2012 Interational Montessori Conference

What We See, What Others SeeTake this special weekend to reflect, reinvigorate and

reinspire your Montessori selves. Our weekend long

conference is more of a retreat where we not only

build a network of new acquaintances and reconnect with old friends but where we build community as

Montessorians. This special 3 day conference is like none other and now in it's 16th year it's time to truly

reflect on how we portray ourselves to others. Come be reignited by dynamic and important keynote

speakers and topics, a hall of the best Montessori exhibitors, and 70 workshops lead by truly important

presenters in our field.

Thursday, November 1, 2012 - Sunday, November 4, 2012Hyatt Regency, Sarasota, Florida, USA

Sponsored by The Montessori Foundation & The IMC

Co-Sponsored by RACE TO NOWHERE

Tim SeldiN CiNdy ACker PAul ePSTeiN dr. mA GreeNSTeiN ViCki AbeleS

Keynote Speakers

HoTel deTAilS

Our Host Hotel is the lovely Hyatt Regency on Sarasota Bay located at 1000 Blvd of the Arts. We have arranged for our special rate of $159 (double occupancy) to remain in effect one more year. buT oNly iF you mAke your reSerVATioN by october 7, 2012. Please do not make a reservation unless you are sure you are coming. Last year we had a bunch of folks holding rooms only to release them after the cut off date and several people could not get the discounted rate.

To make your reservation type this link into your webbrower. The Hyatt uses this online method of tracking reservations for our group through Passkey: https://resweb.passkey.com/go/montessori12

If your school is tax exempt you will need to provide the hotel with a copy of your form. If you have more than 2 people in a room there is an extra charge.

The hotel has a shuttle to and from the Sarasota airport. There is a nominal fee for this. Once at the luggage area in SRQ find the house phones and call the Hyatt for your pick up. Upon check in let them know you need a return trip back.

AirPorTS

There are several airports that come to this coast of Florida; Sarasota (SRQ) being the most convenient for our guests to fly in and out of, but not the least expensive. Tampa (TPA) is least expensive but the shuttle can cost $75 each way if you are traveling alone so check out SRQ as well.

Clearwater/St Pete is also same as Tampa cost wise but often less expensive if flying from the Mid west. The Foundation does not coordinate any airport shuttle arrangements. We suggest looking into Supershuttle.com or any of the other services an airport might provide.

eGAmi AV oNSiTe

Our recording partners EGAMI Audio/Visual will be with us all weekend long. They audio record workshops and video record keynotes and then the CDs and DVDs following each session. They also have access to prior event files. Consider buying the entire set for a reduced conference special price. The recordings make a great gift to staff who could not attend or in service training or just refreshers.

The montessori Foundation bookstore & imC eGAmi Audio/Visual recordings Nienhuis montessori Center for Guided montessori Studies Great extensions Hello Wood music Together Souns for literacy rightStart mathmatics Activities for learning Waseca biomes Naturalist in a box maitri learning educational Sounds and images Palm Harbor montessori Academy, Palm Harbor, Fl young minds at Play my Children’s Treasures montessori Compass Friends of montessori blossom montessori, Clearwater, Fl renaissance montessori, Ft myers, Fl Westminster College, SlC, uT. montessoriSpanish

our eXHibiTorS reGiSTrATioN GiFT bAG SPoNSor

SileNT AuCTioN

Each year we hold a silent auction to help fund the cost of having a track for middle school students to attend. Do you have something to contribute? Email me, [email protected] and let me know. We have receipts on site to help you with your tax requirement but thank all those who help us out.

SCHool TourS

Please contact schools in the area for their individual schedules. We will provide information about a New Gate Tour as it becomes available.

CoNTiNuiNG eduCATioN uNiTS

ANd CerTiFiCATeS oF ATTeNdANCe

Each year we put a certificate in your registration bag. The certificate has a blank spot for you, the attendee to write in your own hours and submit for professional development credit. Fri and Sat are considered 10 hour

days, Sunday is 5. Should you need CEU Sarasota County Technical Institute (SCTI) underwrites those credits for us. You will be able to get a form at the Foundation’s Registration desk, follow the instructions and mail in the check and report directly to them for your credits. The Foundation does not coordinate this. You will need to have your workshop instructors sign off on your registration sheet and send that along with your form and check.

GrouP rATeS

We do offer a group rate discount to those IMC member schools sending 6 or more teachers. The discount applies to those schools attending the entire weekend event only. There is no discount for 1 or 2 day registrations. Please contact [email protected] for details.

rATiNG SCAleS book

Dr Pamela Riggs 2 part workshop on the Montessori Rating Scales does require the purchase of the manual.

Please contact Dr Riggs directly to purchase prior to your arrival or pick up at the conference. She can be reached by email in California at: [email protected].

As your IMC membership director and Conference coordinator I’m happy to answer questions and even help you work out some logistics to make your registration process go smoothly and seamlessly. You may contact me by email at: [email protected]. This is the best and fastest way to reach me. Or call our toll free number at 800 362 4121. My office is open most days from 8:30-3:30 EST. My fax line is ALWAYS on: 941 359 8166 and my business address is still 935 N. Beneva Rd Ste 609/56, Sarasota, FL 34232. I look forward to seeing you all at the Hyatt this November 1st.

our CANCellATioN PoliCy

Once your registration payment has been processed you are considered counted in to the Hyatt’s food count. Therefore, we are unable to refund money once it’s been processed. SHOULD YOU not be able to attend after payments have been processed you may donate your registration to someone else in your community or we can consider it a donation to the Foundation and provide you with a donation receipt. We understand that many things can happen but we have a financial obligation to the hotel that must be met.

