The Going Out is a meaningful, productive component of Cosmic Education as implemented in a Montessori classroom.
As children develop through the second plane, they realize that not all their answers can be found in the classroom environment. Going Outs are not field trips, nor are they play dates. They are small group visits to local areas of interest, specifically coordinated, planned and implemented by the children themselves, in direct conjunction with the research happening in the classroom.
The classroom requirements for eligibility are very clearly communicated to the children by their directress. Children must meet the Going Out criteria of the classroom in order to be eligible for Going Out participation. Going Outs are a privilege which must be earned.
- Dr. Montessori believed that Going Outs spoke for the Montessori Method, because the children serve as ambassadors when they Go Out into society and conduct themselves accordingly. Consequently, children must have demonstrated consistent appropriate behavior and the grace and courtesy necessary to be successful ambassadors.
- They must have completed the preliminary research to prepare for a successful Going Out. These requirements may vary, depending on the age of the child and the level of the research required for the project.
- They must also fully complete the process of preparing for the trip – researching the itinerary for the trip, coordinating the chaperone, and arranging required transportation.
- Going Outs are the work of the children. Failure to accomplish any one of these steps may result in the child not participating in the Going Out process. If this is the case, the directress will clearly communicate the expectations, address the necessary corrective action, and provide the opportunity for redress.
- Some children may choose not to participate in the Going Out process at all during any given year. This choice will be respected.
The freedom and responsibility given at the elementary level is intentionally provided to help the children prepare for life. This freedom and responsibility are necessary components in developing the independence each child will need in order to take his or her place in the society of the classroom and in the larger world.