Ready for First Grade!

As the school year comes to a close, the Lunchers have packed their guidance suitcases full of friendship skills. They are playground and classroom problem solvers!

Here's are the strategies they have packed:
                       1. Taking care of ourselves when we are worried or sad.

                        2. Cooling down with "Dive into Five" when feeling angry.

                        3. Knowing when and how to get help.

                      4. Practicing  the art of compromise ("give a little, get a little.")

                 5. Deciding whether an action was an accident or on purpose. Always saying "Sorry!"

                      6. Knowing ways to join in a game--watching first or asking the rules.

                       7. Knowing ways to be inclusive--inviting others to join in.

                            8. Using I statements: "I feel_______when _______. I want ______."

                     9. Listening to "the other side" or using "echo-listening" to respond.

                     10. Using the Problem Solving Steps:
                               What is the problem?
                                How do I feel?
                               What are some possible solutions?
                               What solution will work best? or what is the "Best Bet?"

                                     

                                                        Friendship is amazing!

                                          Ready! Set!  First Grade, Here We Come!  

Meet the Harp

Today Mrs. Fabreguettes, Guilhem's mom, brought her concert harp to school.  It was awesome!

            The harp was very tall.  It weighs about 80 pounds, and is made of special wood.

The harp has a pedal for each note in the scale. Pressing the pedal changes the pitch by loosening or tightening the strings.

                              Harp and flute often play together in Chamber Music.

                             

                                We were able to try to play crescendo.

                           The 47 strings were hard to pluck one at a time!

                                    You can use your thumb, too!

                         We have some budding harpists in Montessori!

   

                   
                                 Thank you Mrs. Fabreguettes and Mrs. Pabon. The music was beautiful!

Montessori: A Place for Development

ND = Needs Development. That's a good thing! Mother Nature cannot be rushed! We can provide opportunities and experiences that give children significant practice. This is especially important in the development of motor coordination. Practice does "make better!"

The environment must offer  the child learning activities that incorporate movement and the senses to best capture and build knowledge.    --Maria Montessori

In his quest for independence a child would like to "do it myself."  Purposeful work is preferred.

The world does not always cooperate, however.  Parent are often in a hurry, or there is traffic in the carpool line, or a line at the checkout counter ...

Here are some suggestions for changing ND to AD:
Climbing unassisted into the car and car seat.
Buckling seat belts
Dressing oneself head to toe
Tying shoes
Folding laundry
Using scissors
Helping with planting and weeding the garden
Helping wash the car
Tearing lettuce for salad
Folding napkins and setting the table
Kneading dough for bread or rolls

Education is a natural process spontaneously carried out by the individual and is acquired not by listening to words but by experiences upon the environment.  --Maria Montessori

Needs Development is an essential stage. It is growth potential. It needs nurture. When growth happens, self-confidence explodes!

Sometimes very small children in a proper environment develop skill and exactness in their work that can only surprise us.   --Maria Montessori