(Admin)=Admin (PofT)=Preparation of Teacher (Gen)=General (Pri)=Primary (El)=Elementary (Adol)=Adolescent

oPTioN 1 KEEPinG iT siMPlE Ann Winkler (EL)

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by paperwork, new

information and the day to day operation of the

classroom? Find out some techniques to help organize

and prioritize your classroom and workload. Learn how

to leave your troubles at the doorstep and enter the

classroom renewed and refreshed.

oPTioN 2 sTrATEGiC PlAnninG fOr sChOOls

Jack Rice (Admin) Schools are not typical businesses.

There are a multitude of Strategic Planning Models used

in the corporate and not for profit worlds, but not all

of them are designed to assist a school on its journey

to accomplish its educational mission. This workshop

will discuss the unique environment of Montessori

Schools and the imbedded implications for planning.

Good strategic planning should provide a school with

a framework to make decisions, allocate resources,

time new initiatives and evaluate their progress. It must

incorporate the needs of Staff, Students, Parents and

the Community while measuring the schools progress

on key aspects of its day to day operations. Good

Montessori schools look similar but the path they take

to achieve their goals are unique; and a straightforward

approach to strategy can help.

oPTioN 3 sPiriTuAl nurTurinG: hOw Mindful

PrEsEnCE And AwArEnEss CAn nOurish YOur

sPiriT (PT-1) Cathleen Haskins (PofT) The spiritual

preparation of the teacher is an ongoing exploration

that guides our work and personal lives. We will engage

in exercises and practices that explore how integrating

mindful attitudes and behaviors can transform what

is ordinary into extraordinary, and how it cultivates

wonder, beauty, and happiness. This workshop is

spiritually based, but does not promote any particular

religion.

oPTioN 4 VisuAlizATiOn TO MOnTEssOri

MAThEMATiCs Joan A. Cotter (Pri) In this two part

session you will learn how to help the child rely less

on counting and more on visualizing, rely less on rote

memorizing facts and more on strategies.

oPTioN 5 OnE ThinG Cindy Acker (Gen) Start

working on the “one thing” we’ve agreed upon during

the keynote and learn how we might take it to the next

level and get it done.

Thursday, November 1, 2012

3:30PM Registration opens. Montessori Foundation Bookstore opens.

6:00PM Exhibits open. First showing of Silent Auction items and bidding begins.

6:15PM Exhibitor's Reception begins. Lite bites to eat and mix and mingle.

6:30PM Opening announcements and housekeeping

Friday, November 2, 20127:00AM Registration desk opens

7:30AM Exhibits and silent acution opens

7:30AM - 8:15AM Breakfast buffet opens. Morning announcements.

8:15AM - 9:15AM

OPENING KEYNOTE: Tim Seldin and Cindy Acker Making Our Voices Count

Drawing on Dr Acker’s inspirational keynote from last year, Tim and Cindy will in-

volve the attendees in coming together as a community and pinpointing one specif-

ic action that can then go forward and become a true action plan to be implement-

ed as a result of our brainstorming. This keynote will be followed by 2 workshops led

by Cindy on how to get the idea ready to be implemented. This is true community

building for our event.

9:15AM - 9:45AM Exhibits and Silent Auction Opens

9:45 -11:00 Am SeSSioN 1


11:00 - 11:30AM Exhibits and Silent Auction opens. Remember to BID, BID, BID.

11:15-12:30Pm SeSSioN 2

oPTioN 6 ThE sCiEnCE And ArT Of insPirinG

ChildrEn Julia Volkman (Pri) How can we use the

teachings of neuroscience to bring language alive in our

classrooms? How can we guide children to independent

language expression and creativity? Join Julia Volkman

(Montessori Mentor Teacher and graduate student at

Harvard University's Extension School) for a brain-based

look at the core children's house (ages 3-6) Montessori

language works including refresher demonstrations of

key materials.

oPTioN 7 Girls… BEliEVinG in ThEMsElVEs! PT-1

Betsy Hoke (Sec/Adol) Most girls thrive academically,

but their social and emotional lives are fragile. In

this interactive workshop with skits, discussions and

brainstorming, discover why girls’ brains make them

vulnerable to confidence issues and peer problems.

Understand and develop solutions to enhance the

social interactions and emotional well being of female

students within your classroom community and beyond.

oPTioN 8 MOnTEssOri rATinG sCAlE PT-1 Pam

Rigg (Pri/Admin) Environment is the measurement

instrument to objectively determine if your Montessori

environment is complete. The measurement tool has

completed a rigorous Validity Phase with nearly 30

noted Montessorians in the United States & Canada

submitting their feedback over 5 drafts and 18 months.

Two Reliability Phases and the statistical analysis at

UC Berkeley’s BEARS Center is complete. MRS-EC-E is

the Montessori answer to ECERS. ECERS is the rating

scale used by state and federal agencies to measure

preschool quality. The Montessori classroom is different!

We have needed our own measurement tool – and now

it is here! You will actually be using this measurement

tool as you assess video-ed Montessori classrooms.

You will have the skills to administer the MRS-EC-E and

upon completion of one submitted MRS-EC-E report

you will be issued the Letter of Completion - Level 1

Training in MRS-EC-E. PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL

BE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE MANUAL TO TAKE THIS

COURSE. There is a $20 fee for the manual made

payable directly to Dr. Riggs.

12:30–1:15PM Lunch buffet open, exhibits and silent auction open. Continue to check your bids!

