Cornerstones

LOC Mobile comes to Leelanau Montessori
The experience of place-based education
This winter Leelanau Montessori’s
lower elementary students and
their teachers ventured out into
the woods surrounding the school.
Facilitated by LOC (Leelanau
Outdoor Center) Mobile staff,
students broke up into teams and
built homes in the snow with only
natural materials that were available
to them in the surrounding area.
This team building exercise was
then discussed together with
students and staff.
Leelanau Montessori’s students
have been attending Camp LOC
for many years. In an effort to
further the Montessori whole-child
approach to learning,
they took this relationship with
Camp LOC one step further by
participating in LOC Mobile.
LOC Mobile bridges the gap
between classroom activities
and the outdoor environment by
creating a unique opportunity in
which their staff comes directly to
our school. Through team building
and outdoor activities, students are
able to connect with nature and
further develop a unique approach
to place-based education.
By using all of their senses
to connect with the world
around them, a lifelong
love of learning develops
within the students.
This kind of learning experience is
one that Leelanau Montessori feels
is central to the philosophy of our
school.
Getting out and experiencing
the environment that surrounds
them gives children the ability to
explore and learn through trial and
error. By using all of their senses
to connect with the world around
them, a lifelong love of learning
develops within the students.
Leelanau Montessori believes that
every child begins life as a joyful
learner, and by collaborating
with Leelanau Outdoor Center
the objective is to deepen each
child’s connection between their
environment and their innate
natural drive to explore and learn.
The Practice of Goodwill
Student’s acts of goodwill reaches the greater community.
Each week Leelanau Montessori’s
Upper Elementary students are able
to choose a special Friday group.
These groups focus on the act of
community service. Some students
choose to head across the street to
Tendercare where they are given the
opportunity to walk the residents in
their wheel chairs, do art projects,
sing, or exercise with them. This
experience with residents is
mutually beneficial. Students are
providing a service while being
presented with a time to learn from
and appreciate all members of our
community.
Another option for community
service is student’s soil study group
that. This group collects,
dumps, and cleans compost
buckets for both families in the
Suttons Bay community and our
own classrooms. Students are
inspired to take care of the land
around them as well as providing
a service to the surrounding area.
The soil study group is one aspect
of Leelanau Montessori’s effort to
instill a sense of stewardship of the
environment in students. Placing
an emphasis on local lands and
food sources is central to Leelanau
Montessori’s program. Not to
mention the joy composting brings
to our school chickens!
By creating an atmosphere
that emphasizes goodwill and
generosity Leelanau Montessori is
Harvest Feast : A joyful celebration of the seasons.
This November, Leelanau Montessori families gathered for our Annual Harvest Feast.
The Harvest Feast is a celebration of the transitioning seasons, an exercise in gratitude
and goodwill, and an opportunity for families to share their traditions with our school
community. Each family contributes a dish to share for their child’s environments unique
celebration. All families are welcome and encouraged to attend this yearly Leelanau
Montessori tradition!
working towards a future in which
goodwill towards others is not
something you plan, it is something
you do.
Read more about Leelanau Montessori’s
Compost Program in the March 11, 2015
edition of the Record Eagle!
“Education can not be
effective unless it
helps a child open up
himself to life.”
Dr. Maria Montessori