Montessori Newsletter
Volume 7
Published by Montessori Homeschool
Archive of Montessori and homeschool e-mail newsletters for parents, teachers, homeschool, toddler, preschool, elementary

In this issue...

An Introduction to Montessori Geography
Geography links
The Montessori Parents Forum
World Recipes from ParentsTalk

USA Map Capitals  and States Puzzle

by Lights, Camera, Interaction "Geography comes to life as kids learn states and capitals while solving this beautiful map puzzle. Wood pieces are shaped like state and feature state nicknames on each piece!"

Introduction to Montessori Geography
from "Cosmic Education"
by Ursula Thrush

Geography serves as a unifying force that unites all the sciences as they deal with man’s life. It deals with the earth; its chemistry, history, and anthropology. We study the earth as the home of people (man). Every subject m matter originates with the earth and is interrelated. We get an important synthesis when we join these sciences together. Montessori says, “Let us give the world to the child,” so let us sow seeds for all the subjects for the child because she is sensitive to everything at this time.

6-9
The child in the Montessori environment needs to perfect her senses. After six years of age she realizes that there is a larger environment than her family and she wants to assimilate it. She wants to know the causes behind what she sees. Now is the time for her imagination to come to he force and guide her. This great potential, the imagination, is not just a mind wandering in a vacuum. We must furnish the child with real, concrete things and from there she will go on to explore wider areas. We must look to the means to satisfy the child’s need to learn about the world. When we see that the child’s interest has been awakened, then we have begun to give the child the world. When her interest has been awakened the child will sometimes satisfy this need by working with a material for several days.

How do we give the world to the child? It is no longer enough to understand and love the child but we must also understand and love the universe. So the teacher and homeschool parent-teacher has to study and prepare herself. When a child is young we can call her by name, but later we must call to her soul. To do this we need her interest. For us to teach geography we must love the world and know the cosmic functions of the elements that compromise this world. We must also see and appreciate the cosmic functions of all beings that inhabit this world.

Let us think of geography as a key that will open vast fields of knowledge. If we understand that geography is a means to conquer the earth we will transmit this to the child and the need to know this field. The geography that we give to the child must be scientific and exact as much as possible, but it must also satisfy her psychological needs. We must be well prepared to give the proper direction, information, and inspiration at the right times. And as geography is continually changing and needs to be constantly updated, and we will vary according to the area you are living in.

Geography Today

Very broadly, geography has come to be defined as the study and interpretation of phenomena on the surface of the earth. Phenomena is differentially distributed over the surface of the earth. To take the most obvious, land and water, it is found that only 29% of the earth’s surface is covered by land. Land and water are not equally distributed over the earth. There is twice as much land in the Northern Hemisphere than in the Southern Hemisphere. The distribution of land and water over the earth’s surface is but one of many phenomena that is covered in the discipline of geography. In addition to the physical features such as land forms, climate, and soils; cultural phenomena exist, such as religion, population densities, and transpiration routes (one of the needs of man). Any phenomena of the earth’s surface that has unequal distribution is open to geography study. To adequately describe and interpret the phenomena it is necessary to take into account related phenomena for a sophisticated understanding. This approach constitutes the highest level of geography study. Then geography becomes a subject of interrelationships and associations of a very high intellectual order.

Browse the Geography Room!

World Recipes from ParentsTalk
   You can use these International recipes at home or in the classroom as part of your cultural subjects, geography, and or history curriculum! One idea is to have an International potluck party before which you give each child or neighbor a few World Recipes (to choose from). Include flags, a globe, music, travel magazines, and or travel photos!

   "November means food in many parts of the world.  And usually lots of it. And ParentsTalk is ready with [a] collection of World Recipes.  These aren't the back-of-the-box kind.  World Recipes are classic meals created by families across the globe.
   "So if you're looking for something new to add to your holiday menu --
whether it's an appetizer, main dish or dessert -- check out World Recipes.
You can find them in the Families, Food & Travel area of ParentsTalk on
the left side of the home page."

Go on-line and visit sites across the world:
China Facts!
The First Americans!
The Hindu Universe Find out about Hindu dharma (religion and culture), scriptures, festivals and India.
FOTW (Flags of the World) Search for the flag of your choice by title or subject. [Includes on-line maps for searching!]
Online Map Creation Making maps has never been easier!
Map maker, Map maker, Make Me A Map!
Learn about the history of maps and how to make your own! http://www.utenn.edu/uwa/vpps/ur/ut2kids/maps/map.html
Land forms & Bodies of Water Do you know what an isthmus is? A fourth grade class gives definitions and examples of a number of different land forms and bodies of water.
 

The Montessori Parents Forum
    "You're the parent of a Montessori student and you have questions... You're considering Montessori for your child and are curious...  The Montessori Parents' Forum is not affiliated with any specific organization or school and seeks only to provide a venue for thoughtful  discourse and access to information - whether looking for a link,  asking a difficult question, or offering your humble opinion, this is a good place to start. The most comprehensive collection of Montessori links online.
Check back often, as we're well on our way!  The Pen Pals page lists other Montessori parents you can correspond with via email to share similar encouragement, questions or advice.  Thanks! Take a moment to check out the site.  If not, please pass this URL on to folks who might be interested.  There's a tangible benefit in nurturing our community - the work becomes warmer and the days take on a subtle glow."
Thanks!
Don Jennings
dwjngs@aol.com
 

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