The Red Corolla: Montessori Cosmic Education

by Susan Mayclin Stephenson

The culture lessons taught in an AMI primary teacher-training course—physics, biology, history and geography, and the arts—are presented here in great detail to lay the foundation before age 6 for the older child’s search for his Cosmic Task. Also included are personal "filling in the gaps" assignments for the parent or teacher, and two republished AMI and NAMTA articles, one on Cosmic Education and the second on music for all ages. (From the Introduction) What is a Cosmic Task? During a lecture in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia I was asked to give a description of Dr. Montessori’s idea of a cosmic task. I explained that, especially during the elementary (ages 6-12) years, when a child is introduced to the creation of the universe, the evolution of life on earth, and the culture of humans, he becomes aware of how everything is connected in some way, how each element has a task that fulfills his own needs and at the same time can contribute to the good of the whole. I looked down at the edge of the stage where there was a beautiful bouquet of flowers. One variety had bright red corollas composed of several large, flat petals.“Look at this flower. The color red, the shape of the flower, and perhaps the odor of the nectar, has evolved to attract just the right kind of pollinator that is needed by this specific flower. The flatness of the petal might give the pollinator a place to land to prepare for his work. While sipping nectar the pollinator will brush up against the stamens of the flower and some of the pollen on the stamens will become stuck to his body. He will then fly to the next red flower for another drink and the pollen will fall onto the head of the pistil where it will be drawn within and begin the process of forming seed. So while the pollinator is meeting his nutritional need, he is also meeting the need of the flowering plant to create seed and spread the species. And what else? The beauty of the flower has provided happiness and smiles for each one of us here at our Montessori workshop.This book contains directions for the adult, and the child, especially from ages 3-6 years, to explore in detail the world of physics, botany, zoology, geography, history, music and art. The lessons are based on AMI (Association Montessori Internationale) 3-6 teacher training.

Genres: Nonfiction

366 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative.

[Siskiyou-Suzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and will keep it forever to reference!