italian heritage - Center for the Biology of Natural Systems - CUNY

Teaching Strategies
Unit of Study: Women’s Contributions
Lesson: Maria Montessori, the Children’s Champion
AIM: Students will learn about the revolutionary
Italian physician and educator, Maria Montessori,
and the contributions she made to the field of
childhood education.
Do Now: Maria Montessori was an Italian physician
and educator. Do you know an Italian American that
fits this description? Write a short passage telling
about this person.
Introduction: Provide students with background
information on Maria Montessori: her life,
philosophies, achievements in education, etc.
Students can listen to a reading about the life and
work of Maria Montessori, and/or teacher can show
students a 5-10 minute video on Montessori.
Activity option 1: Students work in groups of 4-5
and try to answer the question: “Who was Maria
Montessori and what did she accomplish in her
lifetime?”
Activity option 2: While working in groups,
students create posters highlighting the main
achievements of Montessori; students collect data
and photos on the net and print out information and
tools to include on poster.
Activity option 3: Students engage in a mock
interview with Montessori by forming questions and
answers in groups. Teacher reminds the students to
keep in mind: How would Montessori respond to
questions regarding the developmentally disabled?
Activity option 4: Students write letters to their
locals community leaders advocating for the
renaming of a street after Maria Montessori.
Preferably, the street should reflect a school nearby
that practices Montessori educational values and
philosophies.
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