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"Our Montessori approach up until now has been to set up the best Montessori environment we can with an open learning philosophy. Our children have had the opportunity to work on any of the activities we have out, without much routine to the day or much format to the activities. (To see how we set up our environment, please see my three part series Sequence of Work and Scope Websites: More Homeschool Planning and Classroom Culture: Ideas about a Daily Rhythm: Plainly, the environment must be a living one, directed by a higher intelligence, arranged by an adult who is prepared for his mission."
Maria Montessori
here, here, and here.) Now that Samuel is 2.5 years old, we feel like an established routine could do us all some good.
But where to start? What's the best way to complete all the tasks considers to be appropriate for a Montessori school ages 3-6? And how do I keep all those lessons, activities, and planning within my small budget? Here's what I found!
After reading though Lisa's ebook, and having some discussion with my husband, we decided that homeschooling is the best thing we can do for our children at this point in our life. So question one answered: YES!
After you answered that first question, you are ready to start some research and work on a routine that will work best for your family. I wanted to be sure to explore all options out there for how to best present Montessori preschool to my children. I listed some of my finds here for you to use in your own research.

Sequence of Work and Scope Books: Our Montessori Story and Montessori Teachers Collective - These two sites have a by name listing of all the tasks that should be reviewed during the preschool years. (Also see other tabs on these pages for elementary years.)

Counting Coconuts Mini Units- I think this is a great example on how to set up activities for quick availability. With a little planning and some organization this would make life so much easier! I would use this idea to gather materials to have on hand to present the weeks lessons. (She intends these mini units to help educate her son while they transition from a family of 3 to a family of 4 with the addition of their daughter.)
Counting Coconuts Circle Time and Calendar: I love the idea of circle time with a calendar. We all use time and calendars daily. Circle time would be a great way to focus children before lessons and a great way to end the day.
Grace and Green Pastures Planning and
Minute by Minute Schedule Examples: The Parenting Passageway and Counting Coconuts Daily Rhythm.

Montessori Teachers Collective- Good description on presentation and use of materials. Lisa Nolan's Montessori For the Earth- Lisa's program is what we used when we start our son on the Montessori Method. It is extremely affordable and she is available to answer personal questions about your specific situation.

Free Downloads:
Living Montessori Now- This site ALWAYS post wonderful lists on where to find free stuff. If you are have not liked their Facebook page, circled them on G+, or subscribed to their email now is the perfect time!

The first question should really be, "Should you Montessori Homeschool?" It is going to take dedication and hard work to set up the correct environment and activities to help your children thrive. Lisa Nolan put together a wonderful ebook to help you answer that very important first question.
I primarily focused my research on setting up a Montessori preschool routine, but many of the links I reference have subsequent links to lower and upper elementary years.
Follow me though some wonderful free resources available to help you with your Montessori Homeschool Routine!
Resources To Use for Planning:

Our Country Road - Details on how an amazing Momma plans her days for her four beautiful children ranging in age from 6.5 years to 7.5 months.
I really love the fact that many of these schedules have a devotion period built into the day. I think adding devotions into a daily routine would help children continue the same habit throughout their lives. Dr. Montessori's Own Handbook by Maria Montessori and Basic Montessori by David Gettman-Both books are very helpful bedside readings from the experts!
Letting it Rot Classroom Culture.

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it" Proverbs 22:6

Counting Coconuts Schedule
Grace and Green Pastures Schedule
Where to Find Lessons:
Montessori Primary Guide- Step by step lessons often accompanied by a video.
All this planning and scheduling can be done on a budget. Here's a list of sites that offer free printables and downloads.

Montessori Print Shop- Among the free downloads on this site are a plethora of wonderful activities for cheap! Invest in a good lamination machine and card stock to make your own materials. :) Researching and preparing is important, but remember your children are only young once so don't push to soon. Splash in rain puddles, curl up with popcorn and a movie, stay up past bedtime to read a good book. Let them the little! There is time for "school" for the rest of their lives.