1:15PM Housekeeping announcements

1:30 - 2:30PM AFTERNOON KEYNOTES Voices of the Children Several years ago we started a tradition

of inviting students to our conference. Their presence gives our conference a dimension not

experienced by attendees at other conferences: one that we think adds more to this venue.

The upper elementary students of the Montessori Foundation’s lab school, located right here

in Sarasota, will read original short compositions that they have penned exclusively for our

event. We loving entitle these readings, Voices of the Children.

oPTioN 9 MAKinG hisTOrY COME AliVE Ann

WInkler (Elem) In this workshop, we'll learn about

exciting simulations to engage the elementary class.

Learn about creating dramatized and project based

activities that will stimulate research questions and

provide opportunities for applying higher level thinking

skills, problem solving, team work and cooperative

learning. Handouts outlining the various units will be

available.

oPTioN 10 sPiriTuAl nurTurinG: hOw sTillnEss,

silEnCE, & sOliTudE CAn nOurish YOur sPiriT

(PArT 2) Cathleen Haskins (PofT)

oPTioN 11 YOGA fun Michelle J. Dixon (Pri)

Join me in sharing “Yoga Fun” with children! Show them

a life skill that is fun and fulfilling. It is easy, anybody

with a body can do it, and that is the truth! I will em-

power you to inspire children to become aware of their

minds, breath and body through stretching and stillness,

via your willingness and availability to do “Yoga Fun”

with me!

oPTioN 12 PArT 2 Jack Rice

oPTioN 13 PArT 2 Joan Cotter

oPTioN 14 PArT 2 Cindy Acker

oPTioN 15 PArT 2 Betsy Hoke

oPTioN 16 PArT 2 Pam Rigg


1:30 2:30PM (cont.) AFTERNOON KEYNOTES (cont.)

Dr. MA Greenstein "Bodies in Space!: The Future of Whole-Brain Learning"

Dr Greenstein will speak on the neuroplasticity, mylineation and the future of whole-

brain / embodied mind learning.

2:30 - 3:00PM Exhibits and Silent Auction opens

3:00 - 4:15Pm Session 3

oPTioN 17 lEAd YOur lEAdErs: PrOjECTs TO

EnTiCE And EnGAGE ThE Third YEAr Child in ThE

3-6 ClAssrOOM Cathie Perolman (Pri/LE/Admin)

Third year children are ready for so much! How can we

stretch their concentration and build their confidence?

Come and explore large multi-day projects that inspire

and engage third year students. Many of these projects

are extensions of basic Montessori materials of things

that can be easily made for your school. Bring any ideas

you have as well and we will have time to share!

oPTioN 18 ClAssrOOM TO COMMuniTY: BuildinG

A sTrOnG, ViBrAnT ClAssrOOM COMMuniTY wiTh

COnfidEnCE Denise Harold (Gen) A discussion-based

workshop addressing difficult issues such as allowing

parents into the classroom community, helping children

build a sense of pride and ownership of the community,

and creating an atmosphere where everyone works

together for the common goal of the success of the

children. Come prepared to brainstorming, discuss, and

role play various scenarios for building or strengthening

your community.

oPTioN 19 whEn ChildrEn dOn’T COnCEnTrATE:

undErsTAndinG ATTEnTiOn PArT 1 Paul Epstein

(Gen) Concentration is a sine qua non or hallmark

of a Montessori programs. Yet, it happens that some

children do not concentrate. They do not engage with

the materials in the classic pattern of normalization.

They are not challenged by A.D.D., A.D.H.D., or a variant

of Sensory Integration Spectrum Disorder. Instead of

working alone, they prefer the company of others; they

prefer to learn with others. We may wonder if their

natural intelligence is interpersonal. Based on findings

from recent ethnographic research and studies of brain

development, these sessions explore a type of attention

called shared focus and what this means for how we

understand children, prepare environments, and ready

ourselves.

oPTioN 20 ThE EssEnTiAl QuAliTiEs Of ThE

PrEPArEd EnVirOnMEnT: whAT wE KnOw

And whAT wE OfTEn fOrGET! Kitty Bravo

and Lori Karmazin (Pri) Montessori emphasized the

preparation of the environment as the main task of the

teacher. When we do this task well the environment

calls the children to activity and supports their optimal

development. In this session we will explore the many

facets of the Prepared Environment that ultimately

come together to set our children up for a successful

learning experience. It will be an interactive workshop

in which we examine photos of a Montessori Children's

House environment in a variety of settings, assessing

what works and what could be done better. Participants

are invited to send photos of exceptionally beautiful

or well prepared environments, as well as photos of

environmental challenges you would like support to

improve. Send digital photos by October 15, 2012 to

[email protected].

oPTioN 21 PrOMOTinG EduCATiOn As A BAsiC

huMAn riGhT Chris Mburu (Gen) Although

education is taken as a right in most of the Western

world, it remains a privilege in many poor developing

countries, and millions of children cannot afford to

receive an education. As a result, in these societies,

there is ignorance, joblessness and hopelessness, which

breed violence and conflict. We will watch our film, "A

Small Act", the need for education to be promoted as

a right internationally as a way of ending conflict and

promoting global peace.

oPTioN 22 CriTiCAl rEflECTiOn As OnGOinG,

rEAl-TiME And MEAninGful PErsOnAl &

PrOfEssiOnAl dEVElOPMEnT Laura Lackner Saylor

(PofT) As Montessorians we often give great care for

our students to have reflection time in which to cement

previous learning and to explore future learning. This

workshop will introduce some ways for us to learn how

to thoughtfully reflect on our own growth and learning

as people and professionals. The workshop will include

resources and interactive practice in introspective,

connected and critical reflection.

oPTioN 23 COYOTE MEnTOrinG PT-1 Sharon Duncan

(Pri/Elem) This workshop will share experiences at

the Waseca School implementing a revolutionary

approach to outdoor education outlined in a book


4:15 - 4:45PM Exhibits and silent auction open.

