Books That Celebrate Asian Heritage and Culture

Over the past several months, there has been a disturbing increase in hateful actions toward people of Asian descent. Most of us watch the news in horror, and while we disagree with what’s happening, it can be hard to know what actions to take.

We believe one of the most powerful social justice actions parents can take is to instill positive values in our children. Kids are never too young to learn about acceptance, equity, and the beauty in humanity’s differences.

This is why we would like to share this very special book list: A Celebration of Asian Heritage and Culture. Children’s books should be both a reflection of who they are and their life experiences, but also an illuminating peek into the lives and experiences of others. No one explains this better than children’s author Grace Lin.

Hush! A Thai Lullaby by Minfong Ho, illustrated by Holly Meade

A Thai mother and her gentle exasperation plead with various animals to please stay quiet as her baby sleeps. They stomp and shriek past her home, and she meets each one in turn asking them to hush. Finally, as the moon rises above them, she falls asleep with her head resting on the windowsill, with (of course) her smiling and wide-awake baby beside her.

Round is a Mooncake: A Book of Shapes by Roseanne Thong, illustrated by Grace Lin

Round, square, rectangle...young children love to notice shapes around them in their everyday lives. The main character in this book is no exception. A beautiful blending of her family’s heritage and their modern life, she notices shapes in traditional Asian items as well as everyday ones that we are all familiar with.

We Are Inspiring: The Stories of 32 Inspirational Asian American Women by Angel Trazo

Author/illustrator Angel Trazo created this book to celebrate Asian heritage while being accessible to multiple age groups. Perfect for upper elementary students to read on their own, it can also be used as a read aloud book for younger children.

Suki's Kimono by Chieri Uegaki, illustrated by Stéphane Jorisch 

Suki is so excited to wear her new kimono on the first day of school. It was given to her by her obāchan and she has such fantastic memories attached to it! Besides, it’s beautiful and it shows who she is. With her sisters admonishing her choice of attire and pretending they don’t know her the whole way to school, and with some of her classmates teasing her, Suki holds her head high and takes an opportunity to tell the story of her kimono. Her bravery and strength pay off in the end, and Suki dances her way home after school.

The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

Unhei and her family have just moved to the United States from Korea. After an embarrassing moment on the schoolbus involving a boy making fun of her name, she tells her classmates that she doesn’t have a name and needs to choose one. They all get to work helping her decide on one, until one girl discovers Unhei’s real name. The class works together to learn to pronounce it correctly, and Unhei is finally able to feel comfortable as her true self.

The Year of the Dog by Grace Lin

A perfect book for upper elementary-aged children, The Year of the Dog is the first in a three-book series that follows Pacy, a Chinese American girl. She navigates many typical coming-of-age events that are faced by most children, while simultaneously figuring out her identity that is often stretched between two worlds.

In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord

Young Bandit lives in China with her mother, cousins, grandmother, aunts, and uncles. The only one missing is her father, who has traveled abroad to seek out his fortune. One day, he sends for Bandit and her mother, who leave the family behind and make the long journey to Brooklyn. Before leaving, Bandit is asked to choose a name, and she chooses to call herself Shirley Temple. In Brooklyn, she can’t speak English and feels lost and out of place - until she discovers Jackie Robinson. Her new hero doesn’t exactly fit in either, but he inspires her to thrive in her new home.

Green Lantern: Legacy by Minh Le, illustrated by Andie Tong

This is a great option for graphic novel lovers! There are elements of adventure, superheroes, honoring ancestors, and figuring out one’s place in the world. What could be more perfect for upper elementary and early middle schoolers?

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhhà Lai

Told in gorgeous lyrical poetry, Inside Out and Back Again is based on Thanhhà Lai’s own childhood. She and her family lived in Vietnam during the war, and were eventually forced to flee, moving across the world to Alabama in the United States. But being in a new country, with her father missing in action, is the type of challenge no child should have to face. Sadly, it is the tale of many refugees around the world and throughout history, and an important story for us all to learn from. A National Book Award Winner and a Newbery Honor book, both upper elementary and middle school students would appreciate reading this.  

The Great Wall of Lucy Wu by Wendy Wan-Long Shang

Lucy is a Chinese American girl who is headed into the sixth grade and loves basketball. With her sister Regina heading off to college soon, Lucy is eagerly anticipating the day she can have a room to herself...until it doesn’t quite work out that way. Regina (who speaks perfect Chinese and adores every aspect of her family's customs) does leave, but their grandmother’s friend comes for an extended stay - in Lucy’s room. She expects her year to be completely ruined, but readers can expect a few surprises.

