The Role of the Third Year Student in the Montessori Classroom

In the Montessori classroom, third-year students apply
their knowledge and model behavior for younger students

When Maria Montessori developed her educational method, she created programs that encompass a three-year learning cycle. This three-year cycle corresponds with Montessori’s planes of development, each of which spans six years of the child’s life:

• First plane: 0–6 years (Absorbent Mind)
• Second plane: 6–12 years (Childhood)
• Third plane: 12–18 years (Adolescence)
• Fourth plane: 18–24 years (Young Adult)

Within each plane of development, there is a natural separation and transformation that occurs every three years.

Sun and Moon Autumnal Equinox Activities for Montessori Students

The beginning of the school year for Montessori students also marks the passage of summer into fall. While we may miss the bright sunny days, autumn is a time of brilliant color, crisp air, and exciting happenings in nature. September 22 was the autumnal equinox— which is when we officially mark the changing of the seasons. The equinox marks the day that the sun shines directly over the equator, and day and night are almost exactly the same length, all over the planet!

Learning about the changing seasons and the movement of the earth are important parts of Montessori physical geography and science curriculum. Teaching students about the fascinating scientific causes of the equinoxes along with respect for these almost magical aspects of the natural world provides a full and balanced education. In many places around the world, autumn festivals are often centered around solar and lunar cycles; enjoy these sun and moon inspired fall activities that you can share with your Montessori students to celebrate the beginning of autumn!

Curriculum Activities for the International Day of Peace in the Montessori Classroom

Encourage your students to share ideas about the
meaning of peace during circle time

Friday, September 21 is the International Day of Peace, also known as Peace Day. With the creation of this inspiring day, the United Nations devoted itself to worldwide peace and has encouraged people around the world to work in cooperation toward this goal.

For Montessorians, practicing peace and kindness is an important cornerstone of the method and world view. We strive every day to express the Montessori values of peace, grace, and courtesy in some way, and the International Day of Peace is the perfect time to focus on peace in the Montessori classroom. It is easy to get Montessori students excited about promoting peace and tolerance through our everyday teachings and with Peace Day being an international event, these classroom activities can help you tie Grace and Courtesy, Cultural Studies, and Cosmic Education together in celebration!

Introducing Rules and Routines in the Montessori Preschool Classroom

On the first day of school in the Montessori preschool classroom, I begin the day with a circle time where the children have an opportunity to introduce themselves to each other and tell us something special they did during the summer. Then, we take a tour of the classroom, so the children have the chance to see the different areas of their classroom. We return to the circle and we go through some of the rules and routines of the classroom. This is where we do a lot of role playing!


Grace and courtesy lessons such as “how to interrupt”
are presented early in the Montessori classroom

One of the most important rules that we go over is how to interrupt properly in the Montessori environment.

Introducing Rules and Routines in the Montessori Elementary Classroom

Promote a successful start to the year by offering Montessori students a balance between circle time and work periods in the first few days

I recently received a phone call from one of my Lower Elementary NAMC students who was discouraged about her first day of class. She had planned the first week to be focused on building community within the Montessori classroom, and she had not intended on beginning any presentations of Montessori lessons for another week.

“It was chaos. The older students just wanted to work and I couldn’t get them to sit in circle for very long. They wanted to get the materials out right away. And when I got them to circle, they acted silly and unruly.”

Bulletin Boards and Class Decor in the Montessori Environment

I admit it; I am hooked. Ever since my invitation to join Pinterest, it has become one of my favorite time wasters. Like any good thing, I have had to severely limit myself to small amounts of time and only after my work and homework are done!

The uncluttered, calming environment of the Montessori classroom helps students focus on the materials without distraction

Being a Montessori educator, I frequently find myself perusing the Education category. It is very easy to become tempted by the cute bulletin board and classroom décor ideas. There are welcome banners, posters, and so many colorful decorations it makes me feel like a kid in a candy store. Remember the looks on the children’s faces in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, when the children see the River of Chocolate and edible flowers and grass for the first time? They are totally overwhelmed. I can certainly relate, as I see all the classroom décor ideas and think, “I have to have it!” And then I realize, if my senses are overwhelmed, the children must be, too.