4:45-6:00 Pm SeSSioN 4

entitled Coyote’s Guide to Connecting with Nature by

Jon Young, Ellen Haas, and Evan McGown. It is rooted

in indigenous knowledge and very experiential in its

approach. Through games and core routines, children

are awakened to their natural wonder and comfort in

an outdoor setting. Richard Louv, who has awakened

us to this critical need, has endorsed the book. We, at

Waseca, have been incorporating the ideas and learning

a great deal from the children as we do. We would love

to share with you our experiences and provide you with

some of your own.

oPTioN 24 CO-TEAChinG: hOw dOEs iT wOrK?

Michael Dorer (General) Michael will explore the

implications and applications of co-teaching in the

Montessori classroom. He will focus on eight research

based strategies, with an eye to their workability in

Montessori schools. If you are co-teaching, both of you

should plan on attending!

oPTioN 25 ACTiOn sOCiAlizATiOn ExPEriEnCEs

Joel Wilkinson (Gen. Incl. our Middle School attendees)

Collaboration, cooperation, innovation and creativity;

these are critical skills for today’s learners and essential

elements for any community, whether students,

teachers or staff. Action socialization experiences are

group activities that encourage teamwork. Join in

this fun, participatory session and experience ways to

build community through games and problem solving

initiatives.

oPTioN 26 This is whO wE ArE And This is hOw

wE dO iT Patricia Sobelman (Admin) Find yourself

answering the same questions over and over again?

Spell out for new families and help current families find

the answers to their questions on their own. Through

activities designed to help you articulate your school’s

mission you will walk away with those FAQ’s answered

to reduce confusion and improve communication. If you

don’t declare what your school stands for… who will?

oPTioN 27 PArT 2 Paul Epstein

oPTioN 28 CurrEnT TOPiCs in EArlY ChildhOOd

EduCATiOn Ann Epstein (Pri) This workshop will get

folks caught up on several different areas we first began

to explore several years ago. Topics to be covered

include: Primary Nutrition and learning: recent

findings regarding allergies, obesity, sleep, exercise/

activity levels, etc. - Nurturing creativity: related to

brain development but recent findings also seems to

connect creativity with personality and temperament -

Home media: effects of too much "screen time" - Dual

Language Learners: current term for young children

who are developing language in both their native

language and English

oPTioN 29 PArT 2 Chris Mburu

oPTioN 30 PArT 2 Sharon Duncan

oPTioN 31 ExPlOrATiOn And MisusE Of

ClAssrOOM MATEriAls: ThE rEsulTs Chris

Sacerdote (Pri) If you attended the Sarasota

conference in 2010 you may have participated in a

data gathering session for a dissertation. The data has

been collected, the dissertation has been accepted

and now the results are ready to be shared. Come and

see if the years of experience and the credential level

make a difference in the observation of exploration and

misuse of classroom materials. How does classroom

management fit into the decision of exploration and

misuse? How do effective teachers deal with children

who choose to explore with classroom materials. The

dissertation results will be shared, a look at the literature

review, and current articles and authors that support

what we do in the Montessori classroom.

oPTioN 32 STARTING AN INFANT PROGRAM FROM

SCRATCH Lorna McGrath (Inf/Tod) What would you do

if you had some unused space and you wanted to entice

parents of infants to look at your toddler program? Well,

of course, you’d create a parent/infant program. That’s

what we did at NewGate. If you are interested in finding

out what we did and why, this workshop is for you.

Our exhibitors will remain open until 6:30 PM but please join us at 6:15 PM friday evening for a fabulous ban-quet dinner prepared by the hyatt's own chef leo, socialize with all the new people you've met today and

hear a special presentation by the co creators of a documentary being worked on by Vina Kay and jan selby on Montessori education. The working title of the film is Building the Pink Tower.

The trailer of the film will be shown and then a question and answer session will follow to discuss how you and your school can help bring this film to fruition.


oPTioN 33 I'VE GOT THE WOLRD ON A STRING:

TEACHING WORLD MUSIC IN A MONTESSORI

CONTEXT Larry Schanker (Pri/Elem) Exposure to

music from faraway places can instill a lifelong spirit of

musical exploration in primary and elementary children,

and empower them in their quest to become citizens

of the world. This presentation will offer concrete

suggestions for how and when to introduce students to

music of the world’s cultures, and suggest ways to sift

through and categorize the vast amount of information

that is available. Emphasis will be on creating an

authentic introduction, utilizing parents, visiting artists,

and YouTube, and on integration of music into cultural

studies. Participants will create their integrated music

lesson.

oPTioN 34 nOrMAlizATiOn And sElf-

ACTuAlizATiOn: whAT MOnTEssOri And

MAslOw hAVE in COMMOn Cathleen Haskins (PofT)

Abraham Maslow, best known for his Hierarchy of

Needs, spent the last period of his life studying and

writing about the self-actualized adult. Maslow’s traits

of the self-actualized adult and Montessori’s traits

of the normalized child are strikingly similar. In this

workshop we will examine the core traits of Montessori’s

normalized child and the traits of Maslow’s self-

actualized adult and explore the implication of that

relationship for our work with children.

oPTioN 35 ThE fluEnCY fACTOr in rEAdinG

suCCEss Joyce Moxley (Pri) We know what good

reading looks and sounds like. How can we help

students who are struggling become confident, fluent

readers? This interactive workshop will provide you

with tools to assess reading and fluency levels and

monitor student progress in less than 3 minutes. You

will be introduced to a variety of reading activities that

build fluency that children really enjoy!

oPTioN 36 MissiOn-driVEn BudGETinG PT-1 Al

Spiewak (Admin) Creating a budget doesn’t begin with

numbers. Start with the mission statement and the

action plans that are necessary to achieve objectives.

