Montessori Record Keeping...

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.

First I have a legal sized clipboard. The first page is a Lesson Plan 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.

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 Daily Record Keeping form. This monthly record shows lessons the child had, what they are working on, emotional/social behavior and a parent communication record.

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.

Grace and Courtesy Lessons

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 quietly." or " I am walking slowly in the classroom."

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.

"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." 

This year at our school, we are having a new monthly parent gathering called Montessori & Munchies. Within the 1 hour, teachers have prepared a Montessori topic that will lead into a group discussion. In August the topic was Grace and Courtesy lessons. Below I would like to share few lessons my collages put together for Toddler to Elementary.- Maria Montessori 

Toddler

Eating Habits

• Using s fork and spoon correctly
• Chewing food with mouth closed
• Sitting quietly in chair during a meal

Toilet Training

• How and when to go to the bathroom

Proper Hygiene

• How to wash hands
• How to blow your nose

Manners

• How to say "please" and "thank you"

Primary

Social Skills

• How to greet people
• How to shake hands when greeting someone

Manners

• How to excuse oneself when walking in front of someone
• How to interrupt when necessary
• How to hand objects to another person, especially sharps objects like scissors and knives
• How to say "please" and "thank you"
• How to care for a pet
• How to water a plant
• How to clean up a spill
• How to open and close a door quietly
• How to pick up and carry a chair

Elementary

Social Skills

• How to work with another person
• How to resolve conflict
• How to mediate between friends
• How to help a younger friend

Manners

• Writing a thank you note
• Speaking politely to friends, family and teachers
• Being kind to others

Environment

• How to care for plants and animals
• Setting up a table for a meal
• How to clean and straighten a classroom or home
• How to serve in the community
• Caring for the earth

Kids Top Five Yoga Exercises

5 Sure-Fire Kids Yoga Exercises

April 21, 2008 By Aruna Kathy Humphrys

 

Five Kids Favorites

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.

 

These are what I get the most requests for in yoga class:

 

Washing Machine: 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. (Bonus Pose: 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)

Bicycle: 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!)  

Tricky Tree: 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.  

Human Teacher Puppet: 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.

The Worry Tree: 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.

 

Aruna Humphrys

www.YoungYogaMasters.com

Montessori Classroom Photographs: Math Shelves

Only days away from our first day of school. Enjoy the Math area of our Montessori environment!



Montessori Classroom Photographs: Language

Welcome to my Primary environment. This week I am sharing my photographs of the language area. Enjoy!



Writing Shelf, on the left is an object box for Sand Paper Sounds




Writing sequence, we teach cursive handwriting,





Above is the Waseca Reading Program (I love it!), below is language enrichment materials





Readers, Phonograms and Long Vowel




Grammar shelf: The Farm and grammar boxes. A fish tank goes on the top left.



The Presence of Mindfulness in Montessori: Sensorial

"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."  Maria Montessori - The Montessori Method, Chapter14

I may be stating the obvious when mindfulness is present in the Sensorial area in a Montessori environment. In the book Teaching Meditation to Children, by Fontana and Slack includes an exercise called Kim's Game.  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. 

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.

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

Isolation of the Senses with Sensorial Materials

Visual: Montessori broke the visual sense down into separate sections.

·       Dimension (size of the object): Montessori Materials are the Pink Tower, Brown Stair, Red Rods, Knobbed Cylinders, and Knobless Cylinders.

·       Color/chromatic (awareness of color): Montessori Materials are the Color Box 1, Color Box 2 and Color Box 3.

·       Form (awareness of shapes): Montessori Materials are the Geometric Solids, Geometry Cabinet, Binomial Cube, Trinomial Cube, and Constructive Triangles.

Auditory: Sound Cylinders and Bells.

Tactile: Montessori broke tactile in four areas:

• Surface touch: Touch boards, Touch tablets

             and Fabrics.

• Stereognostic (whole form, volume): Geometric Solids, Sorting Trays, Mystery Bag.
• Thermic (temperatures): Thermic Tablets and Thermic Bottles.
• Baric (differences in weights): Baric Tablets

Olfactory (smell): Smelling Bottles

Gustatory (taste): Tasting Bottles

Preparing the Environment at My Kitchen Table

This 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.

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 a few threefold pockets to be used for the solid, thick and thin cards for the Geometry and Botany cabinet.

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.

