One thing that is often misunderstood about Maria Montessori by the modern world, is her approach to science. Nearly every aspect of the Montessori curriculum revolves around the idea that observation and experimentation are a necessary component of learning. Much of the work in the classroom is designed to have observable control of error and nomenclature. Children are taught to try something, make mistakes, and try again. At it’s very heart, Montessori is the practice of Science.
Classroom Experiments
Classroom and circle time experiments are a great way to generate curiosity and the indiviual pursuit of knowledge – they are also really fun! Students can be active participants in the discovery of the unknown, and in many cases smaller versions of group experiments can be added to the shelf for individual activity. For any Montessori environment, this section will be a work in progress, as new ideas for experiments are created all the time. Montessori teachers draw inspiration from peers, students, and the direct observation of the classroom environment.
Many people think of the garden as a place of aesthetic beauty or function, but outside of the controlled environment within the classroom, activities in the garden can largely reinforce or initiate new learning. The key is intention and awareness of the cycles of life, and a little design science called Permaculture. Work in the garden is seasonal, but it is the anticipation and preparation that make work fun and enjoyable in the garden. Seeds started inside, can be planted, pruned, harvested and recycled into more work in the classroom to start this process all over again. The garden is both magic and science rolled into one.
Learning about the features of our planet and it’s people is a big subject. The work that explores Geography is equally complex. From large continent maps and templates, to land form trays that reveal their features when water is poured in, these activities are designed to help students understand our world and it’s cultures. Extensions help to explore additional topics like animals related to the land, landmarks that they can visit, and all the countries and cultures that make the Earth so wonderfully complex.
Botany is the scientific study of plants, and as you can imagine, much of what we learn through the study of Botany comes alive when we head out to the garden. The work in this area helps students recognize parts of a plant, leaf, and flower, as well as leaf forms, growing seeds, and how plants decompose. As students learn more about plants, their interaction with them grows more rich and observations become more thoughtful.
Zoology is the study of animals, and a great way for students to connect to these lessons are class pets. Sometimes the most fascinating thing on all the shelves is the tiny Beta fish gracefully swimming in the bowl. The work in the Zoolgy section covers “parts of” puzzles, animal track work, habitats, life cycles, species differentiation, and matching work. Extensions help to explore the topics from different perspectives and sensorial experiences.
Physics is defined as “the study of nature and properties of matter and energy.” Work in binary classification, magetics, current, gravity, light, celestial motion, and mechanics are all examples of topics for exploration. Students love to examine the cause and effect relationship in controlled experiments like magnetic/non-magnetic, sink/float, and reflective/non-reflective. These introductory comparisons allow students to begin classifying the events they see in real life from a scientific perspective, and lead to deeper questions about their own life experiences.
Climatology is the study of weather, and can be a fun way for students to increase awareness of their environment. Lessons on cloud formation, types of weather, rainfall and water cycles, as well as biome characteristics open up circle time discussions. Songs and dances also help to make light of the sometimes dreary conditions outside.
Geology is the study of the structure of the earth, the substances that it is composed of, and the processes that act upon it. One of the principle ways we study geology in the montessori classroom is through the examination of rocks and gems, geological formations, and types of landforms. Students are introduced to tactile activities that take advantage of Practical life materials and the natural characteristics of rocks and gems. Striations and geological shape comparisons allow geology study to incorporate work from all areas of the classroom.
Anatomy is the study of the structure of living things, and what better place to start than the human body. In our classroom, September is the month to explore “all about me” exercises, drawing their own human body, and the organs inside. But all throughout the year concepts in human anatomy help students participate in breathing exercises, reflex work, listing to their own heartbeat, and exercising musculature through music and movement activities. We also can’t forget all the ways we explore sensory experiences and relate them back to the parts of our bodies that help to create these moments.
Astronomy is the study of the universe, and since it is such a big place, much of our work in this area focuses on the planets and stars that are visible at night. In most cities, light pollution prevents much of what can be seen from our students eyes, but through playful experiments, art, and demonstrations, we can create an understanding about what goes on above us. As students understand more and more of these concepts, we can begin talking about how weather, seasons, and the amount of daylight we see is affected by what happens in space.
Biomes are defined as a large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat. As you can imagine, these activities help to bridge and formalize more focused science activities in the classroom. Understanding the layers of a rainforest, or types of plants that grow in the desert, means that we can understand why turtles have hard shells, and birds beaks and colors are so different. These activities are for learning about the big picture, and the relationships of animal and plant communities, and the questions that occur during these lessons are the things that make teachers smile.
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