Break the action plans into discrete units and estimate

costs, organizing them into logical groups. Estimate

revenues based on the results of the action plans,

providing goals to achieve at stated intervals. Put all

these details into an estimated cash flow statement and

adjust them to provide a positive net income. Match

the result against the numbers from prior periods, and

address the discrepancies. The workshop participants

will be expected to have the mission statement of their

school with them, to talk about their action plans, and

to discuss issues in estimating costs and revenues. This

workshop is geared to those non-accountants who are

responsible for the finances of the school.

oPTioN 37 suPPOrTinG ThE PrOfEssiOnAl

GrOwTh & dEVElOPMEnT Of Our MOnTEssOri

TEAChErs Kathy Leitch & Kitty Bravo (Pri) This

workshop will provide observation & evaluation

strategies; how to identify and meet the needs of

teachers in different stages of their career; and

a systematic process for professional growth &

development.

oPTioN 38 BRAIN SMART MA Greenstein (PofT)

Join Dr. Greenstein for a post keynote discussion

that will include her work on GGI brain smart / mind

awake approach to "project based learning" where

neuroscience and world arts and design join together to

unpack the mysteries of our human brain!

Saturday, November 3, 2012

7:00AM Registration opens.

7:30AM Exhibits open; and only for a short time before Silent Auction closes so BID.

7:30 - 8:15AM Breakfast buffet opens

8:00AM Morning announcements

8:15-9:15AM

MORNING KEYNOTE Paul Epstein Must We Hurry? Take a deep breath and join Paul

as he helps us reflect on our lives and actions. Paul will be available to autograph

the 2nd Edition of The Observer's notebook at the Montessori Foundation table

following keynote.9:15-9:45AM Exhibits and Silent Auction open

9:45 -11:00 Am SeSSioN 5


oPTioN 39 IMPRESSIONISTIC GEOGRAPHY: WHAT IS

IT? Michael Dorer (Elem) Part 1 of a Full Day Program

What are all those Impressionistic (or Functional)

Geography charts for? When should we use them? How

are they organized? Michael will show you all of the

charts, examine their rationale, and go over their uses

and place in the curriculum, as well as some research

ideas.

oPTioN 40 CONNECT, PROMOTE, AND INFORM

USING THE POWER OF THE INTERNET David

Aguilera (Marketing/Admin) In an interactive

and information packed session, David Aguilera,

Bhaktivedanta Academy's Head of School (and former

webmaster), will give an overview of the many tools

and services available online to promote your school

and facilitate better communication between school

and families. He will demonstrate how to use:- Box.

com - Email - iContact, Constant Contact, Mail Chimp

- Facebook - Google Places/Apps - Squarespace -

Twitter- YouTube. Whether you are looking to get your

school online for the first time or are wanting to jump

start interaction with your families, you will walk away

from this session with valuable knowledge you can

apply right away to keep families engaged, promote

your school, and enhance the home-school connection.

oPTioN 41 MATH: MAKING IT MODERN Richard

Bartlett (Elem) This workshop will explore ways

to breathe exciting life into the elementary math

curriculum with some original materials, follow up

activities and experiential activities to do in class. Many

of the materials are generated on the computer and

easily used and adjusted for individual student use.

oPTioN 42 WHAT YOUR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

SAY ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL Al Spiewak (Admin)

There are three financial statements used to describe

your business. Examining each in turn will provide

significant feedback about a business. Starting with

Cash Flow, create a trend analysis utilizing prior periods.

Determine whether the cash cushion is adequate, and

whether any critical categories are at risk. Identify and

extract likely non-business items from the evaluation.

Doing the same with the Income Statement and Balance

Sheet, critically examine non-cash items such as

receivables and payables. Evaluate the breakeven point

and review whether the largest line items conform to

industry standards. The workshop participants will be

expected to be familiar with their financial statements

and be willing to provide real examples when discussing

various issues. This workshop is geared to those non-

accountants who are responsible for the finances of the

school.

oPTioN 43 IMPRESSIONISTIC GEOGRAPHY PT-2

Michael Dorer (Admin)

oPTioN 44 TEACHER PERCEPTIONS OF FAMILY

PRIORITIES AND STRESSORS Ann Epstein (Research/

PofT) This is an ongoing research project. Participants

will take a survey as part of the experience as well and

Ann will share her findings once compiled and analyzed!

While teachers are able to predict family priorities and

stressors to some degree, they also have some mistaken

assumptions. For example, teachers think that family

issues (such as sibling rivalry, marital difficulties, single

parenting) are highly stressful but families do not. (My

guess is this is just their day to day life). Families say

dealing with children's behaviors is highly stressful but

teachers did not list this as stressful for families. .

11:00AM Exhibits open, Silent Auction closes at Noon.

11:30 - 12:45PM Lunch buffet opens

12:30PMSilent auction winners announced. You must cash out during

this time frame.

12:45 - 3:00PM

AFTERNOON KEYNOTE Introduction to the movie, RACE

TO NOWHERE by Vicki Abeles. Following the introduction

we will view the movie as a group and then Vicki will lead us

in an open discussion. Popcorn snack served.

