Understanding how to facilitate, organize, and prepare an environment that fosters student choice is one of the most challenging aspects of being a Montessori Elementary teacher.

Educators who follow the Montessori approach know that Maria Montessori placed a lot of emphasis on the idea of “choice,” and while the notion of choice is universally celebrated and held sacred for young children up until the age of 6 (such as in other Montessori environments or in play-based preschools), this idea sometimes falls to the wayside when children enter into elementary and adolescent programs.

In today’s episode, Letty Rising explains that there are different levels of choice, and that students can have choice in their work and still develop the skills needed to master standards.

What’s in this episode:

• What different levels of choice look like in the Elementary classroom
• Facilitating an environment that allows the opportunity for children to choose their work
• Building common core standards around a child's interest
• Supporting children who struggle with independence and making choices
• When teacher choice and child choice come into play
• Ensuring students are progressing in key areas by using tools for accountability

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit:

https://www.trilliummontessori.org/

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One of the best ways to create a learning environment that promotes positivity and productivity is play. When playing games, students become more comfortable with not only their peers but also their teacher.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing how both structured and unstructured games can build a variety of social, emotional, and executive functioning skills in elementary students, and how games contribute to students’ success in all areas of curriculum as well.

What’s in this episode:

[02:04] How games can be a strategy for fostering connection in the classroom and examples of games that require communication and teamwork

[06:49] How games help develop social, emotional, and executive functioning, including conflict resolution skills, self-esteem development, and organizational skills

[14:35] Examples and benefits of unstructured vs. structured play

[19:36] The positive outcomes that result from playing games

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit:

https://www.trilliummontessori.org/

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As students get older, parents seem to become more inclined to pull their children out of Montessori programs. Especially when those classrooms have smaller groups of older students. Parents often think that there are disadvantages to keeping their older children in this setting, but it’s actually quite the opposite: there are numerous benefits to older children in mixed-age classrooms.

In today’s episode, I’m sharing the unique experiences offered by a mixed-age Montessori classroom, including how older children can mentor younger students, and develop leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity, among other benefits. There are tremendous opportunities for older students in the Montessori school setting, and when teachers offer individualized lessons and activities, students of any age can thrive.

What’s in this episode:

The benefits of older children teaching and mentoring younger children in the classroom

How older children can be helpful when explaining big picture ideas to younger students

Why departing before the leadership year is a missed opportunity for older students

How to engage parents on the benefits of keeping their older students in this classroom environment

Why it’s important to consider the individual needs of students when you have a small group of older children in your classroom, and how to create a positive learning experience

For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit:

https://www.trilliummontessori.org/

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

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