Dr. Grosshans talks about her book, Beyond Time-out.
The Montessori Curriculum Oct. 1 • 7:30 PM Primary/JR I
A Great Lesson: The Story of Numbers
Gwen Shangle, Elementary Program Director, JR II Teacher, PCTE Instructor
Sally Luke, JR I Teacher, PCTE Instructor
Ayla Sen, Primary Teacher, PCTE Instructor
Amy Gerstacker, Primary Teacher
An overview of The Great Lessons will be given to Primary and JR I parents at Back To School Night. Great Lessons are an important and unique part of the Montessori Elementary curriculum. These lessons are bold, exciting, and are designed to awaken a child’s imagination and curiosity. The child is struck with the wonder of creation, thrilled with new ideas, and awed by the inventiveness and innovation that is part of the human spirit. Then the focus will shift to the strand of math. Math with the Montessori materials can allow children to study numerical concepts that are otherwise too complicated. Come and see how the mathematical mind is developed with these materials and discover the advantages that go beyond mathematics.
Understanding Montessori Oct. 7 • 8:30 AM Infant/Toddler/Primary
Rita Brenner, Toddler Teacher, PCTE Instructor
An authentic Montessori education is the most powerful way for children to learn. Rita Brenner will draw from Maren Schmidt’s book Understanding Montessori to help you begin to construct your understanding of Montessori. You will be introduced to a culture that is innovative, respectful of the child, peaceful, joyful, collaborative, child-centered, community-minded, developmentally exacting, and supported by research. You will be given the reasons Montessori classrooms include the out of doors which aid children in valuing and caring for the wonders of our Earth.
Reading With Children – Lunch Discussion Nov. 11 • 12:30 PM Primary/Jr I Parents
Sally Luke, JR I Teacher, PCTE Instructor
Parents want to read with their children but often are not clear on how to go about building reading relationships. In this talk, you will learn about realistic expectations along with tips on how to support your child during their reading development in the early years. Interesting and engaging books will be used as examples in the exercises. Sally Luke, JR I teacher and former Primary teacher has many years of experience in watching and assisting children as the world of reading opens up for them. She will share some of these experiences with you as she guides you in assisting your child with his or her reading.
Independence: Parenting the Infant/Toddler Nov. 18 • 8:30 AM Infant/Toddler
Rita Brenner, Toddler Teacher, PCTE Instructor
Every toddler is different yet the same. They can calm and control themselves more than ever before but not as consistently as we might expect. This can be a challenge for the toddler’s parents. There are three areas in a toddler’s life during which he or she can struggle while going through this developmental stage – eating, toileting, and sleeping. Rita Brenner will guide you in developing diplomacy and patience with your toddler which can cultivate the self control he or she needs to gain independence in these areas.
So Sexy So Soon Dec . 9 • 12:30 PM All Parents
Gwen Shangle, Elementary Director and JR II Teacher, PCTE Instructor
A hot topic for parents! Drawing from Diane Levine’s book So Sexy So Soon, Gwen Shangle will open up the reality of what is so subtly happening to children and parents in this commercialized era. Given her years as a teacher and as the PCTE instructor of Child Development, Ms. Shangle is ready to agree that there is nothing wrong with a young person’s natural sexual awakening. However, as parents we must know how to guard this awakening, giving the child a chance for a healthy unfolding instead of one forced by businesses who are looking to profit. This session is a great opportunity to learn ways to navigate the unavoidable exposure and to help your child develop a wholesome self-image.
Mind in the Making Jan 27 • 8:30 AM Primary/Elementary
The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs
Michelle Morrison, Director of Middle School Programs, Middle School Teacher
Ms. Morrison will present this book written by Ellen Galinsky, President and Co-Founder of Families and Work Institute (FWI). Dr. Galinsky has spent her career observing and analyzing how children learn and, in the past decade, collaborating with top researchers in the science of childhood brain development. Through her studies she has identified seven life skills that help children reach their full potential and unleash their passion to learn.
Ms. Morrison will walk us through these seven life skills. The skills involve focus and self-control, communicating, and critical thinking. Come learn everyday tips on playful, parent-child learning interactions because teaching children to think may be the most important thing a parent can do.
Pathfinder Parenting – Lunch Discussion Feb 24 • 12:30 PM All Parents
Marsha Stencel, Head of School, Middle States Commissioner, AMS Commissioner, NJAIS Board Member, Grandmother of Four
Dr. Janine Walker Caffrey is host of Connecting with Parents, a collaboration of the New York City Department of Education and Channel 13. She chose Princeton Montessori School as the site to develop the first of what she hopes will be a series of programs that inform parents about education and educational systems. Please join us to view the interviews and activities taken of faculty, students and parents at Princeton Montessori School and to draw wisdom from Dr. Caffrey’s book, Drive: 9 Ways to Motivate Your Kids to Achieve.
