{"id":418,"date":"2017-03-01T17:08:33","date_gmt":"2017-03-01T17:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/?p=418"},"modified":"2017-03-16T13:57:36","modified_gmt":"2017-03-16T13:57:36","slug":"110-years-of-montessori","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2017\/03\/01\/110-years-of-montessori\/","title":{"rendered":"110 Years of Montessori"},"content":{"rendered":"

Montessori schools around the world are celebrating Montessori Education Week this week. Parents and visitors to The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy (MCA) will notice festive banners on display at our schools and an excited buzz in the air as we begin this week-long celebration in honor of Dr. Montessori and the Montessori Method. Montessori Education Week is a highlight of the school year for MCA, and the warm feeling and festivities surrounding this occasion are certainly a welcome respite from a long, cold New Jersey winter. We wanted to share a little bit more about why we\u2019re celebrating and what we\u2019re doing to mark 110 years of Montessori education.<\/p>\n

Why We Celebrate Montessori Education Week<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

There are four reasons we choose to celebrate Montessori Education Week:<\/p>\n

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  1. To reflect on the extraordinary life of Dr. Maria Montessori<\/em>: Did you know that, in addition to being a pioneer in education, Maria Montessori was a medical doctor, a WWII refugee, an author, an advocate for peace, and a parent? Her biography is as impressive as her legacy. An important part of Montessori Education Week is learning about Dr. Montessori and her contributions not only to the world of education, but to the world as a whole.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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    1. To share the benefits of a Montessori education with our local communities<\/em>: Many people recognize the word \u201cMontessori\u201d but don\u2019t understand its meaning. The Montessori Method is an innovative, hands-on, cross- curricular, and globally conscious educational philosophy. Children from early childhood through elementary and beyond benefit from working in Montessori environments, as they provide students with opportunities to expand both their academic and social skills necessary for critical thinking and civic responsibility in an ever-changing world.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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      1. To celebrate the \u201cbirthday\u201d of Montessori education<\/em>: This year marks 110 years since the establishment of the first Montessori school, Casa de Bambini (or \u201cChildren\u2019s House\u201d) in Rome, Italy. 110 years is quite a milestone!<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
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        1. To build a strong school community<\/em>: MCA\u2019s families are united by a common thread: a shared belief that a Montessori education is the best choice for the children in their lives. We relish the opportunity to have more of our parents, as well as important extended members of our MCA families \u2013 grandparents, nannies, and alumni students \u2013 join us for the special activities and events we have planned during Montessori Education Week. The continued support and dedication to MCA by this wide school community is a testament to the spirit of Dr. Montessori.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          How We Celebrate<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

          Every year, MCA plans a variety of celebrations during Montessori Education Week. Some of these special activities occur in our classrooms during the school day, and some are shared off-campus throughout the local towns where our MCA families live.<\/p>\n

          This year, parents have the opportunity to join us each day of Montessori Education Week for classroom observations and to watch students present formal demonstrations of favorite Practical Life<\/a> lessons. During the school day, students will be taking part in special lessons about Maria Montessori, her native Italy, and timeless peace activities, such as lighting a candle for peace. Finally, we hope to see families from all three of our MCA campuses at Romanelli\u2019s Pizza and Italian Eatery in Madison for our capstone Montessori Education Week celebration on Saturday, March 4th<\/sup>. At this event, students will share their favorite Montessori lessons with friends from other campuses, and the MCA community will wrap up its Girls on the Run<\/a> community outreach campaign.<\/p>\n

          MCA is also spreading the spirit of Dr. Montessori beyond the walls of MCA through student-created art displays. Under the guidance of our Head Teachers, each MCA class has created an art project inspired by Montessori materials and lessons. Student artwork can be found at the public libraries in the following towns where MCA families live: Chatham, Florham Park, Livingston, Madison, Maplewood, Millburn, and Morristown\/Morris Township. If a visit to your library is in your weekly routine (and we hope it is!) remember to check out the incredible exhibits featuring MCA\u2019s students\u2019 original artwork. The photo below is MCA’s display at the Madison Library:<\/p>\n

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          Get in the MEW Spirit: Three\u00a0Fun, Shareable Montessori Resources<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n