News

All of the discoveries of mankind will be known to them and they will improve what has been done and make fresh discoveries. They must make all the improvements in houses, cities, communications, and methods of production that are to be made. The future generation must not only know how to do what we can teach them, they must also go a step further.”
                               - Dr. Maria Montessori, 1946 Lectures
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A quick glance at the headlines demonstrates the dynamic role of technology in our world. From social media legislation to AI advances, our society is experiencing constant shifts and resulting philosophical questions. You may wonder how The Montessori School of Raleigh positions themselves and our students to be prepared for this ever changing world.
 

As an Early Childhood Aide & Lead After-Care Guide on the Lead Mine Campus, I get to see firsthand the outcomes of a Montessori education. Being an aide, I have the opportunity to work and interact with many students in several different levels and classrooms. Because of this, I get the chance to appreciate the gradual growth, maturity, and real-life learning that only comes from a Montessori setting–the embrace of a child’s independence and desire to learn. As I continue to learn more about Montessori education, I continue to be reminded of the incredible difference MSR’s educational setting has on students, and enjoy the opportunity to “follow the child” as they grow and learn.

Read the updates below for all the interdisciplinary activities and lessons for March 2024!
 

In our Early Childhood program at MSR kindness is shown daily through a gentle hug to a friend, a warm smile, kind words, helping a friend on the playground, zipping a younger friend's coat, or helping a friend up when they have fallen. Kindness is best taught when it is modeled with purpose and passion. Encouraging our children at an early age to put kindness into action through their thoughts, words, and actions will make our world a more peaceful place to live.

The beauty of reading is that it allows you to be transported to different realities and have experiences that you might otherwise not be exposed to. In having the opportunity to teach English to Grades 7-12 students at the Brier Creek Campus, I am in a unique position to push our students to read literature that they otherwise may not be exposed to and increase their understanding of the world and the people around them. ​​​​​​​

“Teaching music is not my main purpose. I want to make good citizens. If children hear good music from the day of their birth and learn to play it, they develop sensitivity, discipline, and endurance. They get a beautiful heart.” - Dr. Shinichi Suzuki 

Check out all the amazing work the Interdisciplinary Team has been doing with students in the February 2024 team newsletter.

Some people might think it odd to use the two words "Grace and Courtesy" with the Toddler age group.  Toddlers are at a very "egocentric" stage of development and it often seems that the world revolves around them.  As a parent, teaching manners and social etiquette to a Toddler seems a little daunting or perhaps even impossible.  The good news is it is very possible and the toddlers are even more receptive to social etiquette and manners than you might think.  Dr. Maria Montessori incorporated Grace and Courtesy into her curriculum because she recognized that the young child is going through a sensitive period for order.  This strong sense of order needs to incorporate a social framework so it can be absorbed, and thus the child feels more comfortable in his/her surroundings. When this framework is established, the child is more caring, purposeful, and respectful within the classroom environment.  In fact, Grace and Courtesy are the hallmarks of any Montessori school.

MSR welcomes two new members to our community, Facilities Assistant Aidan Weik and Toddler Assistant Guide Jenni Harle.

It is well known that Montessori education cultivates a love for reading. Many Montessori students seamlessly progress in learning to read and experience the phenomena which Dr. Montessori described as a spontaneous “explosion into reading.” Even though this process may appear to be natural and easy, there is a significant amount of preparatory work taking place in the classroom on a daily basis. Montessori method applies the right knowledge during the right moment for a child’s learning. As soon as a three-year-old shows an interest in letters and sounds, the journey to reading begins starting with phonological awareness activities or simply "sound games."

MSR welcomes two new members to our community this January, After-School Care Guide Ruth Campbell and Accounting Assistant Trey Walker. 

I have taught for 23 years and understood early in my career the reason why I teach and coach. I have always looked at being an educator as a seed planter. We may not get to witness the tree fully blooming, but we take pride in knowing we helped with establishing the foundation. I believe in building relationships in order to connect with our kids. Kids want to know that you notice they have new shoes or a new haircut. I chose to become part of this school community because it aligns with my teaching philosophy and my belief in Ubuntu, which translates, “I am because we are.” We are a community of respect, care, compassion, love, solidarity, sharing, reconciliation, and reciprocity.

I grew up going through the public school system and I knew that if I wanted to be a classroom teacher I was going to need something different. When I found Montessori it seemed like the most obvious way to teach. When I started at MSR I was amazed seeing the toddlers pick out a work, complete it, and then return it to a shelf, having their needs for independence met, while also getting the support and assistance expected of the age group. While I enjoyed working with the toddlers, I also learned that I wanted to work with children with more complex ideas. 

“A different language is a different vision of life.” - Federico Fellini

To be able to communicate, to understand other people's points of view, to learn and enrich yourself from different cultures, and to embrace and admire the diversity that surrounds us and connects us as humanity–those are some of the elements that motivate me to teach one of the world's languages, Spanish.

