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Learning Beyond The Classroom: Montessori Model United Nations & More
Dear Families,
March is approaching and, in just a few short weeks, our sixth- through eighth-graders will be heading to New York City for the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) Conference. At this event, Montessori students from around the globe gather to discuss, negotiate and identify solutions to real-world problems using the United Nations model after spending the year honing their critical thinking, academic writing, public speaking, debate and leadership skills. Families who attended The Journey last week gained insight into what WMS students were studying to prepare for this milestone moment. To say their hard work and dedication to solving critical global issues is impressive is truly an understatement.
Our focus on independence - both physical independence and independent thinking - and the ways in which we foster students’ natural curiosity to learn helps students build the skills that allow them to confidently engage in this sort of meaningful work. Dr. Montessori observed this as she developed her method and incorporated the idea of “going out” into her educational practices. “Going out” is more than just a field trip. It is more than just exposure to something outside of the classroom. Rather, it is an experience that requires the students to engage in the planning, organization and execution of the trips. This educational approach, often referred to as expeditionary learning, helps children apply and expand their knowledge, learn to communicate respectfully and collaborate effectively.
If you are the parent of a young WMS student, it may be a few years until your child participates in the MMUN, but consider the ways in which early childhood and lower elementary teachers are scaffolding this process even now. Every adventure, whether it’s investigating WMS’s campus or navigating a trip to Philadelphia, is preparing them to participate in and contribute to the world around them. Please join us in wishing our MMUN delegates well as they make their final preparations, and stay tuned to hear about all that they accomplished.
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