Our Lower Elementary students have traveled the world this year. Each month they explored a new continent and learned about the countries, cultures, and people.
Students were issued ‘Passports’ before the journey began to keep track of their travels. We explored as a group the location and major geographical features of each continent. Students chose a country to study independently and then presented their research to the group.
Each month we celebrated our studies with presentations about native wildlife, traditional costumes, art, music, dance and of course a feast of foods from the countries within each continent.
Along the way we learned to try new things-(the children love playing cricket now at recess), to sample foods from far-off places, to see people in other cultures as friends, and to know that we are a people with many blessings. Maria Montessori was a believer in education as the only road to lasting peace between all peoples. Here are some of her best quotes on the subject (pulled from the American Montessori Society):
“Since it has been seen to be necessary to give so much to the child, let us give him a vision of the whole universe. The universe is an imposing reality and an answer to all questions. We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity. This idea helps the mind of the child to become fixed, to stop wandering in an aimless quest for knowledge. He is satisfied, having found the universal centre of himself with all things.” [Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential, translator unknown]
“The laws governing the universe can be made interesting and wonderful to the child, more interesting even that things in themselves, and he begins to ask: What am I? What is the task of man in this wonderful universe? Do we merely live here for ourselves, or is there something more for us to do? Why do we struggle and fight? What is good and evil? Where will it all end?” [Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential, translator unknown]
“Education today, in this particular social period, is assuming truly unlimited importance. And the increased emphasis on its practical value can be summed up in one sentence: education is the best weapon for peace.” [Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, translated by Helen R. Lane]
“An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking: it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to times in which they live.” [Maria Montessori, Education and Peace, translated by Helen R. Lane]