Community

Junior High Summer Work—Chickens and Fences?

Junior High Summer Work—Chickens and Fences?

Long before the first day of school, the Junior High (which we call the Adolescent Program—AP) campus at Hollis Montessori was already buzzing with energy. Over several days this summer, AP students, guides, and families came together for hands-on work that keeps our small community thriving. They repaired the chicken tractor, weeded and tended the garden, began building a protective fence around the beds, and organized tools and supplies in the shed.

At first glance, it might look like simple manual labor. But in Montessori education — and especially in the Adolescent Program — there’s always more happening beneath the surface…

What is AMI?

What is AMI?

In conjunction with our article about alumna Vanessa Longan training to be an AMI Guide (Association Montessori Internationale), we thought it would be helpful to explain what AMI is, and how our school came to embrace it. Our founders were seeking a method of Montessori education that was truly authentic, and when they came across an AMI affiliated school they realized they had found what they were looking for.

Learning Responsibility in Elementary Classrooms

Learning Responsibility in Elementary Classrooms

Elementary-aged children need a feeling of responsibility, and the need to be active contributors to their community; whether that community  is their family, a group of children they are working with at school, all of the people in their classroom, another group like Scouts or a sports team, or even humanity as a whole. Learning how to care for their environment is one way that Elementary children practice responsibility to themselves and others.

The Upper Elementary Keeps Us Up To Date

The Upper Elementary Keeps Us Up To Date

At the beginning of this year, some of the oldest students in Upper Elementary had the idea of reviving a school newspaper that had been written by UE students in the past; they remembered getting the editions of the “HMS Press” when they were in Lower Elementary, and they wanted to start it back up. What a big work they were about to embark upon!

Civics in the Real World

Civics in the Real World

New Hampshire is an amazing place to study civics! Although they aren't yet of voting age, the students of Hollis Montessori’s Adolescent Program (AP) got to experience being active participants in the democratic process this winter. The theme of their studies this term has been governance, and this was a great year to work on that topic. In addition to lessons on the structure of government, the rise of governance (going back to early humans, how laws are made, and political media, they got to visit presidential candidates, the State House, a Courthouse, and attended a convention and debate.

Shakespeare Dinner Theater: Behind the Scenes of an Adolescent Program Event

Shakespeare Dinner Theater: Behind the Scenes of an Adolescent Program Event

It is really hard to describe the incredible growth and learning that happens through putting together a big event in the Adolescent Program. Adolescents thrive on real, big, creative work that happens in community with others. When I say “real work,” I mean work that has a purpose besides one’s own learning, work that affects other people, work so complex that if you don’t pull your own weight other people and the quality of the whole will suffer. The recent Shakespeare Dinner Theater, our classroom Gala project, was one of these events. 

Going Out

Going Out

Imagine if the whole world was your classroom. Within the walls of the school, we have a prepared environment that sets the stage for our students to learn. But for elementary children, who are intensely curious about the world, what is within the classroom is not enough. In order to answer their many questions, students in the elementary often need to look to resources beyond the classroom and their families.

Observations on Observing

Observations on Observing

Ever wonder why this newsletter is called The Observer? It’s because observation is such a fundamental part of Montessori education. At Hollis Montessori School, evaluation of student progress relies heavily on the guides’ observation of students’ work and activities in the classroom. In addition, parents are strongly encouraged to observe their children’s classrooms and the work that goes on there.