Junior High News
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Microeconomics and the Adolescent
Contributed by Robb Wirts, Junior High – Erdkinder Director & Teacher “Independence, in the case of adolescents, has to be acquired on a different plane, for theirs is an economic independence in the field of society. Here, too, the principle of 'Help me to do it alone!' ought to be applied to a general principle of a social education for adolescents and young people… A shop, or store, could be established in the nearest big town, and here the students could easily sell and bring their produce of their fields and garden, and other things that they have made.” -- Maria Montessori, From Childhood to Adolescence The Junior High – Erdkinder students have been working hard over the first three quarters of the school year to establish a Microeconomy that realizes Maria Montessori’s vision for the age group offered within an enriched program. The Microeconomy component of the Junior High - Erdkinder program curriculum differentiates it from other middle school curricula in Marin County. Maria Montessori believed that adolescents ought to study economics, and ultimately manufacture and sell the items that they produce while working with specialists. This avenue of better understanding production and exchange sets them on the path toward economic independence. The students have been working with Sara Guren, a professional photographer, and Madeleine Bennett, a professional jeweler, to create saleable items that capture each student’s creative talents and express “who they are.” Montessori writes, “The technical instructors, such as a handicraft teacher and business manager, will start the concern, showing how the work is done, and allow the students by degrees to share in the organization and accounting as well as in the actual work…and so the business will develop little by little through the cooperation of the parents, the instructors, and the students themselves.” Saahil Saini, 7th year student and Microeconomy manager, has worked closely with MMS Business Manager Ryan Garroway Myers in areas of accounting and to ensure that the venture is in line with the licensing regulations of Marin County. A number of students went to the Bank of Marin earlier this year and played an active role in opening a checking account. Thus, in addition to learning about the underpinnings of economics through lessons, readings, seminars, and personal projects, the students take part in the practical aspects of microeconomics just as Montessori envisioned they would so many years ago. As a Montessorian, I am again moved by the students and the engagement they demonstrate when working with specialists to establish a component of the program that they are so obviously and evidently interested in – economics and the satisfaction one feels when his or her own efforts and work prove monetarily valuable to others, often strangers. While the rate at which the Microeconomy grows is sure to be slow, developed through careful direction, the first few degrees have already been realized.
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The Erdkinder Microeconomy
Contributed by Ben Geffner, 8th Year Student The Erdkinder Microeconomy is up and running at the Corte Madera campus. All products for purchase were made by the students and demonstrate our artistic and creative talents! We are selling jewelry, greeting cards, and matted photos. If you would like to see the items in person, they can be found in the great room, adjacent to the office, at the lower campus – the shelves are stocked full of items. Greeting cards can be purchased directly from the shelf or custom ordered using a catalog that features each student’s favorite work. The photos and greeting cards that are not in the catalog are sold on a first-come-first-serve basis, so you better get there fast before the limited edition cards are sold. Earrings and pendants are handcrafted and each piece is a one-of-a-kind work. Thank you for supporting the Erdkinder Microeconomy and please visit the shelf frequently as new items will be stocked regularly.
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Thank You for Supporting Erdkinder Haiti Relief Efforts
Contributed by Olivia Morfit, 7th Year Student Dear MMS Community, Thank you so much for your generous donation to the crisis currently happening in Haiti. Our community raised eight hundred dollars to profit those in need. We appreciate your support greatly, as do the Haitians. Sincerely, The Erdkinder Students
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The State of the Erdkinder
Contributed by Robb Wirts, Junior High - Erdkinder Director/Teacher The Junior High - Erdkinder has had a splendid start to the second semester. Students are currently engaged in a number of academic areas of study; in the Humanities they are delving into the topics of Western World Religions and U.S. Westward Expansion, and in the area of science-based Occupation, they are studying Simple Machines. The students are also engrossed in their respective book groups, reading either The Narrative of Frederick Douglass or studying poetry. At the moment, Workshop electives consist of standardized test preparation, but in the first four weeks students engaged in Public Speaking (delivery and style) and Creative Writing. In addition to academics, students are also enrolled in Physical Expressions, street hockey and cross-country running, and Creative Expressions, earth art and fine art (drawing and painting), on Wednesdays. The campus is abuzz with focused activity. We have had visitors and observers from across the state visit recently, as well as inquiries about the program from across the country. Many have been Montessori teachers or administrators curious about what shape this “Erdkinder thing” takes upon its implementation. It has been eye-opening for the students to realize that they are a part -- the essential part -- of a program about which so many people are curious. The Erdkinder students take pride in their work, their environment, and the pioneer spirit each of them has in being a member of the “first class.” From a Montessorian’s perspective, based in intense observation, of course, the program is working, and working well. The Erdkinder meets the individual needs of the students, challenges them, and offers them opportunities to see how their own contributions to the community are of real value. I expect the Erdkinder community to only grow stronger over the course of the final semester.