5 Ways to Support Summer Learning

Just because your child may be taking a break from school, that doesn’t mean their learning stops. Learning is a beautiful and continuous journey, and summer is a special opportunity for some families to spend a bit of extra time together. They may not have formal math lessons, botanical classifications, or grammar work over the next couple months, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t so much more to discover!

Here are five simple tips to help your child stay engaged and curious about their world over the coming months.

1. Follow the Child

Take the most essential Montessori mantra and let it guide you. Is your child into dinosaurs? Ancient civilizations? Animals? Whatever it is they feel passionate about lately, help them dive deeply into learning as much as they can about it. This may mean collecting books on the subject matter, helping them create projects, taking day trips to enhance their learning, or consulting online museum resources for ideas.

Not sure where to start? Pay attention to the types of activities your child gravitates toward naturally. Do they like to move their bodies a lot, or are they more likely to curl up in a quiet corner? Are they more interested in independent or cooperative work/play? Are they focused on precision and order or do they seem constantly sprawled out over a large area?

So much of a child’s inclinations have to do with their age and developmental phase, but a large portion is wholly individualistic. It may feel new to you, but try to slow down and notice. You may be struck by the insights you gain, and it will certainly point you in the right direction.

2. Make Memories

Whether you’re home all day or working extra hours, there are plenty of ways to make important connections with your child while incorporating a little learning. Vacations are nice, but children don’t need grand gestures to look back fondly on their summers. They probably won’t remember most of the little details of what you do together, but the emotions and feelings connected to those experiences will absolutely stick around.

A few ideas to get you started:

• Working late? Call and read a bedtime story over the phone.

• Plant a garden - even a mini container garden will do - and tend to it together daily. Notice the changes not only in the plants, but in the other creatures that begin to interact with them.

• Sing songs together.

• Cook together and involve your child in as many of the steps as is developmentally appropriate. There are endless practical life and math skills to be gained in the kitchen.

• Keep a journal or scrapbook together. Depending on your child’s age and interest, this could take on various forms.

3. Create a (Loose) Schedule

Lazy days stretching out endlessly feels gloriously freeing, but after a while, things can get a bit stale. Having a schedule - even if it’s a flexible one - can give children the structure they crave while making sure they have plenty of time to relax and explore. Make sure they get up and go to bed at regular times (even if those times are a bit later than during the school year). Keep any chores or expectations in place throughout the summer months.

Some families find having a weekly outline can take the guesswork out of making plans and give kids something to look forward to each day. Weather, appointments, or special events may necessitate changes from week to week, but that’s okay! Here’s a sample of what we mean:

• Mondays- Beach day

• Tuesdays- Library day

• Wednesdays- Have friends over

• Thursdays- Take a day trip

• Fridays- Art project

4. Spend Plenty of Time Outdoors

This will look different for every family, but everyone benefits from daily time spent in natural spaces. If you don’t have a lot of options locally, go with what you’ve got. If you’re lucky enough, mixing it up from week to week makes things interesting!

Local Parks - Many communities have small local parks. Your child might enjoy playing on a playground, running around in an open field, or maybe climbing a tree or two. Just being in green spaces is highly beneficial for kids physically, mentally, and emotionally. (Plus, all that spent energy might mean a good night’s sleep!)

State and National Parks - Larger parks offer different opportunities. Some may have kiosks that explain the unique features of the park, or even guide visitors toward points of interest. These are the types of places that families can visit again and again, discovering new things each time.

Hiking - Looking to revisit an old hobby or start a new one with your child? Hiking is a great activity with lots of health benefits that can be done pretty much anywhere. Whether you have access to mountains or you take a historic walk through a dense urban center, hiking creates endless learning opportunities as well.

Swimming - What more can we say about this? Swimming is a classic and fun way to cool down from the hot summer heat!

Your Yard - We mentioned gardening above; planting things that need daily care is one way to get outdoors. It can also be nice to encourage unstructured playtime outdoors. You might set up a sprinkler for kids to run through, or take out some bubbles or sports equipment. But, you might also just let them figure out what to do on their own. Even a small backyard presents infinite possibilities for the curious child.

