Music Therapy: More and more scientific research seems to be pointing to the same conclusion. Music is good for you.
Music imprints itself on our brains deeper than any other human experience. It brings back feelings of life when nothing else can. It’s powerful mind-altering effect can change one’s experience of time, space, body and relationship.
ADHD is one of the first things suspected when a child’s behavior becomes problematic. But these behaviors can also be a result of other factors.
This is why it’s important to understand what ADHD truly looks like in the classroom. Observing children carefully is especially important when trying to find an accurate diagnosis for struggling students.
Too much testing? Standardized testing plays a momentous role in our Nation’s education. The goal is to provide a measure to evaluate student performance across state, national and even global standards.
However, does our far-reaching focus on standardized test scores actually meet this lofty educational goal? This modern educational practice has ignited a national debate about the effectiveness of testing and how well they truly measure student achievement.
Montessori work cycle, also known as the work period, is an uninterrupted block of time. During this time children are able to explore the prepared environment and engage with materials of their own choosing. The time is intended to develop basic life skills while enjoying the work they love.
The length of a Montessori work cycle fluctuates depending upon the child’s age. But typically, classrooms have a three-hour work period most mornings. However, this might vary at some schools.
Active listening is the process of listening attentively while someone else speaks. It keeps us engaged in a positive way. This includes paraphrasing and reflecting back what is said, and withholding judgment and advice.
Active Listening is becoming more and more of a lost art. Why?
Montessori’s Three Period Lesson is an example of the learning strategy called scaffolding. Scaffolding refers to a variety of instructional techniques used to move students progressively toward stronger understanding. Ultimately, the child is guided to independence in the learning process.
The Three Period Lesson grants a slower, easier absorption process. This strategy isolates concepts and allows for reinforcement of each step as needed. Scaffolding is in our wheelhouse. It’s embedded in every Montessori material and in every lesson.
School start times: For years now, researchers and medical groups have been looking for ways to boost physical and mental health. The simplest way is quality sleep.
Early school start times are associated with students getting less sleep, which negatively affects student academic performance. Students with less sleep have difficulty paying attention. They may also experience irritability and fatigue throughout the day.
Word study is the study of changes made over time to words in a given language.
Don’t discourage struggling spellers. Word study enriches our vocabulary and can be used as a highly effective aid to spelling!
Classroom expectations can be viewed through a larger lens than simply ‘classroom discipline.’ That is controlling children’s behavior through a variety of rewards and punishments.
Instead of ‘classroom discipline,’ the Montessori approach guides children to find discipline from within. Dr. Maria Montessori referred to this as ‘freedom with responsibility.’