Recently we’ve been sharing elements of the Montessori learning journey, and how we assess learning as our students’ progress. This week, we take a closer look at what your children learn in their Montessori classroom, specifically in the primary school years. “They have already absorbed the immediate environment and the restricted society they and their families have dealings with. You must try to give the child what he now longs…
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Like most schools across Australia, FMS will issue school reports at the end of this term. This surprises many people, who hold the common misconception that Montessori students aren’t assessed. This couldn’t be further from the truth! While Montessori students are not assessed in the traditional test and exam format, they are assessed continually, daily and personally throughout their Montessori journey. Traditional assessment: What do tests, quizzes, and grades really measure? …
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Leadership, collaboration and teamwork are staple features in the Montessori education journey. Children as young as 2 years of age are given leadership opportunities within their community – like these children from our toddler program, who are leading an afternoon singing activity with Emma, their guide. In our Montessori toddler program, young children develop early notions of community, collaboration and teamwork in everyday activities. For example, children tasked with setting tables…
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In Montessori, music is both interwoven into the curriculum and its own area of study. Music is part of regular weekly lessons for Forestville Montessori toddler, pre-school and primary school students. We also run music-based activities such as yesterday’s African Drumming event, and tomorrow’s close-up with accomplished musician Genevieve Lang, who will play the harp and teach students about this beautiful instrument (keep your eye on our socials to see…
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October 25th is World Teacher’s Day – a day of great importance at FMS! More than teachers, our educators are partners in learning, guides, mentors, role models, and friends. They make it possible for us to share the high-fidelity Montessori education FMS students enjoy. FMS teachers bring Montessori learning to life every day, so today, it’s hats off and gratitude to our team. FMS teachers have a personal connection to the…
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As we start a new school term, we focus on settling children into their classes, their work and their school routine. At Forestville Montessori School (FMS), routines and schoolwork can look a little different than other schools. With this in mind, we’d like to share what learning at FMS looks like from a parent’s point of view. Here, an FMS mother of 3 shares her process for choosing a Montessori…
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It’s that time of year again. The temperature is rising ever so slowly, the daylight is gracing us with its presence a bit more each day, and it feels like the world outside is waking up. Spring does something amazing for us all. While we believe in the importance of finding fun ways to be outside all year round, spring seems to pull us there without the need for…
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"Preventing conflicts is the work of politics, establishing peace is the work of education." Dr Maria Montessori As we celebrate the International Day of Peace this Saturday, we remind families of our mission at FMS: We are a school educating for Peace. Having lived through WWII, Maria Montessori was passionate about how to help the world towards peace. Peace is woven throughout every aspect of the Montessori curriculum. Sometimes the…
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This term, Primary school students at FMS have been practising new skills, increasing their physical activity, and learning about heart health as part of the Jump Rope for Heart program. By participating in the program, FMS primary students have been jumping, skipping, hopping and moving more every day. They are also choreographing their own moves! Committing to their practice daily, out of school hours, students are spending less time on…
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Dr. Montessori recognised that childhood development is divided into four main phases which she called ‘planes of development.’ 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…
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