Toward the end of Maria Montessori’s life, she started working on developing an educational framework for adolescents. Montessori understood that adolescents’ needs and children’s are very different. She wrote an essay on this framework, called Erdkinder (which translates to land children). She envisioned teens living away from their parents on a farm where they would both study but also learn important skills of independence, connection to the land, and how to run a small business. In the 21st century, with secondary Montessori programs in diverse settings all over the world, the Erdkinder philosophy is actualized in many ways. At Lakewood, we know the heart of what Montessori wanted for students is absolutely relevant: independence, connection to the natural world, life skills, and micro-enterprise.

While we are always growing our program to meet these needs, the following elements fall under the Erdkinder philosophy:

• • • Fall camp: Each year, 7th and 8th graders attend fall camp for two nights. Fall camp helps students meet many of the goals of the Erdkinder philosophy, as well as build community early in the year.

    • Visits and work at the Durham Public Schools Hub Farm. In 2017, Lakewood initiated an intentional relationship with the Hub Farm and makes an effort to have all students visit multiple times per year.

    • Outdoor classroom. The courtyard area of Lakewood, called the Outdoor Classroom, has a greenhouse, compost, and multiple planters that students and teachers maintain.