This original post was published in March 2013 and I find the research I did extremely helpful as my children move into different phases of their Montessori journey.~ Marie

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Our Montessori approach up until now has been to set up the best Montessori environment we can with an open learning philosophy. Our children have had the opportunity to work on any of the activities we have out, without much routine to the day or much format to the activities.

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My friend, Trish, runs this.  She was on the board in LaGrange.

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My friend, Trish, runs this.  She was on the board in LaGrange.

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Affordable online Montessori for parents, homeschoolers, and daycare providers of infants, toddlers, preschool, and lower elementary!

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Montessori education is a philosophy and model created by Maria Montessori, the first woman physician in Italy, in the late 1800s. At its core, Montessori education is designed to promote peace and considers the whole child as well as the environment in its approach .
It has been a primary influence in our family's lifestyle and educational philosophy.
We've heard from some readers that you are interested in Montessori philosophy as it might fit into your homeschool. And some of you were looking for a little inspiration or direction to light the way.

If you are like me, you appreciate things broken down into easy to follow steps.

In 2005, Angeline S. Lillard wrote a book called Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius, in which she discusses whether or not a century old methodology can stand up to modern day scientific research in developmental psychology. Her research led to the understanding that Dr. Montessori's ideas were, and still are, a very effective holistic approach to educating a child.

It's an academic way of saying that Maria Montessori knew what she was doing.

In Lillard's book she covers Eight Principles of Montessori Education. Today we will look at those and think about how they may fit into your homeschool.

The 8 Principles of Montessori Education

1. Movement & Cognition
Movement and cognition are closely entwined, and movement can enhance thinking and learning. For most of these principles I'll list a few points to consider as a homeschool family, but this particular one calls for a brief story.
Sir Ken Robinson did a TED Talk on Schools Killing Creativity. He told the story of Gillian Lynne, a school girl whose parents were told she may have a learning disorder because she was fidgety and couldn't concentrate. They sent her to a specialist. She restlessly sat on her hands while the doctor and her mother spoke of the problems Gillian had at school.

Eventually, the doctor said he needed to speak to the mother privately, he and Gillian's mother left the room. As he was leaving, he turned on the radio that sat on his desk, when they left the room he said to her mother, "Just stand here and watch her."

The minute the doctor and mother left the room, Gillian recalls coming to her feet and moving to the music. The adults watched her for a few minutes from outside the room.

The doctor turned to her mother and said, "Mrs. Lynne, Gillian isn't sick, she's a dancer."

Gillian Lynne went on to study dance and eventually become a world famous choreographer, her work included the productions of Cats and Phantom of the Opera. (Thank goodness for that doctor.)

Humans need movement, each in their own way.

2. Choice
Learning and well-being are improved when people have a sense of control over their lives.

Make a list of work assignments for the day and have them create their own schedule.

Keep a basket in the refrigerator of healthy snacks for them to choose from.

Create a basket of pre-selected (high quality) SSR books for them to choose from.

3. Interest
People learn better when they are interested in what they are learning.

Fill a basket with oversized, 'coffee table' books from the library. These tend to be filled with beautiful, inspiring photography that will spark conversation and interest.

Create a lapbook or unit study around a favorite hobby, period in history, musician, author or animal of your child's choosing.

Love letter writing? Create a letter writing station or box for kids to help themselves. Be sure to include everything needed: stationary, pens, stamps, address book, (laminated) copy of a properly written letter.

4. Extrinsic rewards are avoided
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.

This challenges normal practice for many of us.I don't feel inclined to hand out money or treats for every job well done - but there is a pass/fail, win/lose mentality in our culture, and the older a child gets, the more they become aware of that. To be honest, I'm working on this one.

5. Learning from & with peers
Collaborative arrangements can be very conducive to learning.

Host a knitting group in your home

Meet at a funky cafe for a weekly study group

Form a young writers or poetry group

Seek out a homeschool debate team

Into film making? Gather with friends to make a short film.

6. Learning in context
Learning situated in meaningful contexts is often deeper and richer than learning in abstract contexts.

