Montessori Kiwi · Start Here
Thoughtful, substantial articles about Montessori philosophy, Cosmic Education, literacy, inclusion and real classroom practice.
Written for teachers and homeschoolers who want to understand not just what to teach, but why it matters.
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Welcome to the reading room
The prepared environment matters, but so do observation, research, thoughtful lessons and understanding the children in front of us.
Here you'll find a curated selection of educational writing rather than a catalogue of products. Some articles explain foundational principles, some share practical classroom experience, and others challenge us to reflect on established practices.
Pathway 01 · Understand
In-depth articles exploring the philosophy and purpose behind Montessori elementary education. Begin here if you want to understand the bigger picture.
Understand the connections between the Five Great Lessons, science, history, geography and the second plane of development. A thoughtful introduction to what Cosmic Education actually means in elementary classrooms.
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Explore the purpose of each Great Story, how they connect with the elementary curriculum and what meaningful follow-up can look like after the initial presentations.
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A personal teaching reflection about adapting the Fourth Great Story for children with different learning needs, using images, discussion, vocabulary and practical experiences.
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Explore current reading research, writing instruction, neurodiversity and the practical work of making Montessori education more accessible.
Explore the connections and tensions between Montessori literacy instruction and current reading research, including phonics, language development and explicit teaching.
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A thoughtful examination of handwriting expectations, the purpose of written work and how teachers can support children who find conventional handwriting difficult.
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Discover how guided writing, modelling and scaffolding can help children develop writing skills while working with the powerful ideas introduced in the Great Stories.
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An important reflection on disability, neurodivergence, Montessori training and the changes needed to create genuinely inclusive classrooms.
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Practical ideas and honest teaching experience, from preparing classroom environments to supporting independence and extending the Great Stories.
Practical advice about arranging classroom spaces, encouraging independence, creating workable routines and preparing an elementary environment that serves real children.
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Explore meaningful follow-up after The Coming of the Universe and Earth, including scientific investigations, research, Earth history and responding to children's interests.
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A reflective look at independence, adult support and the professional decisions teachers make when children need different levels of guidance.
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A candid account of Montessori school leadership, the practical realities of running a school and the challenges of creating an environment centred on children.
Read the full article →Behind Montessori Kiwi
Kia ora, I'm Lisa, the teacher behind Montessori Kiwi.
I'm a Montessori-trained teacher, New Zealand registered teacher and Montessori school founder.
My writing brings together Montessori principles, classroom experience, literacy research and a commitment to inclusive education.
I believe teachers should be able to question practices, learn from evidence and adapt thoughtfully to the children they're teaching.
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Explore more thoughtful articles and practical Montessori teaching ideas, or find free resources when you're ready to prepare classroom work.