3:00 - 3:30PM Exhibits Open

3:30 - 4:45Pm SeSSioN 6


oPTioN 45 WORKING WITH WEEBLY Michael H.

Murphy (Elem/Adol) During the ages of 6 -12, children

produce so much and they have such enormous

imaginations. This workshop is designed to help

teachers create an online environment to help students

to explore, create, and design their own websites.

Weebly is a simple- to-use Website Builder that is only

a tool that can be used to help leverage instruction. The

overarching theme of this hands-on workshop is to think

of methods to use Weebly through well-thought out

introductions, lessons or projects, so that students can

make their own embedded websites; thus, helping Our

Middle School students will be invited to participate in

this session as well.

oPTioN 46 CULTURE COMES ALIVE!

REINVIGORATING CULTURE AND PEACE

CURRICULUMS WITH YOGA, MUSIC & MOVEMENT

Sarah Specht-Perritt (Pri) Are you a lead teacher

looking for new ideas to spice up your culture circles

and shelves? Are you intimidated by integrating

music & movement into your classroom? Or are you

are a music specialist/phys ed. specialist looking for

new ways to marry your curriculum with the themes

occurring in the Montessori classroom? This interactive

workshop introduces songs, games, yoga poses and

shelf lesson ideas to inject some cultural excitement into

the exploration of the continents, zoology and peace

education! Please dress comfortably and be prepared to

move!

oPTioN 47 MONTSSORI MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL

PT-2 Tim Seldin & Paul Epstein (Admin)

oPTioN 48 MONTESSORI BEST PRACTICES PT- 1

Betsy Hoke (PofT) Delve into Montessori’s theory to

discover how perfectly it fits the needs of children in

2012. Yet, we can go astray when we take shortcuts,

respond to parents’ demands, are pressured to meet

standards or misinterpret such common Montessori

terms as follow the child. Using references to many

contemporary writers including Dweck, Pink, Deak,

Gladwell, Gurian, Marshall, This workshop will give you

new ammunition to convince parents that Montessori

prepares children for life in the 21st century while

stimulating you to rethink what you are doing and why

in your classroom and school.

oPTioN 49 LOVE YOUR TEENAGERS Kathryn Kvols

(Adol) Did you ever feel as if there was this huge gulf

between you and your teen(s)? Learn to successfully

navigate that gulf by understanding what is going on

in their teen brain, learning how to shift from being a

manager to a consultant in their life and learning some

ways to talk so they will want to listen. Our Middle

school students are more than welcome to participate in

this discussion workshop.

oPTioN 50 AUTHENTIC MONTESSORI PUBLIC

CHARTER SCHOOL – WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL

ELEMENTS? Josie Zinninger (Public) Join an

experienced Founder and Director of a Montessori

Public Charter school in its ninth successful school year

will be available to answer questions on how to start

and run an authentic public program. You may have

heard that Montessori and the public school system

cannot mix. This presentation will dispel that myth and

speak to how the two can blend successfully to create

an authentic program. The presentation will provide in

depth, specific answers to your questions.

4:45 - 5:15PM Exhibits open.

5:15 - 6:30Pm SeSSioN 7

oPTioN 51 TEACHING CHILDREN HOW TO LISTEN

Kathryn Kvols (PofT) Did you know that listening is

not an innate skill? It is a skill that must be taught. In

this lively workshop, you will learn why children don't

listen, steps to teach children how to listen, and 10 steps

for modeling better listening skills and more. Better

listening creates more trusting and deeper relationships.

oPTioN 52 PART 2 Betsy Hoke

oPTioN 53 PART 3 Michael Dorer

oPTioN 54 IMC ACCREDITATION: IS IT THE RIGHT

PATH FOR YOUR SCHOOL’S COMMUNITY? Claire

Salkowski, Hillary Drinkell, Margot Garfield-Anderson

(Gen) This workshop will outline the reasons schools

choose to seek accreditation and then go into how

the IMC’s model works and should be set up. This is an

informational workshop and can be used to fulfill the

attendance requirement for accreditation.


oPTioN 55 PEACE AND COMMUNICATION WITH OUR

PARENTS Martha Teien (Admin/All levels of guides)

Over the course of 15 years as a directress, I have

developed a curriculum for guides/administrators to use

in creating peaceful and open relationships with families.

This step by step process is a match for small and large

schools. It is also flexible and can be individualized

to meet the specific needs of any Montessori

community. Daily, weekly, monthly, and annual means of

communication that can make the difference in building

a culture of partnership between the family and the

school.

oPTioN 56 POSTER SESSION Ann Epstein, Chris

Sacardote, Michael Murphy, Julia Volkman, Michael

Dorer

oPTioN 57 BABY STEPS FOR INFANT CAREGIVERS

Lorna McGrath (Inf/Caregivers) Interested in finding

out the fundamentals for setting up environments which

nurture and support infants from 4 months through 18

months old. The ideas presented in this workshop are

based on RIE and Montessori principles. We will also

give a sneak preview of our new 6 week online course

for nannies and in-home caregivers

oPTioN 58 PART 2 Tim Seldin and Paul Epstein

oPTioN 59 THE MINDFUL MONTESSORI CHILD

Vienna Broadbelt (Pri/LE)

dinner is on your own tonight. The Hyatt has a small shuttle going over to St Armand’s Circle that is first come first serve at the front desk. Sarsasota has many fine restaurants down town,

a 10 minute walk away or dine in the lovely Currents restaurant upstairs at the Hyatt. Have a wonderful night everyone.

Remember, daylight savings time begins at 2AM tonight; fall back one hour.

