Summertime Planning for the Montessori Classroom

It seems like just last week that school was out. Sentiments ranged from tearful goodbyes from students who were leaving, to cheers of happiness, accompanied by “See you next year”. My students were off to camps, visiting grandparents, the seaside, the mountains, the pool. . . They were ready for lots of fresh air, sunshine and good old fashioned play time.

I, on the other hand, was looking forward to some peace and quiet. The last few weeks of school are just as taxing as the first weeks and I was ready to relax. I wanted to read a book (for pleasure!) from cover to cover. I wanted to go to the beach and nap in the sun. I was looking forward to my honeymoon to the North Carolina Mountains (my husband and I got married at Thanksgiving - not a good time to take a vacation.) That was my first two weeks of vacation. Then, it happened. I started thinking about school.

Summer Time Planning for the Montessori Classroom 

What was I going to do to get my students excited this year? I started thinking about all we’d covered last year and where we were going to go with the Montessori curriculum next year. All of a sudden, my dining room was converted into workshop. At one end of my dining room table, my computer hummed continuously as I searched for new Montessori materials and ideas. The rest of the table was covered in Montessori charts to be colored, artist quality pens scattered everywhere. The floor was covered with materials and manuals to be gone through and refined. Catalogs littered my chairs. I replenished my supply of colored cardstock and labels. I even broke down and bought my own paper trimmer and laminator. When my husband came home from work he said “I thought you were relaxing”. My response “I am! This is fun!”

Montessori teachers can’t help it. We relax by coloring charts and making 3-part cards. We enjoy watching our creations pop out of the laminator, all shiny and hot. We comb the bargain tables and dollar stores looking for beautiful objects to fill our Montessori classroom. We re-read Montessori’s books, surprised each time at the beauty and insight of her teaching. We meditate and dream of a world full of children who are peace-makers. And we look forward to that first day of school filled with smiles, hugs, and the bright-eyes of children who are hungry and ready to learn.

For more information on preparing your Montessori Classroom, consider ordering one of NAMC’s Montessori Classroom Guides today!

As much as possible, NAMC’s web blog reflects the Montessori curriculum as provided in its teacher training programs. We realize and respect that Montessori schools are unique and may vary their schedules and offerings in accordance with the needs of their individual communities. We hope that our readers will find our articles useful and inspiring as a contribution to the global Montessori community.
© North American Montessori Center - originally posted in its entirety at Montessori Teacher Training on Saturday, August 4, 2007.