5. Incorporate Reading

You’re probably not surprised to see this on our list! We encourage all families to find ways to work reading into their daily routines. A quick list of ideas:

• Go to the library once each week

• Read bedtime stories together (even with your preteens!)

• Use those hot, quiet, early afternoon hours as a time for everyone to rest with a book

• Let your child see you reading for pleasure

• Listen to audiobooks at home or in the car

• Read a book that was made into a movie - then watch the movie together! Discuss the similarities and differences

Hopefully this article has given you a few new ideas to try together this summer. Did we miss anything? Do you have more you would add to the list? Let us know!

150 Years: The Planes of Development

This article is part of a series that we’ve shared throughout the 2020-2021 school year to celebrate the 150th birthday of Dr. Maria Montessori. This marks our final post of the year that reflects on the past, present, and future of Montessori education.

“I have found that in his development, the child passes through certain phases, each of which has its own particular needs. The characteristics of each are so different that the passages from one phase to another have been described by certain psychologists as ‘rebirths’.”

— Dr. Maria Montessori

Throughout her years of observing children across a wide variety of settings, Dr. Maria Montessori noticed certain undeniable patterns in their development. She fully recognized that there are many variances among individuals but stated that there were certain traits that could generally be relied upon as children grow and age. She believed that these traits and characteristics could be used not only as a marker to determine a child’s developmental phase, but also as a guide for the adults who serve the child.  

As Montessori educators, we still use her scientific findings in our work today. Dr. Montessori recognized that childhood development is divided into four main phases, or planes. Each plane builds upon what was learned in those previously, and each plane has both an active and passive phase. By fully understanding the developmental needs of a child — wherever they happen to be on this continuum — we are better able to create an environment that will be optimal to support their further development.

There is so much to say about Montessori’s planes of development; we will keep it brief and highlight the main points. Just as we utilize this information in our learning environments, we encourage parents to consider how your child’s developmental traits might inform your own decisions at home. Is there anything you’re already doing that supports their growth? Is there anything new you might try?

The First Plane of Development

Newborn-Age 6

During the first plane of development, children learn primarily through experiences they have with their environment. The personal growth during this period is unlike anything we see for the rest of our lives. This is a time of tremendous physical growth, but also the development of the personality. Some of the most important traits to be aware of:

• The need to feel safe and secure

• A desire for physical autonomy

• Exploration and refinement of the senses

• Development of gross and fine motor skills

• Desire to work independently or beside peers (as opposed to with them)

• Concrete thinking

• A tendency toward neatness and order 

From birth to about age 6, the child’s motto is essentially: “Help me to do it myself.”

The Second Plane of Development

Ages 6-12

Around age 6, there is a definitive shift in the child. There are a series of physical growth spurts, as well as an insatiable need for knowledge about the world and universe. The child’s world begins to expand beyond the narrow perimeters of themselves. This  means they are more social, but also curious about everything beyond what they already know. Keep the following characteristics in mind:

• This is a time of big imaginations!

• The child’s thinking moves from concrete to abstract

• The cultural subjects (science, geography, & history) are of great interest

• Kids often prefer BIG work at this age

• They crave social interactions but are still learning how to navigate them appropriately

• They aren’t always aware of their growing limbs and often fall/knock things over

• Neatness and order are not important, and often forgotten

• Justice and fairness become critically important

Kids at this age just want to devour all the information they possibly can. It is our job to help them learn to “think for themselves”.

The Third Plane of Development

Ages 12-18

The third plane is a magical time. Adolescents find themselves in the developmental stage in which they are learning who they are as individuals. Although we change continuously throughout our lives, who we are at our core, and what drives us is usually anchored in the discoveries we make during our teen years. The onset of puberty brings enormous physical and emotional changes, and the variability between peers during the first half of this plane is obvious. Important points to remember:

• Teens are thinking about their futures

• They need nurturing and emotional support much like first plane children

• Having information about puberty will help them as they experience it

• They rely heavily on peers, but still need adult support (even as they seem to reject it)

• Emotions will fluctuate dramatically

• Adolescents need respect

• Physical work is often more important than intellectual pursuits

Adolescence can be a challenging time for teens and the adults in their lives. There is a constant pushing away and pulling toward one another, and as adults we can work to stay consistent and support their growing independence. This is also an important time to remember that teens are developing their sense of who they are and what they will become; their ideas for their future may look different from what we may have envisioned for them, and that’s okay!

