LEGO glasses Last year, in the Lower Elementary after school robotics program, one of our first year students created this LEGO glasses design. The after school activity introduces students to aspects of robotics including mechanical design. Translating ideas into assemblies takes a background of exploratory learning to build fluency and skill. This student's design is a great example of this! The glasses look great and have become a perennial favorite among the LEGO participants.
7 days ago, Kathy Kolata
Two young students smile and pose playfully in a classroom while wearing oversized round glasses. One student wears a bright pink floral shirt, and the other wears a blue shirt with an excited expression. Other students and classroom materials can be seen working in the background.
A smiling student wearing novelty round glasses poses excitedly in a computer lab classroom. Computer monitors and keyboards line the tables behind him while classmates work at nearby stations.
A young student in a pink heart-patterned shirt holds up a pair of oversized round glasses for the camera during a classroom activity. Other students and classroom tables are visible in the background.
A young student wearing oversized round glasses smiles while standing in a classroom filled with students, computers, and activity tables. She holds a small black building piece while classmates work behind her.

Many people easily see the value of Montessori education in the early childhood classroom through the hands on materials and focus on independence. What is sometimes less understood is how those same Montessori principles evolve and are just as important during adolescence. Junior high students are driven by curiosity, purpose, and the desire to do meaningful work. When students are genuinely engaged and trusted with challenging material, they are capable of remarkable levels of critical thinking, collaboration, and responsibility.

Our forensic science program is designed with these Montessori principles in mind. Seventh and eighth grade students learn authentic forensic science techniques and apply them to solve a staged murder mystery within the school community. Teachers and staff become suspects and witnesses while students investigate crime scenes, search for evidence, analyze clues, and defend their conclusions in a mock trial. Through this work, students practice abstract thinking, problem solving, respectful communication, and freedom within limits. They learn to manage independence responsibly while working within the expectations of the community. Most importantly, they experience what happens when adults believe they are capable of meaningful, sophisticated work that connects directly to their interests and curiosity.


15 days ago, Kathy Kolata
Junior High students wearing gloves and lanyards work together to document evidence during a forensic science investigation in the school hallway. One student photographs evidence markers while another student explains observations to the group.
Junior High students interview a staff member at the front desk as part of their forensic science investigation. Students take notes and gather information while practicing observation and questioning skills.
A Junior High student wearing gloves carefully examines and documents evidence while meeting with a staff member during a hands-on forensic science activity. Papers, notes, and investigation materials are spread across the desk.
A Junior High student wearing gloves presents collected evidence to a staff member at the school reception desk during a forensic science investigation. Another student stands nearby observing the interaction.
A Junior High student kneels in the hallway photographing evidence markers and footprints during a forensic science investigation. Measuring tools and evidence markers are placed carefully around the scene.
Junior High students gather in an office classroom space discussing clues and evidence with the Head of School during a collaborative forensic science investigation activity.
Junior High students wearing gloves analyze and photograph classroom evidence as part of a forensic science unit. One student documents materials while another carries an evidence collection bin.
A teacher dressed in black with a veil and lace gloves “mourns” the passing of her fictional mentor as part of an immersive Junior High forensic science investigation scenario. The dramatic role-play helped students engage in storytelling, observation, and evidence analysis throughout the unit.
Friday is always a fun day here at TMA! With the weekend on the horizon and the sunnier, warmer weather, it is always a great day! Another reason why Friday is fun is Meatball, the Hurcomb family Bernedoodle, comes to visit Upper Elementary. Meatball is a certified therapy dog and Monday through Thursday accompanies Dr. Nicci Hurcomb to Tulip Tree Dental Care. He is a calm and loving gentle giant. As many of our families (including myself) have furry family members, I was inspired to come up with dogwear inspired by Meatball. So, meet Meatball the Montessori Muttstang! If you are interested in buying a shirt for your canine family member, do not hesitate to reach out so I can place an order! To follow Meatball on Instagram, click here: https://www.instagram.com/dogtormeatballdds/
21 days ago, Kathy Kolata
A fluffy gray-and-white dog with bright blue eyes sits on a carpeted office floor wearing a royal blue “The Montessori Muttstangs” shirt featuring a custom dog logo. The dog tilts its head dramatically toward the camera with an open mouth and playful expression, while a yellow leash and blue patterned bandana are visible.
A gray-and-white doodle-type dog with striking blue eyes poses indoors wearing a blue “The Montessori Muttstangs” shirt and blue paw-print bandana. The dog looks back over its shoulder with a wide, happy grin and curious head tilt while sitting on a multicolored office carpet beside a bright yellow leash.

