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!!
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