tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73807052840991502672024-02-19T10:39:39.976-05:00Mindful MontessoriA Montessori Teacher's New Practice
with a new twist of Nurturing the Spirit, Mindful and Peaceful Montessori Lessons and a look into the Montessori Philosophy.Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-16052012201258891452011-10-01T08:20:00.002-04:002011-10-01T08:24:23.530-04:00Montessori Record Keeping...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-size: large;">When I began teaching in Montessori I found record keeping and taking observation notes was a difficult thing for me to handle and be consistent with. Over time, I have found a stressless way for me to have a plan. Montessori records and lesson plans are all individualized. As Montessori teachers, we "follow" the child through observations to see what the child may need: intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically and spiritually.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">First I have a legal sized clipboard. The first page is a <em>Lesson Plan</em> grid with 25 spaces for me to have each child's name. Below are lessons that I plan on giving the child. After I give the lesson, I put a check mark next to the lesson to remind me it has been given.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYMeI9oAf7P6R-pVXIpcuDcMGIpSnhaHTwsIZGLphtcDd6ok8JhsuIrhyphenhyphentbNOA8fFZK1CvwAuD4CXijhC5VhnoV2YSwJh9mmuROIvqx6DchIDTOsKhqEeKzqX47DgiA3GdJkyblDMhd0H/s1600/record+keeping.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYMeI9oAf7P6R-pVXIpcuDcMGIpSnhaHTwsIZGLphtcDd6ok8JhsuIrhyphenhyphentbNOA8fFZK1CvwAuD4CXijhC5VhnoV2YSwJh9mmuROIvqx6DchIDTOsKhqEeKzqX47DgiA3GdJkyblDMhd0H/s320/record+keeping.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you have an assistant that knows what most of the works are called, I would have them record what each child is working on in the morning hours. This has given me more time to focus on lessons to the children and I can really observe the children in the environment instead of, "Sam had snack, cards and counters, etc." You will have time to observe the child and write ample notes. At the end of the morning, my assistant will give me her list. I then transfer this onto my <em>Daily Record Keeping </em>form<em>.</em> This monthly record shows lessons the child had, what they are working on, emotional/social behavior and a parent communication record.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeSzOVU_NIGrCyTEs6u0ChtMtbYqVnuvtFEHMCm2d2dQ8WhV6wHuECLAvnaGDSfVl40ttm2o-J5VwR-o3OCj9KPwW5yg4pspkaePrFxDF0kZ7x8akak-nkkiP-w97DV-VqfH5lzv8ywvo/s1600/record+keeping+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" kca="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeSzOVU_NIGrCyTEs6u0ChtMtbYqVnuvtFEHMCm2d2dQ8WhV6wHuECLAvnaGDSfVl40ttm2o-J5VwR-o3OCj9KPwW5yg4pspkaePrFxDF0kZ7x8akak-nkkiP-w97DV-VqfH5lzv8ywvo/s320/record+keeping+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">When it is time for me to communicate with a parent, I am easily able to look at my notes and observations. This also allows me to easily transfer my records in the "official" checklist.</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-14417172020758297602011-09-07T22:27:00.001-04:002011-09-07T22:27:08.926-04:00Cultural Shelves<div><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9UQMd3rZA30JvP3hn1v_wbj4cSnF5ZqR3NCt35NqC_pwnrf_lDdK-FDCpUPetsMUlAetmMXV20d_uiaH-6CE2pH5b7lehHtTN6cVB7AJj7FgCkz81KH9mGTyDUEWn11uynKTEPTULog8o/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8D4r43nTjJgHQK6_zOuFNm1rDwBic_SLk2chGwuYnGEYpH_00hw67-bAXpyheMzelz64NbGfXutaluOAftKYCAA0_199uWG8FzR039qoMnLuW40JpD3uiawkb0GOYQBgkUkn4IZwlOpk/' /><br/><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZtA627FDBUGAEwN0jeV4ywPAEFnYMwhZVZn4La5lNr3yQWl3Ih-TazrySM2FHVASwk7-FIpkv8Ls2WjHNsNjeLR65bIF_kWSw_14i-1nDOfjxpNp8LQhWJq3eVnr0JQSGUsvzkeduRir5/' /></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-58661125043550431212011-09-05T11:39:00.001-04:002011-09-05T12:09:24.708-04:00Grace and Courtesy Lessons<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="126"><span closure_uid_m9bewy="210" closure_uid_tb5i4p="124" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">In the Montessori classroom Grace and Courtey lessons are continous. These lesson allow the children to become aware and mindful of what they are doing in the classroom. For example, I may say "I am closing the door <em>quietly</em>." or " I am walking <em>slowly</em> in the classroom."</span></div><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="126"><br />
</div><span closure_uid_tb5i4p="132" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;"><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="293"><em>Everyday kindness and courtesy are vital practical life skills. Lessons in Grace and Courtesy teach everyday social customs, such as how to enter a room, not to disturb another’s work, how to ask if you may join in an activity and how to graciously decline an invitation, table manners, and how to offer an apology. </em></div><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="126"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc-1SRXg_XUUGFrab2QV19gsSUhW1r_nabcnYPAP93RhQh4U6lcBy0KU8e8H_33weqe9zSu7oqCccnbAV1qPVd1_lHkcQI0Cz9mQnGkZ-DfhnmDKBVWf-hBDLxH191N4qnTupuir1c3Fg/s1600/grace+ang+courtesy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzc-1SRXg_XUUGFrab2QV19gsSUhW1r_nabcnYPAP93RhQh4U6lcBy0KU8e8H_33weqe9zSu7oqCccnbAV1qPVd1_lHkcQI0Cz9mQnGkZ-DfhnmDKBVWf-hBDLxH191N4qnTupuir1c3Fg/s320/grace+ang+courtesy.jpg" width="221" xaa="true" /></a></div><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="126"><em closure_uid_tb5i4p="267">"We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for himself; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit. It is the teacher's joy to welcome the manifestation of the spirit." </em></div><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="126"><br />
</div><span closure_uid_m9bewy="210" closure_uid_tb5i4p="124" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">This year at our school, we are having a new monthly parent gathering called <em closure_uid_tb5i4p="265">Montessori & Munchies</em>. Within the 1 hour, teachers have prepared a Montessori topic that will lead into a group discussion. In August the topic was <em>Grace and Courtesy</em> lessons. Below I would like to share few lessons my collages put together for Toddler to Elementary.</span></span><em><span closure_uid_tb5i4p="133" style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">- Maria Montessori</span></em> </div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><div closure_uid_tb5i4p="130"><strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Toddler</span></strong></div></div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Eating Habits</span></div><ul><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Using s fork and spoon correctly</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Chewing food with mouth closed</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Sitting quietly in chair during a meal</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Toilet Training</span></div><ul><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How and when to go to the bathroom</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Proper Hygiene</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to wash hands</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to blow your nose</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Manners</span></div><ul><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to say "please" and "thank you"</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Primary</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Social Skills</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to greet people</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to shake hands when greeting someone</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Manners</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to excuse oneself when walking in front of someone</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to interrupt when necessary</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to hand objects to another person, especially sharps objects like scissors and knives</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to say "please" and "thank you"</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to care for a pet</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to water a plant </span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to clean up a spill</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to open and close a door quietly</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to pick up and carry a chair</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><strong><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Elementary</span></strong></div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137" style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Social Skills</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to work with another person</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to resolve conflict</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to mediate between friends</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to help a younger friend</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Manners</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Writing a thank you note</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Speaking politely to friends, family and teachers</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Being kind to others</span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Environment</span></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to care for plants and animals</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Setting up a table for a meal</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to clean and straighten a classroom or home</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">How to serve in the community</span></div></li>
<li><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: large;">Caring for the earth </span></div></li>
</ul><div closure_uid_m9bewy="137"><br />
