Sometimes Montessori is criticized for not allowing children to be creative and sometimes for allowing too much creative freedom. Perhaps that contradiction comes from how we think of creativity. What exactly is it and what does it look like when children are creative in our CMS classrooms?
The loose definition that comes up in a google search is "the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work". Dr. Montessori differentiated between imagination and imitation. Imitation is very visible in the first plane of development, as young children try out things they are seeing around them. Imagination truly kicks in during the second plane when the child becomes capable of imagining things that aren't around them or don't actually exist in the current time. This is reflected in the big work of the elementary level.
What is most apparent in our Montessori classrooms every day is the second part of the definition - original ideas. When children have the freedom to explore and try things out, they often find a path less traveled which is quite wonderful to see!
TEAM TEXAS
Last Friday, Veronica and I headed to Dallas to attend the first ever TEAM conference. TEAM is short for Texas Education and Advocacy for Montessori. This new organization seeks to bring together Montessori educators from across our state and to advocate for Montessori. Much of their current efforts are increasing representation with governmental agencies like TEA and childcare licensing. TEAM is also looking to bring together several large constituents within the Montessori community, namely AMI, AMS, and Montessori in the Public Sector, under a common umbrella with Montessori education at the forefront. CMS is excited to support this work as an organizational member of the TEAM!
Join Your CMS Friends for a Saturday All-Ages playdate. November 16th from 9am to 11am. CMS Parents Gina, Etsuko, and Marti will host the event on the CMS Playground. We will have restrooms availalbe so mark your calendars and plan to attend! (Note the corrected time)
Nova Middle Schoolers are looking for parent volunteers for their "Occupations" study in December. We would love to find parent volunteers to host a Nova student at their place of work (within a reasonable radius of the school) for a day or several days in the weeks of Dec. 9th thru 20th. Alternatively, we'd also love to find parents willing to come and speak about their work to the Nova class during the week of Dec. 2nd. If you're interested or would like to learn more, please email Stephanie at ssayre@community-montessori.org or Ashlie at amazulo@community-montessori.org.
For Small Hands Fundraiser
It's nearly the end of October and likely some of you are already thinking about the winter holidays. As you are considering gifts for your child this year, please take a look at the For Small Hands catalogue!
This is offered by Montessori Services, a company CMS has used for years to supplement Montessori materials in our classrooms. They have great toys & items for families wanting to continue with Montessori style at home. Give our school number when you order & CMS receives credit we can use for classroom supplies. It's a win-win! Here's our school number:
104018
CMS Calendar
- Nov. 16th - ALL AGES PLAY, 9 am to 11 am
- Nov. 25-29th - No School (Thanksgiving week)
- Dec. 10th - Elementary Winter Concert, 5:30 @ Georgetown Library
Fall is coming! Get your cool weather Spirit Wear HERE.
The mission of Community Montessori School is to provide authentic Montessori education
in a nature-rich environment that cultivates collaboration, curiosity,
love of learning, and respect for oneself, others, and the world.
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Community Montessori School is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex or gender, disability, or age in providing educational services and programs. CMS recognizes that we live in a diverse and interconnected world and strives to create a community that reflects the breadth of human diversity.
