Initial Sounds

Here we see two young children playing a game that allows them to practice initial sounds. They have a mat with all the letters of the alphabet, and a small basket with 26 objects (one that begins with each letter sound). They take turns selecting an object, and then placing it on a letter on the mat. Of course, this can lead to a lot of thought and discussion about placement. Is it a flower, or a plant? Would that be f or p? When selecting a pig, that could be p for pig, or m for mammal. In a small way, this experience shows us all that there are often more than one possible solution to a problem or situation.

 

Of course, when these children come home, and mom or dad asks "What did you do today?", they might answer something as simple as "I played with animals", or "I played bingo." These answers, while accurate, don't really reflect the subtleties or complexities of the materials they worked with and the mental processes they were using.

Back to School picnic video

Here is a short video from the back to school picnic.

Elementary students create personal journals

At Keystone Montessori School, our elementary students frequently write in their personal journals. This activity helps inspire them with the pleasure of writing. To launch their journaling activity, they created personal journals in their art class.

The video shows the process, and delight, of creating their own marbelized journal covers. The children's sense of ownership and creativity gives a nice launch pad for their future writing.

Keystone Montessori students go apple picking

Our Children's House classes enjoyed apple picking this week. We visited Carlson Orchards, in Harvard, MA. Each child got to pick some apples. After enjoying an outdoor snack, students went to see a tour of the cider pressing operation.

It was exciting to watch the apples go up the conveyor belt to be washed and sorted, and then see the cider come out. Students learned how orchards can keep apples fresh to be sold throughout the year.

We appreciate all the chaperones who joined our children to make this a fun field trip for all.

Book Review: How Full Is Your Bucket?

I wanted to share this review by Heidi Larson, Chair of the Teachers Section of the American Montessori Society Board of Directors.

"As Montessori teachers, we have a unique opportunity to foster the development of the whole child, including the mind, body, and spirit. To that end, I’ve recently worked a new book into my curriculum; it’s entitled How Full Is Your Bucket? For Kids and was written by Tom Rath and Mary Reckmeyer.

It tells a simple story about a child named Felix and how he learns a social lesson regarding his interactions with others throughout his day. At the end of the story, he becomes more aware of his feelings and how they reflect his behavior with others. I highly recommend this book for all age levels when teaching moral development. But this is also a book for adults; it can guide you, as a teacher, through your own personal bucket-filling experience. I personally found that children are able to use the visual concept of a full or empty bucket to express their own feelings and experiences. Recently, a younger child in my classroom sat down next to me in circle and whispered to me very quietly, “You are my favorite teacher, Heidi. I bet your bucket is really full to the top now!” I just smiled and thanked him. That day, my bucket was indeed full."

Click on the link above to go to the Amazon page for this book. When you order through this link, the school receives a small commission, and you enjoy the same Amazon price, service, and shipping.

Back to School Picnic was well attended

Children, parents, teachers, and adminstration joined together at Roby Park for an enjoyable evening together. Children enjoyed running and climbing on the play structure. Families enjoyed simple picnics. Parents enjoyed meeting their child's new friends and their parents. The 12th annual Back To School picnic was well attended, and provided a wonderful chance for informal conversation and introductions. At the end of the year, Keystone will bring closure to the school year with a similar Year End Picnic.

Dry pouring is an early practical life activity

Grasping and controlling in order to pour with accuracy is a very complex task. We take it for granted, because we have been doing it for so many years. But the child needs to concentrate on many things:  hold the handle, support under the spout, aim into the receiving container.

 

In addition, this requires some strength (depending on what is being poured). Here a student is practicing pouring small foam objects. They are colorful and pleasant to work with. When some miss, it is easy for the child to pick them up and put them into the pitcher again. Children will work with a task repeatedly because it is nourishing them. When they feel finished with that activity, they will move on to something more complex. In this case, that would be dry pouring of smaller objects that spill easily and require a little more precision to clean up.

 

After achieving some confidence and mastery with dry pouring, the child learns how to clean up a wet spill (a totally different methodology than cleaning a dry spill), and will then practice pouring liquids (and cleaning up any spills). This progression of complexity is part of every curriculum area. Teachers introduce a single skill with each lesson, and as a child masters that skill, a more complex task is offered.