SNAPSHOTS OF THE LOWER SCHOOL

Montessori Classes in Action

“Why is Columbia represented by a coffee cup?” Summit teacher Sharon Sales asks Charlie.

“Because Columbia grows coffee,” Charlie eagerly responds.

Charlie knows this, not because he memorized the main exports of all Central American countries, but because he has been exposed to many learning resources during the study of South America. The Columbia lesson was presented by Senora Twombly, Charlie’s Spanish teacher, and Native Columbian. By placing the “coffee cup” stamp in his passport, Charlie is reminded of this fact. This stamp went beside other stamps of South American countries in
a system devised by teacher Linda Moeggenberg.

Charlie is currently studying the countries of Africa and today’s task includes updating his passport with stamps from each of the countries he studied and mastered. Charlie knows almost two-thirds of the countries of Africa, and as he recites their names and other key geographical data, he stamps his passport.

“We use projects to help reinforce learning,” states Mrs. Sales. “For example, Charlie first learned the location of the countries by putting the puzzle of Africa together; tracing and labeling it, and then creating flags for each country out of construction paper. Today he receives reinforcement for what he knows by receiving stamps in his passport. “

“We learn by doing. Visual, concrete materials along with repetition and verbal reinforcement really work for children this age,” adds Mrs. Moeggenberg. “It’s amazing what they can learn. Geography enrichment gives the child the basic building blocks to create a better world.”