Place based education: cultivating environmental stewardship in Montessori elementary classrooms
Subject
Abstract
Within Montessori elementary education, there remains a noticeable gap in the literature that brings together place based education and Montessori philosophy. While many teachers are eager to create learning experiences that connect their students to their local environment and community, there are limited resources that show how to do this intentionally through a Montessori lens. As a result, educators often find themselves piecing together ideas from multiple fields without a clear framework that aligns with Montessori pedagogy. The literature review for this project based thesis synthesized current research on place based education and Dr. Montessori’s writings on prepared environments and Montessori pedagogy. Particular attention is given to how Montessori pedagogy naturally aligns with place based educational frameworks that emphasize environmental stewardship, community engagement, and hands-on, experiential learning. This project addresses the lack of integrated literature connecting place based education to Montessori pedagogy and the gap in resources available to teachers who want to bring place based education to their classrooms. The final project is a place based education resource guide designed to support Montessori elementary teachers in creating meaningful place based education experiences for their students that reflect Montessori pedagogy.