Teaching Empathy
Empathy is something that teachers experience constantly in their roles of working with children. Parents and caregivers experience this and model empathy with their children daily. We are all modeling this without even thinking about it.
A Day in the Life of an Elementary Student
Just as each child who comes through our doors is unique and filled with amazing potential, so is each day in the life of upper elementary. Yes, we have regularly scheduled activities, but within that structure, possibilities abound.
Civil War to Civil Rights Trip to the South
On February 1st, we took our first flying trip of the year! We flew to visit Alabama and Georgia. The purpose of this trip was to learn all about the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement, and that purpose was definitely achieved.
A Day in the Life of a Primary Student (Ages 3-6)
When people imagine a Montessori Primary classroom, they often picture small children quietly working with beautiful materials. While that image isn’t wrong, it barely scratches the surface of what truly unfolds each day. A Primary environment is alive, humming with purpose, curiosity, movement, connection, and, yes, a little bit of chaos sprinkled throughout.
Sparking Creativity
One of the greatest joys of parenting is watching your child’s imagination come alive. Whether it’s a young child turning a cardboard box into a spaceship or a teenager composing music in their bedroom, creativity gives children a safe, joyful way to explore who they are and how they see the world.
A Day in the Life of a Compass Montessori Junior High Student
Welcome to Compass! After settling in and preparing for the day ahead, we begin our day with Openers, which are held in the first twenty-five minutes of the morning.
A Montessori Journey
As we closed out 2025, I found myself in a deeply reflective space. Looking back on the year felt natural, but my thoughts quickly moved beyond that and into reflection on my Montessori journey.
Learning through Food
As we enter the season of many holidays, it is a wonderful time to reflect on all the meanings that food can have. Food can be used as a means of connection, showing love, building community, and preserving traditions. In the Nido, meals are a central part of our community.
Michigan History Trip to Detroit
Our journey to Detroit started bright and early. As we drove our school vans into the city, we made memories that will last a lifetime. When we finally arrived after the vigorous drive, we headed straight to the DIA.
Growing Together
When I think about The Children’s House, one simple truth comes to mind: this place is me. I was a Montessori child. Like so many of our students, I had the freedom to move, to ask questions, and to explore things deeply without someone rushing me to the “right” answer.
A Day in the Life of a YCC Student at the Children's House
Every day, life-changing work occurs in a YCC classroom. Not the work that sits on the shelf, but the work that happens inside of each child as they self-construct. The children are learning what it means to be a member of a community, how to take care of themselves, and how to adjust when things are challenging.
Importance of Routine
“A child who has become master of his acts through long and repeated exercises, and who has been encouraged by the pleasant and interesting activities in which he has been engaged, is a child filled with health and joy and remarkable for his calmness and discipline.” - Maria Montessori, The Discovery of the Child
Our new labyrinth: A path to peace and discovery
We are excited about the new addition to our outdoor learning environment, a beautiful, winding labyrinth. This offers our students a designated space for meditation, reflection, and quiet moments in their busy school day and fits well with our new MindUP curriculum. It's a natural extension of our Montessori philosophy, which values a child's need for purposeful work and a connection to the natural world.
Northern Michigan Experience Trip to Beaver Island
In the second week of school, Compass junior high students and teachers embarked on a trip to Beaver Island. We took the school vans and drove to Charlevoix, where we then took a ferry out to the Island.
Montessori: the OG Social Emotional Learning Educational Model
Sit in a Montessori classroom at any level, and you will find a beautifully prepared and organic orchestration of children engaging with one another, concentrating independently on their chosen activity, or interacting in a small group lesson with their trained guide. If you think about how these environments function, you will quickly see social and emotional learning in plain sight.
Safely navigating screen time, cell phones, and the digital world
Read below for some tips for parents, assembled by our Mental Health Consultant, Trisha Short, MA, LPC, IMH-E (II), on how we can protect our children from the hidden risks of overuse and ensure they develop a balanced, safe relationship with technology.
Interdependence: From Bread to Peace
In Montessori education, few ideas are as foundational—and as powerful—as interdependence. Dr. Maria Montessori spoke and wrote extensively about this concept: the idea that everything in the world is connected, not just loosely, but deeply and necessarily.
Connecting to Learners
Being a Montessori Guide holds such responsibility in the care of children. Beyond providing academic lessons, we deeply understand the importance of connecting with children.
Embracing the Seasons with your Toddler
Toddlers are my favorite people for many reasons, but one quality of The Young Child that I absolutely treasure is their ability to be completely present.
Democratic Movements Trip to Washington D.C.
or the workshop, Democratic Movements we all got a chance to choose our own topic. Our assignment was to make a five minute presentation, a research paper, and an art project. Students studied topics like women's rights, immigration rights, maternal rights, non-proliferation and labor rights.