Recently we’ve been sharing elements of the Montessori learning journey, and how we assess learning as our students’ progress. This week, we take a closer look at what your children learn in their Montessori classroom, specifically in the primary school years.
“They have already absorbed the immediate environment and the restricted society they and their families have dealings with. You must try to give the child what he now longs for: the understanding of the world, how it functions and how it affects the life and behavior of humanity.” -Maria Montessori, To Educate the Human Potential
Cosmic Education is the name Dr Montessori coined for the elements of her programs, dedicated to exploring the many (often awe-inspiring) natural actions and reactions within our universe. Cosmic Education is a standout feature the Montessori primary school program, and one that sets Montessori education apart from mainstream learning.
Cosmic Education: A definition
Cosmic work, or a cosmic task, is that which anything in the universe does to contribute to the greater good, most often unknowingly. Dr. Montessori felt that teaching primary-aged children about cosmic work throughout Earth’s history would serve as inspiration for them as they define their own cosmic work over the course of their lives. Cosmic work serves as an idea to support the symbiosis of all things.
Examples of Cosmic Work
Cosmic tasks can be found wherever you look. A small sampling of examples:
- Bees collect nectar and pollen from flowers to feed themselves and their colonies. At the same time, they unknowingly pollinate the flowers, allowing plants to reproduce.
- Flowers rely on birds, bees, and other insects to pollinate them. They are, at the same time, providing food for many organisms.
- Ancient plant and animal life died and chemically transformed into coal and oil. Though these creatures were just experiencing their natural life cycle, they inadvertently created materials that have been used by humans as energy.
- More than 2 billion years ago, photosynthetic microbes began to appear in our oceans, thus creating oxygen in our atmosphere that would later support the respiration of a wide variety of life.
- Even inorganic entities can have a cosmic task. For example, the sun is just burning because of its natural nuclear fusion. As a result, it gives warmth, light, and energy to countless organisms on our planet.
Montessori learning materials that support Cosmic Work
There are a wide variety of ways Montessori teachers support this type of learning in the primary classroom. One of the most impressionistic is the Timeline of Life material. This gorgeous color-illustrated wall hanging teaches children about the evolution of life on our planet. Through many lessons and discussions, students learn about various organisms and the impact each has made on the development of Earth and other living things.
Montessori primary school science focuses largely on biology, including an overview of the five kingdoms, differentiation between vertebrates and invertebrates, zoology, and botany. During the course of a three-year cycle, a child will learn much about living things and how they relate and react to one another.
Understanding history, understanding ourselves
Beyond learning the basics of biology, Montessori students study the history of human beings. From the earliest humans to ancient civilizations and the consideration of how we form and function within our societies today, we give children a multi-faceted view of human beings. Learning about our ancestors and how we have organized ourselves over the years gives children a framework into which they can better understand human evolution and impact.
Questions and connections
As with most learning in Montessori schools, our aim is not to deliver facts for children to memorise, but rather to inspire them to ask questions and seek out the answers. This aim cultivates a lifelong love of learning rather than a view that school is just an information delivery system.
Teaching primary school children about cosmic work appeals to them because they are beginning to consider their own place in the universe. When we learn about how each organism (and even non-living things) have contributed to the success of others, it’s only natural to make the jump to considering one’s own purpose.
A place for all in the universe
In combination with leading children to consider their own purpose and path, we want them to view the cosmic work of humanity as a whole. What is the purpose of humans as a species?
Our consciousness gives us the opportunity to consider this in ways that other organisms cannot; does this mean we can choose the path of our influence or are we unknowingly contributing just like all the others?
There may not be a straightforward answer, but it’s certainly a fascinating idea for both children and adults to consider.
Dr. Montessori wasn’t the only person to think this way. Many others share similar thoughts. One notable example is Thomas Berry, famed cultural historian and author. In his book The Great Work: Our Way into the Future, he discusses how humans might consider our influence on the planet and its ecosystems. He presents the idea that our earth is at a critical period of transition, and that humans may have the ability to influence the outcome – a vital consideration for modern students – or people – of any age.
We leave you with this quote about Cosmic Education, and perhaps some inspiration for you to ponder the universe and your role within it also.
“Cosmic Education results in creative attempts to lead a new and different kind of human life, with responsible participation in all natural and human phenomena.” -Camillo Grazzini, 24th International Montessori Congress 2001
