News Archive
Montessori Students Draw Pictures of Peace, Kevin Felix Chan of Bestdelegate.com
Montessori students learn from a Constructivist or “discovery” model. That is, the environment is provided to them to learn but the lessons are not necessarily structured — students get to choose or figure out what and how they want to learn in this given environment. The part of the Montessori Model UN conference that this concept has the most noticeable impact in is during the Regular Caucus (also called unmoderated caucus at other conferences). Most delegates choose to spend their time during Regular Caucus to meet with other delegates to collaborate on their ideas and write a draft resolution — this is normal procedure at Model UN conferences. However, delegates are also free to do whatever else they want in order to creatively learn from their environment and from other students. Most notably, we’ve observed some students draw pictures of peace.
MMUN 2012 FAQ's ANSWERED!
Please click here to view frequently asked questions for MMUN 2012!
Message from the Secretary-General for International Youth Day - 12 August 2011
On August 12, 2011, Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon marked the end of International Year of the Youth with the following statement.
The Roots and Wings Montessori School MMUN Experience Highlighted by Local News Media
The Roots and Wings Montessori School students of Surrey BC, Canada embody global citizenship. See how MMUN was a transformative experience for them.
MMUN STUDENTS MEET WITH PRESIDENT OF DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
MMUN Students from New Jersey and their former teacher Anna Virk met with President Leonel Fernandez to discuss the importance of the MMUN program to upper elementary and middle school students who are developing their sense of social consciousness, have a desire to become better informed about the world and want to implement positive change now. President Fernandez and Ambassador Francis Lorenzo have been supporters of MMUN since it was founded in 2006.
Montessori MUN Opening Ceremonies, Pledge to Earth, & 1/100th-size replica of the UN
The 2011 Montessori Model United Nations Conferene has drawn approx 1400 4th-9th grade students, their teachers, parents and coordinators. the first day of the conference was designed to get students actively involved in the conference and engage them in an international experience from the beginning
By Ryan at Best Delegate Your Guide to Model United Nations
Montessori MUN Delegates in Action! Plus 4th graders talk tough on…taxes?!
MMUN strives to embody the principles of the Montessori educational philosophy, which makes MMUN different than most Model UN conference.
There are no awards in order to empahsize cooperation and consensus-building between delegates. These are the youngest delegates to participate in Model UN - they range from 4th to 9th grade.
By Ryan at Best Delegate Your Guide to Model United Nations
Best Delegate Interviews Judith Cunningham, Executive Director of Montessori Model UN
Learn
1) How Judith became involed with Model UN and how it complements the Montessori educational philosophy
2) A key principle that Montessori and Model UN share in common - they motivate students to learn
3) How MMUN's focus on collaboration and consesnus-building making it more realistic than other, more competitive Model UN conferences.
4) What Model UN Meants to Judith - Its's her work for world peace
Montessori Model UN Covered By South South News!
The Montessori Model UN 2011, held in NYC April 13-16 with its final assembly at the UN General Assembly Hall was covered by South South News.
Click the links below to see the coverage:
Montessori MUN 2011 Wraps up at the General Assembly
A Personal Reflection on Model UN & Montessori — by Camille Moro
Camille Moro, a MUNer at Seton Hall University who is also a Montessori alumnus, refelcts on her experience as a student of Model UN and the Montessori Educational Philiosophy
After a childhood of being engulfed by her ideas, both in school as a Montessori student and at home as the daughter of a Montessori teacher, Dr. Maria Montessori has become very special to me. This is how I found myself in New York at MMUN, very excited to see her impact on my favorite activity, Model UN. Read More
Service Learning as Montessori Principles in Action by Dr. Betsy Coe
MMUN 2011 staff, delegates, parents and teachers were pleased to have Dr. Betsy Coe speak about Service Learning.
The below links were used in her presentation.