Upper elementary and junior high art students dove into the art and science of color recently, exploring how electromagnetic waves behave and how we perceive light in the visible spectrum. Students took apart a model of the eye and learned how the rods and cones of the retina receive light of specific wavelengths. They used ropes to simulate waves and investigated the relationship between wavelength and energy and the concept of polarization. They then experimented with polarized gels, rotating them to discover that aligned light waves can be completely blocked or allowed to pass, depending on the relative position of the gels. They got to see colorized images demonstrating how pit vipers perceive infrared light and birds and bees perceive ultraviolet wavelengths. Students learned about the differences between additive and subtractive color mixing and then used red, green, and blue flashlights to mix light directly–producing cyan, magenta, and yellow shadows. To wrap things up, students took turns manipulating prisms to reproduce Newton's famous optics experiments, separating white light into the full spectrum and then reassembling it back into white light. All of this sets the stage for an exploration of color theory.

29 days ago, Kathy Kolata
Children experiment with colored light and shadows in a darkened classroom, using flashlights and transparent materials to project vibrant rainbow patterns across a wall and table.
A student holds a clear prism in the beam of a flashlight during a hands-on light exploration activity, creating reflections and refractions across a tabletop in a dim classroom.
A few upper elementary students stand together in an art classroom, closely examining materials and participating in a collaborative science and light exploration activity.
A teacher sits on a classroom table speaking with a group of students gathered around during a collaborative lesson in an art and science classroom filled with student artwork.
Close-up of a child’s hand illuminated by vivid red, blue, and green light while experimenting with colored flashlights and shadows against a glowing wall.
Two students stand facing one another in a dark classroom filled with colorful projected lights and shadows, smiling as they interact during a hands-on exploration activity.
A student carefully positions a clear prism in front of a flashlight beam during a low-light science investigation exploring reflection and refraction.
Two students lean over a table in a darkened classroom while experimenting with a bright red laser beam and translucent materials during a light study activity.
A young student stands with arms outstretched in front of a wall covered in overlapping rainbow-colored light projections and large shadows created during a classroom exploration of light and color.
Connecting to the world, one letter & animal at a time TMA’s Early Childhood Classroom #5 is enrolled in the Letters from Afar program; monthly they receive a letter from a different country. The letter is read aloud to the class and then placed in a binder for the children. This is an opportunity for the class to connect with other places and cultures, spurring on interest in the maps and cultural materials. With each letter, a flag is placed on the classroom wall map. This class is also enrolled in another monthly subscription program, Fahlo, that allows them to adopt/track an animal and follow its migration path throughout the year. Like the flags, the animal’s picture is added to the map each month as it migrates. This has fostered an interest in specific animals throughout the world, as well as landforms, bodies of water, biomes and continents.
about 1 month ago, Kathy Kolata
A large world map mounted on a classroom wall, with various small objects and flags pinned across different countries. The pins appear to represent locations or cultural connections, and some include miniature items or images attached to them. Sunlight casts soft shadows across the map, highlighting regions in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
This past Saturday, Sammy Yant tied the knot with Brayden Holt! The new Mrs. Holt was honored by the TMA staff on April 2, with a joyful wedding shower. Terri Foley thoughtfully organized a fun and engaging game, and each of us had the opportunity to share words of wisdom and well wishes.

One of the highlights of the celebration was a beautiful booklet filled with responses from Sammy’s students. Their answers to questions like “How old do you need to be to get married?” and “How much does a wedding cost?” were nothing short of brilliant—capturing the curiosity, honesty, and humor that make our Montessori community so special.

Congratulations and wishing you both a lifetime of happiness!
about 1 month ago, Kathy Kolata
A smiling young woman sits in a wooden chair in a classroom, wearing a tiara and a striped apron over dark clothing. She holds up a handmade card that reads “Mr. and Mrs. Holt,” featuring a drawing of a ring. Around her on the floor are opened gift bags, tissue paper, and small presents, suggesting a celebration such as a bridal shower. Behind her are shelves filled with neatly arranged binders and books, a potted plant, and a softly lit lamp, creating a warm, welcoming environment.

Junior High students arrived in Washington, D.C. today and are already immersing themselves in the rich history of our nation’s capital! Their first stop was the Udvar-Hazy National Air and Space Museum, followed by time exploring the National Mall—captured in a wonderful photo in front of the Washington Monument.

