Story, Peace, and Purpose: Montessori-Inspired Approaches to Literacy and Learning

Audience:
Primary and Intermediate teachers (Montessori and non-Montessori), literacy leaders, SENCOs, and school leaders, homeschoolers. No Montessori experience or training needed.
Location: Porirua Montessori Primary School, 39 Cleat St, Whitby, Porirua
Duration: One full day (9:00am–3:15pm) Wednesday March 18th 2026

Facilitator:

Lisa Dei Gratia, Founder and Principal Porirua Montessori Primary School

Former Homeschooler

Professional Development

This practical, teacher-focused day supports current NZ priorities in reading, writing, and maths, while drawing on Montessori principles that strengthen oral language, comprehension, engagement, and wellbeing. The workshop is open to all teachers (Montessori and non-Montessori) and provides classroom-ready strategies that can be immediately applied in mainstream settings.

Teachers will explore:

  • Storytelling as a foundation for reading comprehension and writing

  • Using narrative to support mathematical thinking and language

  • Peace education approaches that improve classroom culture and learner engagement

  • Practical ways to integrate these ideas within existing curriculum and planning requirements

This day aligns well with school goals around literacy improvement, student wellbeing, and inclusive practice, and offers high-impact strategies without requiring major programme change.

By the end of the day, teachers will:

  • Understand how storytelling supports reading comprehension, writing development, and mathematical thinking

  • Apply Montessori principles (order, choice, concrete to abstract) to literacy teaching

  • Use storytelling as a tool for peace education, classroom culture, and inclusion

  • Leave with practical, classroom-ready strategies aligned with NZ curriculum expectations

Day Programme 9am - 3pm

Whakatau & Setting the Scene

  • Welcome and whakawhanaungatanga

  • Overview of the day and connections to the NZ Curriculum

  • Why storytelling matters now: links to literacy data, engagement, and wellbeing

Session 1: Storytelling as the Foundation of Reading & Writing

Focus: Literacy (Reading & Writing)

  • Oral storytelling as a precursor to decoding, fluency, and comprehension

  • Montessori storytelling tools (e.g. story sequencing, timelines, story grammar)

  • Linking oral language to structured literacy approaches

  • Supporting reluctant writers through narrative scaffolds

Practical takeaways:

  • Story maps and sequencing activities

  • Oral rehearsal strategies

  • Differentiation for diverse learners

Session 2: Peace Education Through Story

Focus: Wellbeing, behaviour, and inclusive classrooms

  • Montessori peace education: what it is and why it matters

  • Using stories to teach empathy, conflict resolution, and belonging

  • Creating safe classroom spaces for student voice

  • Supporting behaviour through narrative rather than punishment

Practical takeaways:

  • Peace stories and discussion prompts

  • Classroom circles and reflective storytelling

  • Tools for social problem-solving through narrative

Session 3: Storytelling Across the Curriculum – Including Maths

Focus: Literacy + Numeracy integration

  • Story as a way to make maths meaningful and concrete

  • Using narrative to introduce mathematical concepts (problem solving, number sense, patterns)

  • Montessori maths stories: concrete → representational → abstract

  • Supporting mathematical language development

Practical takeaways:

  • Maths story prompts and lesson starters

  • Language scaffolds for maths discussions

  • Integrating writing into maths learning

Session 4: Bringing It Into Your Classroom

Focus: Implementation and planning

  • Adapting Montessori ideas for mainstream classrooms

  • Aligning storytelling practices with planning and assessment requirements

  • Sharing ideas across schools and settings

Contact

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