Make homemade yogurt rather than talk about how their favorite yogurt is made.

Learn about flora and fauna with field guides in hand and an afternoon trek through the woods.

Take a morning trip to the grocery store with a budget and menu plan.

Play with science by making homemade lip balm, soap, or natural remedies.

Keep chickens or bees!

7. Teacher ways & child ways
Particular forms of adult interaction are associated with more optimal child outcomes.

Have Week In Review meetings with your kids, individually if possible .

Children can partner with you on designing a garden, rearranging furniture (design), or reviewing curriculum choices for the coming year.

Collaborate on literature list for next year.

Have them recommend a few titles of books they love for you to read. (Does not matter the age of the child or if you wind up reading Jack & the Beanstalk - they will appreciate you honoring their judgment.)

8. Order in environment & mind

Order in the environment is beneficial to children.

Maintain an art shelf with easy to access projects that rotate from week to week.

Keep your learning environment clear of clutter.

Adopt "10 Minute Tidy" period at the end of the day.

Some families find workboxes to be helpful.

These principles can provide a helpful map to those in need, or simply a source of inspiration as we each look ahead to our next school year.
Is your current approach to homeschooling similar to these principles? Please share with us how these ideas are relevant in your home.
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Montessori at Home: 8 Principles to Know - Simple Homeschool

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Written by contributor Heather Bruggeman of Beauty That Moves uxusyjig.xyz Montessori education is a philosophy and model created by Maria Montessori, the first woman physician in Italy, in the late 1800s. At its core, Montessori education is designed to promote peace and considers the whole child as well as the environment in its approach .

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I'm often asked how to set up a Montessori classroom at home. I wrote a post about it and published a Montessori homeschooling series: Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials. The problem is that it isn't that easy to find all the posts. Since blogs go backward in time, it takes a lot of scrolling back to find a specific post out of the 18 posts that are already in that category.

So, today I'm going to organize and update some of my main links on Montessori homeschooling. These won't be all the posts I've written in each category, but they're probably the most important posts.

If you're wanting to set up your classroom for autumn, this is a great time to start. It's also a great time to set up a mini classroom and add to it as you go along. You can also start with a small area in your home: How to Set Up a Montessori Space at Home. UPDATE: If you're new to Montessori in the home, be sure to check out this post as well: How to Start Using Montessori at Home. Note: Much of the information in this post has been updated.

My Main Montessori Classroom Posts

Become a More Successful Homeschooler by Using Montessori Principles

How to Set Up a Montessori Preschool Classroom at Home

How to Add Godly Play to Your Homeschool (if you want to add a Montessori-based religious education program)

Examples of Montessori Homeschool Classrooms from Around the Blogosphere

Note: Don't be intimidated by how lovely many of these classrooms are. Just do what works for your family.
1 + 1 + 1 = 1
Nurturing Learning Carrots Are Orange Child Led Life Discovery Moments Good Tree Montessori Homeschool The Homeschool Classroom Homeschool Escapade Imagine Our Life Kingdom of the Pink Princesses The Little List Montessori for Everyone Montessori Mischief
Montessori MOMents (now a private blog)
Montessori Print Shop Montessori Spanish Mommy Moment Natural Beach Living Parenting in the Moment The Kavanaugh Report The Natural Homeschool What DID We Do All Day? What do you do all day?
Note: I organized these alphabetically to make it fair and easier to locate a particular blog's Montessori homeschool classroom. I know so many wonderful Montessori homeschool bloggers, though, that it was impossible to find classrooms for each. It often depended on the ease of searching the site. If you have a post with photos of your Montessori homeschool classroom, please let me know so I can add it! If your Montessori environment at home fits better into my post about setting up a Montessori educational space (rather than a classroom), let me know so that I can add it to How to Set Up a Montessori Space at Home.

