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The Red Corolla,
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We are using the concept of "fill the gap" in this book in our professional development at Del Mar Academy in Costa Rica. Thank you for your work and guidance. What I like about this book is the possibility that it will give to teachers who have not learned in their training this way of presenting the various cultural areas—art, music, geography, biology, and physics—to young children. That is, how to offer it in such a way that the child freely chooses to absorb the materials. Scattered throughout the book is information on approaching various ages of children, not just the young one. Susan Mayclin Stephenson, Montessori trained 0-3, 3-6, 6-12, with experience at all levels, writes many practical books about Montessori education. Her book, The Red Corolla: Montessori Cosmic Education,translated into many languages, has a section titled: The Work of the Child. In this section, she has a sub-section on Physics in which she shares how to do many science experiments. She describes how to set up the science experiments and gives presentations. This book is a wonderful resource for a primary teacher (3-6 year olds) all taken from Susan’s primary training in London many years ago. The book also deals with other areas of science, e.g., botany, zoology, plus music, geography, art, history, etc. If 3-6-year-old children can experience as much as possible of these materials, they have created a lovely foundation for the Cosmic Education of the elementary years. |
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| FIRST MONTESSORI BOOKS: To see the complete list of "First Montessori Books": BOOKS |
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Why the Red Corolla? (From the introduction) What is a cosmic task? During a lecture in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia I was asked to give a description of Montessori's idea of a cosmic task. I looked down at the edge of the stage where there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. One variety had bright red corollas composed of several large, flat, petals, "Look at this flower. The color red, the shape of the flower, and perhaps the odor of the nectar, have evolved to attract just the right kind of pollinator that is needed by this specific flower. The flatness of the petal might give the pollinator a place to land to prepare for his work. While sipping nectar the pollinator will brush up against the stamens of the flower and some of the pollen on the stamens will become stuck to his body. He will then fly to the next red flower for another drink and the pollen will fall onto the head of the pistol where it will be drawn within and begin the process of forming seed. So while the pollinator is meeting his nutritional need, he is also meeting the need of the flowering plant to create seed and spread the species. And what else? The beauty of the flower has provided happiness and smiles for each one of us her at our Montessori workshop. This is a cosmic task. |
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Over 60 detailed activities from the author's AMI culture album—physics, botany, zoology, history, geography, art, and music—appropriate for the home and classroom, for age 3-6 and older. These Montessori culture lessons, practical life, sensorial keys, and language, are presented here in great detail to lay the foundation before age 6 for the older child's search for his Cosmic Task. Also included are personal "filling in the gaps" assignments for the parent or teacher, details in creating a leaf collection and poetry (formal language) anthology, and two published Montessori articles that help to define the concept of Cosmic Education. |
CONTENTS INTRODUCTION COSMIC EDUCATION (NAMTA article) THE WORK OF THE ADULT THE WORK OF THE CHILD |
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From "The Work of the Adult—Gaps, Leaf Collection" |
From "The Work of the Child—Culture, Physics" |
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"First Montessori Books" Series These books speak to anyone wanting to understand Montessori. They are based on the author's fifty years of experience as a Montessori teacher and administrator, speaker, school consultant, and examiner for Montessori teacher training courses. Some have been translated in other languages, the English versions are available from Montessori book suppliers and online. QUOTING BOOKS TRANSLATIONS AND PUBLISHING AUTHOR'S WEBSITE MICHAEL OLAF Montessori information MONTESSORI LINKS MICHAEL OLAF Montessori Shop BOOKS & MATERIAL
Updated on February 17, 2023 |
Newsletters announcing books: #13 Book, Child of the World: Montessori, Global Education for Age 3-12+, March 2013 #23 Book, Montessori and Mindfulness, November 2017 #25 Book, The Red Corolla, Montessori Cosmic Education (preparation in the 3-6 class), June 2019 Other Newsletters of interest |