The Fourth Plane of Development

Ages 18-24

Yes - Montessori considered ages 18-24 the final stage of child development! Perhaps you are still in this plane yourself, or not that far out of it. Perhaps you have children approaching this plane. Late adolescence into early adulthood is the bridge that connects our childhood selves to the rest of our adult lives. The rapid growth and learning that goes on during this time period is critical to supporting our future selves.

People in the fourth plane of development are striving toward full independence. This may mean moral independence, financial independence, and emotional independence. At this age we tend to evaluate our own personal place in society. We think about how we will contribute to the greater good, and what our path will look like moving forward. We develop personal interests, start our careers, and sometimes even begin families of our own.

Dr. Maria Montessori stopped writing about human development at the fourth plane. One has to wonder, what would it look like if she had continued? How might human development be classified and defined as it moves through the years? How could Montessori philosophy be applied to adult life?

Want to learn more? Take a look at any one of these helpful resources.

Association Montessori International - The Child's Development

The Four Planes of Development by Camillo Grazzini

Association Montessori Internationale - Planes of Development Quotes

Montessori Myths and the Importance of “Real” Montessori

We are accustomed to hearing folks discuss a variety of Montessori myths, and it’s most often that these misunderstandings come from people who haven’t spent time in a high-fidelity Montessori environment that applies the methods as they were originally intended. The truth is, anyone can call themselves “Montessori”. There’s no trademark on the name, and so it can be pretty misleading to people who are trying to discern what is real Montessori and what isn’t. 

You can imagine our surprise, however, when we came across this article [Being a Montessori Teacher Made Me Decide Not to Raise My Kid That Way] written a number of years ago in which the author professes to be a Montessori teacher who chose not to raise her own child that way because of its supposed abundance of downfalls.

Wait, what?

We were so confused. That is, until we read our way through the article and things became a little more clear. We’d like to address some of the main points and criticisms in the article, because we feel these are some of the more common misconceptions.

What first struck us in the second paragraph was this statement: “They (the children) aren’t beholden to any sort of classroom structure”. This is simply false. Montessori classrooms thrive on structure, and we know that children need it to succeed. One of our most repeated mottos is “freedom within limits” and we believe the limits are just as important as the freedom. Children do need choice and we do advocate for building independence, but in our environments they are required to do so within the carefully constructed boundaries created by adults.

Another point made by the author is that she doesn’t understand why parents of three-year-olds would want to pay tuition for their child to just engage in practical life activities all day. Our response is twofold: three-year-olds often prefer to engage in practical life activities for much of the day because it correlates with their development, and practical life is far from all that is offered to young children. Three-year-olds in a high-fidelity Montessori program receive extensive lessons and are presented with materials in the areas of sensorial learning, mathematics, language, biology, geography, and more.

Moving along, the author later states that she feels the child-led model takes things too far. She tells of a seven-year-old who is unable to write their own name because the teachers didn’t make him. Now, we don’t know exactly what was going on here. We suspect this particular school was very unlikely to have been AMI recognized or AMS accredited. In a true Montessori program, children are guided. This means that while they have lots of autonomy, there are expectations, especially as a child enters the elementary years. They are not allowed to simply avoid doing the work they don’t enjoy as much; they are given respect and taught a wide variety or time management skills to meet specific goals. They may move at their own pace, but they are still expected to engage in their own learning.

We’ve said it before, but it’s worth repeating. Choosing the right Montessori school for your child is critical. Unless the teachers are trained through very specific programs, and unless the school is either recognized by AMI or accredited by AMS, you can’t be sure that it’s an actual Montessori program.

The author goes on to share her thoughts on Montessori’s approach to feedback and positive reinforcement. She talks about having to literally sit on her hands to keep herself from interfering with the children’s work. She talks about how Montessori teachers are expected to encourage, redirect, and to reserve judgements like praise and grades. This is all very true. The author doesn’t give an explanation as to why she believes this to be a negative approach, other than it appears that it just doesn’t align with her personal beliefs and inclinations.

It’s true. Many new Montessori educators find themselves consciously avoiding interrupting the children’s work. Our society typically views teachers as the center of the classroom and expects that they are constantly engaged with the children directly. In reality, sometimes the children just need us to get out of their way. They need to discover answers without having them fed directly. They need time to explore and engage with materials in their own way to discover what they cannot when an adult is filtering the experience through his or her own expectations.