</div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-77288793180066145462011-09-05T10:59:00.000-04:002011-09-05T10:59:58.317-04:00Kids Top Five Yoga Exercises<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><h1 class="entry-title" closure_uid_i434lh="136" style="text-align: center;">5 Sure-Fire Kids Yoga Exercises</h1><div class="post-info" closure_uid_i434lh="128"><span class="date time published" title="2008-04-21T22:45:00+0000">April 21, 2008</span> By <span class="author vcard"><span class="fn"><a href="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/author/admin/" title="Posts by Aruna Kathy Humphrys">Aruna Kathy Humphrys</a></span></span> </div><div class="post-info" closure_uid_i434lh="128"> </div><div class="post-info" closure_uid_i434lh="128"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeyMvyumpSONYMAmmxvGTyGi4WUJ_1ow5zxqoofdQJfN23jewFMZLE0lkG7fwpdZ2v1ieHum5QYNmQXwEriibqtDIffhVQy7c6UyRhsQGaBBNMM2XDO6nCqfxWE8mV-kGkARZOMIKXK8/s1600-h/bicycle+legs.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191895789042744498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPeyMvyumpSONYMAmmxvGTyGi4WUJ_1ow5zxqoofdQJfN23jewFMZLE0lkG7fwpdZ2v1ieHum5QYNmQXwEriibqtDIffhVQy7c6UyRhsQGaBBNMM2XDO6nCqfxWE8mV-kGkARZOMIKXK8/s200/bicycle+legs.jpg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><strong><span style="font-family: arial;">Five Kids Favorites</span></strong> <div><span style="font-family: arial;">Simply put, there are some yoga poses that the kids ask for and some that they don’t. Surprisingly, a lot of the favorites are warm-up poses that get the circulation going after a long day of sitting at a desk. </span></div><div><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> </div><div><span style="font-family: arial;">These are what I get the most requests for in yoga class:</span></div><div> </div></div><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><div class="entry-content" closure_uid_i434lh="169" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="entry-content" closure_uid_i434lh="169" style="text-align: left;"><span closure_uid_i434lh="182" style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Washing Machine:</strong> This is a great Kundalini Yoga warm-up that kids love because it is active and fun! In easy pose put your hands on your shoulders (fingers in front, thumbs in back). Then twist left and right like a washing machine. You can do breathing – inhaling as you go left and exhaling as you go right, but it’s also fun to say “swish, swish” as you go to each side. <strong>(Bonus Pose:</strong> Follow this one up with Dryer Pose where you rotate your hands around each other in front of your chest – said to be great for co-ordination and the brain) </span></div><div closure_uid_i434lh="170" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_i434lh="170" style="text-align: left;"><span closure_uid_i434lh="171" style="font-family: arial;"><strong closure_uid_i434lh="179">Bicycle</strong>: In yoga we do bicycle lying on the back and pedaling our legs in the air (see picture). Finish by pedalling up a hill then going down the hill holding your legs stretched wide by your head and shout, “weeeeeeeeee!” (you don’t need to peddle down a hill!)</span><span closure_uid_i434lh="171" style="font-family: arial;"> </span> </div><div closure_uid_i434lh="170" style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong closure_uid_i434lh="173">Tricky Tree</strong>: A favorite in the partner yoga genre. In tree pose, both partners face forward and balance on one foot. Instead of putting your foot on your own leg, stretch it towards your partner and let them hold it up for you. One person holds a foot in front and the other person holds the foot behind their leg. You kind of look like a capital “H” when you do it. It is very tricky for pre-schoolers so you may need to help them balance in this one. </span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong>Human Teacher Puppet</strong>: Want to get everyone’s attention in a class? Let one child sit on your lap and pretend they are teaching the class. Gently hold their wrists and move their arms around for them in a very animated way as you describe the next pose. Use different voices and accents, try hand gestures like using their hand to scratch their head or blow kisses. This is so popular the kids may start to jump on your lap the moment you sit down – so develop some kind of system to keep track of which kids have had a turn. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div closure_uid_i434lh="174" style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_i434lh="174" style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><strong closure_uid_i434lh="180">The Worry Tree:</strong> This is a beautiful image we use for relaxing. We have an imagination session for relaxation and go to different places in our imagination. At the beginning of the session we put all our worries on a big tree we call The Worry Tree. You put all the worries you can think of on there and when you are done then you start your imagination session. This is another one kids will ask for at the beginning of the class.</span></div><div closure_uid_i434lh="144"></div><div closure_uid_i434lh="181"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span> </div><div closure_uid_i434lh="181">Aruna Humphrys </div><div>www.YoungYogaMasters.com </div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-74622511763913201522011-08-13T20:53:00.000-04:002011-08-13T20:53:19.978-04:00Educating for Peace: The Essence of Montessori<iframe height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3MwuS377MpE?fs=1" frameborder="0" width="425" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<br />Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-65507392665771808692011-08-13T20:42:00.001-04:002011-08-13T20:44:37.797-04:00Montessori Classroom Photographs: Math Shelves<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="177" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="177" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Only days away from our first day of school. Enjoy the Math area of our Montessori environment!</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="177" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="177" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFoElA2bRmVn0sK6-eqcdkPtXPpMeFr_BKUTTnv5AG5DNFdAmNoTPJYRS6b-dCPXqkgG1fhmLEaO9lr1D-6yT5-fchnG5BW0g_AUg8DOfYHalfXv9OqUilRDGU5vL1Uhx5sLucys72sIb/s1600/2011-08-01+16.08.09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmFoElA2bRmVn0sK6-eqcdkPtXPpMeFr_BKUTTnv5AG5DNFdAmNoTPJYRS6b-dCPXqkgG1fhmLEaO9lr1D-6yT5-fchnG5BW0g_AUg8DOfYHalfXv9OqUilRDGU5vL1Uhx5sLucys72sIb/s400/2011-08-01+16.08.09.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="317" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAOQpA3258EqfaHMFgnJE8jM8tVXS0rOWOOgig30-L_MaYME3NptCK9PT6gNMKeaAxtMtLprpgA1XLcK54hwqVxPILeuF9aY_jdl99_gX7jrirSS8C_PnCjogIH-Ye6u2j8QaeczKvd2i/s1600/2011-08-01+16.06.32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPAOQpA3258EqfaHMFgnJE8jM8tVXS0rOWOOgig30-L_MaYME3NptCK9PT6gNMKeaAxtMtLprpgA1XLcK54hwqVxPILeuF9aY_jdl99_gX7jrirSS8C_PnCjogIH-Ye6u2j8QaeczKvd2i/s400/2011-08-01+16.06.32.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyUFE8NseApNv5-Vhu7jsm1pOBE1Mhn301HCq77-IoWG4rSEgs4s8KkzPlZPowrb1kCPjWuXN3tnY8H2lvBRFPeiY8HDMUKth1EN9m7L0w5oRES-E-ymwsL-94D2e7qfzJp6fs4LDEc2p/s1600/2011-08-01+16.06.50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipyUFE8NseApNv5-Vhu7jsm1pOBE1Mhn301HCq77-IoWG4rSEgs4s8KkzPlZPowrb1kCPjWuXN3tnY8H2lvBRFPeiY8HDMUKth1EN9m7L0w5oRES-E-ymwsL-94D2e7qfzJp6fs4LDEc2p/s400/2011-08-01+16.06.50.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_82hphq="234" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xsXY6M3dF9WzTJzkqXTcaPS8In8GyU-aj-WscJai7h6tttwogBgbf3b-z_aVDOui79XX54HjMypi1sb32Lg-PgrmE5CryS15ldK4c9VEMefs4JlgaPSogxSNXR83tNewHTOp2A_CdNUP/s1600/2011-08-01+16.07.37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" naa="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1xsXY6M3dF9WzTJzkqXTcaPS8In8GyU-aj-WscJai7h6tttwogBgbf3b-z_aVDOui79XX54HjMypi1sb32Lg-PgrmE5CryS15ldK4c9VEMefs4JlgaPSogxSNXR83tNewHTOp2A_CdNUP/s400/2011-08-01+16.07.37.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div align="left" closure_uid_82hphq="219"></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-41427576662136082882011-08-05T07:34:00.002-04:002011-08-05T07:45:57.516-04:00Montessori Classroom Photographs: Language<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div closure_uid_60bb8t="701">Welcome to my Primary environment. This week I am sharing my photographs of the language area. Enjoy!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_60bb8t="699" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HFQiEWa6S2AfNq0ElgZI2Z1kTYJVJnCYkWJycN30ibSmghZT7vQtStXxb4ZZqRuW8uHV5TrmXJE2Dk976TCICTI7p3-H6R7S8Nnc3C-9dqp0J8HgVny7fUm2HpKOohWmW3wvLZ93okqw/s1600/lang.+area.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2HFQiEWa6S2AfNq0ElgZI2Z1kTYJVJnCYkWJycN30ibSmghZT7vQtStXxb4ZZqRuW8uHV5TrmXJE2Dk976TCICTI7p3-H6R7S8Nnc3C-9dqp0J8HgVny7fUm2HpKOohWmW3wvLZ93okqw/s400/lang.+area.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWrTktbP4GyxS2zZOrdkg53tXOV6QzVzbEWDSP6helDoMV91dN0brkpNksSdt5jzB6wY-OqjTIL-0tpwwZu52yWQl0XlxeZCD_h74afIC1VHyV8gpgLSGhpnAaNQ8ENgKRCPviaM7cT3-/s1600/lang.writing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWWrTktbP4GyxS2zZOrdkg53tXOV6QzVzbEWDSP6helDoMV91dN0brkpNksSdt5jzB6wY-OqjTIL-0tpwwZu52yWQl0XlxeZCD_h74afIC1VHyV8gpgLSGhpnAaNQ8ENgKRCPviaM7cT3-/s400/lang.writing.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_60bb8t="366" style="text-align: center;">Writing Shelf, on the left is an object box for Sand Paper Sounds </td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOvak7-3VRfNAPkDxbQ2tTmr52FiA0nlC78Sf39xa3UWFwyqv7yaqyyvgZk8aLWfhTtOYV-ymKyfcezcwXPPWXie0uhmA_MilCDfY_Nx9tEh4SbiGedTxMyM1MqAUu8edvFshTvDrzLuz/s1600/writing+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNOvak7-3VRfNAPkDxbQ2tTmr52FiA0nlC78Sf39xa3UWFwyqv7yaqyyvgZk8aLWfhTtOYV-ymKyfcezcwXPPWXie0uhmA_MilCDfY_Nx9tEh4SbiGedTxMyM1MqAUu8edvFshTvDrzLuz/s400/writing+2.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Writing sequence, we teach cursive handwriting,</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div closure_uid_60bb8t="464"><br />
</div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfxW3eRhu3CEbK1QgiE8PUKE1-yhnMXKWOJvYwA5xKjiz3td_tkvVkRWkT2yqmMuOV16pLvpcpl16GM6FCyjpHrEsc0cKPPEg3_9tkvwhYqieNIXLFMl21bzmuSQf8rxO3fNv_JMU_62K/s1600/lang-reading.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwfxW3eRhu3CEbK1QgiE8PUKE1-yhnMXKWOJvYwA5xKjiz3td_tkvVkRWkT2yqmMuOV16pLvpcpl16GM6FCyjpHrEsc0cKPPEg3_9tkvwhYqieNIXLFMl21bzmuSQf8rxO3fNv_JMU_62K/s400/lang-reading.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_60bb8t="411" style="text-align: center;">Above is the Waseca Reading Program (I love it!), below is language enrichment materials</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div closure_uid_60bb8t="702"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_60bb8t="224" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOLVMjYIx8mXX1IX9SmE4yN8F8LieimNaor7sT-LURITCyQEbwfov78hbKfKsh8SGW0NOulaLWtcRY6bXtsmVA5DM0eR45XgcjIJ3FDNIpwOCV8nDCDHB0AvCYqAZ_ZbxpM5CYmNf4-Gz/s1600/lang+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuOLVMjYIx8mXX1IX9SmE4yN8F8LieimNaor7sT-LURITCyQEbwfov78hbKfKsh8SGW0NOulaLWtcRY6bXtsmVA5DM0eR45XgcjIJ3FDNIpwOCV8nDCDHB0AvCYqAZ_ZbxpM5CYmNf4-Gz/s400/lang+3.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_60bb8t="731" style="text-align: center;">Readers, Phonograms and Long Vowel</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf-E3KlgAQ3KAH3XNyGAumzoHNvObcvCTgLa4M7k9W3IEA2aqGK4IlTm8wLUfPyDPuJdFik3F5KVYyjz_YNszHvNISyHLe9WgiIAbB4spiGdyRjy0mDqyPzwvhnIwy9Z23Zfx0BMeKjWE/s1600/grammer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkf-E3KlgAQ3KAH3XNyGAumzoHNvObcvCTgLa4M7k9W3IEA2aqGK4IlTm8wLUfPyDPuJdFik3F5KVYyjz_YNszHvNISyHLe9WgiIAbB4spiGdyRjy0mDqyPzwvhnIwy9Z23Zfx0BMeKjWE/s400/grammer.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_60bb8t="463" style="text-align: center;">Grammar shelf: The Farm and grammar boxes. A fish tank goes on the top left.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> <br />
