“Inspiration does exist, but it must find you working” Display a photograph of Picasso or his work. Put his quote under it. You can use it as part of a …
Resources for Art Materials, Books and Equipment
Check local resources for what you need. Below is a list of companies I have used to broaden your choices. Visit sites that interest you. Request a catalog so you …
Design an Art Program this Summer with a Partner
There is a Montessorian you admire. You enjoy seeing their environment; they enjoy seeing yours. Both of you are adventurous and open to change. Suggest that the two of you …
“Ask for advice if you need it.”
While I was teaching, I noticed that nine to twelve year old students did not ask for help very often. I always ended lessons by saying “Ask for help if …
A GREAT FIND: ART TEACHER, RHODA KELLOGG
I read Rhoda Kellogg’s book The Psychology of Child’s Art when I was teaching Montessori art in the Children’s Studio. The environment was a grant funded program I created for …
Virtual Lesson: Geometry I
Types of Triangles There are three types of triangles. Each type has 3 sides, 3 angles (created by two sides) and 3 vertices (the point where 2 sides meet). Each …
A Great Find: Oh, the THINKS You Can Think!
This is a Dr. Seuss book that I wished I had used as a working teacher. I stashed it away in my library one summer and forgot I had it. …
A Great Find: Postage Stamps
Postage stamps can make great matching games. They are small and appeal to younger children. Three different stamps were published by the postal department this year. One was of the …
The Fourth R
Most people are familiar with the “three Rs” in elementary education. Reading, writing, and arithmetic are accepted as basic skills that increase in difficulty from preschool to elementary and secondary …
A Great Find: Glass Yogurt Jars
While food shopping, I found Yoplait yogurt packaged in two glass jars. It comes in two flavors, Salted Carmel and Chocolate shavings. The jars are sturdy and well designed to …
A Teachable Insight
There are times when one is inspired to change how one teaches a lesson that for years has been successful. I have used the knobbed cylinders for years to introduce …
Montessori Education Continuum: Freedom Within Limits
Freedom Within Limits would be in the middle of a Montessori Education Continuum. One end of the Continuum would represent complete freedom and the other end would represent complete limits …
Extensions for Grace and Courtesy
When teaching 9-12 year old children I discovered that a simple, direct, sincere, and tension-busting way was needed to express one’s ownership of mistakes. Children often laugh when something goes …
How to Work Effectively With Your Assistant
I was very lucky as a teacher to have worked with excellent assistants. It is very important that you as the head of your environment discover all the talents and …
A Great Find: A book on parenting
Parent Education is an important part of our philosophy. Helping parents understand how our teaching method and environments work to produce lifelong learners is just one topic we present. As …
The Importance of Acceptance
It is safest to assume that all art made by a child is the best she/he can do at that moment. It is to be taken seriously just as one …
Will All My Students Want to Be Artists?
A primary/elementary art program would serve as platform for those who, in the future, might seriously pursue a career in art. The value of an art program rests more in …
On Allotting Time for Art Education
Montessori Art Education works when the principles and practices are followed. Time is critical to the success of an art program. We have about nine years to make sure each …
Art Into Life
The MAM curriculum is designed to encourage children to develop their own highest level of skill to make and appreciate art. The following poem by a six-year-old student of mine …