Throughout my blog networking and sharing, I came across something called the Ultimate Blog Challenge for the month of August. The topic of the day was “Why do you do what you do?” Well, let me share my why.
Continue reading “UBC: What is your why?”National Geographic Kids Shark-tastic Prize Pack #Giveaway Ends 9/1 @MarksvilleandMe
The National Geographic Kids series of books are a staple in my classrooms. They are chock full of scientific information and engaging photographs that keep the children glued to the pages and wanting to learn even more. In this giveaway, you can win a set of six to keep at home or to use in a classroom. Best of luck entering!
Continue reading “National Geographic Kids Shark-tastic Prize Pack #Giveaway Ends 9/1 @MarksvilleandMe”
Thank you, Mom, for my Montessori life
So yesterday was the three-year anniversary of my mother’s passing. I found myself thinking about how I’ve just completed a three-year cycle, just like we have in Montessori education. In a way, I almost found some comfort in that thought, on what is usually a really difficult day.
Continue reading “Thank you, Mom, for my Montessori life”Why Montessorians Need to Read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: The Remix by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
As educators, it is our responsibility to teach the children in our care to the best of our knowledge and ability. In order to do that, we need to continue to educate ourselves. There have been advances in science since most of us have been in school. We keep up on that and teach it. And even history gets new pieces added to it. For example, in April 2021, they found the home of Ben Ross, Harriet Tubman’s father. Who knows how much more of her story we will learn now?
Plus a lot of history that we learned in school was only part of the story. Figures who were painted as saints often had some major flaws that also need to be acknowledged. If we want to teach the truth. We need to be aware of the narrative that we are passing on.
Continue reading “Why Montessorians Need to Read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: The Remix by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi”Patriotic Food Preparation Activities for Kids
Children love to help prepare food, whether for themselves or for friends and family. They can share in patriotic pride as they help to make a variety of red, white, and blue foods for celebrations at home or in the classroom. An added bonus are all of those practical life skills they’re working on, plus you can subtly add in a little history and science while you’re at it. The following ideas are meant for the kids to do on their own, with minimal supervision needed.
Continue reading “Patriotic Food Preparation Activities for Kids”Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Concluding Thoughts
I have always been dedicated to promoting diversity in the Montessori classroom. I thought I was doing a decent job at it. I know I have done more than many of my peers. But I also know it has not been enough.
Continue reading “Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Concluding Thoughts”Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Diversity in Schools Then and Now
One of the things that Robin Diangelo asks us to think about is our schooling. What kind of school did you attend? What was the racial makeup? What about your teachers? Were they male or female, Black or white?
Continue reading “Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Diversity in Schools Then and Now”Dear Dad, thank you for my Montessori life.
Today marks 10 years since my father passed away. It doesn’t seem possible that it has been a full decade when so many memories of that difficult time feel as recent as last week. But that’s how time works.
Over the past several months, I have been doing a lot of introspection on the role that Montessori has played in my life, how it still pertains to my life, and how it can impact my future. My father had a large role in that. So today, I want to pay tribute to him for that.
Continue reading “Dear Dad, thank you for my Montessori life.”Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Our Excuses
One of our struggles as educators is grappling with the messages we received in our trainings and realizing that what may sound innocent and wonderful is actually problematic and needs to change.
How many of these statements, or versions of these statements, have you made?
Continue reading “Reflecting on White Fragility as a Montessorian – Our Excuses”National Geographic Kids Spring Books #Giveaway Ends 7/4 @NGKidsBks @HomeJobsByMom
I was always on the hunt for quality books in my classroom. The science area, in particular, was one I put a lot of focus on in the later years, eager to add as many realistic books as possible to engage the interest of the children and to whet their appetites for learning even more. The Nat Geo Kids books easily fit that bill. Read on to find out more about them and then enter to win a set for you to keep at home or to donate to a classroom! Continue reading “National Geographic Kids Spring Books #Giveaway Ends 7/4 @NGKidsBks @HomeJobsByMom”