"Meaningful Work" looks different at different ages
Last week we talked about the power of providing opportunities for children to engage in "meaningful work." Full engagement in such work is what brings out a focus or concentration that is similar to what Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi called FLOW. There's so much to say on that subject that he wrote an entire book about it!
For our Montessori classrooms, we know that all those words describe a positive mental state experienced by a person who is completely absorbed in an activity. Time passes without being noticed and you emerge feeling refreshed, happy, and energized.
The Montessori method follows the child's natural development and adapts as they grow. This means that the types of activities that provide meaningful work for the child will be different as they age and move through the stages of development. One thing you may notice in older age levels is their growing abilities in abstraction, which results in ideas written on paper more than manipulating materials.
CMS will have our annual Summer Camp for Casita and Children's House students from June 2nd through July 25th this year. We are offering currently enrolled students early bird sign-up starting today and continuing until March 1st so be sure to reserve your child's spot now!
Elementary & Adolescent students will have some new opportunities this summer! Instead of contracting with the YMCA for a weekly camp, our amazing Guides will be taking turns to offer a variety of experiences to students this summer. From theatre to Capoeira to math magic, browse the list and register your child here. For now, we are enrolling current students only. If spaces are still available, we will open registration to siblings and alumni March 1st.
REMINDER: CMS is closed January 20th, for the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday. We encourage students to take part in a service opportunity that day.
WELCOME NEW STAFF!
Please give a warm CMS welcome to Bridgette Holak who is joining our staff as a sub/floater this year. Bridgette recently earned a B.A. in Elementary Education at Texas State University in San Marcos. She is eager to learn more about the Montessori method. We are so pleased to have her join us!
CMS Calendar
- Jan 20th - MLK day, No School
- Jan. 21-24th - Acadience mid-year check ins
- Jan 27th to 31st - Kindness Challenge week
- Feb. 4th - Lower El Info Session, 12-1pm
- Feb. 7th - Adolescent Info Session, 2-3pm
Chilly temps are a great time for cozy Spirit Wear!
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.
