Montessori & Me #2

The truly brightest children need a reason to learn something.

MIND: Identifying Weakness

This week in school we spent a little time with a personality test, Enneagram test.  I took the free online version of the test and I scored high (6 out of 8) in types called Peacemaker and Loyalist but most high (7 out of 8) as Achiever.  I can definitely see myself in some aspects of the descriptions of all three  personality types.  I hate reading the down side of each as I know they are true in regard to me (certainly for Peacemaker, not as much for Achiever).  The trait I am most concerned with is that of the Peacemaker who at their worst often denies problems and doesn't speak up until they are at their breaking point.  I really have to be vigilant of this.  I don't want to over look a problem a child might be having for the sake of keeping the peace.  I also don't want to interrupt or discourage a child's exploration process if they aren't disturbing anyone else.

An interesting situation arose today.  Our assignment was to role play teacher/student.  We were given scenarios with children having less than good behavior somehow misusing the materials.  We were supposed to talk to our partner about ways to handle the situation using positive statements.  My partner and I did not have much time to do so.  The conversation should include (1) an observational statement: "I see you have some cylinders knobs down," (2) a statement of choices: "You may make all the cylinders match by yourself or I can help you," (3) Positive Acknowledgement: "Thank you for putting your work away."  Well, that's at least how I thought it was going to go.  My partner had a different interpretation of the scenario as in she thought this was all taking place on the work rug (rather than at the shelf where the child would be returning the work for the next person).  This small detail made a big difference in how I would respond (or at least I thought so).  I was completely caught off guard in front of the whole class!  I am still learning and have NO experience in the classroom.  Its hard for me to redirect since I'm still learning about all the materials myself.  More importantly I'm still not clear on when to intervene which is a REALLY BIG one.  Montessori believes in this magical concentration time which allows the child to internalize the order of a task or skill.  I certainly don't want to interrupt that and a kid checking out the cylinders upside down is certainly OK.  But I have to remember I am the creator and protector of the environment - Be gentle with the knob cylinders we don't want the knobs to break.      

MIND: Second Pretend Lesson + First Exam

 This week the class moved on from the practical life area of the classroom to Sensorial.  I ended up volunteering myself to be the "teacher" for our presentation and once again it happened to be a particularly tough material.  Color Box #3.  This is a box with nine sections in it.  Within each of the nine sections are seven shades of a particular color.  The child is shown to lay out the color cards in order from darkest to lightest (primary colors first, then secondary).  Not as easy as it sounds, especially in front of all the adults in my class watching me!  In other news, I aced my practical life exam!  My very first exam!

 

Color Box #3 completed

MIND: First Solo Pretend Lesson

We have finally started on the Montessori materials this week in school.  Practical Life in particular is the section of the classroom we have begun.  Practical Life is an area that the younger children in a 3-6 year old room tend to gravitate towards the most but all the children can use the materials regardless of age if they choose it and have had a lesson on it.  The lessons are tasks like pouring, spooning, cutting, to name only a few works falling into the control of movement aspect.  This area also has lessons on removing a coat which would be considered care of self, or dusting - care of environment, apple cutting - food preparation or shaking hands - grace and courtesy.  

Montessorians believe in using very few words so as not to confuse the child while giving a lesson.  I have never been so mindful of my words or rather lack of!!!  And my hands!  Trying to keep my hand motions to a minimum is harder than I realized.   Yesterday we were broken into groups.  Every day we are given a few of the lessons which we are to practice following a very detailed lesson plan.  Within the group we decide who will present.  I did not present yesterday so today I was definitely presenting.  I ended up with one of the hardest works of the day -- the bow frame!!  Montessori developed these dressing frames which are essentially frames with two pieces of cloth that can be fastened with buttons, snaps, zipper and so on each frame has something different.  Today I presented tying a bow to my colleagues.  It wasn't terribly stressful and I made some mistakes most of which I was able to correct within the presentation (like nearly forgetting to push in my chair, HUGE NO-NO).  Initially I was not so happy about presenting a lesson with so many steps but in the end I was so glad I did.  The teacher said it will likely be on the exam next year.

Fun fact:  I learned when presenting we always move from left to right, up to down, in order to convey the way we read.  Circular motions are usually made in a counter clockwise motion because that is how we write!!

Montessori & Me #1

There are so many wonderful things I am learning about.  Sometimes things seem particularly insightful cause me to realize or process something.  I want to keep track of those nuggets.

The value is in the process of learning not speed.

How true this is and totally my whole marathon experience in a nutshell!

MIND: First Class Completed

For the next several weeks, I want to just write reflections on school NOT plans.

Yesterday was the last day of Philosophy class (I have heard that this is the most difficult).  It was a full day of group presentations.  Group presentations are so difficult.  Finding the time to work on any project can be hard but adding in other people's schedule and ideas usually makes it more arduous.   We were all so nervous and had a little bit of chaos just before when we realized we needed paper copies for handouts.  It all worked out and we we did well.  We had a large topic and we did not miss any of the main points and there were A LOT!

The topic that we chose was Freedom & Discipline.  Basically, freedom and discipline in a montessori classroom are complimentary.  Through free choice (within limits) the child chooses works based on his inner needs.  This provides valuable insight for the guide (teacher) as to the child's needs and capabilities so the guide (teacher) can ensure challenging lessons are given to the child.  The materials contain a control of error as in the child can self correct while working on it, this encourages the child's concentration.  In their efforts to perfect their work spontaneous discipline occurs.  As the child masters more and more skills they become more autonomous (free) which increases their self dignity.  I hope I got all those terms right and there is a lot more to it (responsibilty is a big part of it too) but I don't want to rewrite my whole project.

My second class is ending today!  

MIND: Insecurity Setting In

Tomorrow will be our first big assignment, the group project.

While I think I did facilitate conversation on the topic, I'm feeling like none of my comments are very insightful.  I feel like I am going to seem quite foolish in front of the class tomorrow.  We are going to be running around because we don't have our copies ready to be distributed!  Are we prepared enough?
This is really a challenge to me, staying calm.  Questioning my abilities is a waste of time.  Must let it go.

I know that I have really tried to be open to everyone's input.  I hope this all works out.  I hope we help each other in the Q&A portion!!