Presenting Native American Heritage Month in the Montessori Environment

When I started teaching in the Montessori upper elementary environment, I found myself teaching the American pre-history and the Paleo-Indian cultures. Beginning with Bering Land Bridge migration around 9500 BC, we studied Clovis and Folsom cultures and worked our way through to the Plains Woodland and Plains Village cultures, spanning a period of time of about 10,000 years.

It was fascinating for my students to learn that there was a rich pre-historical American culture. Most had never thought to ask where the modern American Indians come from. Of course, having this new information led to more questions, and students were soon researching the various cultures of the American Indian.

Along the way, I discovered the literature and music of Joseph Bruchac of the Nulhegan Abenaki nation. I quickly added his book Keepers of the Earth: Native American Stories Environmental Activities for Children to our culture shelves. Why the culture area and not the library? Because of how well the book addresses environmental stewardship through the telling of Native American stories, relating closely to Montessori's cosmic plan. The activities found in the book provide a holistic, hands-on experience for all learners. Upon request from my students, I also added Keepers of the Night: Native American Stories and Nocturnal Activities for Children to our classroom collection.

Learning about where one comes from, including one’s pre-historical ancestry, aligns with Montessori’s concept of cosmic education. The elementary child is at the perfect age developmentally to learn about the origins of people. He is eager to learn, with wide-eyed curiosity and without prejudice.