Aidans school provided a workshop for parents this weekend titled "The Journey". It was a two day event to learn more about the materials and methods of the Montessori education THEY provide. I say 'they' because as it turns out there is no trademark on Montessori so every school is different. Schools can throw in just a small amount of Montessori principles and and call themselves a "Montessori School". You can have what I call "hard core" Montessori that does everything the way Maria Montessori did a hundred years ago. This is what Aidan's school was in the beginning. It took Maria Montessori over 40 years of research to come up with the materials and the lessons that accompany them and our school wanted to stay true to this. Over the years they have changed with the times and now have things like computers in the classroom and Spanish education. They stay true to "Montessori" but our kids are also being prepared for the "Real World". Other "Real World" things they do include state and national testing starting in the first grade. There is no pressure put on the kids (like public school) but it is a more "let's see what you know" type of attitude. Our students also receive a small amount of homework beginning in the 1st grade ( known as 1st level at our school) and more in the upper grades so they have the "real world" experiences of time deadlines and accountability. Let's face it, they won't always be in Montessori educated ( at least around here but I did find out yesterday there is a Montessori middle school about 30 minutes away :) ). At some point they have to move on to middle and high school. I like the happy medium that our school provides. The Montessori philosophy is they want kids to fall in LOVE with learning and become life long learners. I can only imagine how my schooling would have been different if I saw education as a " get to" and not " have to" type of thing.
Now on to my experience of this weekend. I wanted to write this post because I think it would have been really useful for me when we were considering Montessori education. Before we enrolled Aidan I did the research but still wasn't entirely sure what Montessori education was or if it was going to be the best thing for him. I was kind of "hoping for the best". I knew that it "felt right" when I toured the school but wasn't sure of the program. NOW I have an understanding of WHY it did feel so right when I did the tour. :0)
It started Friday night with a silent tour. We walked through a primary class " ages 3 through 5", lower elementary class " 1st through 3rd levels ( or 1st through 3rd grade as we traditionally know it), and upper elementary " 4th and 5th levels". We were instructed to look at all the materials but we weren't allowed to touch anything. We were asked to stay silent as we walked around. We then discussed our experiences at the end of the night. I have to tell you- it was VERY difficult to keep my hands off the materials. They were so inviting and I just wanted to explore them. The other thing that really stuck with me is what "higher level" things they are doing in the upper levels. I saw microscopes, chemistry tubes and chemicals, atom models, book reports on Warren Buffet, and even research on Obama and Romney for the upcoming election. It was things that I really didn't get into until high school and college.
Saturday morning was all about actually exploring the materials. Materials were layed out with instructions on how to use them. We were able to ask for "lessons" if we felt we needed it. The children receive a lesson before they are able to use the material. The way they teach math is brilliant! It always starts with concrete models and moves to the abstract. The materials are consistent at every level, so the same materials they are using to learn addition and subtraction in Aidan's class are the same materials they are using in upper elementary to learn algebra. There are obviously some additions, but the concept is the same. If I would have been taught in this manner , math would have made more sense and been so much easier for me! I will admit I actually found myself getting frustrated when working with the materials in the upper elementary because of the level of difficulty. I asked the directress if the students got frustrated and she said no because everything is taught in steps and one skill builds on another and they don't receive lessons that they aren't ready for. So basically they are being prepared for algebra at geometry at age 3! By the way the students are ALWAYS given lessons before they are allowed to use the materials. This has been one of Aidan's complaints. There are things that he really wants to explore but can't yet because he hasn't been given a lesson. Now that he has been in school for a month I don't hear this complaint anymore. :)
Another thing I really liked is they way they teach grammar in the 1st through 3rd levels. Everything is color coded so for example the nouns are always on black cards, the adverbs on red cards, articles on pink cards, etc.... It makes it really easy to learn the parts of speech. The children are able to manipulate the cards to make sentences and then write the sentences down. I was happy to see books starting in level 1 that had Lexile numbers on them. I forgot to ask how they monitor reading levels but I would assume since the books were broken down by Lexile numbers that it means they assess the kids. I also loved that starting at age 3 the kids learn about botany, zoology, geography,etc... Aidan told me today on the way to church that he knew the reason that trees and plants are green is because of the chlorophyll. Thank you Montessori!
What I experienced in my initial observation of the school back in April when we were considering Montessori were classrooms that were calm and kids that were engaged in their activities. I knew I loved the feeling of the classrooms and I now know why! It's because of the fascinating things they were learning! They were truly enjoying their experience and falling in love with learning. Isn't this every parents dream?
