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 E-News April 28, 2010. Volume 6, edition 25.  UMA. all rights reserved.
Welcome back, UMA students!  Spring Break was this month and we are ready to “re-enter” the wonderful world of Montessori, starting Monday, May 3!  (We never really leave it, do we?)  Here at UMA, we’ve been very busy behind the scenes. Some things to check out are:

*** UMA Students: Be sure to check out the online UMA video library (we are continually adding videos)

*** Our UMA Membership site.  Join at:  http://www.unitedmontessori.com/join-uma/  Start participating in our forums!!

*** Our UMA Blog page and our Facebook page are continually being updated with news and helpful insights for the classroom and life in general.

Highlights of current activities:

The series of “Dominic Videos”: These give you a first-hand view of how to present a Montessori demonstration to a very young child.  Find out how to gracefully handle unexpected responses. We are adding to these (free) videos weekly.

An Organic Garden: UMA broke ground last week and is filming a step-by-step guide on how to create your own small organic garden, at your home or school.
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UMA monthly contest:

We are holding a monthly contest, where everyone is a winner!  How so? Well, the “first-place” winner (voted by our staff) will receive a $25 Amazon.com gift certificate. AND, everyone else gets “honorable mention” on our website for a job well done! Everyone in the Montessori community at large gets to enjoy viewing all the creative projects that can be utilized in the classroom or at home. See…everyone is a winner!
 
May’s Contest requires that you submit an original project in the category of Geography. Send us two photos (jpeg only):
 
1.      Items displayed on a tray or in a basket
2.      Items displayed on a table or work mat
 
Example #1 (Alaska):










Example #2  (Alaska)













Provide a Presentation Sheet to include (MS Word .doc only):
  • Your Name
  • Your School ( if applicable)
  • Curriculum Area: Geography
  • Title of Lesson
  • Age Group
  • Direct Aim
  • Materials
  • Brief Steps in Presentation
  • Variations/Extensions
Include a brief statement that indicates you are giving permssion to the United Montessori Association to use your photos and demo sheet for the UMA website, books, manuals, or marketing materials.  If using photos of children or adults, you MUST obtain written permission (email UMA if you need a photo permission form.  Follow all the above requirements and your submission qualifies.

Please note: if using lettering, make sure you are conscious of the font type as well as uppercase/lowercase usage.  You may submit as many entries as you wish.  Winners will be chosen by majority vote of UMA staff.

Contest entry deadline: Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Email submissions to: uma@unitedmontessori.com
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We wish you a Joyous Spring (Northern Hemisphere) and a great journey as you pursue your Montessori goals!

"We teachers can only help the work going on, as servants wait upon the master.  We then become witnesses to the development of the human soul; the emergence of the New Man, who will no longer be the victim of events but, thanks to his clarity of vision will become able to direct and to mold the future of mankind"  Dr. Maria Montessori
The United Montessori Association gives you the most in convenience by offering year-round quality Montessori teacher training; available anywhere you travel and have access to a computer. UMA has a long-established reputation of excellence in Montessori teacher education and is thoroughly committed to your success.