<div class="separator" closure_uid_60bb8t="669" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybl0sRv7IJHQHtoAMMQ3Rm0XwSd5E14-kG3ltf_ZPtBK0ILauBpio4Gwavmb94kucDx6HcZn3qZe7yUx0vQLICFDUWOcW1sUrOzRswwZkuy_qxGffoOMJk46YguW04bzYP_8GwY_9zWiT/s1600/view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybl0sRv7IJHQHtoAMMQ3Rm0XwSd5E14-kG3ltf_ZPtBK0ILauBpio4Gwavmb94kucDx6HcZn3qZe7yUx0vQLICFDUWOcW1sUrOzRswwZkuy_qxGffoOMJk46YguW04bzYP_8GwY_9zWiT/s400/view.JPG" t$="true" width="400" /></a></div><div closure_uid_60bb8t="462" closure_uid_rdcp27="325"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div closure_uid_rdcp27="216"><br />
</div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-15143491542601808812011-07-31T20:19:00.002-04:002011-07-31T20:20:44.878-04:00Creating Parent Community in Your Montessori Classroom<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div> <br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51nDoKFXQM1il55vkUISzeJ0aqZ99BYqA_iyPx4UftDlMCWZJn5ddCvCgubkOtD3eUtMpZivf3ZGxpaYXYkH2BDDrJkyRtFWBHlCg-GyOOC5twunFf-ajL9XCgnca49ygD3Zsp6Y9ObJo/s1600/IMG_1906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51nDoKFXQM1il55vkUISzeJ0aqZ99BYqA_iyPx4UftDlMCWZJn5ddCvCgubkOtD3eUtMpZivf3ZGxpaYXYkH2BDDrJkyRtFWBHlCg-GyOOC5twunFf-ajL9XCgnca49ygD3Zsp6Y9ObJo/s320/IMG_1906.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" closure_uid_1by2p8="583" style="text-align: center;">Science Fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><em><span closure_uid_1by2p8="649" style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><strong>"Goodness must come out of reciprocal helpfulness, from the unity derived from spiritual cohesion."</strong></span></em></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><em><span closure_uid_1by2p8="649" style="color: #073763; font-size: large;"><strong> - Maria Montessori</strong></span></em></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><span closure_uid_1by2p8="605" closure_uid_kutji0="112" style="font-size: large;">In my very first post of my blog I shared my goals for the new school year. One goal was not included. It was to increase parent involvement in our Montessori classroom and community. This will allow all teachers, children and parents to create a sense of well being <span closure_uid_1by2p8="639" style="background-color: white;">and to merge the relationships together. </span>We have events throughout the year such as Harvest Day, Festival of Lights, National Montessori Week and Earth Day that all the families have an opportunity to participate in. This year I am hoping to have parents share themselves with the primary classroom. I recently emailed our families a "Happy New Year" email. This is a portion of <em>What's New...</em></span></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="174"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><em closure_uid_1by2p8="138"><span closure_uid_1by2p8="607" style="font-size: large;"><strong>Parent Visit…</strong>At least once a month I would like to have a parent share their professions, skills, hobbies, talents, customs, or native languages. Attached is our culture theme for the year. Think about it and I hope to have this commitment at Parent Orientation. There will be a sign up sheet at Parent Orientation.</span></em></div><div class="separator" closure_uid_1by2p8="451" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-V31OpyCzPVWTHBC6t6sVVQxEypeSg9VbgVf6MZmtHf4sGX_dKBNi0qUD0cSLgcnUkspauXkKv8Glet6QQyE7rHQJCPVeiuQWzu6CEvPFUBzlxwgwuQWL_S-MXmrHZHOj-ezkpnz1kNC/s320/IMG_1912.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" t$="true" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Science Fair</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div closure_uid_1by2p8="640"><span closure_uid_1by2p8="557" style="font-size: large;">Shortly after sending out the email, I am excited to already have two parents commit on Maria Montessori's birthday (Aug. 31) and our South America study. I sent my parents a cultural theme plan for the year to help spark some interest and ideas.</span></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><span style="font-size: large;">Another idea is to have parents come and read in your classroom. They may read stories or they can listen to your children read their "readers". </span></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><span closure_uid_1by2p8="558" style="font-size: large;">What are your ideas at your Montessori school? How are your parents involved?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-V31OpyCzPVWTHBC6t6sVVQxEypeSg9VbgVf6MZmtHf4sGX_dKBNi0qUD0cSLgcnUkspauXkKv8Glet6QQyE7rHQJCPVeiuQWzu6CEvPFUBzlxwgwuQWL_S-MXmrHZHOj-ezkpnz1kNC/s1600/IMG_1912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_1by2p8="134"><br />
</div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-91433293534846077412011-07-24T21:26:00.000-04:002011-07-24T23:00:32.130-04:00Spiritual Nurturers<div><div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="142" dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7qr8uZ8BFezD1uXTmQYGRUKGXpYyFxM7IhaEP-fkvzWek81-mdGhvagkDvteofJregH-oydD3oghcRI0tzBwZTHX8URn6hnlpF47lGDQxQcUj50QHim3IaRoIVVG0KGLMUONQcI7qhj0/s1600/IMG_0587.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7qr8uZ8BFezD1uXTmQYGRUKGXpYyFxM7IhaEP-fkvzWek81-mdGhvagkDvteofJregH-oydD3oghcRI0tzBwZTHX8URn6hnlpF47lGDQxQcUj50QHim3IaRoIVVG0KGLMUONQcI7qhj0/s320/IMG_0587.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="135"><span closure_uid_shi6xd="230" style="font-size: large;">This blog is not intended to deny anyone of any religion or spiritual journey you may be on. We are all on one. I teach in a non-sectarian Montessori school with the many religions and cultures in my very own classroom. I myself am on my own religious journey. You may be wondering, <em closure_uid_shi6xd="284">"What does she practice?", "Does she attend church?"</em> and/or <em closure_uid_shi6xd="285">"Does she believe in God."</em> I believe those are very important questions to make a quick judgement of this blog, however it is not my intention at all. You may be Christian, Jewish, Atheist, Hindu, Buddist, Baha'i', Native American or believe in another religion. Welcome. Our common bond is we are all "spiritual nurturers".</span></div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="135"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="135"><span closure_uid_shi6xd="150" style="font-size: large;">What we do as Montessori teacher's is much larger than we can ever imagine. Our connection with all our children that we encounter is extremely precious. Spirituality is and has always been present in our classrooms. You may have seen a child help another by picking up beans off the floor, reading to another child, giving a child a picture they just drew. A child may be sitting quietly outside in the garden. These are all aspects of spirituality. Some believe spirituality is present with the religion that they believe in. But as Montessorians in a non-sectarian school, we cannot "teach" a religion but may have to see "spirituality in a much broader sense" (Wolf, 16). It is everyday acts such as compassion, generosity, helpfulness, love, trust and more virtues we can share with the children. How do we show compassion? How are we generous? I am helpful to others by....., I show love when....</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtcHn2OVPWsSQo9UoeEVGFT6kb45Zs2n8J8p0wwDh9Tldlu5QyNZDqi2TxvCwDUCHdQEeKUnTsgqe07blDkhkLzz-_saBRVgVD5BXfgBwsyU7aDTTBRTgHyMFZaYO6yXx3-ByKX8uacZa/s1600/IMG_0588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrtcHn2OVPWsSQo9UoeEVGFT6kb45Zs2n8J8p0wwDh9Tldlu5QyNZDqi2TxvCwDUCHdQEeKUnTsgqe07blDkhkLzz-_saBRVgVD5BXfgBwsyU7aDTTBRTgHyMFZaYO6yXx3-ByKX8uacZa/s320/IMG_0588.jpg" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="135"><br />
</div><div closure_uid_shi6xd="135"><span closure_uid_shi6xd="221" style="font-size: large;">"The greatest challenge we all face as spiritual nurturers is to become attuned to the young child's authentic spirituality, which unlike our own - is still such an integrated part of life...Children's exuberant spirituality is reflected in everything they do...A child shows us the extraordinary in the ordinary." (Wolf/Fitzpatrick, p.29)</span></div><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: small;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" closure_uid_shi6xd="378" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">Quotations from: </div></span><u closure_uid_shi6xd="377">Nurturing the Spirits in Non-Sectarian Classrooms</u>, Aline D. Wolf</div></div></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-1681019901499346132011-07-21T20:30:00.001-04:002011-07-21T20:30:00.526-04:00Exploring Kids Brains On Yoga<div class="post-info">This is a blog I would like to share that is a wonderful way to teach Yoga to children. I came across an article on the development of the brain. I quickly thought of Maria Montessori and The Absorbment Mind!!! Happy Reading! You will have to go to Young Yoga Masters to enjoy a little Ziggy Marley and Paul Simon.</div><div class="post-info"> </div><div class="post-info"><a href="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/2011/05/22/exporing-kids-brains-on-yoga/">http://www.youngyogamasters.com/2011/05/22/exporing-kids-brains-on-yoga/</a></div><div class="post-info"> </div><div class="post-info">How Exploring Builds Better Brains</div><div class="entry-content">In our mother’s womb, sixteen weeks after conception, our brains start receiving signals from our ears. This experience of sound begins a life long bombardment of stimulation from the senses to the brain. When we are thrust into the light of day our baby brains are flooded with all the senses: sounds, sights, smells, tastes and touch.<br />
Our baby brains begin organizing neurons to understand this onslaught of sensation. Making sense of our senses becomes a life long project we undergo as infants, toddlers, kids and eventually as yoga teachers.<br />
As we age we experience ourselves as a “self” exploring a physical world; a self that faces the ultimate questions of life. Who am I? Where am I? What can I do? Modern brain scanning techniques reveal our brains take a starring role in our exploration of the world. These brain scans also reveal Exploring builds better brains.<br />
