Our 10th Annual Art Show, "A Celebration of Children's Creativity," has just opened at 54 Washington Street in Oakland's Jack London Square area and will run through June 23rd. This is a wonderful opportunity to understand how to talk with children about art and specifically how to talk to them about their art work. It also provides an insight into the art experience of the child:
For very young children, the process of creating art can be more important than the actual piece of art. Looking at children's art work helps you to appreciate their fine motor skills. Talk to them about their choice of colors, and how they handled the media--the types of brush strokes they make, pencil lines, clay shapes, etc.
Children in the primary years strongly identify with their art work and are proud of it. They are able to recall the process and enjoy sharing their thoughts and feelings with parents and friends. This age group uses a variety of art materials and art techniques.
Elementary students at The Renaissance International School receive formal art lessons as part of the curriculum. They also learn about art history including artists and their styles. At this age, they use their art skills as tools for self-expression and often develop their own creative concepts and ideas. They may integrate personal feelings or messages into their art.
When talking with children of all ages about their artwork, ask them open-ended questions such as why specific colors were chosen and about the lines and shapes they've used.
Remember to show children respect and appreciation for their hard work, imagination and unique personality.
We hope to see you at The Renaissance International School's art show. Details can be found at: http://artshow.therenaissanceschool.org/
We currently have openings in our French Primary class for children ages four and five years old, born between September 1, 2007 and August 31, 2008.
Students in the French Primary class are introduced to conversational French and are conversed with and instructed at all times in both English and French. Because they are taught by native speakers, children acquire the correct accent and language patterns. The written form of the language is introduced in both languages at this level allowing the children to learn to write and read by the end of that level.
At the Elementary level, students continue to develop their linguistic skills by adding Spanish, bringing to bear a genuine tri-language immersion program. The Renaissance School is believed to be the only Montessori school in the United States that offers a genuine three-language immersion program.
Tours of our school are available by appointment. To schedule a tour, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 510-531-8566.
Famous Montessorians
A recent article in The Globe and Mail, (link to article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/economy/growth/maria-montessori-guru-for-a-new-generation-of-business-innovators/article2398113/print/), pointed out that in order to understand the inner workings of innovation at Google, one needs to be aware that both founders of the company, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, were Montessori kids.
In 2004, in an interview with Barbara Walters, Mr. Page said that he credited Montessori with his ability to do “things a little bit different.”
And, the Google founders aren’t the only innovators and leaders that list a Montessori education as part of their background. The list includes many influential people:
Many of those listed above, believe it was their Montessori education that made them successful. Nobel prize winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez said, “I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life.”
At The Renaissance International School, we also believe this to be true. We hope you'll schedule a visit with us and see our students' impressive accomplishments.
Students in Lower Elementary I showcased their North America research projects at the Parent’s Day Tea on March 30.
It was obvious from the presentations that several weeks of work and layers of research had gone into each student’s report. The reports included clear and well-presented writing along with visual displays.
Many students dressed in costume including one who dressed as a pilgrim for her report on The Mayflower and another who wore a traditional Native American outfit.
Students at The Renaissance School learn history and world cultures from age three through graduation. The curriculum integrates art, music, dance, cooking, geography, literature, and science. This integrated approach was evident in the students’ work.
Born in Colombia, Leslie spent a good part of her childhood and adolescence in Italy with a three year interlude in Washington DC and Chile. From Rome, she moved to Belgium where she studied communication at the Université de Louvain.
After moving to the United States, while searching for the best education that would allow her six children to develop their potential, Leslie came upon the work of Dr. Maria Montessori. Since then, she has dedicated her life to studying Montessori, teaching in Montessori environments and as administrator of The Renaissance School, a Montessori school that is the only genuine tri-lingual Montessori school in the United States. The school has a language immersion program in which students are instructed by native speakers in French, English and Spanish. Lessons are given in both English and the other languages.
Leslie is a parent educator and coach as well as a trainer for the International Network of Children and Families. She regularly teaches an eight-week Redirecting Children’s Behavior course to Bay Area parents.
She serves on the Board of Trustees for The NewGate-Field School, a model school of the Montessori Foundation in Sarasota, Florida, and is also on the Board of the International Montessori Council.
Leslie lives in Oakland, California with her husband and enjoys traveling to visit her six children and eleven grandchildren who live around the world.