In the Service of Life by Rachel Naomi Remen (Reprinted from Noetic Sciences Review, Spring 1996)
Montessori Student Writes about MMUN 2011 Conference, by Daniel Bloomberg, Highschool Student from Meadow Montessori
The Students at Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) 2011 did an amazing hob demonstrating the knowledge and skill they had acquired during their school year. Students of all ages maintained a professional and business-like manner as they presented their position papers, participated in debates, and wresteles with tough questions. Read More
Roots and Wings Montessori School, Surrey BC Canada Upper Elementary Class preparing from MMUN News Clip
Service-Learning Article by Shelley Billig
In this article in The Prevention Researcher, RMC vice president Shelley Billig explains that students who work in service-learning projects “provide community service to meet a genuine need while simultaneously learning and applying important knowledge and skills from the academic or programmatic curriculum.” Service learning “connects academics, civics, and social-emotional learning in powerful ways.”
When done well, service-learning has strong value for all of its participants. But doing service-learning well is not easy since it relies on research from multiple domains, including: how people learn, how people develop social-emotional skills, and how people become civically engaged. This article discusses how to do service-learning well, as reflected in the eight service-learning standards developed for the K-12 environment, including the body of research that underlies these standards. Developing programs based on these evidence-based indicators should provide service-learning participants with a more meaningful and effective experience.
You can read the full article by clicking here to purchase it for $6.00.
Model Ambassadors: Taking Bolivia's Part - Montessori School of Ojai
Stepping into the shoes — and sitting in the seats — of United Nations ambassadors in New York, sixth and seventh grade students from the Montessori School of Ojai will fight for the interests of Bolivia in April.
“When I first found out we were doing Bolivia I was like, ‘Oh no, where is that!’” said student John Wing. “I thought it was in Africa, but I have learned so much about the history of the country now.” Showing off some of that newfound knowledge, he added, “It’s named after Simón Bolívar; he helped a lot of South America gain independence from Spain.”
“The current president is the first indigenous president,” chimed in Jefferson Beckham, another student. Brianna Ames added, “Big corporations are trying to run him out because he favors small farmers.”
Beckham unveiled a photo of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. “He’s from South Korea,” Erson said.
To help create identification with Bolivian culture, the class even held a Bolivian feast. “In Bolivia, instead of drinking soda out of a can, they use a bag because they have to return the bottles, so we drank soda out of bags, and we ate sorbet,” said Ames. Beckham added, “We ate macaroons too.” Student Cyrus Roesing said, “An original food we ate was mashed potatoes, lettuce, peanut sauce, tomatoes, and hard-boiled eggs all put together — it’s really common there, it’s like their mac ‘n’ cheese.”
Much of the students’ enthusiasm about their newfound insight into Bolivian history and culture is that they’ll get to use it. Ames, sitting on the Human Rights Committee, said its focus is on “child soldiers and the rights of indigenous people. There are an estimated 300,000 child soldiers.” Wing added, “Learning about the UN is a way we can stop things like that from happening.”
Click here to read entire article
Roots & Wings Montessori students bound for the UN
Article from Surrey North Delta Leader, British Colombia, Canada newsletter
All the studying and memorizing – not to mention the tireless fundraising – is consuming an enormous amount of their time and energy.
But the goal, a trip to the United Nations in New York, is what’s keeping kids at Roots & Wings Montessori motivated.
The group of nine- to 14-year-olds are heading to the Big Apple in April to participate in The Montessori Model United Nations, a program developed for students to learn the work of the UN by actually participating in it.
International Human Rights Day
International Human Rights Day is December 10, and this year's theme is Speak-Up-Stop Discrimination. To celebrate this day Teachers Without Borders is asking Teachers to send stories, photos and/or video of class activities that focus on human rights and anti-discrimination. Learn more about Teachers Without Borders Here
Chinese Teachers and Students Practice MMUN
The Henan Teachers reported, "With your great help, we had the 2010 MMUN conference of Henan last week. At the conference, the delegates participated with their passion, cooperated naturally, and behaved in good manners. They share the character of an ambassador. The conference left a deep impression on the parents, teachers and students who were observing. It displays the charm of MMUN, finds the potential of our students, and makes us see the value of this activity. The MMUN conference is one to trigger enthusiasm, activate potential, cultivate global citizens and make future leaders."