In the Spanish classroom, music, arts, play, and technology are integrated to provide students with learning experiences that support their Spanish language development. Students have the opportunity to listen to styles of music from Ibero-America, as well as music that is sung in Spanish. Spanish songs are also learned and performed at our school’s events. Art activities allow our students to express their creativity while learning about an array of Spanish-speaking countries and cultures. Students are exposed to stories, legends, and different ways of life, among so much more. For example, crafts like Guatemala's “worry dolls,” which we’ve made in class, can be a great resource at home! These little dolls can be used for mindfulness and helping children process their emotions and feelings.

What age do we introduce foods? Do we offer vegetables or fruit first? How should it be served? There are so many thoughts and opinions on when and where to begin the solid foods journey with your baby. Last year, I decided to use my MSR employee professional development allowance to take the Feeding Littles Infant Course to deepen my knowledge on infant nutrition. This course was created by Megan McNamee and Judy Delaware to provide families with guidelines and techniques to make the best nutrition decisions for their children. Megan is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist while Judy is an Occupational and Feeding Specialist. As a team, they share their education and experience through courses, products, and blogging. 

Summerscape 2023, The Montesorri School of Raleigh's summer camps program, launched on Monday, June 12. Offering programming for children 15 months through sixth grade, SummerScape offers something for everyone!

In keeping with Montessori practice, the weekly camps are designed to offer hands-on experiences that encourage exploration and discovery and help campers grow as independent and engaged learners.

The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) is fortunate to be part of the greater Raleigh-Durham community and able to take advantage of the wealth of educational, technological, medical, cultural, and other resources available here and which provide valuable real-life learning opportunities. MSR’s Middle School Intersession program, a signature program designed to introduce students to new experiences, places, people, and ideas, connects students with Triangle-area organizations, destinations, and experts in a variety of disciplines allowing students to take a deep dive into areas of interest outside the typical academic program.

On Wednesday, Jan. 4, nine MSR alumni participated in Alumni Day at the Brier Creek Campus. The alumni represented all three of MSR’s high school graduating classes: 2020, 2021, 2022. As part of the day, Middle and Upper School students attended an alumni panel discussion, during which the visiting alumni shared college and life experiences since graduating from MSR.

Education is a natural process carried out by the child and is not acquired by listening to words, but by experiences in the environment.      —Maria Montessori

In keeping with Dr. Montessori’s method of teaching and learning, students at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) enjoy hands-on, real-world learning experiences, like field trips and special guests in the classroom, designed to deepen their understanding at every level of their development.

Elementary-age children are naturally fascinated by the interrelationships of things, ideas, and people. That is why The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR) employs the Five Great Lessons developed by Dr. Maria Montessori to set the stage for intellectual, spiritual, and psychological development. Central to the curriculum for students in grades one through three (Lower Elementary), the Great Lessons form a framework for academic studies established through epic stories about:

• the origins of the Universe
• the inception of life on Earth
• the development of human life, culture, and accomplishments
• the history of language
• the history of numbers

Each year faculty and staff nominate a fellow employee to offer the Inspiramus at the start of the next new school year. The Inspiramus is designed to provide inspiration and encouragement as the school community prepares to welcome back MSR's students and families. This year's Inspiramus was delivered by Babe Clawson, Lower Elementary Directress (LE4). In her own words...

Hi, for those of you that don’t know me, my name is Babe Clawson and I want to welcome everyone to the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year here at The Montessori School of Raleigh. This marks the beginning of my thirtieth year at MSR, so to say I love this school is an understatement.

The Montessori approach to education is an inclusive and globally-centered one. As we celebrate Black History Month this February, we would like to recognize the contribution of two of many Black American Montessorians who lived these Montessori values and made significant contributions in their communities: Mae Arlene Gadpaille and Roslyn Davis Williams.

The Montessori approach to education is designed to instill a love of learning in children which they will carry with them throughout their lives. Keeping curiosity and inquiry alive is central to the "natural learning" espoused by Maria Montessori and practiced at The Montessori School of Raleigh. This notion of lifelong learning is integrated into every grade-level experience at MSR and extends to the adult community through employee professional development and parent education.

On Saturday, May 15, 14 members from The Montessori School of Raleigh community participated in a virtual conference called Creating Inclusive Communities. Hosted by Ravenscroft School in conjunction with Pollyanna, Inc., the conference featured  Rosetta Lee of Seattle Girls’ School as the keynote speaker.  

Maria Montessori had a deep respect for the natural world. She believed the outdoor environment was an extension of the indoor classroom as it provides endless opportunities for experiential learning. That’s why at The Montessori School of Raleigh (MSR), students at all grade levels learn from nature every day through access to outdoor spaces as well as natural elements in their indoor spaces – like plants and small animals. In the Middle and Upper Schools, students engage in a land and livestock program that offers even more opportunities for students to access and learn from the natural world around them.

In an online article published by Independent Education Today, dated Nov. 11, 2020, author Julian Owen reports on findings of a study commissioned by the International Baccalaureate which examined the impact of its diploma programme (DP) on students’ critical thinking abilities.

In keeping with its commitment to service learning, MSR's Middle and Upper School students hosted activities for Breast Cancer Awareness Week, Oct. 12-16, 2020, on the school's Brier Creek Campus.