Montessori Curriculum Areas

Montessori Practical Life Activities

Montessori Sensorial Activities

Montessori Language Activities

Montessori Math Activities

Montessori Cultural Activities

Where to Get Montessori Materials for Your Homeschool

Montessori Principles

Montessori Techniques

Ideas for Montessori Activities (Categories of Blog Posts)

Montessori Elementary Homeschool

Introduction to Montessori Elementary

Montessori Elementary Homeschool Inspiration and Ideas

Free Montessori Elementary Montessori Materials Online (including free Montessori elementary albums)

Where to Buy Montessori Elementary Albums and Materials

Check the categories in the right sidebar for lots of other posts you might find helpful, such as "Montessori Overview" with information and videos, "Ideas from Montessori Schools" with Montessori videos, or "Book and Product Reviews" with books that are helpful for parents.

Preparing Montessori Spaces in Your Home

See "How to Create a Montessori-Friendly Home" for ideas for a number of levels. Here are some of my main home environment posts:

Jo Ebisujima and I have a free Montessori at home webinar and introduction to our Montessori Crash Course.

Learn more about my eBook Montessori at Home or School: How to. Teach Grace and Courtesy! I'm also one of the coauthors of the book Learn with Play - 150+ Activities for Year-round Fun & Learning!

The Montessori at Home! eBook and Montessori at Home! eBook and Materials Bundle are AMAZING resources! You can learn more about them here. Buy them in the Living Montessori Now shop.

If this is your first time visiting Living Montessori Now, welcome! If you haven't already, please join us on our Living Montessori Now Facebook pagewhere you'll find a Free Printable of the Day and lots of inspiration and ideas for parenting and teaching! And please follow me on Pinterest (lots of Montessori-, holiday-, and theme-related boards), Twitter (blog posts by me and others along with the Parent/Teacher Daily and other interesting information), and Google+ (post updates). You can find me on bloglovin', Instagram, and YouTube now, too.

And don't forget one of the best ways to follow me by signing up for my weekly newsletter. You'll get two awesome freebies (and a monthly subscriber freebie) in the process!

May be linked to Practical Mondays Link Up, LouLou Girls, Hip Homeschool Hop, Tasty Tuesdays, A Little Bird Told Me Linky Party, Link-ups at Squishable Baby, Sharing Saturday

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How to Set Up a Montessori Homeschool Classroom

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I'm often asked how to set up a Montessori classroom at home. I wrote a post about it and published a Montessori homeschooling series: Montessori Homeschool Classroom and Materials. The problem is that it isn't that easy to find all the posts.

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Maria Montessori, MD was the first woman to receive an MD degree in Italy. She has inspired people around the world, for over 100 years, basing education on observation of children to discover their needs, rather than on a curriculum. She discovered that long periods of concentration on purposeful work involving both the mind and the body (real work, not TV or computers) heals the child mentally and physically. For more information on Dr. Montessori see: Q. Who or What is "Montessori"
A. Montessori

The Montessori method of education is best described as an "Aid to Life" rather than a specific method of passing on academic objectives. It prepares students to succeed in a world where technology is changing the way we live at a very rapid pace, and general life skills are far more valuable than mastery of an outdated academic curriculum. For some answers to Frequently Asked Questions on this subject, that may help in establishing a Montessori-type learning environment in the home, see: Q. What is "Montessori Method" of education?
A. FAQ

ALL AGES

Q. Should I buy Montessori Materials?
A. Here is an explanation of the main areas of materials in a Montessori class, from age 1 through high school. And advice on what is appropriate for homeschooling.

SENSORIAL MATERIALS: The "didactic" or Montessori materials first used over 100 years ago in the original casa dei bambini are today called the sensorial materials. They help a child isolate a concept received through the senses, such as color, temperature, taste, size, weight, sound, and so forth. These materials are made to last many years and to be handled daily by many children so they are very expensive. In a home it is better to help children become aware of their senses and the corresponding concepts casually in daily life experiences and then give correct vocabulary such as "hot," "cold," "warm," "tepid," and all of the detailed sensorial labels.