The beauty of this approach is that the adult may sit back and observe. We aren’t just doing nothing, rather, we are actively behaving as scientists. The information we gather from observing our students is then used to guide our own future work with the children. It allows us to see their understanding in ways much deeper than we would be able to by administering a test or asking the child to complete a worksheet.

Lastly, we would like to address the assertion that there are no Montessori high schools or colleges. This is false. Is there a need for more Montessori education in the higher grades? Absolutely. The good news is parent interest is increasing, and we are hopeful that the demand will lead to the opening of many new schools. There are Montessori high schools across the United States and internationally. There are also Montessori colleges. One excellent example is TIES.

We know this is just one article of many that perpetuate false ideas about Montessori education, but we hope that by addressing some of those ideas here, we can help to clear things up a bit. Our hope is that high-fidelity Montessori is what will define Montessori of the future, as it is certainly what defines Montessori of the past.

Still have questions? Please reach out and ask! We are always happy to have a conversation.

The Timeline of Life: A Quintessential (and really cool) Montessori Material

For children in Montessori elementary classrooms, the Timeline of Life is an incredibly exciting material. It’s equally as awe-inspiring for their teachers, and parents who learn about it as well. That’s why we’d like to take a little time to share a little bit about it, and why we all love it so much.

Montessori educators know that children (and even many grown-ups) learn more effectively when they can see and touch whatever they are learning about. If a learning material is visually stunning, we cannot help but get sucked in, and find ourselves driven to discover whatever we can about it.

The Timeline of Life is exactly what it sounds like: a visual timeline that displays the evolution of life on Earth. There are all manner of exotic and familiar creatures, as well as lines showing their rise and fall across the eras, moments of geological significance that served to alter evolution, and notations of periods of mass extinctions. The earliest versions of this material were created by Montessori educators while in their training; they meticulously colored each organism with the hopes of making something beautiful that would last throughout their careers and inspire hundreds of children.

Today trainees receive a gorgeously color-printed copy which they laminate and take great care of over the years. There are several companies that produce the timeline as well. As you might imagine, it is not the type of material that totally stands the test of time; as new archaeological discoveries are made our understanding of evolution changes. This means that every so often, the timeline is remade to reflect the most current scientific understanding.

At the very least, an elementary classroom will have the timeline displayed with lessons each year explaining its contents. Some classrooms have various supporting materials, including blank timelines with laminated organisms that the children can arrange, or real fossils that correspond to each period of time the students are learning about.

Curious about what the timeline covers, exactly? Here’s a quick summary:

• As mentioned above, bold lines arc their way across the timeline demonstrating lineage and the rise and fall of prominence of certain major species.

• Icicles illustrate moments of great ice ages that spread across the planet.

• Mountains perched at the base of timeline, as well as small illustrations of continent formation, show how the shifting of the earth’s crust contributed to evolution.

• Also mentioned above, the timeline documents the numerous mass extinctions that have occurred.

Across the top of the timeline we see the significant periods of time in which life has evolved on Earth.

The Paleozoic Era includes the Cambrian Period, the Ordovician Period, the Silurian Period, the Devonian Period, the Carboniferous Period, and the Permian Period. This all took place between about 544 and 245 million years ago. It included significant organisms such as the earliest vertebrates, the trilobites, and a wide variety of ocean-dwelling invertebrates. Plants slowly began to form in, and eventually out of, the water, doing the important work of filtering carbon dioxide out of the air and preparing the atmosphere for different types of life that were to come. Fish ruled the seas and amphibians came into being. Toward the end of this time, insects developed the ability of metamorphosis, which allowed for much greater chances of survival.

The Mesozoic Era was between 245 and 65 million years ago, and included the Triassic Period, The Jurassic Period, and the Cretaceous Period. Of course, this is the much-beloved time of the dinosaurs. These enormous ancient reptiles capture the fascination of most children, and to gain a deeper understanding of how and why they changed over time opens new worlds. During this time conifers developed, and by the end of the era Earth had flowering plants. The very first birds and mammals came into existence during this time, although they were quite different from modern species.

As amazing as the previous two eras were, it’s often the Cenozoic Era (65 million years ago to the present) that makes the biggest impression. Children are able to look back at the timeline and understand that this is only a small portion of Earth’s history due to other lessons and materials they have experienced previously. Across the span of this evolutionary record, it quickly becomes clear that humans occupy a very small portion. To imagine all of humanity throughout time, and then to realize that it has been but a speck in the larger picture, is an incredibly humbling and eye-opening revelation to children.  

