August 2018
Grace and Courtesy Lessons
Photo from Montessoriforeveryone.com
During the first two weeks of school the primary focus in the classroom will be grace and courtesy. This is extremely important in a Montessori classroom. The children must be taught or reminded how to roll a rug, speak in an indoor voice, carry a tray carefully, walk around a rug without disturbing a classmate's work, etc. By spending this critical time on these very important lessons we will be a 'normalized' classroom sooner.
This is also a time for the children to show me what they know, specifically in math. There are assessments that we must do at the beginning of the year to see what the children have retained or lost. The new first graders must get used to the classroom and teachers as well. By having them show me what they know I will see which lessons they need and what they need reviews on. We started a classroom economy this year, complete with a store and money for the children to earn and spend. This economy is not run with rewards or punishments (losing points or dollars for misbehavior or missed work), but instead each child is invited to apply for a job and they must earn their money (in addition to their regular classroom cleaning jobs). So far it has been a huge success while the children are learning how to count, save, and protect their money.
We are also enjoying the Great Lessons - Creation of universe, life, humans, language, and writing. The children work with beautiful materials to explore these lessons and even create their own - timelines, books, scrolls, clay tablets and more!
Elementary Grace and Courtesy Work (courtesy of Montessoriforeveryone.com):
Social Skills
* How to work with another person
* How to resolve conflict
* How to mediate between friends
* How to help a younger child
Manners
* Writing a thank-you note
* Speaking politely to friends, family, and teachers
* Being kind to others (treat them the way you want to be treated)
Environment
* How to care for plants and animals
* Setting up a table for a meal
* How to clean and straighten a classroom or room at home
* How to serve in the community
* Recycling and other ways to care for the earth
This is also a time for the children to show me what they know, specifically in math. There are assessments that we must do at the beginning of the year to see what the children have retained or lost. The new first graders must get used to the classroom and teachers as well. By having them show me what they know I will see which lessons they need and what they need reviews on. We started a classroom economy this year, complete with a store and money for the children to earn and spend. This economy is not run with rewards or punishments (losing points or dollars for misbehavior or missed work), but instead each child is invited to apply for a job and they must earn their money (in addition to their regular classroom cleaning jobs). So far it has been a huge success while the children are learning how to count, save, and protect their money.
We are also enjoying the Great Lessons - Creation of universe, life, humans, language, and writing. The children work with beautiful materials to explore these lessons and even create their own - timelines, books, scrolls, clay tablets and more!
Elementary Grace and Courtesy Work (courtesy of Montessoriforeveryone.com):
Social Skills
* How to work with another person
* How to resolve conflict
* How to mediate between friends
* How to help a younger child
Manners
* Writing a thank-you note
* Speaking politely to friends, family, and teachers
* Being kind to others (treat them the way you want to be treated)
Environment
* How to care for plants and animals
* Setting up a table for a meal
* How to clean and straighten a classroom or room at home
* How to serve in the community
* Recycling and other ways to care for the earth
Great Lessons
Along with all of the school-wide assessments that will be
going on during this critical first month, the Great Lessons will also
begin.
The Great Lessons are the core of the
Montessori program. The creation of the universe is where we start. Everything we do in the classroom relates back to these lessons.
The science experiments that come from this lesson are a favorite among the
students. The History of Language and Written Words are lessons
that show the students the importance of good communication. The History of Math gives them a glimpse into the importance of math and why we need it. We are so fortunate this year to have our upper elementary students present this lesson to our students! The younger students are so excited to see their old friends again!
The Fundamental Needs of Humans and the Timeline of Humans are lessons that we will
keep referring back to as the students find their place in this huge universe.
Everything we do cycles back to these lessons because there are parts of these
lessons that are found in every other lesson in the classroom.
We are planting seeds of imagination,
discovery, and lifelong love of learning that will carry the student into his
next journey, the second half of the second plane of development.
This is a great article on Over-Parenting
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/08/28/434350484/how-schools-are-handling-an-overparenting-crisis?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20150828
going on during this critical first month, the Great Lessons will also
begin.
The Great Lessons are the core of the
Montessori program. The creation of the universe is where we start. Everything we do in the classroom relates back to these lessons.
The science experiments that come from this lesson are a favorite among the
students. The History of Language and Written Words are lessons
that show the students the importance of good communication. The History of Math gives them a glimpse into the importance of math and why we need it. We are so fortunate this year to have our upper elementary students present this lesson to our students! The younger students are so excited to see their old friends again!
The Fundamental Needs of Humans and the Timeline of Humans are lessons that we will
keep referring back to as the students find their place in this huge universe.
Everything we do cycles back to these lessons because there are parts of these
lessons that are found in every other lesson in the classroom.
We are planting seeds of imagination,
discovery, and lifelong love of learning that will carry the student into his
next journey, the second half of the second plane of development.
This is a great article on Over-Parenting
http://www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/08/28/434350484/how-schools-are-handling-an-overparenting-crisis?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=npr&utm_term=nprnews&utm_content=20150828