PE Activities
If Mrs. McHugh is absent or, we are having technical difficulties, here are some activities you can choose from! Click on Mrs. McHugh to get started.
FlipGrid
Feel free to show Mrs. McHugh what you've been working on at home. You don't need to record a FlipGrid each week, this is simply an extra tool we can use to stay connected. Click the logo to head to our PE FlipGrid.
Maria Montessori
Born on August 31, 1870 in Italy
Attended the University of Rome to study physics, mathematics and natural sciences then entered the Faculty of Medicine.
In July 1896, she became one of the first female doctors in Italy. She worked as surgical assistant at Santo Spirito Hospital in Rome. During her career as a doctor, she was exposed to children with disabilities. This started her spark to work with children.
Montessori spent two years working at the Orthophrenic School, where she spent the day teaching and observing the children by day and writing up her notes by night.
In 1901 Montessori left the Orthophrenic School and immersed herself in her own studies of educational philosophy and anthropology.
Montessori established her first ‘Children’s House’, which opened in 1907.
Maria's Educational Philosophy
Montessori came to realize that children who were placed in an environment where activities were designed to support their natural development had the power to educate themselves.
Overall, Montessori's educational approach believed in:
Independence
Freedom with limits
Intrinsic motivation
Self-directed learning and self-assessment
Mixed age classrooms
Student choice
Discovery Modeling
Treating each child as an individual
Creating a close, caring community
Creating an environment for kids to explore hands on
“I did not invent a method of education, I simply gave some little children a chance to live”. - Maria Montessori
Maria's Impact
Maria's first book was published in 1912, The Montessori Method.
Montessori societies, training programs and schools sprang to life all over the world, and from then on Montessori’s life would be dedicated to spreading the educational approach she had developed by delivering courses and giving lectures in many countries.
In 1949 she received the first of three nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize.
My personal takeaway:
I think Maria's work is important for children and learning because her work is still impacting parents and teachers today. We have Montessori preschools and tons of amazing Montessori toys that are only growing in popularity. I incorporate her philosophy into my teaching practices today by providing students with hands on learning opportunities and giving students choices. I treat each student as an individual so I can meet their needs appropriately. Overall, I love to let children learn through exploration and play!