History of Montessori in Russia

Recently, I was able to visit the Institut Detstvo (Institute of Early Childhood) at Herzen University in St. Petersburg, Russia.  Having the opportunity to be surrounded by so much history and culture of the city is of course inspiring, but this experience is one that left me completely awestruck.  Here, I was able to view and handle the originally made Montessori materials from the early 20th century which were brought to Russia by visionary, Yulia Ivanovna Fausek.  A biologist by training, she became interested in early childhood education and heard of Maria Montessori's Children's House in Rome.  After spending time there herself, she became one of Russia's major influences in bringing Montessori education to the country.  In fact, she opened the first Montessori school in St. Petersburg in 1913.  The collection of materials housed at the Institut Detstvo are the original collection that first entered Russia when Fausek personally delivered them.  These materials were not only used in her school, but were also part of teacher training courses and even presented to the Tsar and Tsaritsa at the Winter Palace.  After Fausek's school was shut down by the communist revolution, the materials were brought to Herzen University (1925), and have remained there to this day.

Herzen University's 'Institut Detstvo' - Institute of (Early) Childhood.  Here, students study to become preschool and Kindergarten teachers.

Sign by the main entrance to the building - Institut Detstvo.

Maria Montessori's, 'Handbook to My Method.'

Pages from the handbook describing the Pink Tower, Brown Stair, and Number Rods.  You can imagine how many pictures I wanted to take of all the pages…!

Description of the Baric Tablets.  I have a special affinity to this particular material as my Master's Thesis was based on materials usage, specifically the Baric Tablets.

Yulia Fausek's book, One Month in Rome in the "Children's Houses" of Maria Montessori.  Notice the year of publication and subsequent name of the city - Petrograd.

Original sets of Cylinder Blocks.  As I was handling them, I was told that the entire collection of materials is one of only three remaining in the world.  Humbling and awe-inspiring.

Description of Material, Goal (Direct Aim),  Indirect Aim, Age, Vocabulary for the lesson with Cylinder Block "C."

Original Bells with details of the lesson.

Tens Boards.

Touch Tablets.  And yes, I proceed to feel the boards just as I would be giving a lesson…!

A set of Color Tablets for gradation.

Details with the Color Tablets.

Sound Cylinders.  Do you need to ask if I completed the work?! ;-)

Feeling the varying weights of the Baric Tablets, thinking to myself the whole time about whose hands had also done the same thing with the same materials…

Naturally, I had to hear the sound of the bells!

'Authentic set of materials of Maria Montessori from the scientific collection of the Department of Pre-School Teachers'  Institute of (Early) Childhood - Herzen University

'The main part of the collection was made from the highest quality wood available at the beginning of the 20th century and has a stamp of the manufacturer: …'

With a portrait of Yulia Fausek at the Department of Early Childhood Education at Institut Detstvo.

This was one of those time when I wish I had better photography skills!  What a gift to have had this experience.  Upon returning home, my husband asked me, "What was it like?  Were the materials any different?  How did they feel?"  My response was not only a summary of this experience of holding history in my hands, but also representative of what has turned out to be my life's work: "No, they weren't any different or foreign at all.  They were perfect and felt just the same.  It was as if I had been a part of it forever."

Montessori Maslenitsa

Brightly colored scarves, long dresses, the sound of accordions playing traditional Russian tunes, children singing…  all against the backdrop of a Montessori school!  What a gift to be given opportunities that combine two of my major interests in life - all things Montessori and all things Russian.  Many of my readers might not be aware, but my undergraduate degree is in Russian Studies while my master's is in Montessori education.  Our time in St. Petersburg has afforded me chances to seamlessly weave these interests, creating unique experiences that are personally meaningful.

Last weekend, my family and I were invited to Mikailova Montessori School to help ring in the traditional celebration of Maslenitsa.  I can still hardly believe that I was able to take part of this type of cultural event at a Montessori school!  It was evident that this school has built a strong community, full of committed families, teachers, and students.  The children were friendly, inquisitive, and clearly had put forth a lot of effort in preparing for this event.

Several classes participated in plays depicting traditional Russian folk tales and stories.

Tea was served from several traditional samovars.

Children and adults enjoyed various games.  Here the children are practicing flipping blinis (Russian pancakes).

Part of the Maslenitsa celebration includes symbolically parting with Winter by burning a scarecrow and welcoming Spring.

