raleigh's Upper School attended the Asian American Alliance conference for Asian-identifying students, faculty, and staff at Cary Academy. The conference, inspired by the work of the Asian Educators Alliance (AsEA), and designed and hosted by Cary Academy, had a theme of "Building Bridges Across Communities."

I am often asked by fellow educators who are unfamiliar with the Montessori Method of education,“Why Montessori?” I am delighted whenever I am asked this question because it allows me to share an in-depth explanation as to why I believe the Montessori Method is an amazing option for today’s modern child.

This holiday season, the Interdisciplinary team at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR), offered a special cultural experience for students on the school's Lead Mine Campus. MSR Spanish teachers had their elementary students, explore Caribbean holiday traditions. As part of that study, students learned about "las parrandas," a Puerto Rican musical tradition that takes place during the Christmas season.

As elementary-age children are looking to find their place in society, they look up to adults and older students to inspire them.  At this stage of development, it is important to ignite curiosity about the world and the child’s place in it by telling stories of heroes and heroines from history, current events, and literature.  When a child hears or reads a story about someone who has shown courage, imagination, ingenuity, or persistence, it inspires the child. Dr. Montessori called this fascination with heroes and heroines, “Hero Worship.”

Time flies when you’re having fun and at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) that’s certainly true this summer as campers enjoyed exploring, discovering, and learning during SummerScape 2022. Educators know that it is important for children to take time off from their regular school-year studies to engage in different kinds of  activities and learning experiences. SummerScape at MSR provides ample opportunities for children ages 15 months through grade 6 to do just that.

Montessori materials are hands-on learning tools designed to provide children with opportunities to learn through repetition and practice. In a MSR classroom, students are given lessons with these materials which focus on one skill at a time. Materials are intentionally designed to support independent learning and problem-solving. The use of materials grows in complexity as students continue to learn and develop from concrete to abstract learning.

The Montessori School of Raleigh graduated its Class of 2022 during a commencement ceremony on Friday, June 3. The tented event took place on the school’s Brier Creek Campus where the graduates, their families, faculty, staff, and friends gathered to celebrate the many accomplishments of the seven graduating seniors and launch them into the next chapter of their lives.

Dr. Maria Montessori believed in the power of the natural world to teach and inspire children and support their growth as thoughtful citizens of the world. As we look ahead to celebrating Earth Day on April 22, 2022, we are reminded of the many ways the study of nature informs learning and discovery in the Montessori classroom. The following is excerpted from "Why Connect With Nature" published online by Age of Montessori, highlighting how parents can guide their child's understanding of and appreciation for nature.

When baking a cake, simply assembling the ingredients does not make a cake; they must be mixed in the proper portions and baked for the appropriate time. The same is true for the “ingredients” of companies and nations. In our complex modern world, simply hiring engineers, financiers, lawyers, etc. will not make a successful company or government; they must all work together to achieve a successful outcome. Even for an individual working with others is a crucial ingredient for success. 

As an engineer, I have seen hundreds of knowledgeable engineers who live in a world of LaPlace Transforms and Bessel Functions but could not work with others to achieve a result. The Montessori philosophy addresses this issue in a way that public education does not.

What do tigers, coats, and pies have in common? They all provide inspiration for MSR’s Upper School students to “Lead4Change” and make a difference in their community and world.

Beginning this fall, MSR’s 9^th and 10^th grade students engaged in the Lead4Change program: “a leadership curriculum with a community service framework” with a goal of “empowering students to act, serve, and make BIG things happen” (lead4change.org). It involves students in a series of leadership lessons which culminate in the implementation of a student-led community service project. 

Dr. Maria Montessori discovered a child’s "Sensitive Periods" through careful study and observation. These periods are essentially developmental time frames during which the acquisition of specific skills is optimum. Dr. Montessori designed her classrooms in three-year programs or cycles and Montessori teachers are specifically trained to meet their students' needs within the cycle.

Multi-age classrooms and three-year cycles—these are just two of the things that set a Montessori education apart from other educational models. The value of this Montessori Method lies in the way it allows students to deepen their understanding and grow as independent and engaged learners. For teachers, having the same students for three years means really getting to know student—how they learn best, what are their areas of strength and their areas for growth.

When you think of Montessori education, no doubt hands-on, project learning comes to mind. The use of Montessori materials, like pink towers, puzzle maps, bead chains and moveable alphabets, is a well-known hallmark of the Montessori Method, as is nature and peace education. What many may not realize is that technology is also an important component of a Montessori experience.

At The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR), technology is intentionally introduced to students at specific developmental stages.

The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) is partnering again this year with The Social Institute, a leader in social media education and social-emotional learning. The curriculum, #WinAtSocial, is designed to support families and help students navigate social-emotional health and technology in positive, high-character ways. In alignment with the Montessori approach to educating and preparing the whole child, MSR has implemented the #WinAtSocial curriculum for the past two years as part of the Middle and Upper School advisory experience each month.

On  August 16, 2021, on the first day of Employee Prep Week at MSR, Lower Elementary Directress, Laura Sayles, "rallied the troops" with her opening "Inspiramus." In her own words...

My name is Laura Sayles and I am a directress in Lower Elementary, or “LE." For those of you who don’t know yet, LE includes first, second, and third grade. Super fun age range! Fun fact about LE, Maria Montessori actually coined it, “The Age of Accidental Rudeness,” because they are hyper aware of everyone around them, and truly do just speak their minds without a filter.

In the words of Maria Montessori, "Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child open up himself to life." 

At The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR), faculty and staff have been preparing for the new school year, designing opportunities for their students to open themselves up to life and learning.

The Montessori School of Raleigh celebrated its second graduating class, the Class of 2021, with a commencement ceremony on Friday, June 4, at 5 p.m. 

When children come in contact with Nature, they reveal their strength.

-   Dr. Maria Montessori

Spring has arrived in Raleigh/Durham and at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) that means students are deepening their understanding and connection with nature. From Earth Day activities to classroom lessons, students across grade levels are discovering the wonders of the natural world around them. The following are just a few of the ways MSR students are building connections.

Immersive. Interdisciplinary. Practical. Experiential. These adjectives offer good insight into what this week’s Intersessions experience was all about for middle and high school students at MSR.

As a school dedicated to the Montessori method of educating children, MSR knows the power of hands-on learning. From 15 months to grade 12, MSR students have the opportunity to explore and manipulate materials as part of a process that deepens understanding, strengthens foundational skills, and allows for the transfer of knowledge at every developmental level.

Montessori education places a great emphasis on community and encourages children at every age level to understand how they can contribute in meaningful ways to their community and the wider world. This week, the learners in MSR's Toddler program got a hands-on experience with what it means to give to others.