Science science = the state of knowing AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 1
Science is an important part of culture Science defines what we understand to be natural as well as what we understand to be rational. The scientific values of any culture are found in what are sought out as facts and produced as artifacts, what are designed as processes and products, what weapons are created and what are revered as wonders. Science is culturally expressed through creative expression such as music, film, art and literature. Scientific values become embodied and naturalized in our concepts, techniques, research priorities, inventions, politics and advertising. Science is culturally expressed through creative expression such as music, film, art and literature. $800 Billion $70 Billion $8 Billion AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 2
Science is the process of developing and testing mental models of how the world works, be it the physical, biological or social world a process of observing events, recognizing patterns, testing hypotheses and making causal connections between observed events. Gregory Feist scientist extraordinaire AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 3
Supporting the development of the Scientific Mind a love of the natural world AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 4
refined skills of observation language as a means of expression AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 5
math ability to express exactness patience and perseverance AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 6
develops precision and accuracy confidence and a willingnes s to take risks AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 7
refined and controlled movements capacity for logical, ordered thinking AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 8
discovering patterns and relationships promote empathy and respect for people, things and actions AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 9
creativity stimulate curiosity and a love of learning AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 10
m Science in the Children s House m Matter Living / Organic Biology Non-living / Inorganic AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 11
Biology Biology is the science that studies life in all its aspects: How living things live What they need for nourishment What conditions foster growth Life Cycles Interdependence of living things AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 12
Purposes of Biology in the Children s House: To guide the child s natural exploration To foster an appreciation of life and an awareness of the interdependence and inter-relatedness of nature To guide the child s observation of nature To help the child establish a framework in which he may begin to relate his experiences Nature Walks AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 13
The foot is noble. To walk is noble. Thanks to the feet, the child who already walks can expect of the outdoors certain answers to his secret questions. Maria Montessori Outdoor Environment AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 14
Botany Matter Living / Organic Biology Non-living / Inorganic Plants Botany Animals Zoology AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 15
Botany Activities in the Children s House Practical Life Caring for plants in the environment Planting seeds, inside and outside Harvesting Arranging flowers Aromatic flowers used for smelling jars Raking leaves Hoeing, weeding Potting or repotting plants as needed Composting AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 16
Botany Activities in the Children s House The Leaf Cabinet used with real leaves cordate acerose obcordate lanceolate lanceolate AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 17
Botany Activities in the Children s House The Leaf Cabinet used with real leaves Classified sets of pictures Give the names of the plants in the classroom Identify plants, bushes and trees in the outdoor environment Give the names of the parts of plants, flowers and leaves using real specimens Use of art medium to express knowledge of plants True stories, poems, songs, books, pictures on the wall Cultural folder of the natural world Botany Activities in the Children s House Reading Reading Classification Labels for the plants in the environment Plant care booklet for the plants in the environment Three-part Botany Cards Definitions Booklets for Botany Cards Books and poetry about plants, trees, flowers, biomes AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 18
This is a delicate task, for it we follow the traditional practice of describing flowers and plants, they become distasteful to children because they have to make an effort to understand the details. We thus stifle in children the possibility of eventually observing flowers and plants. If instead, we give them the principles which will enable them to observe these flowers; they will stop to observe with wonder all the particulars relative to these flowers and experience great joy. If we know how to cultivate this tendency, this thirst which gives them the delight of being a discoverer, then it is enough to put children in contact with nature for them to observe. This very different criterion in our method consists only of a special educational technique, which tends to prepare children to enjoy nature. Maria Montessori AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 19
dis cov er dəˈskəvər/ Verb find (something or someone) unexpectedly or in the course of a search Zoology AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 20
animal visitors Hurt no living thing: Ladybird, nor butterfly, Nor moth with dusty wing, Nor cricket chirping cheerily, Nor grasshopper so light of leap, Nor dancing gnat, nor beetle fat, Nor harmless worms that creep. Christina Georgina Rossetti AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 21
Animals Vertebrates Mammals Fish Birds Reptiles Amphibians Invertebrates Coelenterates Annelids Echinoderms Mollusks Arthropods Zoology Activities in the Children s House Caring for animals in the environment Caring for animals outside Identify animals in the outdoor environment Give the names of the parts of animals from experience with real animals Use of art medium to express knowledge of animals True Stories, poems, songs, books, pictures on the wall Cultural folder of the natural world Observe a variety of animal life AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 22
Zoology Activities in the Children s House Classified sets of pictures Classified sets of pictures that show a life cycle Classified sets of pictures for external parts Telling true stories about living/non-living, classifications of vertebrates, etc. as well reading realistic books about animals help the children to order what they know about the animal kingdom Zoology Activities in the Children s House Reading Reading Classification Booklets with definitions and descriptions previously elicited from the children Booklets the children make Riddles: Who am I? Make these for known animals The child names and matches the label to the picture Word Study: male-female-young, animals and their homes, collective names for animals AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 23
By respect for life we become religious in a way that is elementary, profound and alive. Albert Schweitzer AMI/USA Refresher Course 2016 24