Independence in the Classroom

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Independence in the Classroom

September 17, 2023

Dear Maria,

Can you tell me more about what independence might look like in the classroom?

Sincerely,

Curious

Dear Curious,

Independence is a journey, and guides and staff aim to help children grow in their independence during their time at Cascadia. One way to look at independence is to think of it as managing oneself in a manner which leads to being able to help others.

For Lower Elementary, the journey of independence means learning to take care of individual needs for food, water, and the bathroom, self-managing work by regularly using work journals, and keeping their voices at an appropriate level and remembering at least some of the (student-established) classroom rules. For older children in Lower El, it’s being able to model exemplary behavior for younger children.

For Upper Elementary, independence includes the self-management areas of writing a plan/updating their work journal, managing time in order to complete work by due dates, and making seating choices that allow for these things to be done. It also includes awareness of the environment and others: checking the board for announcements or changes to the day and checking with peers about a question.

At the adolescent level, independence looks like being able to work as a group, solving some conflicts that arise, to research, prepare, and present information to the class. Independence in their work would be looking at weekly work expectations and breaking it down into daily work plans, reading an article/story and writing questions for Socratic Seminar. It is also having awareness of and respecting the needs of others and giving and receiving feedback when conflicts arise, and using social organization to decide what to play at recess, how to handle classroom projects, make jobs equitable, and more!

All these goals for the path to independence are developmentally appropriate and are tied to freedom & responsibility. Sometimes they involve risk as they may mean failing to learn!

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Music, Drama and Dance in the Montessori Classroom

January 13, 2025

Dear Maria, Winterfest is coming up. What place do music, drama, and dance have in the Montessori classroom? Sincerely, Curious

What are Going Outs?

September 18, 2024

Dear Maria, What are “Going Outs”? How do they help our children learn? Can I help? Sincerely, Cascadia parent Dear Cascadia parent, Going Outs are a key piece of the Montessori elementary experience. A Going Out is a child-led outing from the classroom and can take various forms. Children might go on an errand for the class community or for supplies for a special project (cooking, baking, arts & crafts, special experiment, etc.). They might go and see something in-person that they’ve been researching in class. Going to see a native animal or plant in its natural ecosystem, visiting the zoo to observe an animal, picking up books at the public library or visiting an expert to talk more about a topic or see a special demonstration might all be research-related going outs. The possibilities are endless and limited only to the child’s imagination…and to practicalities, because a vital part of Going Outs is that the children organize everything themselves! They’re responsible for organizing chaperones, transportation, necessary things to bring along, and getting an appointment or tickets if necessary. Going Outs are a huge part of how Elementary children learn about the world and practice independence! Many skills are involved in planning a Going Out, including map reading, learning about money, distance, time management, organizing a group, preparing practical items (using forethought to prepare for weather or unexpected events), and much more! Of course with the youngest children, your child’s guide and assistant will give lessons on Going Outs or assist them with planning their first trips. Young children might be invited to go along with an older and more experienced child and learn the process that way. Guides have established Going Out procedures to aid children in taking on this responsibility for themselves. (Part of these procedures involve notifying Susan in the office and parents & guardians about the going out date, time, and location, so don’t be worried about your child leaving campus without your knowledge.)