Grace and Courtesy

One of the things that I deeply enjoy about the Montessori Method is that it provides children with an opportunity to learn "within themselves". What I mean is this. While there are certain conditions that must be put in place in order to make a Montessori environment and its members conducive to learning, the child is not forced to follow a regimented curriculum that was first put upon a student population that leans heavily on non-fixed life factors (socio-economic levels, dominant cultural narratives etc), but on what binds us together as the one human community: stages of human development. This leaves room for a child to be themselves as they are driven by their inner determination to grow and thrive within their specific societies. In the children's house (3-6) as well as the lower elementary (6-9) and beyond, children are given the tools they need to learn and practice peace in a community. Then they are given morsels of the whole world, able to go as in depth as t...

Isaiah 1:16b-17 ...cease to do evil; learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow's cause. So, there are a lot of definitions. And the phrase itself has continued to find its way into the mouths of many. Since this "many" falls on different sides of the argument, it tends to be an uncomfortable term...for some. It is no less relevant to us all, no matter the community we find ourselves in.  The term, if you haven't gathered, is Social Justice. Here's some ideas I've found across the inter web: "[Social justice is] The way in which human rights are manifested in the everyday lives of people at every level of society". Wikipedia  "Social Justice is the equal access of wealth opportunities and privileges within a society" Pachamama Alliance The objective of making a fair and equal society in which each individual matters, their rights are recognized and protected, and decisions are made t...