The Montessori School of Bowling Green newsletter provides information about the school community. It discusses the importance of encouraging inquiry and creativity in students to prepare them for an uncertain future. It highlights the school's involvement in community events and recognizes an alumna. It also discusses the value of the Montessori approach which integrates academics through hands-on learning, individualized instruction, and 3-year cycles.

1. 515 Sand Ridge Road
Bowling Green, OH 43402
419.352-4203 ph
AUTUMN 2011
The Montessori Circle
419.353-1914 fax
www.montessorischoolbg.org
CONNECTING ALL MEMBERS, PAST AND PRESENT, OF OUR EXCEPTIONAL MONTESSORI FAMILY
msbg@montessorischoolbg.org
The Montessori School of Bowling DO NOT FORWARD
Green is a nurturing community that
educates the whole child in a BOARD OF DIRECTORS This Issue
Montessori environment, where
children develop mutual respect, Superwoman P.1
personal responsibility, and a passion Kathy Korducki, MS
for learning. Board President
Academics P.2
Eric Myerholtz, CPA Community P.3
Vice President Q & A: Magic Year P.3
Kristin Otley, MS, CPRP Alumni Spotlight P.4
Treasurer
Scott Coon, J.D.
Secretary
Marc Suelzer, BA, MIS
Parent Rep to the Board
Pam Bettinger, BA, CPT Celebrating a Love of Learning for 31 years
Member
Sandra Earle, Pharm.D.
Member Superwoman was already here visionaries like Apple’s Steve Jobs, Amazon’s
Michelle Evans, MLO In a world where the amount of information is Jeff Bezos, EBay’s Pierre Omidyar and Meg
doubling every 2.5 years (with much of it Whitman, and P&G’s A.G. Lafley. In an
Member
available at the click of a mouse) and where the accompanying interview (with two of the three
Susan Kleine, Ph.D. top 10 in-demand jobs in 2010 did not even authors of the study) entitled “How Do
Member exist in 2004, encouraging kids to ask good Innovators Think?”, one of the professors that
Lara Martin Lengel, Ph.D. questions and giving them life-long tools to conducted the study noted:
Alumni Spotlight Member
Jeff Miner, Ph.D.
investigate those questions is far more
important than instructing them on how to “We also believe that the most innovative
Emily Carle produce correct responses. Even if those entrepreneurs were very lucky to have been
Member answers require some level of complexity, they raised in an atmosphere where inquisitiveness
Emily graduated from Kent State University in June 2011 and she is currently a graduate student. She Cathy Skiver, BS, RYT are generally still straight-forward and was encouraged. We were struck by the stories
Member predictable, which hardly prepares them for a they told about being sustained by people who
was a member of Kent State's 2010 Homecoming Court and she is a worldwide traveler.
world whose path is increasingly winding and cared about experimentation and exploration.
unknown. Sometimes these people were relatives, but
sometimes they were neighbors, teachers or
For me, Montessori shaped my childhood and how I related to others growing up. It instilled positive values in me that still affect me The culture of inquiry that is the hallmark of a other influential adults. A number of the
today. Even though I'm now graduating from college and haven't been in a Montessori school since 6th grade, I can still utilize the good Montessori school is also a critical innovative entrepreneurs also went to
critical thinking, problem solving and creativity skills I learned at a young age. I feel like I am much more capable when it comes to foundation for the creativity and innovation that Montessori schools, where they learned to follow
learning new skills and material because of what I learned at MSBG. I can only hope that all students have the opportunity to develop America will need to compete in the 21st their curiosity. To paraphrase the famous Apple
these vital skills in such a positive learning environment. century. In December 2009, the Harvard ad campaign, innovators not only learned early
Business Review published an article called, on to think different, they act different (and even
“The Innovator’s DNA” based on a six-year talk different).”
study of 3,000 creative executives including Daniel Petter-Lipstein
I
innovativeeducator.com
Montessori

2. The Montessori Difference
Community Events
Our thousands of MSBG alumni continue to be Presentations at the Rotary,
successful in our global economy Community Involvement Kiwanis, and Global
Connections organizations on
the topic “Montessori 101.”
as exceptional critical thinkers and caring individuals. Remembering September 11 MSBG Cross Country WBGU Kids’ Extravaganza
A Day of Service Regional Invitational MSBG selected to be filmed
for WBGU television
“WE THANK MSBG EVERYDAY AS WE SEE The students and community at
The 2nd Annual Montessori School of
Bowling Green’s Cross Country Invitational commercials
the Montessori School of Bowling
OUR CHILDREN CONTINUE TO PROSPER.”- Green sent pictures and letters to
was a great success!