Sunday, November 4, 20128:00AM Registration and exhibits open

8:15 - 9:00AM Breakfast buffet opens

9:00 -10:15Am SeSSioN 8

oPTioN 60 DISCOVERING THE LEADER WITHIN PT-1

Andrew Kutt (Admin) This workshop is for teachers,

administrators, and parents who want to develop their

leadership skills as an educators and their full potential

as a person. The Montessori method is based upon

the idea of empowering student to blossom into their

highest selves; what about the teacher, the parent, the

administrator? This workshop will apply Montessori

principles as well as the latest ideas in leadership

development to help Montessori educators and parent

be stronger, more confident and more effective leaders

in their classrooms and school. More empowered

leaders lead to more empowered students!

oPTioN 61 TO BE ANNOUNCED Tim Seldin

oPTioN 62 SCOPE AND SEQUENCE PART 1 Hillary

Drinkell (Elem) The Montessori Foundation has

completely revamped its Scope and Sequence

Curriculum. Hillary will not only review the many

changes but help schools seeking to start an Elementary

program see the value in using this new product to go

forth with their programs or align existing programs to

this model.

oPTioN 63 PEACE-MAKING CIRCLES Claire Salkowski

(Gen) Montessorians are familiar with the daily “Circle”

and use this important practice for starting or closing

the day, but the Peacemaking Circle or Conferencing

approach has become part of restorative practices in

schools, workplaces, prisons, and Court systems around

the country and throughout the world. Based on ancient

practices of aboriginal peoples, this approach creates an

intentional space with a particular process designed to:

support participants in bringing forward their ‘core self”

– to help them conduct themselves based on the values

that represent who they are when they are at their best,

Make visible our interconnectedness even in the face

of very serious differences, Recognize and access the

gifts of every participant, Elicit individual and collective

wisdom, Engage participants in all aspects of the human

experience - mental, physical, emotional and spiritual


or meaning-making, practice ‘core self,’ value-based

behavior when it might feel risky to do so. The more

people practice that behavior in circle, the more those

habits are strengthened to carry that behavior into

other parts of their lives. Create a space and time for

participants to voice their thoughts and feelings, to take

ownership for their behaviors, connect them to others,

and learn from the collective wisdom of the group.

oPTioN 64 THE MONTESSORI AT HAMPSTEAD

FARM PROGRAM Betsy Hosp Susan Harper and

Deborah Otis (Gen) MSH will present what our farm

program represents to the staff, the parents, and the

students: connection to nature, peace education, cosmic

education, extension of the great lessons, economic

geography, botany, zoology. And how we incorporate

several different subject areas in the Montessori

curriculum including the peace it offers the students.

Logistic, programmatic, planning and fundraising will be

highlighted. We will discuss replication; how we set up

a strong farm program and how this can be replicated

in other communities urban, suburban and rural. Video

presentation of author, farmer Edwin Marty will be

shown.

oPTioN 65 BEYOND "WHEELS ON THE BUS" Michelle

Jamail (Tod/Pr) Experience some great songs and

how to lead them for the pleasure and engagement of

parents, teachers, infants, toddlers and preschoolers. Did

you know that all children are musical and that musical

learning supports all learning? Come experience the

joy of music-making through song and dance and gain

concrete ideas of how to play musically with children,

support their innate musical aptitude and ignite their fire

for becoming music-makers, not just imitators. Using

your voice, body, rhythm instruments and scarves, you

will learn new songs that are “hits” with children and can

be used in the classroom Monday morning!

10:15 - 10:45AM Last chance to shop in the exhibits

10:45 - 12:00Pm SeSSioN 9

NOONBoxed lunch in the ballroom.

Closing ceremonies and good-byes. We are all done by 3:00PM

oPTioN 66 PART 2 Andrew Kutt

oPTioN 67 PART 2 Tim Seldin

oPTioN 68 PART 2 Hillary Drinkell

oPTioN 69 PART 2 Claire Salkowski

oPTioN 70 PART 2 Betsy Hosp and Group


Registration Form (page 1 of 3) Fax: (941) 359-8166 PLEASE COMPLETE ENTIRE FORM AND FAX BACK TO (941) 359-8166. PLEASE COMPLETE ONE REGISTRATION

FOR EACH PERSON IN YOUR GROUP. EMAIL CONFIRMATION IS ONLY RECEIPT WE OFFER SO PLEASE

PROVIDE YOUR OWN EMAIL ADDRESS.

Name:

Title: School Name:

Daytime Phone Number:

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip:

Credit Card (please circle): VISA MASTERCARD AMEX

Credit Card # Expiration Date:

Email (we need this for your confirmation and to inform you of any program changes):

IMC #:

Not yet a member of the IMC? Ind. must add $60 to their registration. New Schools add $250. Then everyone

gets the discounted price. IF you choose not to join the IMC add $100 per person to the costs listed below.

Membership is good for 1 year. Read about what other benefits members receive at www.montessori.org/IMC.

Full registration for members is $375

2 day attendance (please circle) Fri/Sat, Sat/Sun, Fri/Sun is $300

1 day (please circle) Fri/Sat/Sun is $200

I will attend the Thursday evening meal I will attend lunch on Sunday

We always have vegetarian options. Our chef uses local produce and sustainable meats. There will be some

gluten-free items marked clearly by signage at each meal. The meals are part of the conference experience,

included in the price; there is no discount if you opt out of any of them. Dinner on Saturday night is on your

own.

Total amount due:

Payment options

Checks should be made payable to The montessori Foundation and sent with a completed registration to:

935 N Beneva Rd Ste 609/56,

Sarasota, FL 34232.

