David Orr's classic article links education to living in the outdoors and studying all disciplines through the unifying lens of place. Pedagogy of place counters abstraction, it is the natural world embodying principles of learning that involve direct observation, investigation, experimentation, and manual skills. Place is the laboratory providing…

As an outgrowth of the theory of flow, looks at some fine distinctions regarding the adolescent's optimal conditions for growth. Points to the importance of the adolescent's ability to reinterpret conflicts which crop up in raw experience, to overcome psychic entropy with long-term challenges or "life themes," and to find new meaning and…

Uses metaphor of the dance to suggest reciprocity, harmony, and a mutual exchange of leadership as key components of adolescent-adult relationships. Suggests that adolescents have high expectations of adult's character and competencies; therefore, teachers should elicit the highest values and behaviors from their students. (KDFB)

Asserts that in developing Erdkinder, Montessori programs for adolescents, practitioners should use Montessori's principles of scientific pedagogy to establish methods for evaluating existing adolescent experiments. Suggests ways to apply criterion of normalization, and that "healing of deviations" comes from observing aspects like inner…

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…

Connects the imagination with one's affective states as related to 8- to 15-year-old students' engagement in a story or narrative. Discusses particular characteristics of narratives that engage students' imagination during these years and characteristics that are imaginatively engaging but in which the narrative component is less prominent. (BB)

Discusses the four "planes of development" posited by Maria Montessori: (1) from birth to age 6; (2) from age 6 to 12; (3) from age 12 to 18; and (4) full maturity. Although Montessori schools have been successful in dealing with children during the first two planes, efforts need to be focused on adolescents at the third stage. (MDM)

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…

Excerpts from the Carnegie Council on Adolescent Development's report "Turning Points: Preparing American Youth for the 21st Century," issued in 1989, indicate the need to develop a more adolescent-centered approach to education in the middle grades that is very similar to the basic ideas of the Montessori method. (MDM)

Uses established Montessori analogies, metaphors, and abstract keys to examine the mental organization and practical experiences forming the spiritual foundations for the Erdkinder vision of connecting learning to moral behavior and practical experiences for adolescents. (Author/KB)

Claims that Montessori's educational theory for 12- to 18- year olds, Erdkinder, should be considered as an educational alternative. Erdkinder, or "earth child," refers to observing children and, accordingly, creating a suitable environment. The task for education at this age is the creation of the socially conscious individual. Claims…

Traces the Montessori view of adolescent social development and provides illustrations in short-term rural life with 12- to 14-year olds. Provides clear signs pointing to Erdkinder based on the theory that adolescents are in the midst of a social transformation and they want to be treated with respect. (MOK)

Presents two charts designed by Maria Montessori to illustrate the four planes of development. Claims that Montessori's meticulously researched commentary signals an emerging organic vision of the developmental continuum from birth to adulthood that is relevant to the educational needs of our time. (MOK)

Maintains that Montessori education of adolescents (Erdkinder) should prepare them to exercise a self-disciplined will and judgment. Notes the importance of preparing children through Cosmic Education and through community service. Maintains that the logical focus of study for the third plane is the cosmic plan and the adolescent's place in it.…