Working Together for Peace

We read this book today and performed the hand gestures as an introduction to the peace curriculum. I read this little book to the children several times a month in hopes that the contents will eventually move them all in one way or another. Some of the children respond immediately to the words, while others take a few months before they truly understand the meaning. Some of the children choose to memorize the poem, while others choose to create their own peace book. The poem was originally written by one of Gandhi's nephews. You might choose to share these words with your children at home.

I offer you peace;

I offer you love;

I offer you friendship;

I hear your cry;

I see your beauty;

I feel your pain;

This caring flows from my spirit within;

I salute that spirit in you.

Let us work together for peace.

Here's an interesting dialogue about praise from Fox News:




For my take on the subject, you can read this post. I'm really pleased to say that I don't have ANY praise junkies this year. Current moms and dads, you should pat yourselves on the back (...or is that too much praise?) for using process-based instead of product-based praise at home. For example, "You spent a lot of time on that painting." Instead of, "I think that painting is the most beautiful painting in the whole world!".

What are your thoughts on this topic?

Spontaneous Activities

Montessori classrooms are amazing environments for observation. Children are active learners, choosing their activities based purely on intrinsic motivation and a desire to learn. Montessori wrote an advanced level book on this topic and it is now available to read online here: "Spontaneous Activity in Education". It's 300+ pages, so I'd be more than impressed if anyone from our school community chooses to read it, but it is definitely worth a skim.

I was lucky enough to observe ample amounts of spontaneous, purposeful work today. One activity, however, simply floored me. Please keep in mind, this child (JP) is a very young child. When I say very young, I mean she is just turning three. This was her second day of school in a Montessori classroom. I watched her roam about searching for her work. She seemed intent on finding an activity revolving around numbers. She reached out to the sandpaper numerals and gently touched the surface of a numeral. JP then walked over to the mats (after several mat presentations last time), chose one and unrolled it on the floor. She then returned to the math shelf gazing at the cards and counters. At this point, many Montessori teachers would walk over to her and say "I'm sorry, but you haven't had a lesson on this material. May I show you another lesson?". As a rule, the children in a Montessori classroom are only to work with materials with which they have received a lesson. Otherwise, materials could be misused and broken or damaged, not to mention injury to the child or others. HOWEVER, Montessori teachers must be flexible and must observe constantly. I decided to observe JP to see what spontaneous activity she had in mind. She gently picked up the cards and counters and placed the numerals on her mat. She laid them all out neatly so that each one could be seen. JP then walked back to the math shelf and chose the sandpaper numerals. She placed the box on the mat and removed one numeral. She looked at it carefully and matched it to the corresponding card. She continued this way until she reached "nine".

Apparently, the numerals were created with two different fonts. One is considered an American-style 9, while the other is a European 9- they looked very different. JP flipped the card around, upside down and contemplated this problem for several minutes. She wanted to match the final numeral, but they didn't look the same! Finally, she broke her concentration and looked up at me. I walked over to her mat and traced the sandpaper numeral saying "nine". I then traced the 9 card and said "nine". A huge smile spread across her face as she realized they were indeed the same, and she could complete her work. She stood up and appreciated her masterpiece.

Our First Day

There aren't words to describe how it feels to end the first day, knowing it was a success. This first day sets the tone for the entire school year. Yes, children grow and become "normalized", but the attitudes expressed on the first day sometimes remain with us the entire year. Here are some comments I heard from the children throughout the day. Initials will be used so that parents can identify their children and to respect their privacy.

• LD- "School is awesome."
• NC- "I don't know why my brother says he doesn't like school, I LOVE it!"
• UP- "Thank you for that lesson."
• EK- "Why is it time to go home already?"
• HM-"I had fun today."
• GG- "I can't wait to come back the day after tomorrow!"

I guess the proof is in the pudding! Every year, it amazes me how different each session can be. This year, it seems the morning group is more serene and reflective. The afternoon group was energized and creative with the materials. The classes will change their dynamics throughout the year, I'm sure, but I'm baffled by the difference in these two groups. Send me a comment over the next few months and remind me to post about the differences in the two classes. We'll be able to reflect on those differences and try to figure out why the changes occurred.

I want to tell all of my children this year that I'm so proud to be your teacher, and I look forward to a peaceful, joyous school year.

"Rolling a Mat"

"Red Rods Maze" (Sensorial Extension Exercise)

"Prepositions 3-Part Cards "

I Did Nothing Today

"I Did Nothing Today"

When children come home at the end of the day

The question they're asked as they run out to play

Is "Tell me, what did you do today?"

And the answer they give makes you sigh with dismay

"Nothing, I did nothing today!"

Perhaps "Nothing" means that I read a book,

Or....with a directress I learned how to cook.

Maybe I painted a picture of blue,

Or heard a story about a mouse that flew.

Maybe I wrote in my journal myself,

Or found a great book on the library shelf.

Maybe I helped a friend today,

Or went to my favorite area alone.

Maybe today was the very first time,

That my scissors followed a very straight line.

Maybe I sang a song to the end,

Or worked with a special, brand new friend.

When you're three, four, or five your heart has wings

And "Nothing" can mean so many things!

~Author Unknown

What Did You Learn Today Article

Top 10 Ways to be a Good Montessori Parent

10. Show genuine interest in what your child is doing in school.

9. Get involved by volunteering your time, observing the class, attending workshops and coming to parent/teacher conferences.

8. Follow your child's interests by taking him/her to local museums, libraries and parks.

7. Give your child uninterrupted quality time with the television, radio and computer shut off.

6. Laugh with your child--it's a great way to relieve stress and ease tension.

5. Allow plenty of time for your child to play creatively- try not to interrupt this experience. Oftentimes, children are learning a great deal through play.

4. TRUST your child with freedom (within limits). Try not to hover like a helicopter parent.

3. Set guidelines for your child and follow through- each and every time.

2. Get your child involved in daily household chores in a positive way, without bribery or rewards. Steer clear of sticker bribes, our goal is for our children to be intrinsically motivated.

1. Do not force academics at home unless your child is seriously in need of academic support. Instead, spend quality family time together.

Budding Artists

Most Montessori teachers work hard to introduce students to Classical and Impressionistic works of art. First, we simply hang up the art in the room. Then, when a child expresses interest, we discuss the work and the child shares his thoughts. Next, we introduce the names of famous artists and the children sort artwork by artist. Personally, my students' favorites are Renoir, Seurat, Degas and Kandinsky.

However, I must admit that we generally neglect contemporary works of art. I found this great website called "Feed Your Soul- The Free Art Project" designed to introduce new works of art to a large audience. These pieces are available to download and print for free. Simply click on "downloads" to view the entire list of art. I think this one is my favorite, those owls are just so sweet:



I plan to print and frame a few to scatter around the classroom. I'm eager to discuss them with the children and even more excited to hear their conversations and critiques. I could write a book about some of the 3-year-old's conversations I've overheard. Enjoy!