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Health & Fitness

A Distracted School Head in the Summer (and a list from Angeline Lillard)

On this hot Friday afternoon in July, I set aside time to address the perennial question… "What do School Heads do in the summer?" And then I got distracted by a wonderful book.

On this hot Friday afternoon in July, I set aside time to address the perennial question: “What do School Heads do in the summer?” And then I got distracted by a wonderful book, Montessori: the Science Behind the Genius by Dr. Angeline Lillard, professor of psychology at the University of Virginia.

I will return next week to reveal a behind-the-scenes look at Evergreen School’s administrative projects. You'll discover how a School Head keeps busy in July. It will be as interesting as when Dorothy pulled back the curtain to reveal the Wizard, I promise. But first, I will leave you with a thought provoking list from Dr. Lillard’s book to keep you intregued all weekend…

Eight Principles of Montessori Education, p.29

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  1. movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning;
  2. learning and well-being are improved when people have a sense of control over their lives;
  3. people learn better when they are interested in what they are learning;
  4. tying extrinsic rewards to an activity, like money for reading or high grades for tests, negatively impacts motivation to engage in that activity when the reward is withdrawn;
  5. collaborative arrangements can be conducive to learning;
  6. learning situated in meaningful context is often deeper and richer than learning in abstract contexts;
  7. particular forms of adult interaction are associated with more optimal child outcomes; and
  8. order in the environment is beneficial to children.

 

It doesn't sound like your traditional school in Kansas, does it Toto?  Montessori education works!

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Enjoy the weekend.  John

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