The Golden Week in Japan: Study and Service in the Montessori Classroom

The Golden Week in Japan provides a special opportunity for geography and cultural activities in the Montessori classroom. Opportunities for service and philanthropy among your students also exist around themes associated with these cultural celebrations.

Japan’s Golden Week includes four national holidays and two weekends. It becomes a very busy time in Japan when Showa Day, Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi), Greenery Day (Midori no hi), and Children’s Day (Kodomono-hi) are all celebrated. Bring some of this excitement to your Montessori classroom!

Every Day is Earth Day - Montessori Values and Cosmic Education

Earth Day is being celebrated this year on Sunday, April 22. It’s estimated that over 1 billion people around the world will be celebrating this global day of environmental awareness. If it were up to Montessori teachers and children, every day would be Earth Day!

Montessori’s vision of Cosmic Education was for children to understand the impact just one individual has on the earth. By developing a heightened awareness and sensitivity to environmental issues, children understand the delicate interconnectedness we all share. By learning to be respectful of others within the microcosm of the Montessori classroom, children learn to be empathetic and respectful to all.

STEM Educational Initiatives and The Montessori Method

Math and science work harmoniously in nature.

Since the launch of Sputnik in 1957, the US has called for an increase in scientific and mathematical education. There is currently a movement underway to train and terrain 100,000 STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) teachers. Across the country there are new standards for STEM subjects, with educators being charged to be creative and engaging rather than just teaching from a textbook.
 
What does this mean for Montessorians?