“Let us give
the child a vision of the whole universe… for all things are part of the
universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity.” – Dr.
Maria Montessori
One
of the hallmarks of the Lower Elementary Montessori classroom is the sequence
of Great Lessons about the Coming of the Universe, Earth, and Humankind as
central to the scientific studies in the Cosmic Curriculum. This is where
concepts from physics, chemistry, and astronomy are introduced -- often via
experiments or easily replicable demonstrations. This is where myths from
cultures across place and time are shared; this is where the child begins to
wonder about the grandest question: how did the universe originate?
“It is not enough
for the teacher to love the child. She must first love and understand the
universe.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
“The things he sees are not just remembered. They form part of his soul.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
These
experiments and materials help the child see the inter-relationship between the
unfathomably large multiverses and the smallest known spark of life, the atom,
made up of even smaller particles – protons, neutrons, and electrons. Children
are excited to see the order in this infinitesimal set of concentric circles
and to use materials to recreate this brilliant structure of the building
blocks of matter, the things that constitute stars and bananas and mountains
and babies.
“Regard the
child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow
under the heat of flaming intelligence.” – Dr. Maria Montessori
Freedom
of movement in Montessori education is not only the ability of children to work
on mats, as well as tables. Freedom of movement is not only their choice within
limits of sequential shelf materials to grasp math, language, and science
concepts. Freedom of movement is not only their right to work alone or with a
partner; it also means that children can freely move between concepts. The Parts
of an Atom connects to experiments in osmosis to pin-poking constellations or
drawing them using oil pastels. This freedom of movement in thought stimulates
the imagination and makes space for the connections that exist amongst all
things over time and through space.