So, you might be wondering: what is the purpose of teaching children about all of this.

There are the more obvious goals such as an understanding of history and the scientific discoveries we’ve made. Having a historical frame of reference makes our botany and zoology curriculums all the more relevant to children. But perhaps the most important learning we hope our students glean is what we mentioned above.

The absolutely marvelous manner in which living things have evolved alongside the earth is a powerful concept to understand. It is just one more way we can impart the idea that everything is interconnected, that our history is one to be celebrated and revered, and that it will be fascinating to watch as our future unfolds.

10 Titles That Support the Montessori Biology Curriculum

Kids love animals. They are fascinated with domesticated and wild ones alike, and they soak up everything they can possibly learn about them. That’s why we know it’s important to teach our young children about biology; they are already craving the information, after all. Why wait to start until they’re in high school?

In Montessori primary classrooms, children learn all about the differences between living and nonliving things. They learn about vertebrates and invertebrates, and about animals in different biomes around the world. They explore the basics of caring for plants and often enjoy gardening. During the elementary years this work explodes, including classification of living things with a focus on the five classes of vertebrates, as well as an in-depth study of botany. As Montessori students progress through the levels, the study continues to deepen.

Books are an excellent way to support children’s interests, and this includes the study of biology. Today we share a wide variety of titles for kids of all ages. We hope you and your family find something to enjoy together!

About... Vertebrates Set by Cathryn Sill, illustrated by John Sill

Very simple sentences will appeal to younger children and emerging readers. This set includes one book each for fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals and factual information such as: “Baby mammals drink milk from their mothers.”

Pollination Set by Candice Ransom and Jennifer Boothroyd

This set is very similar to the above set about vertebrates. There are five books in total, and titles include Parts of a Flower, Self-Pollination, Cross-Pollination, Insect Pollinators, and Animal Pollinators. Children in the primary grades through approximately first grade would enjoy exploring these books.

Nature Anatomy by Julia Rothman and John Niekrasz

This fantastic reference book echoes the experience of Montessori nomenclature cards. The pages cover a wide variety of living things with gorgeous illustrations that are carefully labeled. The information inside goes hand in hand with the Montessori curriculum, and children will pour over each page.

Bones by Steve Jenkins

This Caldecott Award winner is just plain fun. Pull-out pages with large skeletal drawings, detailed illustrations of many different types of bones, and fascinating, kid-friendly text make it a favorite among elementary-aged children.

From Lava to Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story by Jennifer Morgan, illustrated by Dana Lynne Andersen

This second in a trilogy, and the continuation of the beloved book Born With a Bang, From Lava to Life tells about the beginning of life on earth and the evolution of many organisms on our planet. Narrated by the universe, it fits perfectly alongside the Montessori cosmic education curriculum and the great lessons.

Mammals Who Morph: The Universe Tells Our Evolution Story by Jennifer Morgan, illustrated by Dana Lynne Andersen

Following From Lava to Life, Mammals Who Morph is the final book in Morgan’s trilogy. An excellent addition to any lower or upper elementary child’s personal library, in this tale the universe teaches readers about the evolution of mammals - including humans.

Wildflowers Fandex

While this fandex isn’t a traditional book, sometimes it can be fun to switch things up. Just because reading comes in different formats, that doesn’t make it any less valuable! This portable field guide-style reference tool is fun for children of all ages, whether they read it inside on a cold day or take it along on a nature walk to identify the flowers they find.

Life Cycles: Everything From Start to Finish

Another great text for lower elementary-aged children, each two-page spread illustrates and describes the life cycle of different living things. There are also pages early in the book that discuss the important ‘life cycles’ of certain non-living things, such as the creation of the universe and the formation of Earth’s physical features.

Super Simple Biology: The Ultimate Bitesize Study Guide

We tend to think you can’t lose when it comes to DK nonfiction books, and this one is no exception. Best for adolescents, its in-depth yet simple explanations about biology will help those who are learning, or delight those who are already interested. Charts, diagrams, and accurate illustrations help highlight the information the text aims to teach.

The Biology Coloring Book by Robert D. Griffin, illustrated by Cinthea Vadala

This is exactly the type of learning material used by high school and college biology students, making it perfect for older Montessori students. Filled with interesting and helpful information, readers use different colors to help remember the various parts and systems of living things.