Social Community

The Montessori Adolescent Social Community
Young adolescents (ages 12-15) are at a sensitive time for social development. Dr. Maria Montessori describes these ages as the third plane of development, where the child changes into a young adult, going through his/her society’s rite of passage. Teenagers are shifting their focus from dependence on adults to dependence on self. While craving their independence, teens also care deeply about what their peers think.

The academic curriculum takes advantage of this sensitive social time to allow for group exploration and discovery. Teens work in small groups to research a topic and then create a presentation using a specific rubric. The students present the information to one another, synthesizing the lesson and incorporating the material into the given framework of a graphic organizer. The adolescents learn the importance of delegation, teamwork, research, and presentation.

The Montessori personal world curriculum speaks to the needs of young adolescents. Using a framework of personal reflection time, teens get daily quiet time to reflect on themselves, personally and socially. During Year A, students use the book 7 Highly Effective Habits of Teens to learn lessons on organization, relationships, and self-care to make the most of their life. The Heroic Journey program is used during Year B. This rite of passage series is based on Joseph Campbell’s study of the universal mythical hero and his/her life-changing journey. Middle school students set on their own personal journey, learning how their path to adulthood mirrors others in the past and present.

In addition, students hold daily community meetings to share and problem-solve as well as use peace meetings to uphold community rules and values. Group activities such as R.O.P.E.S. courses, team games, and adventure trips build relationships throughout the school year.