<h4>Three Ways to Encourage Exploring with Kids Yoga</h4>Kids engage in exploring when they interact with their environment in new and novel ways that pushes their physical, mental and emotional boundaries. Through exploration kids push their brains to develop new connections and learn new skills.<br />
You can foster healthy brain development by providing good exploring activities for kids:<br />
<ul><li><strong>Moving the body</strong> – Teaching big movements that involve the entire body and small movements that involve just parts of the body. Kids Yoga: try a rocket ship launch – start in a squat position and use your fingers to do a countdown from ten to one (small movements) then stand up slowly like a rocket ship launching and flying to the moon (large movements). <br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_4679" style="width: 310px;"><a href="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/singing-bowl.jpg" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-4679" height="220" src="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/singing-bowl.jpg" title="singing-bowl yoga instrument" width="300" /></a> <div class="wp-caption-text">Explore Music in Yoga - Try a Singing Bowl</div></div></li>
<li><strong>Handling physical objects </strong>– Teaching the handling of age appropriate toys, props and musical instruments. Kids Yoga: Introducing a Singing Bowl during class is a fun way for children learn to play it, while the other children watch and learn how to play and listen for the sound of the bowl singing.</li>
<li><strong>Interacting with others</strong> – Teaching singing, dancing, game playing and partner yoga. Kids Yoga: consider partner yoga bicycle legs (see picture). For toddlers try adult/child partner yoga, with the adult moving a child’s legs like they are riding a bicycle. Then switch and let the toddlers grab the adult’s feet while they slowly bicycle. <br />
<div class="wp-caption alignright" id="attachment_4681" style="width: 310px;"><a href="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bicycle-legs-partner-yoga.gif"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-4681" height="214" src="http://www.youngyogamasters.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bicycle-legs-partner-yoga.gif" title="bicycle-legs-partner-yoga" width="300" /></a> <div class="wp-caption-text">Partner Yoga - Bicycle Legs</div></div></li>
</ul>In the Young Yoga Masters kids yoga teacher training we emphasize choosing postures and activities appropriate for the age group. Remember for toddlers merely standing up is a balancing posture.<br />
<h4>Exploring Develops Confidence</h4>When kids Explore they not only develop problem solving skills and motor skills they also develop emotional strength in the face of hardship. Kids faced with a hard task or a complex movement will struggle and learn to deal with struggling.<br />
Kids’ yoga teachers need to be keenly aware that stress can be devastating for children; nevertheless, they shouldn’t be too quick to help a struggling child. Struggle in the right doses helps kids go from not being able to do something to being able to do it easily. We don’t want to deny kids this lesson as it is one they will benefit from for their entire lives. Ziggy Marley and Paul Simon explain it perfectly in song, “Walk tall, walk tall, even if you fall get up.”</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-76377724571656658742011-07-20T20:00:00.001-04:002011-07-21T09:28:37.654-04:00The Presence of Mindfulness in Montessori: Sensorial<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlrbiuyjC1uPH6eYOuWGYIQQSbrlXArmik50Dslr4Q2LHnbubGJtlIfxMnmZmgqhD8lNcRTaNab0y2ikMVt9tOMjSmVd9o608LLBj00kIJfVGT5vIARAtRS3Qlgk8XZyFYhofQ0xM-_Mx/s1600/IMG_2130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlrbiuyjC1uPH6eYOuWGYIQQSbrlXArmik50Dslr4Q2LHnbubGJtlIfxMnmZmgqhD8lNcRTaNab0y2ikMVt9tOMjSmVd9o608LLBj00kIJfVGT5vIARAtRS3Qlgk8XZyFYhofQ0xM-_Mx/s320/IMG_2130.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">"The development of the senses indeed precedes that of superior intellectual activity and the child between three and seven years is in the period of formation. We can, then, help the development of the senses while they are in this period." </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Maria Montessori - The Montessori Method, Chapter14</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">I may be stating the obvious when mindfulness is present in the Sensorial area in a Montessori environment. In the book <u>Teaching Meditation to Children</u>, by Fontana and Slack includes an exercise called <em>Kim's Game</em>. This is a game that is suitable for young children and very fun to play during your Parent Meetings. What you will need is various objects such as a pencil, spoon, cup, apple, flower, etc. placed on a tray. Place the objects on a tray and cover with a piece of fabric or towel. With a small group of children show them the materials for a limited time. The more objects on the tray, the more time. Cover the tray. The children will then tell or write down as many materials they can remember. After a few attemps, they will improve rapidly. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5j_zCjME_ICbDHuTsVqgFpEP2vQjP3aY2DYhtqTxJhd3gyxQ8XtVLy5HyC3CgFlXssimscgN49gS3AM6uKVYvor2ShUvtv72TvyDoWY_MdmWWRnJWzwl9wG2haRZ6Vv4rtrpHLgVxPai/s1600/Kim.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5j_zCjME_ICbDHuTsVqgFpEP2vQjP3aY2DYhtqTxJhd3gyxQ8XtVLy5HyC3CgFlXssimscgN49gS3AM6uKVYvor2ShUvtv72TvyDoWY_MdmWWRnJWzwl9wG2haRZ6Vv4rtrpHLgVxPai/s320/Kim.JPG" t$="true" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">The sensorial materials were created to help children in the process of creating and organizing their intelligence. Montessori scientifically designed materials that isolate a quality found in the world such as color, size and shape. The child, through repeated manipulation of these objects, comes to form clear ideas, abstractions and provokes "auto-education". What could not be explained by words, the child learns by experience working with these self correcting sensorial materials. The Sensorial materials are esthetically pleasing and attracts a child with ease. They aid a child in a better understanding of his environment and given the knowledge not by "words" but by his experiences. It includes using the child's hands, senses, and spontaneous activity. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Montessori writes that Sensorial materials are more like "games" where it gathers children to take turns in guessing. "Sometimes the children spontaneously make use of the blindfold, taking turns, and interspersing the work with peals of joyful laughter." Montessori, The Montessori Method p. 187</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Isolation of the Senses with Sensorial Materials</span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Visual:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Montessori broke the visual sense down into separate sections. </span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dimension (size of the object): </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Montessori Materials are the Pink Tower, Brown Stair, Red Rods, <span style="background-color: white;">Knobbed</span> Cylinders, and Knobless Cylinders. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Color/chromatic (awareness of color): </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Montessori Materials are the Color Box 1, Color Box 2 and Color Box 3.<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 200%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Form (awareness of shapes)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Montessori Materials are the Geometric Solids, Geometry Cabinet, Binomial Cube, Trinomial Cube, and Constructive Triangles.</span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Auditory:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Sound Cylinders and Bells.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tactile:</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Montessori broke tactile in four areas: </span></span></div><div align="left" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.25in; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: 0.25in;"><ul><li><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Surface touch: </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Touch boards, Touch tablets </span></span></div></li>
</ul></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> and Fabrics. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"></i></span></span></div><ul><li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stereognostic (whole form, volume)</span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">: Geometric Solids, Sorting Trays, Mystery Bag.</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thermic (temperatures): </span></i><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Thermic Tablets and Thermic Bottles.</span></span></div></li>
<li><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Baric (differences in weights): Baric Tablets</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></i></span></div></li>
</ul><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Olfactory (smell):</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Smelling Bottles</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 200%; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gustatory (taste):</span></u></b><span style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; line-height: 200%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> Tasting Bottles</span></span><br />
</div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-42712370721224995852011-07-18T09:40:00.000-04:002011-07-18T09:40:08.549-04:00Montessori Mocha Scrub<h3 class="post-title entry-title"><em><span style="font-size: large;">Welcome Articulate Vermiculate! This is a wonderful blog of a family and their experiences of growing a garden. It is witty, fun and has great ideas for all of you Montessori gardeners out there. Below is Carrie's recipe for a Mocha Spice Sugar Scrub. It was a perfect gift her Montessori toddlers made for Mother's Day, how about making it a gift for yourself.</span></em></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: large;">Visit: </span><a href="http://articulatevermiculate.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://articulatevermiculate.blogspot.com</span></a></h3><h3 class="post-title entry-title"><span style="font-size: large;">Recipe #1: Mocha Spice Sugar Scrub </span></h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-8495164381126992955"><span style="font-size: large;">The kids in my toddler class at school made this for their mommies for Mother's Day. The toddlers helped to grind the coffee using an "old-fashioned" hand crank grinder I purchased at a consignment shop as well as the nutmeg with a little grinder from the Montessori Services Catalogue. <br />
