December, the last month of the Julian calendar, is a time when we focus on ‘giving’ in the Elementary Classroom. The art of ‘giving’ can be a very abstract concept for our students/children to comprehend. This concept is taught through repetition each year. The young 3-6 year old child listens and absorbs a presentation given by the Upper Elementary students each year. The Lower Elementary student (grades 1-3) absorbs the presentation and is able to share an understanding of ‘giving’ due to the in depth nature of the peace curriculum that is developed over the course of their first three years in the Elementary program. The Upper Elementary student will research, write, share and act on the cause of their choice.
As part of our ongoing “Peace Curriculum”, the Upper Elementary students have been figuring out ways to give back to our communities here in Winnipeg and also around the world. The Elementary students will also visit each of our classrooms and do a presentation about the organisation/cause they are supporting.
Maria Montessori’s fundamental purpose of education was to convey harmony and peace in the world by nurturing the spirit of the child. Peace education is a way to teach kindness, compassion, trust, fairness, cooperation, reverence for the human family, and all life on earth with the use of various activities that develop an acquisition of skills such as communication, listening, understanding of different perspectives, cooperation, social responsibility and empathy. This curriculum, prevalent at different levels in all our classrooms, supports and nurtures inner peace and fosters a cooperative culture of peace in our whole school community.
The Elementary classroom has chosen the following 3 organizations to receive donations/help this Winter:
AGAPE TABLE: https://agapetable.imiscloud.com/Public/Home/Main/Default.aspx -
"What do we do at Agape Table? We are a Community Nutrition Centre serving out of 175 Colony, which is close to the corner of Broadway and Osborne. We offer a variety of emergency and low-cost meal and grocery programs to assist low-income residents of Winnipeg."
JENN'S FURRY FRIENDS RESCUE: http://jennsfurryfriendsrescue.org/ -
"Jenn’s Furry Friends Rescue is a registered and incorporated non-profit organization, started in June 2012. Our goal is to help unwanted or abused animals. Once they receive the care they need, we will find loving forever homes for them all!
As an animal rescue, we take in neglected, injured, stray, unwanted or surrendered pets into our care. They are placed into one of our foster homes and receive veterinary care which includes mandatory spay or neuter at the appropriate age. The pets are adopted out to approved homes so that they can live the happy lives they deserve."
U.N.H.C.R.: http://www.unhcr.ca/ -
"UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is a lifeline for people displaced by violence, conflict and persecution—helping them survive, recover and build a better future."
From everyone at Casa Montessori & Orff School, we wish you a very happy Holiday Season and a happ, healthy New Year!