Don't forget to take time out for yourself.  I have yoga planned for my Monday morning.
Sew Liberated Sewing Child Apron Pattern: http://sewliberated.typepad.com/sew_liberated/2009/01/childs-apron-pattern-and-other-free-tutorials.html

Child of the Week: Montessori Lesson Plan

Child of the Week

Materials:  

Poster board

Photographs

Pictures or drawings

Art Supplies (crayons, markers, colored pencils, paint, etc.)

Preparation:

This is a lesson that will be done at home with their families the week before their assigned date.  The teacher will give the parents instructions and questions two weeks before their assigned date.  On Monday, the child will bring in their poster.

Exercise:

1.       The child will tell the class about themselves and read or the teacher will assist them.

2.       The child will share photographs and pictures.

3.       The child may also share a favorite book or share their     favorite thing.

Points of Interest:

1.       Spending time with parents

2.       Art

3.       Looking at photographs

Direct Aims:

1.       Order

2.       Sequence

3.       Following directions

4.       Thinking

5.       Organization

Indirect Aims:

1.       Awareness of Self

2.       Nurturing the Spirit

3.       Confidence

4.       Able to share with peers

Control of Error:

Parents and Teacher

Ages:

3-6

Variations:

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.

Parent Instructions:  Sample

Hello Mr. and Mrs. Smith,

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.

Have Fun,

Mrs. Wilson

Free Printable Giveaway!!!!

Follow Mindful Montessori and you will receive the “Child of the Week” questionnaire...Montessori style. If you already follow, comment below and I will be happy to send it to you.

Please Excuse My Appearance

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: How To Train a Wild Elephant & Other Adventures in Mindfulness, by Jan Chozen Bayes, MD.

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: Use your nondominant hand. I will be using my nondominant 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.

How is my typing by the way?

Freeze Up! Warm Up!

This is a great lesson from http://alluemkids.blogspot.com. 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 The Balloon Ride and What's That Feeling.

Freeze Up! Warm Up!

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!"

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.

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!

Child of the Week - Beginning With Inner Peace

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, Nurturing the Spirit, 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 "Child of the Week" 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.

I like to be helpful by ___________.

I would like to learn about ________.

I find peace in __________________.

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.

Liberating

"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." - Maria Montessori, Her Life and Work. (p.300-301)

The answers have always been in front of me. Some were simple, "What are you grateful for?" or "Who do you love?" and some were a little difficult "What is your biggest regret?" or "What was the toughest time in your life?"  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, A Montessori Teacher's Mask?.

A Young Chic's Montessori Journey of Becoming a Spiritual Aware Adult

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.


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.


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.


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?


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, Nurturing the Spirit in Non-Sectarian Classrooms, 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, Education For A New World.


Below are some more links that may help you continue on your journey of nurturing the spirit within yourself and the children you guide.


Montessori Conferences:
www.montessori.org
www.amshq.org
www.montessori-ami.org


Mindful Blogs:
http://blog.beliefnet.com/mindfulnessmatters/

Please feel free to comment or add more additional information to Mindful Montessori. Follow me and cheer me on!

Mon"tea"sori Herbal Facial, Nurturing Your Spirit and Yourself

Stop sewing aprons, stop making 3 part cards and YES please put down The Absorbent Mind! 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 Monteassori Herbal Facial. It may fit nicely in your Montessori Philosopy, Botany or Practical Life album.

Monteasori Herbal Facial



Material:  A large pot with lid, water, dried or fresh herbs or essential oils and 2 large towels.

Preparation: Clean your face thoroughly and tie your hair back if needed.

Exercise: 

1. 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.

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).

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, but don’t overdo it–keep the facial time between 5 to 7 minutes.

4. Once the facial is over, splash face with slightly cool water and pat dry.

Points of Interest:

1. Nurturing your Spirit
2. Taking time for yourself
3. Need I say more?

Control of Error: Yourself

Direct Aims:

1. Order
2. Sequencing
3. Organization
4.  Thinking

 Indirect Aims:

1. Relaxing
2. Furthering use of herbs
3. Observing which combinations you like.

Ages: 20 and something years.

Variations:

1. Spearmint, Lemon Balm, Lemon or Orange Slices
2. Chamomile, Rosemary, Peppermint
3. Green Tea, Rose Petals, Chamomile
4. Rosemary, Lemon, Honey
5. Lemon Slices, Peppermint
6. Lemon balm, Lavender
7. Chamomile, Fennel Seeds, Rose Petals
8. Thyme, Peppermint, Lavender
9. Parsley, Lavender, Lemon balm
10. Sage, Lavender, Rosemary, Thyme
11. Cinnamon, Orange Slices
12. Peppermint, Cloves, Rosemary