This article was sent to our parents from Miss Jaclyn, our Elementary 2 teacher. Preparing for the Holidays the Montessori Way The holidays are upon us and that means that with a little patience (okay, sometimes a lot of patience) your child(ren) can gain and practice many practical skills in the kitchen no matter what age they are. I know…I know, if you just do the cooking and all the prep work yourself, you can get the task done so much faster. However, having your child help with what they are able to helps them on their own journey to independence. So let’s break down ways that your child can help in the kitchen. Every child needs to start out...Read More
This article was sent to our parents from Miss Vicki, one of our Children’s House teachers. The Difference Between Montessori and Traditional Curriculums Montessori and traditional academic curriculums vary in many ways. From teaching strategies and progression to assessments and learning objectives, they differ fundamentally and create diverging experiences for the students involved in those lessons. Montessori mathematics is a subject that absolutely stands out from the math taught in traditional classroom settings. While traditional math typically focuses on abstract instruction and rote memorization of formulas, Montessori math emphasizes a hands-on, concrete approach using manipulatives like beads and blocks to help children deeply understand mathematical concepts before moving to abstract representations, allowing them to progress at their own pace and...Read More
Why Practical Life Skills Matter at Montessori Renaissance Academy At Montessori Renaissance Academy, we believe that children are capable, curious, and eager to be part of the world around them. One of the most important ways we support this is through something called practical life. Practical life activities are just what they sound like: real tasks that children learn to do for themselves. Think buttoning a coat, pouring water, setting the table, or caring for a plant. These are not filler activities. They are a critical part of how we help students grow into independent, responsible, and respectful members of their community. Learning Through Doing In every classroom at MRA, from toddlers through middle school, students are given the tools...Read More
This month’s parent education comes from Mr. Nick, our Middle School Teacher. He explains why Practical Life is so important for all ages. Real Life Lessons In every classroom in our school, students are often busy doing “Practical Life” work throughout the day. These activities have many goals, but one of the most important is that the child should do something real. Our students use real cleaning tools, which are the right size for their bodies, prepare and serve real food and drinks for real guests at the Spring Tea, and in later years use real tools to construct real items for school use. (Keep an eye out for student built items like tables and soccer goals) Many of these...Read More
Today’s Montessori Minute comes to you from Miss Jaclyn, our Elementary 2 teacher (4th-6th grade). It is the second in our series of parent education informational emails. Happy reading! Freedom: The real key to the child’s development, and an essential characteristic of a Montessori environment. There are a set of four freedoms that can be seen within the classroom that are given to to each child and although these look differently depending on the age of child, development cannot take place without them. It is freedom that enables the child to become independent. These 4 freedoms include: 1. The child must be free to choose any activity that has already been presented. This is true at each level. The students...Read More
We would like to thank Child of the Redwoods for the original inspiration for this article. The original piece was circulated to our parents at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, and we have summarized it here for prospective families and parents alike. Here’s how we bring Montessori to life at Montessori Renaissance Academy in Anoka, Minnesota. So what exactly is Montessori? At Montessori Renaissance Academy, it means guiding children to become confident, independent, respectful, and responsible learners. Our classrooms are full of purpose, joy, and growth. If you’re short on time but curious about what sets us apart, here’s a quick look. 1. We follow the philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori Dr. Montessori believed that education should support...Read More
At Montessori Renaissance Academy in Anoka, we encourage kindergarteners to grow and become leaders. The Kindergarten year is a critical year in education, and experiencing Kindergarten in a Montessori school teaches your child independence, respect, and responsibility. Below are our top 5 reasons you should consider, or continue, Montessori education for your kindergartener. Compiled by Karla Wagner and Jaclyn Gehrke, Children’s House and Elementary teachers at MRA. The Montessori Children’s Foundation has additional resources and information on Montessori Kindergarten.Read More
