From our Head of School Abbie Miller
Cultural Education for a Global
Age
Reflections on the Upper Elementary Field Trip to London and
Wales
Much has been written regarding 21st century learning and
the areas in which today’s students must become proficient to compete
when they graduate from college. Among them, the need for
cross-cultural understanding and communication is often highlighted.
Those
of us who teach young children take joy in the responsibility for
opening their eyes to the world, its people and their cultures. It is
this learning which helps them understand their place in the world today
and will help them make sense of the issues and events they encounter
upon entering the global workforce in years to come.
Unlike traditional educators
who have been forced to rethink their lesson plans in order to provide
students with substantive cultural learning, Montessori students begin
to learn about the world and other cultures as young as three years of
age. The early study of continents and the people and creatures who
inhabit them are followed by country studies. Given the opportunity to
research and compare the manner in which different cultures meet their
basic needs, children quickly come to recognize the many similarities
that exist among us!
"Today those things which occupy us in the
field of education, are the interests of humanity at large and of
civilization," Dr. Maria Montessori said. "Before such great forces we
can recognize only one country—the entire world."
Throughout
Elementary, the study of history is woven in and out of the cultural
lessons the children receive, culminating in Upper Elementary with a
three-year cycle which introduces students to Ancient History one year,
Medieval and Renaissance History the second and American History the
next.
Substantive cultural
learning at Gladwyne Montessori took on new meaning last month when 5th
and 6th year students visited London and Wales on a trip which was the
culmination of their study of Medieval and Renaissance history. Every
part of this adventure showed Maria Montessori’s goals of teaching in
action:
- The study of geography became more relevant as
students plotted their journey from Philadelphia to London (by way of
Frankfurt – around the Icelandic volcano), west to Wales and back to
London, stopping in Bath along the way.
- History sprang to life
at visits to sites like the Tower of London and Henry VIII’s royal
palace, Hampton Court, and when students recited Shakespeare within the
walls of the Globe Theater!
- Practical life lessons included
mastering the London Tube system (with the help of a very able tour
guide) and negotiating the best price for treasures found at London’s
Covent Garden arcade!
- Opportunities for cross cultural
communication occurred throughout the trip in a variety of settings,
from the restaurants we ate in, to the farmhouse we visited, to the
museum tours we took.
And everywhere we went this group of
11 and 12 year olds impressed their hosts, hostesses and chaperones with
the manners they demonstrated and the extraordinary background
knowledge they brought with them. It was a truly substantive cultural
learning experience for all.
Enjoy this slideshow of the 5th and 6th Year Class Trip.
Gladwyne Montessori - Beyond Ordinary Education!
May 2010