<br />
Your own preparation does not need to be so complex. You should have all of these ingredient in your kitchen cabinets. Otherwise, they can be easily purchased at the grocery store. Remember, that you'll need to use the scrub within a week or so of making it.<br />
<br />
Ingredients:<br />
<br />
1 cup of sugar<br />
1 tablespoon ground coffee<br />
1 tablespoon cocoa powder<br />
1 teaspoon cinnamon<br />
1 generous pinch ginger<br />
1 generous pinch nutmeg<br />
1/4 to 1/2 cup cold press light smelling oil such a jojoba, almond, grape seed, or safflower (which we used)<br />
*note: safflower, grape seed, and almond oil will be found with the COOKING oils not in the beauty section. jojoba can be found at health food stores and herb shops. Olive oil could be used, but the smell isn't really that great with coffee*<br />
<br />
Mix dry ingredients thoroughly. Add the oil slowly until your desired consistency is reached. <br />
<br />
Use the scrub before you shower (with or without a loofah, depending on how much exfoliation you want). Beware of slippery bath tubs and shower stalls. If you feel sticky after your shower, wash lightly with soap.<br />
<br />
ENJOY! </span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-20106007925046598622011-07-17T15:54:00.000-04:002011-07-17T15:54:13.591-04:00Preparing the Environment at My Kitchen TableThis time of year always finds me in vacation/work mode. It means that the sewing machine has reached the kitchen table. You know what I mean, it is when all of your Montessori books, albums, materials, projects are out and clearing the table for meals becomes a project in itself. I have not stepped foot into my classroom in six weeks, but somehow it does not leave me.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MaxiLJ31CAZuACfLJFHGgOvXkjX6cuPC1g9jEuuddJybEKyu9X1gnyRyiX8QmlAngT_F8dv1EkXiPAX8W7wrZSVFS9OzD6b-05PrFBKz8TUkejNaXL9KRBpVy7ZXVZ1ewgqMz7pgX1va/s1600/apron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-MaxiLJ31CAZuACfLJFHGgOvXkjX6cuPC1g9jEuuddJybEKyu9X1gnyRyiX8QmlAngT_F8dv1EkXiPAX8W7wrZSVFS9OzD6b-05PrFBKz8TUkejNaXL9KRBpVy7ZXVZ1ewgqMz7pgX1va/s200/apron.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>My adventurous task this week is to finish sewing 4 aprons for our food prep works. I chose a pattern that is versatile and could be used with apple slicing to peeling carrots. There are a numerous apron pattern designs and I found the free child apron pattern from Sew Liberated to be most beneficial. A very young Primary child can independently put this on with ease without it getting twisted and bunched up. I am also working on sewing <span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="background-color: white;">a few </span></span><span style="background-color: white;">threefold</span> pockets to be used for the solid, thick and thin cards for the Geometry and Botany cabinet.<br />
<br />
Others things that have been prepared on my kitchen table in the past week are my Parent Orientation notes, Cultural Plan, Record Keeping and the beginnings of a new Land, Air and Water mat.<br />
<br />
Don't forget to take time out for yourself. I have yoga <span style="background-color: white;">planned </span>for my Monday morning. <br />
Sew Liberated Sewing Child Apron Pattern: <a href="http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/01/childs-apron-pattern-and-other-free-tutorials.html">http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/01/childs-apron-pattern-and-other-free-tutorials.html</a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-47493070224481249852011-07-15T20:33:00.002-04:002011-07-15T20:47:43.993-04:00<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLupc463T2-3DrMBtJneVRgugCcoZ9RnSvbMoXftz1H9LCKIIHYzhO52iB19IAN_UI8FZmO9H3gz9ZGnEpAcy5hbCwtqEHiO9R4ON0DKv11OaehO81bK3A7OqybS-mx3LNY0LDrlqy9FVl/s1600/IMG_1775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLupc463T2-3DrMBtJneVRgugCcoZ9RnSvbMoXftz1H9LCKIIHYzhO52iB19IAN_UI8FZmO9H3gz9ZGnEpAcy5hbCwtqEHiO9R4ON0DKv11OaehO81bK3A7OqybS-mx3LNY0LDrlqy9FVl/s320/IMG_1775.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: large;">"The immense influence that education can exert through children, has the environment for its instrument, for the child absorbs this environment, takes everything from it, and incarnates it in himself." </span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">– Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind p.66</i></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-2718564686220606552011-07-14T10:15:00.004-04:002011-07-16T10:12:19.777-04:00Child of the Week: Montessori Lesson Plan<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Child of the Week</em></span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkh6DPWy3-SJggjCcfS6pISHfaIaFpK3yfZojydMkxnErx3dZfujAk3kDA3SRraB5V5T0Ni3K_YaJG3IWbjn7SEs4TQy0L0YS27wn4tZsfGfb2GZ3q8hLAZ6W5Eq1oX6PXYchpHp4dqj-/s1600/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="cssfloat: left; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxkh6DPWy3-SJggjCcfS6pISHfaIaFpK3yfZojydMkxnErx3dZfujAk3kDA3SRraB5V5T0Ni3K_YaJG3IWbjn7SEs4TQy0L0YS27wn4tZsfGfb2GZ3q8hLAZ6W5Eq1oX6PXYchpHp4dqj-/s320/mail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Materials: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Poster board</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Photographs </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Pictures or drawings </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 6pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Art Supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, etc.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Preparation: </span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">This is a lesson that will be done at home with their families the week before their assigned date. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The teacher will give the parents instructions and questions two weeks before their assigned date.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Monday, the child will bring in their poster. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Exercise:</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The child will tell the class about themselves and read or the teacher will assist them. </span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The child will share photographs and pictures.</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The child may also share a favorite book or share their favorite thing.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Points of Interest: </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Spending time with parents</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Art</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Looking at photographs</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Direct Aims:</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Order</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sequence</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Following directions</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Thinking</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">5.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Organization</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Indirect Aims:</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">1.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Awareness of Self</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">2.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Nurturing the Spirit</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">3.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Confidence</span></span></div><div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt 0.5in; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">4.</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Able to share with peers</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Control of Error:</span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Parents and Teacher</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ages: </span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">3-6</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Variations:</span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">The children can make a booklet form and share a story about themselves. They can bring in something to share (excluding toys), something they made (food or art) or their pet.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u>Parent Instructions</u>: <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Sample</i></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Hello Mr. and Mrs. Smith,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Next week Kate is going to be the “Child of the Week”. We would like for you to help her answer questions about herself, include a photograph and create a poster board display. She will be sharing this with her class on Monday. Be creative and take your time.</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Have Fun,</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mrs. Wilson</span></span></i></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span></span></u></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: large;">Free Printable Giveaway!!!!</span></span></span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri; font-size: large;">Follow Mindful Montessori and you will receive the “Child of the Week” questionnaire...<em>Montessori</em> style. If you already follow, comment below and I will be happy to send it to you.</span></span></div><span style="color: blue;"></span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-22098180066371800652011-07-13T17:58:00.000-04:002011-07-13T18:16:34.892-04:00Please Excuse My Appearance<div><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif";">Today I came back from a three day trip with my daughter to a cabin on a lake. We had a wonderful time where we enjoyed the simplicities of summer...swimming, canoeing, fishing and the warm summer sun. As we pulled in the driveway, I checked the mailbox... I have a new book called: <u>How To Train a Wild Elephant & Other Adventures in Mindfulness</u>, by Jan Chozen Bayes, MD.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-WLmDHiAzBfmF5_IB-Qv968NUW5Qs5fDDoFz-oBXYAjFwtHs1Vm1U4DaqwtZPjwJ0MBECNVVEfaWv7Xznu9ibPqZGGjJDmdXscI069weA9-lvsH3T9b_4OYTKhx11-qZuFlQGDq8x6pX/s1600/mail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1-WLmDHiAzBfmF5_IB-Qv968NUW5Qs5fDDoFz-oBXYAjFwtHs1Vm1U4DaqwtZPjwJ0MBECNVVEfaWv7Xznu9ibPqZGGjJDmdXscI069weA9-lvsH3T9b_4OYTKhx11-qZuFlQGDq8x6pX/s320/mail.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif";">A vacation after a vacation is always advised; I found a comfortable place hoping this new book will entertain me. It did. Included in this book are simply daily mindfulness practices. My first exercise: <em><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif";">Use your nondominant </span></em><em><span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif";">hand</span></em>. I will be using my <span style="background-color: white;">nondominant</span> hand to do my ordinary daily tasks such as brushing my hair, brushing my teeth and eating my meals. I would tell you more, but the book advises me to stop reading and read later this week. Try it! I think this might be fun.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Verdana", "sans-serif";">How is my typing by the way?</span></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-42612932786403256322011-07-09T08:38:00.000-04:002011-07-09T08:38:25.541-04:00Freeze Up! Warm Up!<span style="font-size: large;">This is a great lesson from </span><a href="http://alluemkids.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-size: large;">http://alluemkids.blogspot.com</span></a><span style="font-size: large;">. This is a great blog with great lessons to give your children. Some of the lessons also include a follow-up activity. Below is an example...Others include <em>The Balloon Ride</em> and <em>What's That Feeling</em>.</span><br />
