Tim Seldin & Paul Epstein Ph.D. An Education for Life

MONTESSORI PROGRAMS
(Above) The Land and Water Forms
This student is working with the Land and Water Forms, a set of three-dimensional models
that represent, in very simple terms, the nature of basic geographic features. This is also a
pouring exercise, as the child adds water to the tray to create a higher level of sensory
impression. Here she explores the idea that an island is a body of land surrounded by water,
while a lake is a body of water surrounded on all sides by land.
The children learn to name each form, match the model with a photo of a real lake or island,
place the correct printed label underneath each form, then prepare their own labels. They also
learn the definitions of each form, continue to learn about the largest lakes or islands in the
world, and research facts about specific places.
The first set includes such geographic forms as an isthmus, peninsula, cape, bay, and strait.
Advanced exercises introduce more complex geographic features, such as mountains, mountain
ranges, volcanoes, archipelagos, foothills, cliffs, mesas, prairies, river valleys, and river deltas.
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(Above) The Teaching Clock
Before a child can begin to understand
history, she needs to begin to grasp the
concepts of time. This child is learning to
tell time, along with the other concepts of the
passage of time, such as: How long is a
minute, an hour, a day, a year? How old are
the people that I know?
(Above) “Cuneiform” Tablets
A set of clay “cuneiform” tablets made
by a class of elementary students who are
studying ancient history.
(Left) Time Lines
A lower-elementary student at work with the
Time Line of Life on the Earth.