Trillium Montessori Talks

Trillium Montessori Team
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Welcome to Trillium Montessori Talks, the podcast where we dig into the theory and application of Montessori methodology in the classroom and beyond. Join host Letty Rising for candid conversations about the challenges us Montessori teachers face and how we can enhance the classroom experience for our students and ourselves. Ready to optimize your Montessori practice? Head to https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast to learn more.

  1. 05/21/2024

    054: Choice in the Elementary Classroom

    Understanding how to facilitate, organize, and prepare an environment that fosters student choice is one of the most challenging aspects of being a Montessori Elementary teacher.  Educators who follow the Montessori approach know that Maria Montessori placed a lot of emphasis on the idea of “choice,” and while the notion of choice is universally celebrated and held sacred for young children up until the age of 6 (such as in other Montessori environments or in play-based preschools), this idea sometimes falls to the wayside when children enter into elementary and adolescent programs. In today’s episode, Letty Rising explains that there are different levels of choice, and that students can have choice in their work and still develop the skills needed to master standards. What’s in this episode: What different levels of choice look like in the Elementary classroomFacilitating an environment that allows the opportunity for children to choose their workBuilding common core standards around a child's interestSupporting children who struggle with independence and making choicesWhen teacher choice and child choice come into playEnsuring students are progressing in key areas by using tools for accountability For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: N/A Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    19 min

  2. 04/23/2024

    053: Building Relationships Through Games

    One of the best ways to create a learning environment that promotes positivity and productivity is play. When playing games, students become more comfortable with not only their peers but also their teacher. In today’s episode, I’m sharing how both structured and unstructured games can build a variety of social, emotional, and executive functioning skills in elementary students, and how games contribute to students’ success in all areas of curriculum as well. What’s in this episode: [02:04] How games can be a strategy for fostering connection in the classroom and examples of games that require communication and teamwork [06:49] How games help develop social, emotional, and executive functioning, including conflict resolution skills, self-esteem development, and organizational skills [14:35] Examples and benefits of unstructured vs. structured play [19:36] The positive outcomes that result from playing games For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: N/A Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    24 min

  3. 03/26/2024

    052: Guiding a Classroom with Fewer Older Students

    As students get older, parents seem to become more inclined to pull their children out of Montessori programs. Especially when those classrooms have smaller groups of older students.  Parents often think that there are disadvantages to keeping their older children in this setting, but it’s actually quite the opposite: there are numerous benefits to older children in mixed-age classrooms. In today’s episode, I’m sharing the unique experiences offered by a mixed-age Montessori classroom, including how older children can mentor younger students, and develop leadership skills, problem-solving skills, and creativity, among other benefits. There are tremendous opportunities for older students in the Montessori school setting, and when teachers offer individualized lessons and activities, students of any age can thrive.  What’s in this episode: The benefits of older children teaching and mentoring younger children in the classroom How older children can be helpful when explaining big picture ideas to younger students Why departing before the leadership year is a missed opportunity for older students How to engage parents on the benefits of keeping their older students in this classroom environment Why it’s important to consider the individual needs of students when you have a small group of older children in your classroom, and how to create a positive learning experience For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: N/A Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    13 min

  4. 03/05/2024

    051: Technology and Brain Development with Dr. Luz Casquejo Johnston

    How does technology affect brain development in children? How can we mindfully incorporate technology into Montessori classrooms? Is social media inherently bad for adolescents? In today’s episode, Letty is joined by Dr. Luz Casquejo Johnston to discuss technology in relation to Montessori education, particularly for upper elementary and adolescent students. Luz shares insights into child and adolescent brain development, and offers advice on how to mindfully integrate technology into the Montessori environment.   What’s in this episode: Why the adolescent brain is particularly receptive to social mediaAdvice for helping students self-regulate and find a balance with technology usePreparing the environment for students’ technology use, according to their developmental stage and learning needsCollaborating with students and creating agreements around technology useFor full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ If you enjoyed this podcast, you will love the practical and actionable classroom management advice in the Montessori Principles to Practice Webinar Libraries. Head to https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast for details. Resources Mentioned in This Episode: The Whole Brain Child by Dan Siegel: https://drdansiegel.com/book/the-whole-brain-child/ Brainstorm by Dan Siegel: https://drdansiegel.com/book/brainstorm/ Dr. Dan Siegel's Hand Model of the Brain video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-m2YcdMdFw Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    1h 4m

  5. 01/30/2024

    050: From Dyslexia to Dyscalculia: Insights on Learning Disabilities with Meghan Hicks

    As Montessori educators, we learn a lot through training and practical experience about how to guide our students. However, we often find ourselves lacking knowledge when it comes to supporting students with additional needs.  In today’s episode, Meghan Hicks joins Letty Rising to thoughtfully explore how we can best support children with learning disabilities. With over 20 years of experience training teachers to work with children across all age levels, Meghan shares her wisdom grounded in experience. Our conversation ventures into common conditions like dyslexia and dyscalculia. Yet Meghan artfully broadens the frame to consider the needs of the whole child before us. Varied pacing, continuous repetition, and strong partnerships with families are mentioned as keys to helping all children thrive. The Montessori method’s inherent adaptability is perfectly suited for working with children of varying ranges of abilities. What you’ll hear about: How Montessori principles align closely with modern understandings of neurodiversityHow the Montessori approach honors the unique pace and interests of all childrenTools and strategies that aid comprehensionFostering better home-school collaborationWhile some gaps may exist in training programs, Meghan explains how our timeless philosophy has exactly what we need to nurture diverse learners. Jump into this podcast here to further expand your perspective! For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ If you enjoyed this podcast, you will love the practical and actionable classroom management advice in the Montessori Principles to Practice Webinar Libraries. Head to https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast for details. Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    1h 4m

