Oh, Dearest Mother, Sweetest Virgin of Altagracia, our Patroness. You are our Advocate and to you we recommend our needs. You are our Teacher and like disciples we come to learn from the example of your holy life. You are our Mother, and like children, we come to offer you all of the love of our hearts. Receive, dearest Mother, our offerings and listen attentively to our supplications. Amen.



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Nurturing the Years of Wonder
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Subject Topic: Montessori Basics for Beginners?? Post ReplyPost New Topic
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MamaJen
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Posted: Oct 19 2006 at 11:05am | IP Logged Quote MamaJen

For whatever reason, I keep running across articles about Montessori. I never really knew much about it, to be honest, and what I'm learning has challenged me, intrigued me, and made me want to learn more.

My kids range in age from 4 to 9.5, my budget is paltry, so far in our life it seems we've done pretty much the exact opposite of what I think Montessori demands, and at this point I think I just need to *learn* more rather than try to implement anything. Trouble is - I'm not even sure where to start!

Anyway have any good articles or books or websites to suggest for a good (and basic!) introduction to Montessori philosophies and methods? Thanks!!

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Kim F
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Posted: Oct 19 2006 at 1:27pm | IP Logged Quote Kim F

I have linked up to a number of sites and articles on my blog fwiw. Hit the schoolhouse index and that should bring up any articles we have discussed lately. The other links are in the sidebar.

Enjoy your reading! I too find it very inspiring! As we often say here it is more about your mindset than your stuff so don't worry about the budget.

Kim

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MamaJen
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Posted: Oct 19 2006 at 5:03pm | IP Logged Quote MamaJen

Thanks, Kim! You have had so many wonderful articles lately, it is really your site that has led me on my meanderings in Montessori. Now that I can use the index link you mentioned and get all your articles in one spot, it will be much easiser to "chew" on them! :-)

If you could only get one book on the subject as an introduction, which would you recommend?

Thanks again!

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Kim F
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Posted: Oct 19 2006 at 5:49pm | IP Logged Quote Kim F

Oh this is frustrating. I was going to recommend my all time favorite Montessori Manual for Parents and Teachers since I just bought a copy for $16 from Amazon! But, it looks like they are exorbitant right now. Would suggest checking a library loan or keep checking back to Amazon because just this week there were three copies for under $20. This book is a favorite of mine because it is not written in edu-speak and just really spoke to my heart.

If not that then it would depend upon what you are looking for. If its theory then Paula Lilliard Polk or Heidi Spietz (sp?) would be good. If its how-to then David Gettman or Elizabeth Hainstock or Labritta Gilbert would be better.

The links to the article libraries online are a great place to start for absolute free though. By the time you get through all that you have a pretty good picture.

Kim

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Posted: Oct 19 2006 at 5:50pm | IP Logged Quote Kim F

and thank you btw : ) It is encouraging to find other moms as excited about all this as I am!

Kim

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JennGM
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Posted: Oct 25 2006 at 9:28am | IP Logged Quote JennGM

Kim F wrote:
Oh this is frustrating. I was going to recommend my all time favorite Montessori Manual for Parents and Teachers since I just bought a copy for $16 from Amazon! But, it looks like they are exorbitant right now. Would suggest checking a library loan or keep checking back to Amazon because just this week there were three copies for under $20. This book is a favorite of mine because it is not written in edu-speak and just really spoke to my heart.

If not that then it would depend upon what you are looking for. If its theory then Paula Lilliard Polk or Heidi Spietz (sp?) would be good. If its how-to then David Gettman or Elizabeth Hainstock or Labritta Gilbert would be better.

The links to the article libraries online are a great place to start for absolute free though. By the time you get through all that you have a pretty good picture.


Kim, thank you. I need to spend some more time at your blog visiting your links and getting inspiration.

I just finished reading "Essential Montessori" by Hainstock. I guess that's not a really popular book with Montessori purists, but I found it really helpful for me. I like to see the whole view, historical, the development, the conflicts, the different groups, plus she excerpts from Montessori's own writings to show illustrations of the basics of the method.

And the best part to me was to be open about the factions and disagreements, even during Maria's own time. I didn't know that when Hainstock came out with her first book "Teaching Montessori in the Home" that she was not welcomed by the Montessori movement, although parents were thrilled.

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Kim F
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Posted: Oct 25 2006 at 9:36am | IP Logged Quote Kim F

I just recieved a large sample from a new Montessori book for parents. I will try to finish it shortly and review. Looks very good! It has pics too ; )   Don't ask me why but that sure adds to my comprehension.

Kim

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Becky Parker
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Posted: Oct 25 2006 at 11:16am | IP Logged Quote Becky Parker

Can't wait to hear about it Kim!
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marysjoys
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Posted: March 29 2007 at 8:19pm | IP Logged Quote marysjoys

I'm just a beginner, and I learned a lot from a book I was given from Catholic Heritage Curriculum, "Natural Structure; A Montessori Approach to Classical Education at Home" which is Catholic, and tailored to homeschoolers. Has anyone read it?
I love the photos, they really help a beginner like me.

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MarieA
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Posted: March 29 2007 at 8:47pm | IP Logged Quote MarieA

I just got "Natural Structure" too. (Actually, it just arrived this week.) I am reading another Montessori book right now, but will let you know how I like it after I finish it.

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monalisa
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Posted: April 12 2007 at 9:20pm | IP Logged Quote monalisa

i think natural structure is a GREAT beginning b/c it is so thoroughly Catholic. sometimes i get tired of wading thru the new age/ babywise stuff mixed in with other montessori articles/ books. i would NOT recommend michael olaf or montessori from the start- they made me feel guilty for what i was NOT doing... versus motivating me to do stuff. although later both these resources gave me ideas. Montessori on a limited budget is a great book too. it is only available from michael olaf or neinhuis though. (don't buy it on amazon, it's like 40-50 there used. MO and NH sell it new for under 20.)     
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