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General
information about Cinquegranelli
Every
child comes here with his or her own gift
Recommendations
from parents
About
the name "Cinquegranelli"
New Language Books
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Cinquegranelli Montessori School
1405 NW 85th
Street
Seattle, Washington 98117
Phone: (206) 789-2942
e-mail: Send Mail to Gail!
General Information about Cinquegranelli
In
describing the school she founded in 1989, Cinquegranelli Montessori
Director, Gail
Longo, stresses the word "community". Through its Italian language and
culture program and its work with the city and neighborhood to create a
park next door, the school has made connections
from Seattle to Perugia, Italy; Otavalo, Ecuador; Mogadishu, Somalia;
cities in China and
Moscow, Russia.
Daily experiences in music and folk
songs, along with practical application of the language, give children the
advantage of learning a second language at an age when they can do it most
easily. The urban park has provided a child-sized land laboratory of a
living ecosystem where the children and staff gather to observe then
document their observations. Environmental education continues with
planting and harvesting in the Cinquegranelli
garden.
After twenty years of teaching in public and
private schools, Longo adopted the Montessori approach to education
"because of the way it supports the individual potential of each child".
The school environment invites children to expand their
abilities, make connections and see relationships. Children learn skills
for practical living and environmental responsibility along with language,
math, art, earth sciences, geography, and social studies.
Cinquegranelli Montessori School invites you to visit us for an open house. Please contact us for details.
Ask questions and experience our prepared environment!(206) 789-2942
"Every child comes here with his or her own gift."
Careful attention is given to the
development of each child as an individual and contributing member of the
world. Cinquegranelli Montessori school follows traditions that "reflect a
home and family environment where children, 2 1/2 through 6 years of age,
live and learn together in a community of friends".
Cinquegranelli is
also an internship school, certified by Montessori Teacher Preparation of
Washington (MIA). Teachers attend on-going Montessori in-service workshops
presented by NAMTA, AMI, NCME, MIA and other leading Montessori training
Centers.
In November 1991, an
interning teacher traveled with Gail Longo to Perugia, Italy with a banner
created by the children of Cinquegranelli Montessori. There they visited
the International Center for Montessori Educators and the Center for
Research and Education in the Casa dei Bambini (Scuola dell' Infanzia, S.
Croce), both established by Dr. Maria Montessori in 1949. On May 5th,
1993, Seattle and Perugia formally became sister cities. The children of
Cinquegranelli, represented by Francesca Belgrano, presented scrolls to
the mayors of both cities to congratulate them on the event.
The second visit to
Perugia, by both Gail and co-teacher Felicia Danon, came in November 1996
as part of their attendance at the World Congress of Montessori Educators
in Rome Italy. The Scuola dell' Infanzia, S. Croce and Cinquegranelli have
been exchanging children's artwork and correspondence since Gail's visit
in 1991. Gail visited the original "Casa dei Bambini" in Rome, established
by Dr. Montessori.
Cinquegranelli
Montessori School has been a long-time member of the Pacific Northwest
Montessori Association (PNMA).
"The quality
of education is extremely high. Both teachers are dedicated to teaching
and the Montessori method; a method proven effective at thousands of
schools throughout the world. As a university professor for 21 years, I am
impressed with the sound educational approach provided by the Montessori
method".
-- Prof.
Richard Ladner, University of Washington
"Gail has
put incredible effort not only in exposing the children to things Italian,
but also to having them directly experience the culture -- and on a grand
scale for this young group! The children danced and sang their Italian
songs, wearing traditional Italian costumes, in a number of festivals and
fairs. You can imagine how proud and tremendous we parents feel at one of
these events".
-- Mary Montini
About the name "Cinquegranelli"
Cinquegranelli is an Italian family name meaning Five Little Grains. It is pronounced: Ching - queh - grah - nell -ly.
Language Booklets - available now!
Cinqugranelli has published booklets to
enhance language learning. All are in three languages; Italian,
Mandarin Chinese and English. Each book in the series focuses on
different aspects and experiences in our Montessori school. The following
editions are currently available:
Community Service in Baker Park
Montessori Daily Living Experiences at Cinquegranelli
A third book is on it's way
Suggested booklet donations are $30.
With a tape in the language of your choice is $40.
Donations are also being collected to fund future editions.
Please inquire with Gail
Longo.