Each poster is batik on handmade mulberry paper.
This gorgeous artwork features the Universe Story, the Montessori Great Lesson with which we begin every year. The story marks the beginnings of our studies of science, geography, and history. “An integrated curriculum of history, geography, biology, and physical science is the heart and soul of an authentic Montessori elementary classroom” (Children of the Universe). To place these subjects in context and give children “the big picture,” we begin every year with the story of how scientists believe the universe was created. Maria Montessori felt that an understanding of the universe was the basis for all knowledge. She writes, “let us give [the child] a vision of the whole universe” (To Educate the Human Potential). The “Universe Story” is told in a dramatic way, with demonstrations such as an erupting volcano model (which went a little higher this year than intended!), to strike the child’s imagination and inspire a sense of wonder.
Thank you to the Hartye/Morgan family for gifting these to our classroom, and thank you to my mother for sponsoring the framing.