Students and teachers will continue taking in the incredible sights and experiences of Washington, D.C. before returning late Wednesday evening.

about 2 months ago, Kathy Kolata
Junior High students sit together outside the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, part of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. With their arms around one another, they smile warmly, conveying friendship, connection, and shared excitement during their visit.
Junior High students and teachers stand together outdoors in front of the Washington Monument on a clear April day, smiling and posing for a group photo under a bright blue sky.

For the past week, room 3 has had a truly special experience as Ms. Ludwick introduced one-day-old Ayam Cemani Indonesian chicks into the classroom. The children were invited to observe quietly with their eyes, honoring both the fragility of new life and the importance of respectful engagement. In this peaceful and intentional moment, students experienced firsthand the wonder of life, deepening their sense of curiosity, empathy, and connection to the natural world—an authentic reflection of Montessori principles in action. This truly special experience gave students the opportunity to witness new life up close.

about 2 months ago, Kathy Kolata
A student sits quietly, leaning in with focused attention as they observe several tiny baby chicks nestled in a hay-filled plastic container. The chicks are small and fluffy, moving gently through the straw, while the student watches with calm curiosity and care.
Several students gather closely, watching a group of small, fluffy baby chicks in a shallow plastic container filled with hay. The chicks—Ayam Cemani Indonesian chicks—are dark in color and move gently through the straw as the students observe them with quiet curiosity.
Thank you to our incredible Windfall 2026 sponsors for helping bring this special night to life. Your generosity supports hands on learning, strong classrooms, and meaningful opportunities for every TMA student. We are so grateful to build this future together.
2 months ago, TMA
Thank you to our sponsors

The Windfall 2026 Silent Auction is now LIVE! Go to GiveGrove to see the amazing items and bid. All donations are matched dollar for dollar, so your giving is doubled!

2 months ago, TMA
silent auction info

**Junior High/Elementary After Care Location Change**

Due to Windfall setup in the gym, Junior High/Elementary After Care will be held in the art room on Thursday, March 26 and Friday, March 27.

Please go to the art room door for pickup.

2 months ago, TMA

Community Kindness in Action

When one of our TMA moms stopped by The Home Depot to purchase gift cards for our drive supporting the Edwardsburg community after last Friday’s tornadoes, the team there asked what the cards were for. When they learned they were going to help families impacted by the storm, they immediately matched the donation.

Thanks to the generosity of two TMA moms, their contribution was quickly doubled, turning into $200 in Home Depot gift cards, $100 in Lowe's gift cards, and a car full of bottled water and Gatorade to support families as they recover.

Moments like this remind us how powerful a caring community can be. We are grateful to our TMA families and to The Home Depot for stepping up to help our neighbors in Edwardsburg.

3 months ago, TMA
The Home Depot gift cards
donated drinks
Due to current weather and road conditions, TMA will be operating on a 2 hour delay today, Tuesday, March 17. There are no before care, toddler, or half-day programs. Doors will open at 10:20. Stay safe!
3 months ago, Colin Pier-Silver
snowflakes icy
TMA student Reese, one of the Pony Pals, can be spotted in this ABC57 story about youth building confidence, responsibility, and horsemanship skills through their work with horses at the Ann Cole Training Center in Niles. Watch the video to see her in action https://www.abc57.com/news/ann-cole-training-center-teaches-horsemanship-helping-local-youth-learn-new-skills
3 months ago, TMA
Reese
Windfall Is Filling Up

RSVPs for Windfall have been pouring in and the gym is filling fast! Fourteen of our nineteen tables are already reserved, leaving just 40 seats remaining. If you’re planning to join us, now is the time to secure your spot. Go to the Windfall page on the website to get your tickets today and be part of a wonderful evening together!
3 months ago, TMA
RSVP promo
The MPA Meet Up that had been scheduled for today, March 5, at 4 PM at Howard Park has been cancelled due to the warm weather. The ice rink is closed and it is a washout for outside playdates today.
3 months ago, TMA
Thank you to Let's Roam for their generous donation of scavenger hunt tickets to TMA's Windfall 2026 silent auction! Check out the Scavenger Hunt ticket for 10 palyers and the Date Night Scavenger Hunt for 2 players at app.givegrove.com/windfall2026.

If your nonprofit is looking for an in-kind donation, visit https://www.letsroam.com/donations #letsroam @letsroam
3 months ago, TMA
logo
Check out what Elementary and Junior High are like at TMA!
3 months ago, TMA
tour ad

Join us for ice skating on March 5!

3 months ago, TMA
flyer for ice skating

EC tour happening Wednesday, March 4, 2026, 9 AM

3 months ago, TMA
ad for tour