Montessori Philosophy – 6:00 -9:00 PM, Fall 2010 (9 classes on Tuesdays)
Presented by Rita Brenner
Child Development – 6:00 – 9:00 PM, Spring 2011 (9 Classes on Thursdays)
Presented by Gwen Shangle
Registration is required. Submit registration form to Banu Eser by September 15, 2010.
Youth Sports….. Fun or Work? Bob Bigelow
Thursday, November 4, 2010 7:30-9:00 PM Chapin School
Do intense and highly competitive leagues really help your child to excel at sports later in life? Join Bob Bigelow, a former NBA player and one of the foremost authorities on youth sports, in a highly charged and interactive lecture on how to stop other adults from ruining your child’s fun and success in youth sports.
· Do elite travel teams help children’s development – or burn them out?
· Is there a better way to organize youth sports?
· Is winning really the true measure of success?
Bob Bigelow played for the Boston Celtics, San Diego Clippers, Kansas City Kings, and the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of the highly acclaimed book “Just Let the Kids Play: How to Stop Other Adults from Ruining Your Child’s Fun and Success in Youth Sports.”
All Work and No Play Makes Jack… a Dull Adult? Dr. Stuart Brown
Thursday, February 17, 2011 7:30-9:00 PM Stuart Country Day School
NASA and Boeing will not hire even the highest ranked graduate from Harvard or Cal Tech if they did not play using their hands as children. Why? Because they have learned that this type of play is essential for innovative problem solving in adults. Dr. Stuart Brown will explain why play makes us successful humans by sharing insights gleaned from his career studying human and animal behavior. His research shows how play fuels innovation, allows for richer human relationships, and contributes to the health of the human body, mind and spirit.
· How does play shape the development of children and teens?
· When we don’t play, what are the long-term consequences?
· What types of play create happy and creative adults?
Dr. Brown is a psychiatrist and clinical researcher who founded the National Institute for Play and is the author of Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination and Invigorates the Soul.
An Apple a Day… Why Is It So Hard? Dr. Marion Nestle
Thursday, April 7, 2011 7:30 – 9:00 PM Princeton Academy
We all know that choosing healthy food for ourselves and our children leads to better health, improved behavior, and more success in school and sports. Then why is it so hard to do? Dr. Nestle has researched the way food is marketed to us and to our children in the media, grocery stores, and restaurants. She will explain these methods and why they work and offer practical suggestions for how to counter them so that we can make better food choices.
· Are your children healthy eaters?
· How does marketing affect our food choices?
· How do we resist the hype so we can eat healthier?
Marion Nestle, Ph.D., M.P.H. is a professor at New York University. She is the author of numerous articles and books, including “Food Politics: How the Food Industry Influences Nutrition and Health and What to Eat”.
Rita Brenner holds a BA in Spanish from Hunter College, NY, and holds an American Montessori Society credential in Infant/Toddler from MECA, IL. She is active in the Ukraine Montessori project and hosts the Ukrainian teachers each year. She is an instructor and site consultant for the Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. Rita’s many years of experience are shared with others as a speaker and lecturer for teachers and parents throughout the country.
Amy Gerstacker earned a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University, NJ. She received an American Montessori Early Childhood credential through the Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ.
Sally Luke holds a BA in History and English from Rutgers University, NJ. She received her American Montessori Society credentials in Early Childhood and Elementary I through the Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. She is certified by the State of New Jersey in Elementary Education and English as a Second Language.
Michelle Morrison, Director of Middle School Programs, holds an MA in Elementary Education from The College of New Jersey and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Northern Colorado. Michelle holds an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I and Elementary II through the Seacoast Teacher Education Center, MA. She completed the Teacher’s Outward Bound Course in Dillon, CO. She is the founding teacher of Princeton Montessori’s Middle School Program.
Gwen Shangle earned a M.Ed. in Reading from the College of New Jersey and a BA in Psychology and Elementary Education from Georgian Court College, NJ. She is certified by the State of New Jersey as a Reading Specialist for Kindergarten-Eighth grade. She holds an American Montessori Society credential in Elementary I through Seacoast Teacher Education, MA, and in Elementary II through the Princeton Center Teacher Education (PCTE), NJ. Gwen is an instructor, field consultant for PCTE and a frequent presenter for parents and experienced teachers.