<h3 class="post-title entry-title">Freeze Up! Warm Up! </h3><div class="post-header"><div class="post-header-line-1"></div></div><div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5648584324742617482"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc24NO3YdZX8i5-955PpMd8P7OfmM7ztXVkl_UDFuJ2M2k9Iooa4VSUSbGJwevufOiTQ_ZAWKJlsxbaigKyJIxX_rmqEFcFJN4Mm0lu8nYdArXwowCeSL3khEBOYlOIj0ukTMgikYw20w/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5627070931678819890" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggc24NO3YdZX8i5-955PpMd8P7OfmM7ztXVkl_UDFuJ2M2k9Iooa4VSUSbGJwevufOiTQ_ZAWKJlsxbaigKyJIxX_rmqEFcFJN4Mm0lu8nYdArXwowCeSL3khEBOYlOIj0ukTMgikYw20w/s400/DownloadedFile.jpeg" style="cursor: hand; float: left; height: 254px; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; width: 199px;" /></a> <div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">Each day is made up of different situations - good and bad. And just like yoga poses, some situations may be difficult causing us to freeze up or want to get out, while other situations (or poses) makes us feel good and relaxed. Being in new places or meeting new people may make us feel so shy we don't know what to do or say. Being in the dark or in deep water may make us feel so scared that we panic. All of that is okay. It's important to notice what makes us "Freeze Up", so we can learn how to handle those situations and learn how to "Warm up!" </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">On a hot day on the patio by the river, the Alluem Kids stuck their hands in a bowl of ice. Why? To cool them off, sure, but to also teach them a lesson about letting go of stress and maybe even how to deal with the people, places, and things that cause stress. They were encouraged to hold the ice for at least 30 seconds, but knew that if it became too much, they should listen to their bodies and put it down. After holding the ice cubes, it was interesting to see the way each child dealt with the cold sting. Some said, eh, no problem and dealt with it. Some screeched and wanted out after 15 seconds (which of course, I reminded them they could put the ice down at anytime!). Some felt the cold for the 30 seconds and then threw the cube back in the bowl, immediately caring for the cold hand - holding it with the warm hand or wrapping it in a towel. After putting as many feeling words as possible to how our hands felt, we realized that everyone deals with stressors differently. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;">At times when we "Freeze Up" (like our ice cold hands), we might forget that we can in fact make ourselves "Warm Up" and be the ones to care for our bodies and minds. Some may instinctually react and self soothe, but for some we may need a gentle reminder. Making a list (writing or drawing) of things that freeze us up (things that make us feel bad or scared) right next to the things that warm us up (things that make us feel happy or loved) serves as a great visual to help us through those "Freeze Up" moments. And seeing or thinking of those things that help us "Warm Up" is always a good way to keep us happy and healthy!</span></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-13753804609512476652011-07-08T12:53:00.000-04:002011-07-08T12:53:02.721-04:00Child of the Week - Beginning With Inner Peace<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1797276156"></span><span id="goog_1797276157"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-RUy_fpLXq6PN-h9D2rr52qod0YzRCbzkoCmDioapJIqbVju2-egbTRJICJkOf1AkbnJ0v603v0-efqyT34__cAACe48zhJdv0bYMQw_VMhqA_Ax2857FcG5t5YRxzVxWn5uRpD2pTrW/s1600/Blue+hills.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit-RUy_fpLXq6PN-h9D2rr52qod0YzRCbzkoCmDioapJIqbVju2-egbTRJICJkOf1AkbnJ0v603v0-efqyT34__cAACe48zhJdv0bYMQw_VMhqA_Ax2857FcG5t5YRxzVxWn5uRpD2pTrW/s320/Blue+hills.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I find myself realizing that my journey of nurturing my own spirit and nurturing the children will coincide. I don't know about you but the beginning of the school year "itch" has already begun. I always find myself planning the cultural scheme first. In the first month of school I also plan lessons that will relate to the caring of themselves, the environment and each other. In Aline E. Wolf's, <u>Nurturing the Spirit</u>, she says "If children like adults, feel peace in their hearts, they can more easily relate peacefully to those around them." One of the lessons on building self love uses <em>"Child of the Week"</em> to acknowledge the importance of each of the child. This will allow the child to develop awareness of themselves, self worth, confidence and to be able to share with their peers. Wolf warns us about the "shallowness" of the questions, such as "What I watch on TV," or "What I want for presents." At this time I am complying a list of questions that would be suitable for a 3-6 year old to answer. It will include their name, birthday and the town and state in which they live in. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I like to be helpful by ___________.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I would like to learn about ________.</em></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><em>I find peace in __________________.</em></span></div><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I would love for us as Montessorians to come together and brainstorm questions that will not be superficial. My goal is to help guide the children to an inner peace and spirit for themselves. In the next week I would love to have 10-12 questions and I look forward to sharing them with you.</span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-87900126601527751012011-07-07T14:47:00.001-04:002011-07-08T11:44:10.441-04:00The Presence of Mindfulness in Montessori: Concentration<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ZTq6mWaLv2G_3s3a-T4j5eSP2shEm40kMiRdaeorbaEOM2EIVAM7e3S_2cOHR8jI4qCiK0rZevooV5Uw9wZXxAnSGWu8w9d0AxvQ0Hmar4PgIVgJFT0QwMqI88gxBspxkOGP1aLFFIe/s1600/IMG_1078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj62ZTq6mWaLv2G_3s3a-T4j5eSP2shEm40kMiRdaeorbaEOM2EIVAM7e3S_2cOHR8jI4qCiK0rZevooV5Uw9wZXxAnSGWu8w9d0AxvQ0Hmar4PgIVgJFT0QwMqI88gxBspxkOGP1aLFFIe/s400/IMG_1078.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Concentrated attention is present in both Montessori education and mindfulness practices. In a recent activity in <u>Shining Through, A Teachers' Handbook on Transformation</u>, by Sonnie McFarland, it lead me to practice the development of our powers of concentration. It is an exercise that has allowed me to focus on the present moment and to create greater control of my thoughts. Just as we the Montessori teachers would want to have our rhythm of life respected, we must respect the child in the moment. In <u>Maria Montessori: Her Life and Work</u>, by E.M. Standing, Montessori shares a story of how she was observing a child. The child was working on composing numbers 1-100 and Montessori felt it was dreadfully slow, she decided to help her only to find the little girl to tell her to leave her alone. "I felt justly rebuked," said Montessori, "for my stupidity. I had made the mistake of thinking the child's interest lay in getting to the end of the process and not in the process itself." Practicing to be mindful will allow us as Montessori teachers to allow ourselves to be present in the moment with our thoughts, emotions as well as our actions. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Montessori education has been an over 100 year-old-system that naturally incorporates mindfulness practices and the natural development of concentration. Concentration is highly valued in a Montessori classroom. When concentration is present in the environment, it is the Montessori teacher’s responsibility to protect it. A Montessori teacher acknowledges that this is a healthy state of <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Normalization</i> which is when a child is "being a contributing member of society". The Montessori teacher will observe the children as constructive and kind in their behavior, calm, intelligent, and expansive and bring out "extraordinary spiritual qualities." In Montessori's, <u>Spontaneous Activity in Education: The Advanced Montessori Method</u>, she writes, "After this phenomenon of concentration the children are really "new" children. It is as though a connection had been made with an inner power...and this brings about the construction of the personality."</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A traditional Montessori environment has a 3 hour work cycle. In this cycle it is the goal for the child to have full absorption. This exists when the child is focused in interesting and absorbing work and is consistent with the practice of mindful training of a child's attention. But don't be fooled if you ever enter or experience what Montessori calls "false fatigue". A phenomenon observed in Children’s Houses around the world, often at approximately 10 a.m. The children seem to lose interest in work, behavior becomes disorderly, and the noise level rises. It may appear as if the children are tired. Remind yourself that this is false fatigue and the children will go back to their work where there will be a higher level of concentration and focus. </span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An exercise from <u>Shining Through, A Teacher's Handbook on Transformation</u>, by Sonnie McFarland</span></em><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Find a quiet spot where you will not be distracted by external noise. Sit in a chair or on a pillow on the floor with your back straight. Imagine a flow of energy traveling freely up your spinal column. Breathe deeply. Let your eyes close and pay attention only to your breath. Let it become gentle, even and smooth. Consciously relax your body. Release the tension you notice. </span></em><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><em>Now concentrate on a visual image that inspires you-a sound or a word. Whatever you choose, use it consistently. This image or sound serves as a point to focus for your mind. As you sit quietly, continue to concentrate on the sound and/or image and continue to keep your breathe deep, even and smooth. As thoughts arise in your </em><i>consciousness</i><em>, see them and let them go. Return to this point of concentration.</em></span><br />