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Haitian Earthquake Relief
This morning, the Erdkinder students heard on the radio of the tragedy concerning the 7.0 earthquakes in Haiti, and immediately we felt compelled to assist those who are currently suffering in unimaginable ways. We are all donating something as students. Your participation would be greatly appreciated. Through the cooperation of our administrative staff, MMS is now accepting donations in the form of checks if you wish to help us in our efforts. These donations will all go to the Red Cross organization to help those Haitians who find themselves in great need. Your checks may be made payable to Marin Montessori School and given to the School Secretary, Pamela, in the office. In the memo section, please be sure to write "Haitian relief". When all contributions have been received MMS will send a check to the Red Cross Haitian relief effort. Thank you so much; your participation and generosity are greatly appreciated. Olivia Morfit, 7th year student
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Tours on Friday Afternoons Starting November 20
Contributed by Noori Saini, 7th Year Student Dear MMS Community, My name is Noorisingh Saini, and I am the Erdkinder Hospitality Manager. The Erdkinder community would love to invite any and all interested parties to tour the St. Vincent campus. This tour will include all of the classrooms, the garden, and the auditorium. I am offering the tours on the 1st and 3rd Friday of every month from 1:30 – 2:00 PM. Tours begin on November 20 and run through February 5. To book a tour, please contact Pamela at (415) 924 – 5388 x 0 or prandolph@marinmontessori.org to reserve your place. Thank you, and we look forward to sharing the program and campus with you. Sincerely,
Noorisingh -
The Gardens at St. Vincent’s
Contributed by Erin Foley-Wirts, Junior High ~ Erdkinder Lead Teacher
The garden is beginning to take shape after a very productive Organic Gardening occupation project. This science-based class focused on soil composition and chemistry, and the students performed experiments to test the nutrient content of the soil and also sent the soil to a professional lab for analysis. The students worked very hard to bring the gardens at St. Vincent’s back to life by pulling old rose bushes and rhododendrons and working into the soil over 250 pounds of compost. Perhaps the greatest highlight was rototilling the garden, as operating machinery is always a hit with adolescents! The gardens are now graced with a thriving winter crop of snap peas, broccoli, spinach, kale, leeks, and various species of lettuce.
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Erdkinder Extra
Marin Montessori’s new Junior High-Erdkinder is off to an incredible start! The Erdkinder students arrived to their newly renovated classrooms by biodiesel van last Tuesday morning, wide-eyed and eager to engage in our scholarly Montessori adolescent program. To see photos of their first week of school CLICK HERE and then click on Erdkinder First Week. The students spent their first week orienting themselves to their environment while we worked together to establish the culture and values that will define our community life. Formal lessons in Mathematics and Spanish began, and the students are excited for a full-immersion outing this week to an authentic restaurant setting. The students also chose their Workshop Electives, Creative and Physical Expressions, Book Groups, and Science-Based Occupation projects, which together will form the basis of their curriculum for the coming quarter. Two choices were offered for the Erdkinder’s science-based occupation projects: Organic Gardening and Microeconomy. The gardening students began the arduous work of establishing garden beds and rehabilitating the soil, and the young economists began conducting market research examining economic trends within Marin County, which will help to determine the Erdkinder’s Microeconomy. Our first week culminated with a meeting of students and faculty on Friday. After a moment of silence in honor of 9/11, we shared our successes, opportunities for improvement, and our gratitude to those who made exceptional contributions during the week. These weekly meetings will provide us with the opportunity to share our perspectives and to ensure that our community is being responsibly sustained and evolving toward our ideals. In the coming weeks, the students will begin contributing to the Erdkinder Extra and other school communications, and we will keep you informed of our exciting campus news and events. On behalf of the students and faculty of Marin Montessori’s Junior High-Erdkinder program, we are grateful to everyone who made this incredible week possible for our entire Erdkinder community.