PRACTICAL LIFE MATERIALS: These are child-size, real tools, that reflect the work that is done in the child's own unique home and community-bathing, sweeping, setting a table, arranging flowers, woodwork, everything done in a home. They allow the child to imitate the activities of those around them. they are considered by many to be the most important materials because their use fosters a good self-image, long periods of concentration, logical thinking, good physical balance and coordination, eye-hand control, problem solving, love of work, the ability to contribute to the family, independence in caring for oneself and others and the environment, and developing good manners. In fact, all of the skills needed for academic success later, and happiness as an adult. We do not recommend buying generic practical life sets, but rather creating activities with materials found in one's own family, country, or area, materials that reflect the values and work of a child's unique environment.
Ideas for the kinds of things to look for can be found here: tools for children

ACADEMIC SUBJECT MATERIALS: When a child has a good foundation in awareness of senses, and some mastery of practical life work, he will be able to more easily focus on mastering areas of academic studies such as reading, writing, math, geometry, physical and life sciences, history and geography, and the arts. In Montessori classes the child is inspired by seeing others working in all areas in the classroom at one time, and he or she is offered individual lessons in all areas by the teacher, and then the child's choice is respected about what to study. In the home it is important for the child to see adults modeling a love of learning and work, reading non-fiction and good fiction, being curious, handwriting, loving their own learning. The home should have materials and books in all subjects according to the age of the child or children and they should be offered in an attitude of fun. Again, the best source of these items that we know of in the USA is: Montessori materials

Q. What about socialization?
A. The word socialization, contrary to the opinion of some, does not mean spending the weekdays competing with 15-35 human beings one's own age. In a natural community children spend their daily lives with old people, babies, and everyone in between. They do not compete, but learn to search out the needs of others and to help them live and learn. This mixed age group and habit of teaching and helping others, and being helped and taught by people younger or older than oneself, is a part of Montessori classes at all ages and is easy to fit into the Montessori homeschooling plan. Don't worry about finding a group of children the same age as your child. This limitation came about when traditional schools were begun as a factory model of education, the most efficient way, or so it was thought. Natural socialization occurs when children spend their lives interacting daily with people of all ages. In Montessori schools the wider the age range the more successful the socialization and the learning, the more independent research and excitement, the more student-to-student learning, the less teacher-dictated schedules and assignments, and boring group learning. My best classes when I was a Montessori teachers were composed of children from 2-6+ years, and from 6-12 or 13 years.

AGE 0-3:

Q. At what age does homeschooling start? A. At first we were very surprised to get letters from parents of children of one or two years of age who were asking for advice on homeschooling. Then we realized that this was the very best time to start using Montessori ideas in the home.

AGE 3-6:

Q. Can I use Montessori ideas at home with my child? A. Yes, you can use Montessori principles of child development and education at home. Look at your home through your child's eyes. Children need a sense of belonging and of being needed. They get it by participating fully in the routines of everyday life. "Help me do it by myself" is the life theme of the preschooler. Can you find ways for your child to participate in meal preparation, cleaning, gardening, caring for clothes, shoes, and toys? Providing opportunities for independence is the surest way to build your child's self-esteem. In Montessori 3-6 classes around the world it is this practical life element that builds habits of thinking logically, making intelligent decisions, following complex steps of complex processes, care in actions, and so forth, that prepare for a life of independent thinking and responsible action, and care for self, others, and the world. It is often the major area of work in the whole first year of the child's experience in a Montessori class. The Montessori 3-6 environment is filled with cultural, artistic, scientific activities and materials and books. There is no junk food, no television, no computer. Books, toys, and other educational materials are carefully chosen and of the best quality. The child is never forced to attend a lesson or do a piece of work. The teacher is trained to model kindness and consideration, to observe the child and follow her interests in suggesting work, to give careful, individual lessons,to keep exacting records of what the child is learning and where his interests are leading him, and to refrain from interrupting when the child is concentrating on an activity. Much of this can be created in the home.

