Montessori School to Host 'Historical Dinner'
LENOX, Mass. — The elementary students of The Montessori School of the Berkshires will present a “Historical Dinner” on Friday, Nov. 12, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the school, 21 Patterson Road, Lenox Dale.This event is free and open to the public.The Historical Dinner is the result of a research project taken on by the six- to 12-year-old students in the Montessori mixed-age classroom. Each student chose a famous person from history to study. After conducting research on the person and the period, the students visited Shakespeare and Company’s Costume Director, Govane Lohbauer, to learn about clothing appropriate to each famous person’s time period before selecting a costume for the “person” to wear.
To create a replica of the famous person, students constructed and painted paper mache heads, crafted and attached hair, and stuffed and clothed bodies. After creating a timeline to show when each person lived, the class discussed how the famous people should be seated at the “dinner” tables, taking into consideration common interests, living in proximity geographically or historically, similar professions or hobbies, mutual acquaintances, and even individual personalities.
At the Historical Dinner, each student will share his or her limerick about the person before entertaining questions.
This year’s Historical Dinner “guests” include Isadora Duncan, Deborah Sampson, Mumbett, George Washington, Walt Disney, Ted Williams, George Lucas, Leonardo da Vinci, Grover Cleveland, Durer Albrecht, Ulysses S. Grant, Christopher Reeve, Buzz Aldrin, Paul Revere, William Bradford, Theodore Geisel (Dr. Seuss), Elizabeth Blackwell, Spartacus, Shirley Temple, Beverly Cleary, Teddy Roosevelt, Elizabeth Fry, Pocahontas, Nelson Mandela, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, John Deere, Marie Currie, the Wright Brothers, King Tut, Abraham Lincoln, John Muir and Babe Ruth.
The Montessori method of education revolves around a philosophy of freedom, self-discipline and a prepared learning environment. These factors interrelate to form an entire system that goes beyond merely gaining knowledge. Montessori education develops a child's independence, character, and love of learning.
For more information about the dinner, call 413-637-3662.
For more information about the Montessori School of the Berkshires, visit www.BerkshireMontessori.org or contact the school at 413-637-3662 or Info@BerkshireMontessori.org.