Lunch in the Park
TONY AND ROBYNE KRAMP soldiers currently serving in
More than 250 runners took advantage of a beautiful autumn day
Afghanistan. Miss Jennifer's
on the Montessori Mustangs’ home course. BG Community Earth Day
How are Montessori academics innovative? brother and his troop are
In today's society, we often have a polarized view of things. The middle ground rarely seems to currently stationed there and There were 13 area schools that attended our race and two home-
Wood County Fair Chamber
exist in our psyches, and education is no exception. People often desire a rigorous curriculum, were very happy to receive them. schooled children that ran as well. Over 1,000 spectators and
Day
strong academic standards, and high test scores, or they espouse to create an integrated, arts runners were at the event.
based, multi-sensory/multi-modality (teaching topics through music, art, hands on Megan Prybylski, MSBG teacher and cross country coach, started ...just to name a few!
materials...) open educational environment. The two camps rarely mix. the MSBG cross country team six years ago. She coordinated the
MSBG Invitational because she is a strong advocate for children’s
Why? It is the Montessorian belief that we can have the best of both worlds. Keeping this in
mind, Montessori education is taught by teachers who believe in, and are able to integrate the fitness She stated, “Seeing all those children running at a young age
The SMART Board in Upper teaching of all subjects, not as isolated disciplines, but as parts of a whole. is one of the best things for establishing a lifetime of healthy
Elementary allows for some
True Montessori programs offer the following: activity.”
amazing high-tech lessons.
Academics Techniques Black Swamp Arts Festival
In a WebMD Health News Exciting News! The Montessori School of Bowling Green was
Article entitled Mathematics curriculum presented with concrete An individualized approach is tailored for each chosen as the recipient of this year's Dorothy Uber Bryan Painting
Montessori Kids: materials that simultaneously reveal arithmetic, student depending on his/her learning style, Award at the Black Swamp Arts Festival! MSBG is so excited to
geometric, and algebraic correlations. personal interests, and schema. Did You Know?
Academic Advantage, display Andy Van Schyndle's painting. The painting is now
author Salynn Boyles displayed in the foyer.
MSBG was the first
states, “New research Integration of the arts, sciences, geography, history, Emphasis on open-ended research and in-depth accredited American
suggests that children and language that evokes the natural imagination study using primary and secondary sources (little Montessori Society
and abstraction of the elementary child.
who attend Montessori to no textbooks or worksheets) as well as other
materials, including individualized record keeping
THIS ISSUE’S Q&A: THE MAGIC YEAR school in Ohio.
schools may have an
edge over other children
forms. Q: What is the importance of the third year? (i.e. Kindergarten, Third grade, Sixth grade) MSBG was recognized
Presentation of formal scientific language of
in terms of both zoology, botany, anthropology, geography, A: The three-year developmental cycle is at the very heart of the Montessori educational experience for our children in 2010 at state and
academic and social geology, etc., that exposes the child to accurate, Use of timelines, pictures, charts, and other visual at Accredited Montessori Schools. It is what assures our children success and it is one of the features that national levels for our
organized information and respects the child's aids that provide a linguistic and visual overview of distinguishes our educational program from others. The three-year cycle drives the educational continuum (our anti-bullying
development.” intelligence and interests. the first principles of each discipline. academic scope and sequence), determines materials purchased and placed in the classrooms, and defines student initiatives.
record keeping, progress, and assessment. It is a clearly-defined and discrete educational unit with a beginning, a
middle, and an end for each child. The third year in each sequence is the capstone year that is a culminating MSBG is an active
experience academically, emotionally, socially, and developmentally. If not followed, a child’s work in that three-year member of Business
Montessori studies are integrated not only in terms of subject matter, but in terms of moral learning resulting in empathy, justice, and sequence is simply incomplete.
Networking
appreciation for each other and other forms of life. http://www.montessorianswers.com
Something exceptional happens in that third year...MSBG staff have coined it the “Magic Year.” Our 31 years of
International, Bowling
cumulative teaching experience has taught us many things, including the idea that everything comes together for the Green Chamber of
"What we need is a world full of miracles, like the miracle of seeing the young child seeking work and independence, and child in the third year of the classroom….Kindergarteners, Third Year students, and Sixth Year students have unique Commerce, and the
manifesting a wealth of enthusiasm and love." learning “wow” moments where all the information magically synthesizes at their developmental level. We urge you American Montessori
-Maria Montessori to speak to your child’s teachers and to Miss Jess when considering the third year of the Montessori developmental Society.
cycle.