AGE 6-18:

Q. What Montessori ideas can I use for school age children?
A . There are many varieties of homeschooling. Some people try to imitate the traditional school model buy following a strict schedule of school hours, using desks, etc. We fear that this turns a child off as much as going to school. It also separates "learning" from "living". This model is NOT Montessori homeschooling. In a Montessori class, aside from a small percentage of time dedicated to covering the required school subjects (2 hours a a week average) the child is introduced, one-to-one, to activities with which he or she will discover the excitement of learning in all areas, and how all areas are related to each other. The teacher teaches the child, just as in the 3-6 class, how to learn from the environment, but in this case the wider world. The student is grabbed by an interest and taught how to do research, contact specialists, invite expert guests to the class, go out into the immediate neighborhood and the larger community to interview and research. During the class hours his time is his own, uninterrupted by adult-imposed schedules and required attendance at group lessons or listening daily to someone talk. Homework is never required in the Montessori class, but children often carry their interests and research into the evenings and week-ends, and thus learning is combined with living.All of these wonderful elements of Montessori education are available to the homeschooled student.

Here are a few of many other ideas:

(1) The child is learning all of the time, from the environment and from the adults in the environment. It is better to put energy into enriching the environment and becoming good models than in teaching the child.

(2) Children learn what they love. Anything forced will probably be detested, or forgotten. When the environment and the daily schedule is supportive we can trust to the amazing organizing function of the human brain, and the fact that humans naturally love work and learning.

(3) A child must know why he has to learn a required subject.

(4) State educational requirements can be reduced to one page per year and the child needs help in learning to schedule time, develop enjoyable methods, and become responsible for meeting deadlines. This work usually takes no more than two or three hours a day.

(5) Follow the child. Aside from requirements, if the child's choice are respected and facilitated she will learn at a level that can amaze parents.

(6) The best gift you can give is TIME, uninterrupted concentration and respect for the child's choice and direction of interest. It is very tempting for parents and teachers who have been educated in the traditional way to start to control the child's time. Even the very best projects, field trips, family or school traditions, interests of the adult, can interrupt the success of this kind of education. The adult must learn to inspire, to give tools, and then to sink into the background and observe and enjoy the unexpected.

Montessori books based on this experience: books

ONE MONTESSORI HOMESCHOOL STORY

I attended a Montessori school from age 2.5-5, and again for one semester at age 7. For the rest of the time, at my choice, I was homeschooled. My education consisted of, for the most part, weekly visits to the library, visits with many people in the community, research of my interests of the moment, daily music practice, and exploration in nature. We did not have a TV and I did not use a computer except for touch-typing practice. I was allowed unlimited time whenever possible-days, nights, weekends-to explore and choose my own path. Experiences and study directions were offered by my parents, and periodically by other mentors and teachers, but my choices and passions about what to study were always encouraged.

My parents both worked full time (mother in her home office). Since my mother had taught children from age 2 through high school she helped me make weekly work/study plans and learn to manage my own time. Choices included grade level math and English suggestions, but were otherwise followed my own interests in areas such as music, literature, mythology, history, Latin, astronomy, archaeology, and the arts. I loved learning.

It was also my "job" to review and test Montessori-type books, toys, and other materials in our family educational supply business that my older sisters had begun and named after me when I was a baby ( Michael Olaf).

Over the years I studied Suzuki piano, violin, and viola, and attended the local music academy at Humboldt State University for several hours every Saturday. Some years I attended a "homeschooling school" for one or two days a week. This provided sports, group activities, and a very interesting social life often found in homeschooling communities. My best friends were not people my own age, but my young students, my two older sisters Narda and Ursula and their friends, my parents and grandparents and their friends, younger and older musicians, people of all ages.

