{"id":713,"date":"2018-07-25T11:06:10","date_gmt":"2018-07-25T15:06:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/?p=713"},"modified":"2018-07-25T11:06:10","modified_gmt":"2018-07-25T15:06:10","slug":"summertime-extensions-for-exploring-the-cultural-area","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2018\/07\/25\/summertime-extensions-for-exploring-the-cultural-area\/","title":{"rendered":"Summertime Extensions for Exploring the Cultural Area"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Montessori<\/a><\/p>\n

Montessori classrooms truly give students the world. The Cultural area of the classroom is filled with flags, globes, and maps which allow students to travel to places beyond their classroom walls. Montessori students learn about geography, land and water forms, and climate, not to mention the customs and cultures of people from around the world. Exposure to these cultural aspects opens the minds and imaginations of students. They discover the similarities and differences between their own country of origin and places worldwide. Through their cultural studies, they also gain an appreciation for things that are unfamiliar to them, and this appreciation of \u2018other\u2019 lends itself to developing understanding of and respect for all people, all cultures, and all places.<\/p>\n

Summer is an excellent time to use the Montessori Cultural area as a springboard for continued learning. Because many of the students have already been presented with lessons in map making and simple research, parents can challenge their children to extend their cultural discoveries at home over the summer holiday. Even if your family is planning a \u2018staycation\u2019 this summer, you can all travel virtually through your participation in some of these Cultural extensions.<\/p>\n

1. Discover your roots.<\/strong> If your ancestors came from other countries, summer might be a perfect time to find out more about your family\u2019s history or about your family\u2019s country (or countries) of origin. Public libraries generally have children\u2019s books about places around the world, so check out a few related to your family\u2019s own ethnic background.<\/p>\n

2. Taste something new.<\/strong> As an extension, you might enjoy trying out a new recipe from one of these places. Involve your child in planning the dish, shopping for ingredients (and there are some ethnic markets that are like a trip to a foreign land in and of themselves!), and then together prepare and taste something new!<\/p>\n

3. Map your neighborhood.<\/strong> Keep those cartography skills sharp and have your child create a map of your neighborhood or town. Challenge your child to identify the major landmarks (school, library, police station, favorite playground), and invite him or her to draw out the paths from home to each of these important places in your area.<\/p>\n

4. Design a family flag.<\/strong> The children have learned that nations can be identified by their flags. They also know that each state in the US has its own flag. Why not design a special family flag? Think about things that are important to your family and include symbols representing those things on your family flag. Design it first on paper, and if you\u2019re really ambitious, create an actual fabric flag to wave proudly at home!<\/p>\n

5. Identify the land and water features you visit.<\/strong> Again, even if you don\u2019t leave home, your child can look at maps of where you live and practice identifying what land and water forms are displayed on the map. Not only do we have the Atlantic Ocean along our NJ border, but the state is filled with rivers, lakes, and mountain ranges to identify.<\/p>\n

6. Research a destination.<\/strong> If your family is planning a getaway to another city, state, or country, include your child in the planning, and research some of the history, geography, and culture of the place you will be going.<\/p>\n

7. Keep a travel journal.<\/strong> Keeping a journal on a family trip is a wonderful way to have your child document the trip, and it is something that your child can then share with family and friends upon returning home. Drawings, notes, and collected items such as ticket stubs, photographs, or brochures can build a wonderful keepsake of your vacation.<\/p>\n

Whatever your summertime plans, your child can continue to discover the world through a variety of activities, even from the comfort of your own home. Happy Exploring!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Montessori classrooms truly give students the world. The Cultural area of the classroom is filled with flags, globes, and maps which allow students to travel to places beyond their classroom walls. Montessori students learn about geography, land and water forms, and climate, not to mention the customs and cultures of people from around the world. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false}}},"categories":[28,224,69,87,253,1],"tags":[61,47,4,144,54,52,213,78,145,147,74],"coauthors":[13],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":false,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7icff-bv","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":581,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2017\/12\/01\/the-gifts-of-a-montessori-education\/","url_meta":{"origin":713,"position":0},"title":"The Gifts of a Montessori Education","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"December 1, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu During this busy holiday season, many people find themselves frantically searching for \u2018that perfect gift\u2019. They are looking for the right size, color, and fit. Or they are trying to find something unique and one-of-a-kind. Some parents have their children write out wish lists of items they\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":661,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2018\/02\/19\/eye-on-the-montessori-elementary-experience\/","url_meta":{"origin":713,"position":1},"title":"Eye on the Montessori Elementary Experience","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"February 19, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu Most people equate Montessori education with early childhood or the preschool years. 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For families who embrace the Montessori philosophy, they truly\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Montessori Elementary"","block_context":{"text":"Montessori Elementary","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/montessori-elementary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/02\/E-garden-3.png?fit=228%2C304&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":806,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/06\/celebrating-montessori-education-week-at-mca\/","url_meta":{"origin":713,"position":2},"title":"Celebrating Montessori Education Week at MCA!","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"March 6, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 A sampling of MCA student projects on display at local libraries for Montessori Education Week We at The Montessori Children\u2019s Academy celebrate Montessori education each and every day, but for one week out of the year, we join together with schools from around\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":717,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2018\/08\/13\/farmers-markets-and-montessori\/","url_meta":{"origin":713,"position":3},"title":"Farmers Markets and Montessori","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"August 13, 2018","format":false,"excerpt":"By Alex Chiu August is perhaps one of the most colorful months of the year, especially if you take some time to visit any number of local farmers markets in the area. Fruits and vegetables in rainbows of hues fill the baskets and tables, inviting a closer look at their\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Early Child Education"","block_context":{"text":"Early Child Education","link":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/category\/early-child-education\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/08\/Farm-Market-2-e1534205581259-225x300.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":374,"url":"https:\/\/themontessorichildrensacademy.com\/blog\/2016\/12\/09\/exploring-a-montessori-elementary-option\/","url_meta":{"origin":713,"position":4},"title":"Exploring a Montessori Elementary Option","author":"Alex Chiu","date":"December 9, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"It is not uncommon for many parents to associate the word Montessori with preschool. 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