Say What?

A parent once told me I should write a book with quotes from conversations I have with the children. 
A book?  No.  A blog post?  Sure!


Child (after starting the banana slicing work):  "What do I need to do next?  I forget."
Teacher:  "After serving your friends, you eat yourself."
Child:  "You mean...like...my skin?"


Teacher:  "Wow, that's a pretty bad cough you have there."
Child:  "No, it's ok, I'm not sick.  I just have a cough, sore throat, and a fever.  My mom told me to pretend I'm fine."


Teacher: "Why aren't you wearing your new hat? It's very cold outside today."
Child: "It's a hat that looks like a cat. I look absolutely ridiculous."

Woodworking in Action!

Here, is a primary student already using the sanding block at the woodbench. 

So, how do you know when you've give an incomplete lesson?  One of the kindergarteners notices and is upset.  After using the sanding block, C.H. came up to me and said, "I did the work. Now how can I clean up the sawdust?"  Why didn't I think of that?!?  After a brief brainstorming session, he and I concluded that one slightly moist paper towel would do the trick.  He didn't think it was wise to use the table crumber (yuck!).

Woodworking in the Montessori Classroom

Happy New Year!

I am very excited to announce that my school received a very special handmade treasure not long ago.  It was created by a current student and his dad over the past few months.  The picture hardly does it justice:

This woodworking bench and some real tools will provide the children with years of satisfying work.  A few traditional teachers and parents may be thinking..."Wait, you're going to allow twenty 3-6 year-olds to use REAL tools?!" My answer is "Why not?"  Work such as this can be used in a primary classroom if a) the tools are the right size b) the tools function properly and c) the child is given a proper lesson.  The use of real tools instills a sense of responsibility in the child.  He is proud to know that his teacher trusts him, which in turn forms a respectful relationship.

My training introduces the following woodworking lessons: 

• Nuts and Bolts
• Using a Wrench
• Sanding
• Hammering
• Using a Screwdriver
• Hex Bolts
• Sawing

Yes, you read that correctly...sawing.  I've always put sawing on the shelf with such regret that I didn't have a proper place to put it.  Now the sawing work will be right at home on this bench.  I picked up my saw activity from Lord Equip. It's a great beginner activity, before the child is actually ready to saw wood, because the purpose is to simply saw strips of cardboard.

There's no reason why I have to stop with the list above, just because it's what my training states.  One of my former Montessori professors told us to take Montessori's philosophy and run with it in order to provide what the child needs.  That's why she included so many extensions to the original Montessori lessons.
I'm looking forward to using this bench to someday create a birdfeeder, a birdhouse and maybe even a bat house! 

I recently ordered a child-sized vise and a manual drill from Montessori Services.  If you'd like to try some woodworking activities or introductory activities at home, here are some materials you may need on hand.

Materials:

• child-sized safety goggles
• vise
• apron
• hammer
• screwdrivers
• screws/nails
• sanding block
• saw
• wood glue
• level
• measuring tape

Two very simple, beginner activities to get you started:
1) Set up a tree stump in your backyard.  Provide a small hammer, some nails (finishing nails seem to work best) and safety goggles.  Show your child how to properly hammer the nails in, and then remove them to start over.  Keep all materials in a toolbox or bin.
2) Clamp a piece of wood to a table or bench.  As a fine motor exercise, use a carpenter's pencil to write on the piece of wood.  Use a sanding block to sand away the pencil marks.  Wouldn't you rather practice using a pencil at a woodbench, instead of with writing drills?

Have fun and trust your child to be a responsible carpenter!

Letter Sound of the Week

We've tried something new this year in our primary classroom, and it's a hit!  My school follows Maria Montessori's teachings to the best of our ability through research and reflection.  I wanted to do something new and different to get the children a bit more interested in letter sounds, while still following Montessori's guidelines.  Although I still present the letter sounds to the children individually, I now implemented a "sound of the week" to highlight each sound specifically.  I present the sounds in the order that was presented to me during my training- the letters most commonly found in the alphabet first.

I started the week off by reading My "m" Book from the My First Steps to Reading series.  I infused the practical life activities with "m" objects, and added a large "m" to the tray of playdough.  The children rolled the playdough into a snake and formed the letter sound.  On Wednesday, the children brought in an object that started with the sound of the week.  It was so much fun to see the different ideas they came up with.  We saw a picture of a "mommy", a stuffed "monkey", a "marshmallow" experiment, and even a "merry go round music box"!

I wasn't sure if I would like this new format, but it really is a lot of fun.  The children are already more excited about letter sounds, and pointing out "m" objects everywhere they go!

Discussing the Events of 9/11 with Children

I decided not to discuss the events that occurred on September 11, 2001 with my class today.  First of all, I'm sure many parents do not feel their children are ready to discuss such tragic events.  Secondly, it was an emotional day for all of us and I'm really not sure I could keep it together.  One of my immediate family members was in the Pentagon that morning, and the emotions come flooding back whenever I think about it.  His life was saved, but many others were lost.

There are some parents; however, who feel their children are old enough (or mature enough) to handle this information.  For those brave souls, take a minute to read this article.  It's written by one of my favorite parent educators, Chick Moorman (author of the fantastic book Parent Talk). 

You can find it here:  9/11 Article

This "School" of Ours

I've been so busy getting ready for the school year to begin, but I wanted to share this great little cartoon I came across.  It illustrates Montessori's philsophy that children are individuals with a desire to go their own way and choose their own path.

Sensory Bandwagon

I must admit, I spend way too much time browsing Montessori/Homeschool/Waldorf blogs for home and classroom ideas.  I recently stumbled across some bloggers who create something called "sensory bins".  In a nutshell, they're plastic tubs based on a chosen theme, and filled with interesting, textured materials.  The sensory bins create the possibility of hours of open-ended play, as well as, practice in all the Montessori goodies- spooning, pouring, scooping, sorting, classifying.  The blog I found most inspiring was
Counting Coconuts. Needless, to say, I've jumped on the bandwagon.

This is not an activity that I would incorporate into the classroom, unless it was for a summer camp type of environment, but it's great for home.  The theme I chose was "Beach" because we'll be hitting the shore in a few weeks.  The only thing I had to purchase for this bin was the base material, which is aquarium gravel (in place of sand- not brave enough for the real thing yet).  I found the gravel at Walmart for $5.  Everything else in the bin was either from our playroom or I had in storage for practical life activities:

• shells (real and purchased)
• aquarium plant
• water block
• spray bottles
• small cups
• blue and green gems
• wooden scoop
• scented wax slices
• plastic fish
• plastic whales
• mermaid

Forever the Montessori guide, I set up a few "sensory bin groundrules" before we got started:

1. All children who play with the bin will be active members of the clean-up crew.
2. Small objects do not go in or near the mouth/nose/ears, etc.
3. We respect each other while using the bin.  Sharing is a great way to show respect.

A blanket or towel should be placed under the bin for easy clean up.  I included tiny spray bottles (hanging over the side of the bin) to add a water element to the beach.  I told the girls if they wanted to spray outside of the bin, they must remember to bring the bin outside FIRST.

A sensory bin would not truly be "sensorial" without an olfactory element.  I included small green wax slices called "Coconut Lime" scented wax melts.  They add such a tropical scent to the bin.  I've had them in my bathroom closet for years.  I'm so happy they're finally being used!  Even the dogs got in on the fun...