In what would have been my freshman year of high school my parents and two other families began the alternative school that is now called the Northcoast Preparatory and Performing Arts Academy ( NPA) with my piano teacher and our good friend Dr. Jean Bazemore. I attended for one year but preferred to take classes as the university. For the next three years I taught music at NPA and they kindly awarded me a second, an honorary, high school diploma. At age fifteen I had passed the CHSPE (California High School Proficiency Exam), received a high school diploma and began to take classes at Humboldt State University ( HSU). Looking always for the best teachers, rather than specific subjects, I studied drama, math, physics, and music. During the summer of my fifteenth year I attended the Calgary Conservatory ( Mt. Royal College) in Alberta, Canada, became a certified Suzuki piano teacher, and began teaching both adults and children.

For years I earned my own money teaching music and playing in professional music groups, and learned to budget it for tithe, savings, and food, clothing and other necessities. I have toured/traveled in the USA, Cuba, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia, circling the globe in the University of Virginia's Semester at Sea program ( SAS). I attended Brown university which was a good match as there are no restrictions as to what one studies, and grades are optional so students can pick classes they really want instead of those that will insure a high grade-point average. I graduated in three years from Brown, and returned to India to volunteer for an environmental NGO in India ( CSI). I studied law at the University of Oregon where I worked as a tutor for first year students, an editor of the law review, and in the courtroom as part of the criminal defense in a pro bono law clinic. I graduated in May, 2008.

My homeschooling experience was based on the ideas that education should be enjoyable, cooperative instead of competitive; it should satisfy and encourage curiosity; it should be guided by the enjoyment of mastering subject matter, overcoming obstacles and finding one's own answers to questions rather than by praise, grades, or threats; it should teach practical and social skills such as helping others, balancing work and play, and being healthy.

Tests: I was not "educated for tests", nor did I take any tests during my school years except a California assessment test at the end of 6th grade, and exams in classes at Humboldt State University. Instead I learned to enjoy learning, to work hard and do my best. When it came time to apply for college I took practice ACT and SAT tests, scoring very low, and then worked steadily for 2-3 months from books and computer reviews to learn what was needed to raise my scores to a consistently high level. As a result I was admitted to Brown University.

Computers: My parents read an article published by MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) that recommended that children, in preparation for a future in sciences, physics,or engineering, interact in the real world and avoid computers. It went on to say that at MIT a student could learn all he or she needed to know on computers during the summer before, or the first semester, of college. It said that students who have worked on the farm, with heavy loads, building, etc., know much more about physics than those who have learned on computers. This definitely resonated with what our family believed. We have lost track of that article so if anyone finds it would you please contact me.

Beginning around age ten I used computers to learn correct keyboard skills in order to avoid the bad habits of index-finger typing that can be difficult to break; that was the only computer use. I use a computer daily now, for music composition, law, and other projects, all learned at university, law school, or by myself.

Giving: The spirit of "giving back" is big in our family from generations back, as it is in Montessori schools. I attempted to give 10% or my earned money and 10% of my time, to helping others. My parents helped me to find good ways to tithe: feeding the homeless, playing music at the local alzheimer's center, cooking Friday dinner for a housebound friend, and so on. My allowance was not a reward, or pay for work or chores, but was considered a share of the family income. Daily chores were considered a natural contribution to the family and community.

Over the years we have learned a lot by homeschooling, from other homeschooling families, and from Montessori teachers and parents. The Michael Olaf Montessori catalogues have been constantly rewritten to reflect this learning, and they are considered valuable overviews of Montessori philosophy and practice for use in many situations, and a source of materials for homes and schools, for children from birth through age 12 and beyond.

Some of these experiences, and lessons learned by our family have been recorded in the books below. I hope they are helpful.
Montessori books with the educational and homeschooling principles and practices of our family (author: susan)

The Joyful Child: Montessori,
Global Wisdom for Birth to Three info

Child of the World: Montessori,
Global Education for Age 3-12+ info

Blanket permission is given to reprint this story for educational purposes, citing "permission granted by the Michael Olaf Montessori Company, www.michaelolaf.net"

RESOURCES:
California High School Proficiency Exam : (CHSPE)

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Maria Montessori, MD was the first woman to receive an MD degree in Italy. She has inspired people around the world, for over 100 years, basing education on observation of children to discover their needs, rather than on a curriculum.