Inspired by Baiba Krumins-Grazzini's interdependencies lecture at NAMTA's Portland conference, David Kahn shows the unifying structures of the program that are rooted in the natural and social sciences. Through a connective web, these sciences explore the integration of all knowledge and lead to a philosophical view of life on earth, including…

Notes that the critical art of parent education is to bring the parent into the child's world view. Describes current publications from NAMTA's parent education tool kit which support the child's perspective. Includes strategies for generating parent discussion to merge the parent's point of view with that of the child in dealing with conflict.…

Summarizes proceedings of a 1-day seminar co-sponsored by NAMTA and Taliesin West, home of the Frank Lloyd Wright School of Architecture. Discusses authentic progress in educational practices such as those of Maria Montessori and Wright, whose innovative legacies became traditions within their fields. Concludes that innovation comes when founding…

Clarifies the meanings of the terms "normalization" and "normality," broadens the discussion of normality beyond Montessori's first plane of development, and explores the unique conditions conducive to normality in the second and third planes. (EV)

Erdkinder is a superior way to integrate academic studies with work experience, community action, and economic activity. Erdkinder actualizes Cosmic Education, making its unity, common purpose, interdependency, and cooperation a way of life. Erdkinder principles could help organize the urban Montessori adolescent work, providing a comprehensive…

Describes evolution of the Montessori perspective as Montessori adolescent programs attempt to reinforce the elementary and early childhood stages. Asserts that although development of these programs is experimental and undefined, a crystallization point around the whole of Montessori may occur amid diverse implementation. Asserts that Montessori…

Defines Montessori theory in terms that can interface with developmental psychology, summarizing adolescent cognitive, social, emotional, and moral outcomes. Focuses on outcomes of the third plane of education for youth in an Erdkinder setting, Montessori's "Educational Syllabus," providing clues about the future Montessori adult.…

Describes the benefits of including the ninth grade within the 3-year multi-age group setting within a Montessori farm school. Notes how seventh, eighth, and ninth grades work together in one family cluster, allowing 15-year-olds to avoid the pecking order of the high school freshman year while developing personal leadership, confidence, and a…

Discusses a framework for the creation, evolution, and development of Montessori schools, focusing on the creation of preschool programs, addition of primary and elementary education, and expansion to include middle school and secondary programs. Examines the role of teachers, parents, and students at each of these stages. (MDM)

Discusses the use of the Montessori method in Head Start programs, focusing on educational environment, teacher training, parent involvement, and funding. Outlines the phased implementation of a Montessori program and provides a list of Montessori publications and organizations. (MDM)

To reinvent Montessori education, a new generation of individuals involved in Montessori education must probe questions involving the evolution of educational materials, educational philosophy, and social conscience. The expansion of Montessori education needs to include the traditions which reside in its educational methods and in the changing…

This interview focuses on the Montessori adolescent program begun by John McNamara in 1978 at Ruffing Middle School in Ohio, describing the adolescent-centered curriculum, activities, and materials utilized in the program. Suggests that such programs need to provide an environment where children can first and foremost experience community,…

Addresses the development of different curriculums and approaches to implementing Montessori programs at the middle school level, including a humanities-centered approach, interdisciplinary minicourses, master-apprentice programs, and team teaching approaches. Maintains that Montessori middle schools must move beyond the experimental stage and…

Defines imagination in Montessori terms, describes the power and centrality of imagination to emotional and intellectual life, and makes a carefully supported case for imagination as the foundation of the entire Montessori elementary experience and, perhaps, even for adult life as well. (HTH)

Introduces this theme issue on Mario Montessori's writings. Describes how his life experiences contributed to the idea of freedom in education, seen as a recurring theme in his mother, Maria Montessori's writings, and also contributed to the integration of the Montessori perspective. (KB)