MMUN Partners with Equal Exchange, Fundraiser with a Heart
Equal Exchange is an innovative fundraiser that builds global citizens reinforcing the Montessori method while supporting your Model UN. They have 125 Montessori schools working with them. · 40% profits to the school · Fair trade and organic delicious and beautiful products. · Helpful and friendly customer service by the owners themselves Sign up for a Free Starter Kit-- http://www.equalexchange.coop/fundraiser.php. "The Equal Exchange fundraiser helped us fulfill our vision to protect and care for our social and ecological environment, contribute to a sustainable future and build (develop, nurture) global citizens." - Audrey Perrott, Executive Director Near North Montessori, Chicago, IL
Montessori Habitat School takes part in global plea for peace
Montessori Schools joined together to "Sing peace around the world" as a tribute to the United Nations International Day of Peace, and the the memory of Maria Montessori and other peace activists.
MMUN NEW TEACHER WORKSHOP OCT 15-16 2010
Registration is now closed for the 2010 Teacher Workshops. We have reached capacity. If interested in future training please send your name and email to Heidi Walters at hwalters@montessori-mun.org. We will place you on an email list to share with you the next available training dates.
International Year of the Youth: their year their voice
MMUN in the News
NAMTA Journal Article: From Peacemaker to Peacebuilder Judith Cunningham introduces the Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) and aligns each of the basic needs of elementary and then middle school students with the ways that participation in MMUN meets those needs. Researching real-world problems, such as contaminated water or the plight of child soldiers, develops students’ sense of social justice and a commitment to building peace.
One Schools Experience with MMUN - School of the Woods
School of the Woods shares their experience with Montessori Model UN
MMUN Chinese Teacher Training
The following letter from Mr. Zhou of the Henan Province Ministry of Education expresses the historic collaboration between MMUN and the Henan Provincial Public Education District. From July 30 through August 2, fifteen Chinese Middle School teachers participated in interactive learning sessions that included a tour of the UN, a briefing with the Project Manager of the UN Global Education Program and simulations and presentations by the MMUN team of Lalit Ecka, Greg Dahlin and Judith Cunningham. This happened because of the efforts by the participating Montessori teachers, students and parents. They share in this historic moment.
Students from Secundaria Montessori de Puerto Rico share their desire for Independence of their Country
The students from Secundaria Montessori De Puerto Rico, performed this presentation on March 3 at the closing of MMUN 2010, sharing their desire of independence for their country.
To read the text of their presentation click here
MMUN Partners with NAIS for Free Global Classroom Exchange
Now, you can partner with a school around the world to tackle a global problem without leaving your classroom!
MMUN is collaborating with NAIS to bring this opportunity to all Montessori schools. There is no cost to participate in this exciting learning experience.
NAIS’ Challenge 20/20 program enables students to form authentic bonds with students from around the globe and learn first-hand about cross-cultural communication. Together the teams tackle a real problem and their interaction opens up new perspectives and networks. Partnerships can continue after the Challenge 20/20 project and linkages such as teacher and student exchanges may develop.
This is an Internet-based program, free of cost and requiring no travel. Working together, the schools develop globally based, experiential curricula.
MMUN 2009 Students in the Washington Post 02/19/09
Debating Issues of International Importance:
Students short on cash to attend Model U.N.
By Liz Skalski, Gazette Staff Writer
Thursday, February 19, 2009; Page PG05
Since November, students in Robert Goddard Montessori School's Model United Nations program have pulled out all the stops to raise money to attend a national conference in New York next month. But to get there, students at the Seabrook school might have to invoke the power of the organization they're modeled after, as they try to find nearly $7,000 in just a few weeks.
TO READ FULL ARTICLE, CLICK HERE.
Poem from Montessori Student Rachael Zisk
Rachael Zisk, a 4th year student at Adams Montessori School in Quincy, MA, wrote the poem "Problems" after attending her first MMUN Conference. To read Rachael's poem, click below:
IMPORTANT NOTE: Timeline extended!
We are having some issues due to the high volume of users accesing the website and we apologize for this inconvenience. MMUN is aware of this and we are working on providing a solution as soon as possible. We recognize that our schools need extra time to register their students, teachers and chaperones for the NYC Conferences, so we will extend the timeline until February 15th, 2013.
Please contact us at info@montessori-mun.org if you have any questions or special concerns.
Thank you for your patience!
MMUN Team
2014 MMUN CONFERENCES
Midwest Regional, Indiana
March 14-15
New York Middle School 7-9
April 2-5
New York Upper Elementary 4-6
April 9-12
Geneva, Switzerland
Spring 2014
