Thursday, October 11, 2012

Areas of the Montessori Classroom

Mathematics    
The mathematics area of our classroom is set up so children can engage with hands-on manipulative materials.  Rather than teaching math as an abstract concept we introduce everything from an understanding of numeration from one to ten to the Pythagorean theory in a developmentally appropriate manner. 

Botany and Nature



Language

Sensorial

Practical Life

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Teaching infants...

I can't count the times this week I've heard, "So you're not teaching any more?" when individuals learn we've begun accepting infants.  Actually, we've found we have more opportunities to teach...and not just the older children.  Maria Montessori described various "sensitive stages" for learning.  These stages started from birth, thus Montessori believed that education should start from birth.  We share this same belief at Riverwoods Learning Center.  

From birth throughout the child's first year there are two major areas of development--movement and language.  As early 1-2 months a child begins to learn the complex concept of cause and effect. When they move their hand into an object the object moves.  At this point the child is ready for simple grasping and reaching exercises and the introduction of simple toys such as the grasping beads.


Children at this age also need freedom of movement.  This is why we limit the "baby holders" in our infant environment and focus on giving the infants--even those who are not yet quite "mobile"--time on the floor to move freely.  Montessori was opposed to the use of objects such as swings and walkers, which limit a child's ability to move their body naturally and often puts them in unnatural positions before they are able to truly support themselves.  While we've found with multiple infants sometimes these "baby holders" are a life saver, we limit their use as much as possible. Montessori also encouraged the use of a simple "floor bed" known as a topponcino, a simple mat on the floor.  I've found the toppocino has the added benefit of extra support while holding an infant that needs comforting, and it is easier to transfer a sleeping infant from arms to the floor or pack 'n play (necessary again in an environment where a sleeping child can easily be tripped over). 



Having an infant in a mixed age group also provides the opportunity for older children, even toddler-aged little ones, to develop empathy and an understanding of the needs of others.



So through the simple provision of time and a child-centered environment we're developing cause & effect, fine motor and gross motor development skills, self help skills, social competency, language and literacy skills, etc.  I'd say that fits into the definition of "teaching" as far as I am concerned!


Apple picking time!

The best thing about being back home is easy access to a nearly unlimited source of apples.  We've learned about apples all week this week!



This week we read several books about apples including Apple Trouble and Up, Up, Up It's Apple Picking Time!   We picked our apples straight from the apple tree and made a graph of the different types: Red Delicious, Yellow Delicious, and Johnathan apples.  We also learned a new apple song!

5 (Red/Green/Yellow) apples hanging in a tree, juiciest apples I ever did see!  I shook that tree as hard as I could--down came those apples, Mmmm they were good!   Of course we count down (and then often up again) to practice our math skills.  

We also worked on self help skills using an apple cutter to cut our apples! 



We've eaten apples in many different ways...with cheese, peanut butter, and plain of course!  Next week we are going to try making apple juice! 


Tuesday, September 18, 2012

The Pied Piper of Riverwoods...



For the last two weeks I've had the opportunity to teach alongside "Mr. Even".  Anyone who knows me knows I am extremely particular about choosing the individuals who get to work with my kids.  I interviewed over a dozen applicants, and hands down Even's credentials were far beyond that of any other.  But that's not why I invited him into our classroom--neither were the exceptional references I got from individuals he hadn't even asked for a reference!  The ultimate deciding factor for me is how an individual can engage with the children.  I look for someone who can get down on the child's level, invite the child to express themselves, and keep children engaged.  I could instantly tell after only a few minutes watching him with the kids that Even meets all of those criteria!   Another parent and I promptly dubbed him the "Pied Piper of Riverwoods" because of his amazing ability to pull out his guitar and instantly turn a chaotic classroom into a group of engaged, giggling children.  He makes me want to learn to play the guitar. 

Unfortunately he's decided to grace another classroom with his presence (apparently he has a family to feed...), but no worries!  He's agreed to stay on to teach what I know will be amazing music classes!  He'll be teaching 3 classes every Saturday morning--a "Go Baby Go" class for our littlest learners, "Wiggles and Blues" for children of all ages, and a beginner guitar class.  Register now for these sure-to-be amazing classes! 

P.S. Don't worry...your children will be returned at the end of the class. 

Mini-Montessori Program!

I am so excited...our infant/toddler Montessori materials have just arrived!  I am thrilled with the way we've been able to set up the "baby zone" in our classroom.

 Our "Baby Bugs" have their own sink for hand washing before snack & bottle preparation  and a just-their-size table for snacks & play time. 

 A cozy place for the tiniest ones to lie and relax or our toddlers to climb 
and discover in our mirrored triangle!  

 Our shelves of hands-on learning materials designed specifically for our littlest learners.  


Our "Mini Montessori" class meets Mondays & Wednesdays from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM.  Early drop off & "lunch bunch" hours are available.  Cost is $4.00 per hour.  You are welcome to drop off and get errands run or stick around and learn and play along with your child! 


Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Timp Cave Hike

Our "nature explorers" hit the trail for a hike up to Timpanogos Cave!   The hike was long (including the trip through the cave it is about 3 1/2 miles), but the cave was cool--in more ways than one!

 We have been learning about different types of rocks and minerals, so it was fun to explore the different geological formations along the trail!


Our Youngest Hikers
We learned that Stalactites hold on "tight" to the ceiling, and to watch out for Stalagmites because they might trip you!


A few more in our group
 All of our kids were troopers, but it was a LONG way to go!  While we had a lot of fun in the future I would recommend this trip for children over the age of 6.  We had a 1:1 ratio, but still had to be cautious as there are steep drop offs.  And I wasn't crazy about the "Stay on the trail...beware of rattlesnakes" signs along the way.  I don't mind snakes--but prefer not to encounter the type that bite! 






Monday, September 10, 2012

Projects Work


"Project Work" is a concept that is becoming more common within the early childhood community as research continues to show children learn best when ideas are integrated surrounding a topic of interest rather than segregated into specific learning areas.  Project work consists of extended studies of topics selected based on the interests of the children within a group.  Since the beginning of the month I have been on the look out for common threads that may lead to a whole-group project.  I began to see some threads coming together on last week's nature walk!

Our nature explorers group has been studying rocks and minerals.  During some of our conversations we discussed the concept of "alive" and "not alive".  Some of the children's comments during our nature walk brought me back to this concept of what "alive" means for the young child.  When we returned from our nature walk I sat down with the children and guided them in a conversation about what "alive" actually means....this is what they had to say!

Collin (age 6): It's like something that can move.
Emmeline (age 4): Like us?
Becton (age 4): That something can move. Sometimes hands are alive because they move their fingers.  I think a bee is alive, 'cause it flies and goes buzz...
Ms. Heather: Is there anything alive you see by us?"
Emmeline: The river.

This piece adding to the conversation was unexpected, but as you will ultimately see has become the basis of our study topic!  

Ultimately we decided our definition of "alive" consisted of the following: An object is alive if it a) moves without being touched, b) makes a noise, and c) grows. 

Now you may be wondering why I didn't correct the children and inform them that an object is alive if it requires air, consumes nutrients, and multiplies.  The answer is simply this...

Children will have plenty of time to find answers.  However, the further along they go in traditional "education" models they will discover there is limited time to ask questions.  I could give children the answers and "teach" them any number of useful and interesting concepts.  However, by allowing the children to discover and build their own theories I provide a foundation for children to actually learn how to learn.   What this conversation did was show me the children have vivid ideas and an  ability to draw conclusions based on scientific "research".  What amazingly competent beings these littlest learners really are!