helping a friend

Socialization happens very naturally in our classroom.  We teach grace and courtesy such as how to ask for help, how to walk around someone's work, how to give a compliment...  As these children have learned to tie, they are now able to ask each other for help tying bows or knots! 

sewing a gator

 Sewing continues!  The children have decided to make neck warmers or "gators."  It is wonderful watching a group of children sewing gators and chatting away!

Here she chooses the material and the embroidery floss.

 VERY CAREFULLY, we use the stick pins to secure the material.

 Use a "whip stitch" to sew the side.  This is tougher than it looks!

 Finished product! 

Table top volcanic eruption

 In order to have the children explore the volcanoes a bit more, we offered a table top experiment.

 Here she carries the tray to the table.  She uses a teaspoon to put in the baking soda.  Then, vinegar is poured into the opening. 

Voila! 

 

more volcano work

 We also looked at volcanic rock.  Two students had gone to Hawaii at the beginning of the year and brought us back a lava rock!

 We were also lucky enough to have volcanic ash from Mt. Saint Helens!  The children were all able to feel the ash in their hands. 

More rocks from volcanoes!

 

And... very exciting!  This child had heard about the "ring of fire" (and he also likes Johnny Cash!) and was very motivated to make his own!

 

Volcano!!!!!

This past week we explored volcanoes!  We presented the children with three models. 

 We read books and learned volcano facts.

 Then, we used baking soda, vinegar, dish soap and a little red food coloring to "erupt" the volcano!

 The children were able to match parts of volcano cards and then also made books!  Some of the children were very engrossed in learning about the volcanoes. 

The volcano books came home on Friday.

Creativity in a Montessori classroom

Here is an example of some work done last week that highlights some creativity Montessori style.  Since this child has sewn a lot over the past one and a half years, she wanted to make a bunny stuffed animal.  She traced it on the fabric and sewed then stuffed!  She then decided to write a story about the bunny.  This child is in a strong sensitive period for language.  She has gone through our first reading series and can read books with three letter words (phonemic and some sight words) but has now also begun to sound out everything she sees and loves to write on her own!  She wrote a three page book about the bunny and also declared, "I am the author AND the illustrator!"  This page says, "My bunny loves to ride her bike.  She has lots of snacks."  After the pages were done, she chose a cover for her book.  Being in a Montessori classroom she has learned the skills to complete such activities and she reported that she was very proud of herself and excited to have completed this work! 

The Secret of Childhood

It is amazing to hear stories of parents who come to visit the classroom!  We are used to the atmosphere in our classroom and it is wonderful to hear the observations of others.  Here is a great blog post speaking to the Secret of Childhood! Enjoy!

Link to a great Blog Post regarding Children!