The Montessori School of Winston-Salem Adolescent Program Coffee Talk: February 15, 2019

Third Plane of Development Occurs from 12 to 18 years of age A period of GREAT TRANSFORMATION A creative plane that mirrors much of what occurs in the First Plane of Development (0 to 6 years of age) The Adolescent is “A newborn participant in adult society”.

Needs and Characteristics Tremendous physical change; age of puberty A period of powerful emotions; hormones Accomplished abstract thinkers Peers more important than family Heightened social conscience Make concerted exploration of their personal gifts; the need to “try on many masks” Imagination is manifested in self-expression Looking to identify their place in society From observer, to visitor to now participant in society

TMS Adolescent Program Aim The AIM of the TMS Montessori Adolescent Program is to provide an educational environment that enables young men and women to: Be independent, responsible, resourceful and adaptable adults Be advocates for themselves and others Be stewards of the earth

Key Elements of the Experience Engagement in the pedagogy of place Culture that nurtures the noble characteristics (Integrity, Generosity, Responsibility, Citizenship, Stewardship) Authentic community living Engagement in work and study Manual Work: Care and Work of the Land Intellectual Work: The Work of Humans Micro-Economies (Individual and social implications) Explorations in personal expressions (self and physical) Continued practice with World Language: Spanish Meaningful and integrated excursions and extended trips (service work, field work and regional/national trips)

The Prepared Environment Inside & Out The Barn The Home & Learning Lab

Renovated Home

New building

The Prepared Environment An intimate place, separate and their own A place connected to nature A safe community where everyone is supported and encouraged to try, fail and try again, try on different roles/masks A place where intellectual skills are applied to meaningful and purposeful work Direct access to society via work and studies Internships/apprenticeships, occupations, etc. Real life work: land, community, small business… Intentional and integrated collaboration Certified, committed and dedicated staff

Practical Aspects of Social Organization Prepared Environment Residence for Young People Their Community Home Practical Life Skills Responsibilities for the Well-being of the Community: Cleaning & Chores Domestic Organization for Comfort & Order Land/Farm Organic Produce/Livestock (gardens, chickens, bees) Natural Resource Management House and Building Maintenance Machine Use and Maintenance Store Shop of Produce/Goods Commerce and Exchange Craft Production

Residential Experiences Meal Preparation End of Day Cleaning

Land & Farm Experiences

Land and Farm Experiences Clearing a Fallen Tree Building the Compost Bin

The Educational Syllabus Personal Expression: Self and Physical Arts (visual and performing) Music Language for Creative Expression Physical Expression (sports, games, health & wellness) Intellectual Development Moral Education (civility, citizenship, civics, community) Mathematics: Skill and Application (arithmetic, algebra, geometry) Language: (listening, speaking, reading, writing) World Language: Spanish Preparation for Adult Life Study of the Earth and Living Things (biology, geology, physiology) Study of Human Progress & Technology (physics, chemistry, mechanics) Museum of Machines & Occupations Study of Human History (geography and culture)

Personal Expressions Film Making Creative Expressions Sports

Intellectual Development Math & Tea Seminar Discussion Study Times

Preparation for Adult Life Human History Ecosystem Study Tools & Technology

Outcomes Valorization Self-perception that one is capable of succeeding in life by his own efforts and on his own merits Social Consciousness Self-awareness Confidence and Competence Self-expression Academic preparation Collaboration/autonomy

A Profile of the Adolescent Program 7th – 9th grades 30 – 40 students At least 75% feeding from TMS with a potential of 25% from beyond TMS Budding up over three years 2018-19 7th grades 2019-20 7th & 8th grades 2020-21 7th, 8th & 9th grades Staffing will grow with enrollment and projects Fully staffed: 4 lead guides + part-time specialist and local experts

An education capable of saving humanity is no small undertaking: it involves the spiritual development of man, the enhancement of his value as an individual, and the preparation of young people to the times in which they live.   -Dr. Montessori