<br />
<em><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Continue to do this for 10-15 minutes at first, gradually expanding this time. Practicing concentration daily is extremely helpful in the development of your mind's creative capacity.</span></em><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-51114484404875203752011-07-05T10:03:00.002-04:002011-07-05T10:57:58.892-04:00Easy Mindfulness Exercises<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/L-IZArfQHOo?fs=1" width="425"></iframe>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-92210873536048961822011-07-04T11:35:00.001-04:002011-07-04T11:37:31.259-04:00Liberating<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvMiLuCcZsmqmYru7gaOK2pUz4VDun3jRTCw15V1wYmX6g8Ma8cQyRHgz29-XqQfB4B9Zz1UqABr6ILnbYXlRC_6XKJLEEtZd4rH7exXB3UXiCMpuVj8P_X6TahEC1lTTf1Ulyow7W0KF/s1600/_Device+Memory_home_user_pictures_IMG00356.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVvMiLuCcZsmqmYru7gaOK2pUz4VDun3jRTCw15V1wYmX6g8Ma8cQyRHgz29-XqQfB4B9Zz1UqABr6ILnbYXlRC_6XKJLEEtZd4rH7exXB3UXiCMpuVj8P_X6TahEC1lTTf1Ulyow7W0KF/s320/_Device+Memory_home_user_pictures_IMG00356.jpg" width="320" /></a><em>"To see the child as he is, is made difficult for us as adults on account of our own defects. Between us and the baptized child lies the gulf created by our own sins. Because of this defective vision the adult is generally to much occupied in looking for defective tendencies also in the child and seeking to correct them. We must first remove the beam from our own eyes, and then we shall see more clearly how to remove the mote in the child's. In the "removing of the beam from her own eyes" consists the spiritual training of the teacher." -</em> <u>Maria Montessori, Her Life and Work</u>. (p.300-301)</div><br />
The answers have always been in front of me. Some were simple, <em>"What are you grateful for?"</em> or <em>"Who do you love?"</em> and some were a little difficult <em>"What is your biggest regret?"</em> or <em>"What was the toughest time in your life?"</em> for me to answer and just to say it out loud. This activity was self-searching and brought an awareness to myself. But amazingly it was very liberating. The questions can be found in a previous post, <em>A Montessori Teacher's Mask?.</em>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-13915196477944748942011-06-27T09:47:00.004-04:002011-07-05T11:00:44.976-04:00A Montessori Teacher's Mask?<div class="bodycontent"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw5iKl77rLxO5tD2f986bfPHQU3gx7NhJCIHEEk2gfwicOwIwgbDExwYeLMXYsy3cEu39RIm5ivgJi8ezhSQuAxS1v8-oaCWzlO1QXlvkRA_utpEsM7xU6kPuB4UYuswITbZvwHNsYGla/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDw5iKl77rLxO5tD2f986bfPHQU3gx7NhJCIHEEk2gfwicOwIwgbDExwYeLMXYsy3cEu39RIm5ivgJi8ezhSQuAxS1v8-oaCWzlO1QXlvkRA_utpEsM7xU6kPuB4UYuswITbZvwHNsYGla/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Do you put on a front to accept others? Do you pretend everything is perfect? Do you say things you don't mean? Do you accept yourself just the way that you are? Do you buy things you can't afford?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"><em>I just had one of those experiences the other day. I went out with my child to the local farmers market and after we decided to go to our favorite antique store. Knowingly we are going on vacation in a month, we made a family agreement not to make purchases of things we don't need. How am I setting an example to my child? Many thoughts were going through my mind. Apparently the mask went on as I went to the register to pay for the items. I was hoping the clerk did not see my face, hopefully hiding from my mask. As we went home that day, I did have to explain why that was not the best thing for mom to do. We all make mistakes sometimes...even moms and Montessori teachers.</em></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">In <u>Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms</u>, by Aline Wolf, she talks about how "how we are all human beings, wounded in some way." We hide our "shadow side" from others and most of us wear an invisible mask. She states, "The mask is not our true self but is the way we want others to see us. Teacher's often wear the mask of perfection, never wanting to admit weakness to their students, when actually talking about their own flaws would make them accessible." (p.35) </span><span style="color: black;"><br />
</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">"Mistakes bring us closer and make us better friends." - Maria Montessori (<u>The Absorbent Mind</u>, p.249) </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Below are some questions you may want to ask yourself. I will be answering and sharing with you...some are a little tough. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please feel free to comment or add more additional information to Mindful Montessori. Follow me and cheer me on!</span> </span><br />
<br />
<u><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">75 Questions to Ask Yourself</span></strong></u><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">1. Why not me?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">2. Am I nice?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">3. Am I doing what I really want to do?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">4. What am I grateful for?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5. What’s missing in my life?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">6. Am I honest?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">7. Do I listen to others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">8. Do I work hard?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">9. Do I help others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">10. What do I need to change about myself?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">11. Have I hurt others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">12. Do I complain?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">13. What’s next for me?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">14. Do I have fun?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">15. Have I seized opportunities?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">16. Do I care about others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">17. Do I spend enough time with my family?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">18. Am I open-minded?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">19. Have I seen enough of the world?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">20. Do I judge others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">21. Do I take risks?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">22. What is my purpose?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">23. What is my biggest fear?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">24. How can I conquer that fear?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">25. Do I thank people enough?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">26. Am I successful?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">27. What am I ashamed of?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">28. Do I annoy others?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">29. What are my dreams?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">30. Am I positive?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">31. Am I negative?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">32. Is there an afterlife?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">33. Does everything happen for a reason?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">34. What can I do to change the world?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">35. What is the most foolish thing I’ve ever done?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">36. Am I cheap?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">37. Am I greedy?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">38. Who do I love?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">39. Who do I want to meet?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">40. Where do I want to go?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">41. What am I most proud of?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">42. Do I care what others think about me?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">43. What are my talents?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">44. Do I utilize those talents?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">45. What makes me happy?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">46. What makes me sad?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">47. What makes me angry?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">48. Am I satisfied with my appearance? </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">49. Am I healthy?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">50. What was the toughest time in my life?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">51. What was the easiest time in my life?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">52. Am I selfish?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">53. What was the craziest thing I did?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">54. What is the craziest thing I want to do?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">55. Do I procrastinate?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">56. What is my greatest regret?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">57. What has had the greatest impact on my life?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">58. Who has had the greatest impact on my life?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">59. Do I stand up for myself?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">60. Have I settled for mediocrity?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">61. Do I hold grudges?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">62. Do I read enough?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">63. Do I listen to my heart?