October Shelves

 

Dry Pouring and Wet Pouring

Hand Transfer, Spoon Transfer

Tong Transfer, Sponge Transfer, Sponge Tong Transfer

 

Crayons coloring, Leaf Tracing

Scissors, Hole Punch

Ocean Themed Practical Life

Dry Pouring, Wet Pouring

Shell Sorting, Spoon Transfer, Spoon Sorting

Sand Search Box, Tong Transfer, Eye-Drop Transfer

The Importance of Rugs

This last week clearly illustrated for me, the importance of rugs in the Montessori classroom. Our school is currently fighting by lice and we had a case in our classroom. After a little bit of freaking out on my part, I took action and put away all fabric made things from the room (as much as possible). This included the touch fabrics, the pillow of our book corner rocking chair, the mystery bag game, all blind folds, all aprons, and of course, all rugs!

This was particularly frustrating as we were just in the third week of school and had just begun getting used to the classroom procedures and routines. We did learn to have “imaginary rugs” by making lines in front of us in the hopes of keeping works somewhat organized. But overall, it was chaotic! 

Now here are my thoughts.

1.       Personal Space- Of course, the most important aspect of using rugs in the Montessori environment is that of determining personal space. Rugs allow children to have their space clearly visible allowing them to organize their works in front of them and making it clear to others. This allows children to learn organize their space and to respect of others' space.

          Now without rugs, we see works going in many different directions and with no clear determination of what belongs to whom. We also see children working almost on top of each other and works getting mixed up. This is no fun! 

2.       Care of Materials- As illustrated above, rugs allow materials to have designed space. This makes it easier for children’s work to be organized but also keeps materials safe from being stepped on as we learn to walk around rugs. It also makes the materials standout.

          Without rugs, I noticed how much harder it was to do works on the dark carpet we have on our floors. The materials looked dull and were harder to see. I kept tripping over materials and the children walked over some accidentally! 

3.       Routine- Without rugs our whole routine was thrown off. I noticed it particularly with myself. When I invite a child to a new presentation, I always say something along the lines of “go get a rug and I will meet you there in 1 minute.” This allows me to finish what I am doing or jot down a note or two.

         Without rugs, I was ready to pull out my hair! I had less transition time or ways to direct children as I made my way to them. A few of the children also struggled with the lack of routine as they are in a sensitive period for order.

Yet even without rugs, most the children worked happily. They continued to learn and they continued to help each other. The loved their lessons and moved about without worrying. A few children really felt the out of routine-ness of it all but none felt it as I did! Children need routine but we teachers do too. I cannot wait to return to the classroom tomorrow and return the rugs to their sacred place. This past week really taught me to appreciate the importance of rugs and I will never present them in the same way again! 

April and May

April and May Practical Life

Just about one month away from graduation!

March

Life is busy with my Masters Program so enjoy some March shelves for now.

February Practical Life Shelves

New month means new works!

Art

 

Top Shelf- Art Mats, Tissue paper tearing and glue for card making

Bottom Shelf- Paper folding/drawing/cutting, Heart hole punching

 Practical Life

Top Shelf- Dry pouring, Wet pouring

Middle Shelf- Spoon transfer, Wet spoon transfer, Pouring and straining

Bottom Shelf- Tong transfer

Aha! Parenting- Choosing a preschool

A little while back I ran across this article from Aha! Parenting- Choosing preschool: Montessori vs. Gifted
which claimed that play-based learning is best for children.
The author mentioned how for children, their play is work. This reminds me of Montessori's findings. In her first school she offered children toys as well her famous materials. She found children gravitating away from the toys towards the learning materials.  They were thirsty for real things, no pretend things, and their work became their play.
The article continues on to discuss what is not so great with Montessori schools. How it is too rigid, 100 years old, and does not allow for creativity or play. Clearly as a Montessorian these are things I disagree with.
While I understand how it could be viewed as rigid (a child must have a presentation from a teacher before being able to do a work, materials are to be used for their purpose, etc...) it is often because the reasons why these things are in place in not known or understood. I would argue though, that the Montessori Method's age, is not a negative. What Maria Montessori found to be best for children a hundred years ago completely changed the way people viewed the young child and greatly influences how preschools are set up today (child sized furniture, freedom to choose, sensitive periods, the need for manipulatives, etc). Her findings continue to be relevant and continue to guide use towards a better understanding on the child and his development.
Montessori found that children thirst for freedom but this freedom (as it should be with adults) comes with boundaries for the benefits of the group. Freedom does not mean you get to do what ever you want!
Also as a scientist, Montessori based her method on observations of the child. She found that children needed to be based in reality first in order for their creativity and imagination to flourish.
The author concludes by mentioning how anyone can call themselves and Montessori school and that the most important factor then becomes the people in the school more than the philosophy. I would agree that the people are just as important as the learning. No matter the approach, a good or bad teacher can have a huge impact, as can a good or bad school community!
It thus becomes crucial for Montessori schools to be continuously working towards a better understanding and practice of the Method while building a strong and happy community!