What would it be with out dancing?!
 

The students prepared a vast array of handiworks ranging from knitted bracelets to pottery which were sold during the event.  Proceeds went directly to the school - what a fantastic way to include the children in fundraising!

Kindergarten Self-Evaluations

Inherent to the Montessori approach to education is the cultivation of the child's sense of pride and accomplishment in one's work and activities in the classroom.  Lillard (2007) discusses how Montessori students are encouraged to "regulate their own attention" and concentration (p. 182).  Moreover, Montessori education "enhances  children's self-regulation skills... [and they] evaluate their own work with direct feedback from materials, the use of control materials, and their level of success in peer teaching" (Lillard, 2007, p. 182).

I feel it is vitally important to allow time for my students to reflect on their own work and progress.  To that end, I am planning to have my Kindergarteners complete the following Student Self-Evaluation form at the end of each week.  The content of this form was provided to me by one of my cohorts in my Master's program at St. Catherine University.

Kindergarten Student Self- Evaluation form.

Allowing students to reflect on their work and choices in this manner also instills a sense of motivation and self-control as children navigate the classroom.  Ultimately, "a sense of control over one's environment has positive effects on well being" (Lillard, 2007, p. 88).

Reference

Lillard, A.S. (2007).  Montessori: The science behind the genius.  New York, NY: Oxford University Press.

Mission Accomplished

My family and I have just returned from a trip to Washington, D.C. where we enjoyed the sights as well as catching up with grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins.  This is what awaited me in the mail upon our return:

It has been quite a journey and I am very thankful for my supportive family and friends who have helped me along the way.  I realize that a goal fulfilled does not signify an end -  rather, it paves the way toward fresh beginnings and allows for new dreams to unfold.

My School Wiki Page

I invite you to check out the wiki page I created last semester as part of my Master's degree program.  Readers will find lots of information about Montessori theory as well as many parent resources:

Dirigo Montessori School Wiki Page

Be sure to navigate the page using the links at the bottom...

Enjoy!

Spring "Break"

These pictures are from our last week together before Spring Break.  Many have asked, "Do you have any special plans for your break?" or "Will you be traveling anywhere fun?"  My Spring "Break" plans include the formal presentation of my action research project in fulfillment of requirements for my Master's degree.  Needless to say, I'll be saving my fun and travel plans for the summer break instead... :-)

Carefully building the Pink Tower.

Fine motor practice with a water dropper activity.

Linear and skip counting with the Short Chains:  Chain of  9.

Continent sewing:  Asia.

Exploring watercolor.

Writing practice:  Metal Insets - two shapes, two colors.

Glass polishing.

Pink Tower/Brown Stair.

Still enjoying our science experiment with water and magnets.

Writing the days of the week.

Math work with the Short Chains (squares of numbers).

Visual discrimination of size and writing development (pincer grasp) with the Solid Cylinders.

Fine-motor development:  practicing with paper clips.

The Short Chains together (except for the chain of 5 which another child was using)...

...here, to compare it to the Long Chain of 5 (5 cubed).

Many hands to clean a large classroom plant.

Filling water to the line with a baster.

Lacing shapes/cards.

Back to School...

...with an Asian theme!  Last week, we enjoyed a week off during our February vacation.  In all honesty,  it hardly seemed like a vacation as I am in the midst of completing my Master's program through St. Catherine University's AM2 (Acknowledging Montessori for a Master's) program and spent the entire week neck-high in coursework.  Nevertheless, I was able to hop into the classroom a couple times to put together a few new Practical Life lessons with an Asian flair.  We'll be spending some time in the classroom over the next weeks learning about aspects of this dynamic continent.

Spooning rice.

Transferring star anise.

Transferring beads with child-friendly chopsticks.  

Mandala variation with small stones...

... to place on the lines.  The backside remains blank for free-form designs.

A variation of the lesson from THIS post - a gluing/sealing activity.  Here, the children will be using yellow tissue paper squares to make the shape of Asia.  I appreciate how the slight variation changes the theme yet still allows for children to practice the same fine motor skills.

Continent Stamps: Asia.  We've been saving work from the North America and Europe stamps to make booklets - now the children will work on their page for Asia.  

So far, the children have been enjoying these activities during our first days back in the classroom after vacation.  There are a few more variations of lessons on this theme which I'll be sure to share in the near future.