Describes the organization and development of the first charter school in 1991, a Montessori school serving 2.5- to 6-year-olds located in Minnesota. Focuses on how the charter was written to meet the legislative requirements and maintain the integrity of the Montessori program. (KB)

Challenges Montessori instructors and advocates to address the complex issues of staffing, scheduling, and maintaining a consistency of approach with respect to all-day Montessori instruction. (HTH)

Discusses challenges involved in streamlining the accreditation process of the American Montessori Society (AMS) to make it more relevant to Montessori schools. Announces upcoming validator's training workshops and a protocol for self-study to be used in addition to "The Authentic American Montessori School." Encourages Montessori schools to…

Draws on a comparison of the characteristics of early childhood and early adolescence to comment on the culture of civility for adolescents. Discusses how Montessori adolescent psychology reiterates the role of the environment, the importance of work, the mindfulness of movement, the savoring of silence, the beauty of language, lessons in grace…

In preparation for the centennial of Montessori education, school leaders have a unique responsibility--not only to the communities, but also to Dr. Montessori's memory--to revise the educational practices in a manner that is both respectful of her theories and responsive to a changing educational landscape. This article outlines one example of…

Describes essential concepts related to the root of defining the child's motivation and the process of Montessori education. Emphasizes the "horme" (inner urge), normalization, the prepared environment, the Four Planes of Development, cosmic education, and the cosmic task in both natural and human context, and the new potential of the adolescent…

Combines insights from ecological research and Montessori theory and practice to portray the unfolding of childhood in natural places. Suggests that children's manipulation of the landscape results in optimal creative involvement. Maintains that the act of finding favorite places in all weather, combined with a positive role model, leads to…

Discusses the development of all-day Montessori programs over the last several decades, focusing on the contrasts between traditional day care programs and the Montessori educational experience. Also notes the application of Montessori principles to day care for preschool children. Concludes by introducing this special issue on the all-day…

Discusses the essential elements of Montessori educational philosophy and theory, focusing on the integration, development, and maintenance of the four characteristics of normalization (concentration, work, discipline, sociability) into adulthood. Discusses Montessori's view that development and retention of these positive characteristics could be…

Reflects upon the Montessori teacher's role as a peace educator in light of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Rearticulates Montessori's assertion that only through education can the fundamental issues of peace be addressed. Suggests that Montessori teachers seek professional development opportunities to help them incorporate the peace…

It is within the prepared environment of the adolescent learning community that the adult comes into full connection with Montessori's universal picture of optimal development. Adolescents' search for meaning enables adults to come to a clearer understanding of the human condition. Thus, teachers of adolescents must endeavor to model the ideals of…

Discusses how child-centered educational philosophies, including Montessori, share positions differing radically from those of the educational standards movement. Focuses on adult-set goals and standards, social promotion, external motivators, demands for more challenging work, and standardized tests. Reports that children in child-centered…

Describes the building designs of Virginia's Frost Montessori School, Pole Green Elementary School in Hanover County, and five elementary schools in Carroll County. Describes the educational context, design goals, and architects. Also includes photographs. (EV)

Describes transition as involving multidimensional components; highlights transitional situations in the Montessori classroom using strategies involving routines, tasks, and signals. Details transitional activities to neutralize effects of moving to a new level or teacher. Provides suggestions for helping adults deal with everyday transitions such…

Uses Havighurst's 11 developmental tasks for normal adolescence as a basis for a discussion of the prepared environment for the adolescent; tasks include adjusting to a new physical self and intellectual abilities, establishing adult vocational goals, and establishing emotional and psychological independence from parents. Considers the needs and…