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">64. Do I donate enough to the less fortunate?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">65. Do I pray only when I want something?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">66. Do I constantly dwell on the past?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">67. Do I let other people’s negativity affect me?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">68. Do I forgive myself?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">69. When I help someone do I think “What’s in it for me”?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">70. Am I aware that someone always has it worse than me?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">71. Do I smile more than I frown?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">72. Do I surround myself with good people?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">73. Do I take time out for myself? </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">74. Do I ask enough questions?</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">75. What other questions do I have?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">These questions are from: </span></span><a href="http://www.lyved.com/life/75-questions-to-ask-yourself/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://www.lyved.com</span></a></div>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-2544746933443514872011-06-26T11:50:00.003-04:002011-07-05T11:01:14.413-04:00A Young Chic's Montessori Journey of Becoming a Spiritual Aware Adult<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSNkJ8gamfgCcmydS6Fn1L-6zX-Jhs1Kp-Qc1NkL-TPeHWd3Gfy0Mfk1ixYME_w-XD6R5ucOhHaO2cfaUNT4Z0VN8Lga4fV83Li_FaHbAdJ_lH3_Ug0aiOW-3t7foqXp5qBOfSJpptEmD/s1600/44350_106885156034289_100001384163505_60524_977441_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaSNkJ8gamfgCcmydS6Fn1L-6zX-Jhs1Kp-Qc1NkL-TPeHWd3Gfy0Mfk1ixYME_w-XD6R5ucOhHaO2cfaUNT4Z0VN8Lga4fV83Li_FaHbAdJ_lH3_Ug0aiOW-3t7foqXp5qBOfSJpptEmD/s200/44350_106885156034289_100001384163505_60524_977441_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I am in the beginning of Nurturing the Spirit as a Montessori teacher. With seven years under my belt I may still be considerd a young chic. I came upon Montessori as many Montessori teacher's do. I was a parent looking for a place for my child to be while I was at work. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">With a suggestion from a friend, I observed the toddler Montessori classroom where my 2 year old would spend her days. It was in the most peaceful, caring and loving environment. As I continued with the tour, it amazed me. Teaching was always deep in my heart, but I was always yearned for something more...something that I believed would make some kind of difference in the world. As I was touring the Primary and Elementary environments, this is the place I knew my child and I had to be.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">From that moment it all seemed to fall into place. The following year I was an assistant in the elementary classroom and learned many of the important aspects of the Montessori Philosophy such as Caring for the Environment, Order and Independence. That summer I began my training to become a Primary teacher. I then continued my independent study and began in my very own Primary class. Seven years later, I continue to be forever thankful for the Montessorians that have been around me to help guide and direct me on this journey.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">At the end of each year, I take the time to reflect on the past year. What worked? What didn't? Do I need to change the environment? What will my goals be for the following year? What are the spiritual needs of the children? How will I implement these in the classroom? How will I prepare myself?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">I have always wanted to expand my spirituality. Why not with the Montessori philosophy and children I work with. How do I begin? I began reading, <u>Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms</u>, by Aline Wolf. This is an amazing guide for all Montessorians who want to be true to Montessori's philosophy, "Help me to help myself". This is a widely used Montessori quote. It is not only Practical Life skills, but more about guiding the spirit of the child. "We must help the child to act for himself, think for himself, this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit. It is the teacher's joy to welcome the manifestation of the spirit." - Maria Montessori, <i>Education For A New World</i>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Below are some more links that may help you continue on your journey of nurturing the spirit within yourself and the children you guide.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Montessori Conferences:</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.montessori.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.amshq.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">www.montessori-ami.org</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Mindful Blogs:</span></strong><br />
<a href="http://blog.beliefnet.com/mindfulnessmatters/"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">http://blog.beliefnet.com/mindfulnessmatters/</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiYqzroOMvAT0PirQHron7ZE8pZoyseX5Gfb2Vya24GdbwR7jSbFZJbSDeUxt0YwySFiLFNQCpPEmPgn8E17oXKM1yygSN-xD6t0a1CmDvQ_ZWqNqv_PAUHGtc3yCv6FeLA6suGTxUm9s/s1600/216015_220090581341139_100000205973526_1067335_7658012_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoiYqzroOMvAT0PirQHron7ZE8pZoyseX5Gfb2Vya24GdbwR7jSbFZJbSDeUxt0YwySFiLFNQCpPEmPgn8E17oXKM1yygSN-xD6t0a1CmDvQ_ZWqNqv_PAUHGtc3yCv6FeLA6suGTxUm9s/s200/216015_220090581341139_100000205973526_1067335_7658012_n.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Please feel free to comment or add more additional information to Mindful Montessori. Follow me and cheer me on!</span>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-41665837860574403942011-06-25T12:20:00.003-04:002011-06-25T12:26:24.517-04:00What Else Are We Missing?Forwarding an eye witnessing story of mindful children...<br />
<a href="http://www.marghanita.com/what-are-we-missing/">http://www.marghanita.com/what-are-we-missing/</a>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7380705284099150267.post-32707147075010372752011-06-24T09:13:00.001-04:002011-06-24T18:13:26.395-04:00Mon"tea"sori Herbal Facial, Nurturing Your Spirit and Yourself<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5t7BjVb1i2u1xOEoZKKwMgCH07N1UCP87OnE0VMxRLMwWi_HIyy6lBcOK5pgM3CmtWxZqcW2eheAqIKESIHvAxz2jB0s39yT3KM13xfCOjmvsuiha2FogIUx3qYGEuC7OygbPzCHF8N2W/s1600/home-steam-facials.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5t7BjVb1i2u1xOEoZKKwMgCH07N1UCP87OnE0VMxRLMwWi_HIyy6lBcOK5pgM3CmtWxZqcW2eheAqIKESIHvAxz2jB0s39yT3KM13xfCOjmvsuiha2FogIUx3qYGEuC7OygbPzCHF8N2W/s320/home-steam-facials.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>Stop sewing aprons, stop making 3 part cards and YES please put down <u>The Absorbent Mind</u>! Did I get your attention? Now I would like you to walk out to your garden and pick some Thyme, Peppermint and Lavender. If you do not have a garden I am sure you can find these herbs locally or in your neighbor's garden. (a little sarcasm) Below is a familiar "lesson" on how to give yourself a Mon<em>teas</em>sori Herbal Facial. It may fit nicely in your Montessori Philosopy, Botany or Practical Life album.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><u><strong>Mon<em>tea</em>sori Herbal Facial</strong></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Material:</strong> A large pot with lid, water, dried or fresh herbs or essential oils and 2 large towels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Preparation:</strong> Clean your face thoroughly and tie your hair back if needed.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Exercise: </strong></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">1.<strong> </strong>Boil a kettle or pot full of water then add the herbs and fruity ingredients (about 1/3 cup fresh or dried herbs and fruit slices per 4 cups of water). Boil for a minute or two then remove from heat. Cover and let steep for about 5 minutes.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">2. Place pot on counter or table on top of a towel and remove lid. Cover your head with a another large clean towel and position your face over the steaming water (with the towel acting as a tent over the bowl to capture the steam).</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">3. Keep your eyes closed and your face at least 10 to 12 inches from the boiling water during the facial. Enjoy the fragrant steam and relax, <u><strong>but don’t overdo it–keep the facial time between 5 to 7 minutes</strong></u>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">4. Once the facial is over, splash face with slightly cool water and pat dry.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Points of Interest:</strong></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;">Nurturing your Spirit</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Taking time for yourself</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Need I say more?</div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Control of Error:</strong> Yourself</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Direct Aims: </strong></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;">Order</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Sequencing</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Organization</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;"> Thinking</div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: left;"> <strong>Indirect Aims:</strong></div><ol><li><div style="text-align: left;">Relaxing</div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Furthering use of herbs </div></li>
<li><div style="text-align: left;">Observing which combinations you like.</div></li>
</ol><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Ages:</strong> 20 and something years.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"><strong>Variations: </strong></div><ol><li>Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Lemon or Orange Slices</li>
<li>Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint</li>
<li>Green Tea, Rose Petals, Chamomile</li>
<li>Rosemary, Lemon, Honey</li>
<li>Lemon Slices, Peppermint</li>
<li>Lemon balm, Lavender</li>
<li>Chamomile, Fennel Seeds, Rose Petals</li>
<li>Thyme, Peppermint, Lavender</li>
<li>Parsley, Lavender, Lemon balm</li>
<li>Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme</li>
<li>Cinnamon, Orange Slices</li>
<li>Peppermint, Cloves, Rosemary</li>
</ol>Annhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10888201023334664441noreply@blogger.com0