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Understanding the Prepared Environment for the Adolescent
Contributed by Robb Wirts, Junior High ~ Erdkinder Director & Teacher The prepared environments of the Toddler Program, the Children’s House, and for Cosmic Education realize something altogether striking about the detail and order they offer the children who act within them. In fact, for the better part of this last century non-Montessorians have struggled to understand and trust that children can and do act independently; in other words, can and do self-construct. Dr. Montessori offered her observations for providing prepared environments that meet the needs of children throughout the Planes of Development (infanthood – adulthood), and, when properly supported, children have proven to be capable of acting and caring for themselves, and to whatever developmental degree, the wellbeing of others. The MMS Erdkinder faculty believes the prepared environment described by Montessori for the Third Plane of Development (ages 12 – 18), as outlined in the appendices of her book titled, From Childhood to Adolescence, to be another such realization. It is far-reaching, and like the other prepared environments that precede it, is just as striking in its implementation and everyday function in offering a safe environment where adolescents self-construct and realize interdependence through developmentally appropriate experiences. This is why it is and has been so difficult to accept for both Montessorians and non-Montessorians. It represents another level of a prepared environment that is again realized as being beyond our more conventional expectations for the age group. Such an environment is an unexpected, unconventional ascension in providing a learning place appropriate for adolescents; thus, this model has proven historically difficult in its implementation and the reason why only a handful of programs worldwide are considered to be models in the Montessori world. Dr. Montessori’s model must be trusted in its basic service to the adolescent. Thus, it is the earnest goal of the Erdkinder faculty to create a world model Montessori adolescent program. We are committed to parent education, inclusion, and creating a program that is Montessori-first and is also an unquestionable and reputable private education. Our efforts, as one community, will lead us ever closer to answering the age-old Montessori question, “Who is the secret of childhood?” We are about to find out… “The adult is the result of the child. Every adult is the achievement of a grown-up child…thus the essential principle of education is to establish the relationships between things – this brings knowledge. Our pupils, equipped in their whole being for the adventure of life, accustomed to the free exercise of will and judgment, illuminated by imagination and enthusiasm, ‘can’ exercise rightly the duties of citizens in a civilized commonwealth.” (Maria Montessori, From Childhood to Adolescence)
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Meet the Junior High ~ Erdkinder Faculty & Mathematics Specialist
Introducing the Junior High ~ Erdkinder Faculty, Mathematics Specialist, and Pedagogical Mentor: Robb Wirts, Junior High ~ Erdkinder Director & Teacher - Robb joined the MMS faculty last year to direct the new Junior High ~ Erdkinder program. Previously a teacher of Humanities and science-based Occupation projects at the junior high level at Hershey Montessori School (Ohio), Robb brings to MMS his enthusiasm for working with adolescent students in a land-based environment. Robb received his MEd and certification in Montessori training at the Elementary level from Loyola College (Maryland) in 2008. He received his BA in History and Philosophy from Salisbury University (Maryland). Robb received his certification in NAMTA's Orientation to Adolescent Studies, and from 2005-2007 served as a residential host and teacher for this annual event. Erin Foley-Wirts, Lead Teacher – Erin received her MEd and certification in Montessori training at the Elementary level from Loyola College (Maryland) in 2003. Erin received her certification in NAMTA's Orientation to Adolescent Studies, and from 2005-2007 served as a residential host and teacher for this annual event. Prior to teaching in a Montessori classroom, Erin worked in the field of environmental experiential education, and Erin received her BS in Parks & Recreation Management, with a minor in Botany, from Northern Arizona University. Robb and Erin are parents of a young son and MMS Primary student, Bennett, and together enjoy snowboarding, cycling and beekeeping. Nick McCormack, Teacher - Nick joined the MMS community in 2004, working as a Primary support assistant and coordinating the outdoor movement program. Nick received a Bachelors of Arts degree specializing in History with Spanish and Communications cognates at Michigan State University and after graduation traveled extensively in Spain and Europe. Upon his return he completed secondary education courses at both Schoolcraft College and Eastern Michigan University. He is an outdoor enthusiast and enjoys photography. Nick recently finished NAMTA’s Orientation to Adolescent Studies and is excited to be teaching Spanish, Humanities, and Occupations at MMS Erdkinder ~ Junior High in the fall. Anna Yarbrough, Mathematics Specialist – Anna will join MMS’s community in August and is excited to do so. The Montessori tradition runs in Anna’s family. Her mother-in-law has taught at a Montessori school in Connecticut for 25 years, and her husband attended the same school through 8th grade. Anna has been teaching math for seven years. She graduated from Colby College in 2002, with a BA in Mathematical Sciences and a minor in Education, and will complete her Masters in Math Education in the winter of 2009. Before moving to the Bay Area two years ago, Anna taught middle school math in Weston, Massachusetts, a suburb of Boston. Upon moving to California, Anna taught high school at a charter school in Richmond. Anna and her husband welcomed their son Grayson in December, and they enjoy hiking, barbequing, and exploring the Bay Area. Linda Davis, Pedagogical Mentor – Linda’s involvement in MMS’s Junior High ~ Erdkinder is that of a Pedagogical Mentor, and we are excited to have her aboard. Linda visited MMS in 2001 and made a presentation to the community based on responsibly implementing Montessori adolescent programs. Linda has a BA in Psychology (1974) and MA in Child and Adolescent Development (1987), both from University of Illinois in Springfield. She is AMI Montessori trained at the Primary and Elementary levels. Linda offers 16 years of elementary teaching experience and 16 years of administrative experience. She is a member of the founding Board of Directors for an Adolescent Program in Portland, OR, and is currently starting her 8th year as teaching director of the Adolescent Program at the Montessori School of Lake Forest, IL. Linda is a member of the Board of Directors at Prairie Flower Montessori School, a staff member of NAMTA’s Adolescent Orientation to Adolescent Studies, and AMI and NAMTA conference presenter, and has published in NAMTA Journal (list available if requested). The Erdkinder faculty looks forward to the wisdom and experience she brings with her.