Montessori Matters
February 7, 2020
"Educare" or "Educere," that is the question.
“Craft (1984) noted that there are two different Latin roots of the English word ‘education.’ They are ‘educare,’ which means to train or to mold, and ‘educere,’ meaning to lead out. While the two meanings are quite different, they are both represented in the word ‘education.’ ” (Bass and Good, 2004)
That possibly comes closest to understanding the difference between traditional education and Montessori education. Mind you, I am not pinpointing public education versus Montessori because there are many public programs these days that adhere more to the “educere” concept (a variety of public charter programs, etc.). And there are many private programs that practice more of the “educare” model, that of training or molding.
To educate in a Montessori classroom has to do with, once again, the prepared environment, the prepared teacher. The “educere teacher” sets the scene for the child to explore, to question, have the resources ready, the lessons given that enable the student to be “led out” to find the answers.
As in last week’s article, the student is not a vessel waiting to be filled but a sponge absorbing the environment around him until he has been “led out” into his own discoveries.
The “educered” student is not ever passive or a victim. He is an integral part in the process of being “educated.” He is the searcher, the explorer. Once again: he is not passive or a victim waiting for someone else to mold him or fill him. He is the kind of adult we desperately need as we move further into our 21st century world.
Reference: Bass, Randall V.; Good, J. W. Educational Forum, The, v68 n2 p161-168 Win 2004.
Image credit: Senior Abby Keenan
Dates to Remember
Remember that you can always check the MSA website calendar for upcoming calendar events.
February 11 - Singing Valentine forms due
February 13-19 - Scholastic Book Fair
February 14 - Grandparent's/Special Person's Day
February 14 - Singing Valentine deliveries
February 15 - Deadline for Priority Enrollment
February 17 - President's Day, no school, extended day only
March 2-6 - Play week
April 25 - Escape to Kokomo - Spring Benefit & Auction
Singing Valentines
Valentine's Day Babysitting

Preventing the Flu
Nestor's Eagle Scout Project

Dr. Nietzer's Dentistry Presentation

Cub Scouts
Anatomy and Physiology Vocabulary Hangman

Clemson Library Trip


Treehouse Rite of Passage


High School Internships

Yearbooks On Sale

Play Practice


Scholastic Book Fair
It's Book Fair Time! We will hold our annual Scholastic Book Fair starting next week, from February 13 - 19. We hope to see you there!
- Volunteers are needed to help children check out their purchases at the fair. If you are able to help, please use this link to sign up online.
- Online purchases can be made beginning February 9th via our book fair web page. These purchases will be shipped home.
- New this year - Scholastic E-Wallet offers you the opportunity to load funds for your child so they do not have to bring cash to school. Access this through our book fair web page.