  6. 12/05/2023

    049: Executive Functioning Skills in the Montessori Elementary Classroom

    The elementary age is the time when children are really developing their executive functioning skills. A highly teacher-directed environment doesn’t really give students the space and grace to explore and develop these skills. A Montessori environment, on the other hand, is built for such exploration. In today’s episode, we’re talking about the various executive functioning skills that children need to develop, how the Montessori classroom encourages students to learn at their own pace, and ways that teachers can support their students in developing these skills. What’s in this episode: [01:12] What executive functioning is, and how the Montessori environment supports the development of independence and give students the space to practice a variety of skills [04:47] How Montessori students are encouraged to learn planning skills, including collaboration, and how an emphasis on flexible thinking helps children learn how to be adaptable [08:17] How choosing their own activities and setting their pace helps students learn how to manage their time effectively [10:21] How teachers can create a supportive and nurturing environment for students to feel comfortable and confident developing their executive functioning skills, and why the Montessori environment is conducive to this learning For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/ Resources Mentioned in This Episode: N/A Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    22 min

  7. 11/14/2023

    048: Beyond Early Childhood and Materials: Montessori Across the Planes of Development with Luz Casquejo Johnston

    Maria Montessori’s theories of developmental psychology include her foundational observations of the planes of development for children. These planes outline various milestones physically and mentally as the child’s education progresses, and it’s so interesting to see common threads emerge when observing Montessori students in the classroom. In today’s episode, I’m talking to Luz Casquejo Johnston, a parenting and life coach and a seasoned Montessori educator. Luz shares what she learned after experiencing all three planes of development in the span of one summer. She offers insights on the importance of reflection, observation, and the preparation of the Montessori teacher. Luz also shares the importance of asking “why?” - not only to find out the answer to educational concepts, but because our students will also be asking “why?”. We are better teachers when we are well-informed.  What’s in this episode: Luz shares about experiencing all 3 planes of development in one summer The debate on the appropriateness of didactic materials in the Montessori classroom Why observation is crucial for Montessori teachers The common threads Luz noticed when going through the 3 planes of development How self-reflection helps students and teachers For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast/  Resources Mentioned in This Episode: Do Didactic Materials Belong in the Infant & Toddler Classroom? by David Shelton-Dodge (From the Spring 2023 Issue of Montessori Life Magazine) Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    40 min

  8. 10/24/2023

    047: Montessori Literacy and the Science of Reading: Insights from Zil Jaeger

    There’s a Montessori notion out there that we shouldn’t teach letter names along with letter sounds to our young learners. We’ve often heard that children don’t need to know the names of letters to read a word. And while that’s technically true, the Science of Reading suggests we should reframe our thinking around letter names. In today’s episode, I’m talking to Zil Jaeger, an experienced Montessori teacher, consultant and coach with a passion for literacy and steadfast commitment to anti-biased and anti-racist education. Zil shares what we can learn from the growing body of science about how children learn to read, how we can support learners who don’t have foundational literacy skills, and what Zil thinks educators should stop doing when it comes to literacy for young learners.  Zil also emphasizes how important repetition is to children learning to read. The more exposure they have to letter names and sounds, the better for their reading journey. What’s in this episode: What Montessorians can learn from the growing body of science about how we learn to read Why Zil recommends teaching letter names as well as sounds for young Montessori learners How we can empower learners to understand how human brains learn how to read How educators can best support learners who enter a younger elementary classroom without foundational literacy skills Zil’s recommended resources for teachers who want to learn more about the Science of Reading What Zil thinks educators should NOT be doing in terms of literacy For full show notes, resources, links and to download the transcript, visit: https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast/  Resources Mentioned in This Episode: University of Florida Literacy Institute (UFLI) Visit Zil’s Website Follow Zil on Instagram Book: Powerful Literacy in the Montessori Classroom by Susan Zoll, Natasha Feinberg, and Laura Saylor Book: Speech to Print by Louisa Cook Moats Lexia LETRS Professional Learning The Literacy Nest Book: Uncovering the Logic of English by Denise Eide Connect With Us Visit our website Follow us on Instagram Connect with us on Facebook

    43 min
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About

Welcome to Trillium Montessori Talks, the podcast where we dig into the theory and application of Montessori methodology in the classroom and beyond. Join host Letty Rising for candid conversations about the challenges us Montessori teachers face and how we can enhance the classroom experience for our students and ourselves. Ready to optimize your Montessori practice? Head to https://www.trilliummontessori.org/podcast to learn more.

Information

  • Creator
    Trillium Montessori Team
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2024
  • Episodes
    55
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Trillium Montessori Talks
  • Show Website
    Trillium Montessori Talks