All checks must be drawn on US banks.

Credit card payments may be mailed to the same address or faxed to: (941) 359-8166

Public schools should fax or email a PO to: (941) 359-8166 / [email protected].

We do not accept Discover or PayPal.


SeSSioN CHoiCeS

Please give us your first and second choices for each session you will be here.

PlEASE SElEcT YOuR 1ST & 2ND chOIcES 1st 2nd PlEASE SElEcT YOuR 1ST & 2ND chOIcES 1st 2nd

FRIDAY SESSION 1 Option 18: community Harold (Gen)

Option 1: Keep it Simple Winkler (El) Option 19: understanding Attn Pt1 Epstein (PofT)

Option 2: Strategic Plan Pt1 Rice (Admin) Option 20: Prep. Env. Bravo/Karmazin (Pri)

Option 3: Nurture Spirit Pt1 Haskins (PofT) Option 21: Ed. As human Right Pt1 Mburu (Gen)

Option 4: Math Pt1 Cotter (Pri) Option 22: Prof. Development Sayler (PofTl)

Option 5: One Thing Pt1 Acker (Gen) Option 23: coyote Mentoring Pt1 Duncan (Pri/El)

Option 6: Inspiring children Volkman (Pri) Option 24: co-Teaching Dorer (PofT)

Option 7: Girls Pt1 Hoke (Sec/Adol) SeSSioN 4

Option 8: Rating Scales Pt1 Riggs (Pri/Admin) Option 25: Action Socialization Wilkinson (Gen)

SeSSioN 2 Option 26: Marketing Sobelman (Admin)

Option 9: history Alive Winkler (El) Option 27: understanding Attn Pt2 Epstein (PofT)

Option 10: Nurture Spirit Pt2 Haskins (PofT) Option 28: current Ec Topics A.Epstein (Pri)

Option 11: Yoga Fun Dixon (Pri) Option 29: Ed. As human Right Pt2 Mburu (Gen)

Option 12: Strategic Plan Pt2 Rice (Admin) Option 30: coyote Mentoring Pt2 Duncan (Pri/El)

Option 13: Math Pt2 Cotter (Pri) Option 31: Misuse of Mat. Sacardote (Pri)

Option 14: One Thing Pt2 Acker (Gen) Option 32: Start Inf./Tod Prog McGrath (Admin)

Option 15: I Girls Pt2 Hoke (Sec/Adol) SATuRDAY SESSION 5

Option 16: Rating Scales Pt2 Riggs (Pri/Admin) Option 33: Music Schanker (Pri/El)

SeSSioN 3 Option 34:Norm/Self-Act. Pt1 Haskins (PofT)

Option 17: 3rd Year child Perolman (Pri) Option 35: Reading Success Moxley (Pri)

Registration Form (page 2 of 3) Fax: (941) 359-8166

Name:

Title: School Name:


SeSSioN CHoiCeS

Please give us your first and second choices for each session you will be here.

PlEASE SElEcT YOuR 1ST & 2ND chOIcES 1st 2nd PlEASE SElEcT YOuR 1ST & 2ND chOIcES 1st 2nd

Option 36: Budgeting Pt1 Spiewak (Admin) Option 54: IMc Drinkell/Leitch/Salkowski (Admin)

Option 37: Prof. Growth Bravo/Leitch (PofT) Option 55: comm. w/Parents Teien (Admin)

Option 38: Proj. Based learning Greenstein (Gen) Option 56: Poster Session Group (All)

Option 39: Imp. Geo Pt1 Dorer (El) Option 57: Babysteps For Inf. cGs McGrath (CG)

Option 40: Internet Marketing Aquilera (Admin) Option 58: Mid/high School Pt2 Epstein/Seldin (Admin)

Option 41: Math Bartlett (El) Option 59: Mindful Mont. child Broadbelt (Pri/El)

SeSSioN 6 SuNdAy SeSSioN 8

Option 42: Fin. Statements Pt2 Spiewak (Admin) Option 60: leader Within Pt1 Kutt (Gen)

Option 43: Imp. Geo Pt2 Dorer (El) Option 61: To Be Announced Seldin (Admin)

Option 44: Teacher Perceptions A. Epstein (PofT) Option 62: Scope & Sequence Pt1 Drinkell (Admin)

Option 45: Working w/Weebly Murphy (El/Adol) Option 63: Peacemaking circles Pt1 Salkowski (Gen)

Option 46: Peace curriculum Specht-Perritt (Pri) Option 64: Farm Prog. Pt1 Hosp/Harper/Otis (Gen)

Option 47: Mid/high School Prog Seldin/Epstein (Admin) Option 65: Music Jamail (Pri)

Option 48: Best Practices Pt1 Hoke (PofT) SeSSioN 9

Option 49: love Your Teens Kvols (Adol) Option 66: leader Within Pt2 Kutt (Gen)

Option 50: Public charters Zinninger (Admin/Chart) Option 67: To Be Announced Pt2 Seldin (Admin)

SeSSioN 7 Option 68: Scope & Sequence Pt2 Drinkell (Admin)

Option 51: Teach children to listen Kvols (PofT) Option 69: Peacemaking cirlces Pt2 Salkowski (Gen)

Option 52: Best Practices Pt2 Hoke (PofT) Option 70: Farm Prog, Pt1 Hosp/Harper/Otis (Gen)

Option 53: Imp. Geo Pt3 Dorer (El)

Registration Form (page 3 of 3) Fax: (941) 359-8166

Name:

Title: School Name:

2012 Interational Montessori Conference

Documents

Transcript of 2012 Interational Montessori Conference