Firelands Montessori plans annual open house

HURON —Next week, local children can survey a non-traditional approach to education.Firelands Montessori Academy in Huron will host Montessori Education Week, an international tradition started by the school's founders more than 25 years ago. The academy's founders, Peter and Rosann Larrow, created a school based on teachings of Maria Montessori, who created the curriculum students still use to this day."Maria's goal was to instill in children a love for learning in order to develop peace in their lives," according to the school's statement. With Montessori education, a child can develop their love of learning individually by working at their own pace. They move throughout the classrooms to refine their senses through stimulating activities, academy director Katie Hayden said."At Firelands Montessori Academy, we also make sure that we focus on teaching the concrete materials and move toward abstraction as the children become developmentally ready versus memorization of most materials (like traditional school)," she said.The academy will devote all of next week to introduce the Montessori educational approach through interactive, global activities from each continent.In addition to the week's festivities, there will be empty water jugs outside each classroom to collect change for Safe Harbour Domestic Violence Shelter in SanduskyArea parents are encouraged to attend meetings for Wednesday and Friday. "It is a great opportunity for families to find out more about how Montessori education could potentially help their child succeed while instilling in them a love of learning," Hayden said.The academy teaches children 18 months through elementary school. Open enrollment starts April 1, but classes are filling fast. For more information or questions, contact 419-433-6181 or office@firelandsmontessori.org.Want to go?The following are open to public:• 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 1 and 8:30 p.m. Friday, March 3: Parents can attend meetings.• 11 a.m. Friday, March 3 at: Area children can attend Peace Pole Ceremony with a call ahead of time.• 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, March 5: Families can attend an open house. Call ahead for name is suggested, but not required.• Parents can sign up to bring food for a continent during the week. For more information or questions, contact 419-433-6181 or office@firelandsmontessori.org. Visit their website at http://www.firelandsmontessori.org Register photo/ANGELA WILHELM Firelands Montessori Academy students sing a song for the founders of the school, Peter and Rosann Larrow, during Friday's 35th anniversary celebration of the school.