O.K. it is official. I have tasted the "Montessori Juice" and now I don't think I will ever go back. :)
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Rodeo
Aidan has been begging to go to the rodeo mainly because his teacher and her family were going to be there. His teachers son was participating in the "mutton riding" ( sheep riding) last night. I thought "what the heck", since I am all about new experiences and it sounded like a fun family outing I decided we would go. I told him we probably wouldn't see his teacher (and we didn't) but he still wanted to go. We were pleasantly surprised and it was a really fun evening! We weren't in the best seats in the beginning and then I spied a bunch of kids playing in the "end zone" ( or whatever you call it at a rodeo.lol.) We moved and he was much happier playing around with the other little cowboys.
We got to see them doing the bucking broncos and steer roping. My favorite part was the barrel racing. The junior barrel racing was even better! There were kids as young as 7 participating in that event!
It was really hard to get any good shots with the lighting and my less than average camera. I did get a few of the "charros", but the rest were to blurry to even tell what they were.
Hey Cowboy!
Having some quality time with dad.
yay! Another little cowboy to play with! I wonder what they were talking about? They look like they are using sign language to talk to each other.
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Growing pains and Breakfast with Shamu
It has been a long week in our house. Aidan got in trouble for the first time at school. He and some friends were playing a rough game at recess and it got a little out of control. A friend told him to do something and him using his "5 year old boy judgement" did it and another student got hurt. He got an incident report sent home. I was shocked at what he did as he usually a pretty "gentle" kid and definitely gets upset when someone else gets hurt. He is experimenting more with rough play and I guess it is all a learning process. His teacher said he was very remorseful and she had a hard time calming him down because he was so upset. We talked about it when he got home. Why it was wrong and why we don't do something just because someone else tells us to do it. I really attempt to screen what he watches on t.v. Recently he has found the "Beyblades" videos on nexflix. I wasn't a huge fan of the show from the beginning but decided to let him watch them because he loves his Beyblades so much. I told him that his punishment would be no more Beyblade videos (at least for a couple of weeks) because they aren't kind to each other on the show. I also had him sit down and write apology letters to the other kids involved. * sigh* this is the not so fun part of parenting.
Aidan is continuing to enjoy school, but I think the whole Montessori philosophy is starting to backfire on me. lol. They really stress having kids do things for themselves and to think for themselves. I am starting to see evidence of this at home. Aidan wants to do EVERYTHING himself. The other night he decided to clean the bathroom without asking me first. He poured toilet bowl cleaner all over the bathroom and made a HUGE mess. I freaked because of the chemicals he got all over himself. He had on just underwear ( it has still been incredibly hot here) and the cleaner bleached out big spots on it. I made him get straight in the bath and thankfully it didn't hurt him or get in his eyes. We had to have a talk about asking mom first before doing something that you think is a "good idea" ( After I put the fear of God in him first). It seems like we have been having LOTS of talks around here lately. lol. Although it seems he has been getting in a lot of trouble lately I guess it is a good thing and he is becoming independent. Lots of growing pains this week. :(
Our Seaworld passes are getting ready to expire and I have always wanted to have breakfast with Shamu. I LOVE whales and dolphins. I think they are some of the most gorgeous creatures God created and can't get enough of them! Since having Saturday morning breakfast together is my and Aidan's new tradition I decided spur of the moment that this would be the weekend we would go! It was a total surprise for Aidan. I put him in the car and told him we were going someplace special for breakfast. I then gave him hints as we were driving and had him guess. I told him it started with an "S" and ended with a "D". He thought for a second and said, "Is it Denny's spelled backwards?" My little clever boy. What a great guess! He was excited when we arrived, but I think I was WAY more excited. :0)
My silly boy came to me like this and said "hey mom look I am George Washington!" What an imagination!
playing in the water.
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
5 year old appointment
I just got Aidan in for his 5 year old appointment yesterday due to insurance reasons. Since I am using this as his "baby book" I am going to post how his appointment went here. He is now 46 inches tall and weighed in at 41 lbs, He was in the 95% for height and 50% for weight. At least he is consistent. He has been in these precentiles since he was born. To sum it up- we are going to have one tall and skinny boy! I just can't get the kid to gain weight. He eats lots of fruit and veggies, so I am not going to worry. We are going to follow up with an orthopedist for his toe walking and his doctor also wants another Physical Therapy evaluation. I am supposed to talk to his dentist about his thumb sucking and how it is affecting his speech ( creating "tongue thrusting"). There is a retainer type device the dentist can give him to prevent the thumb from going into his mouth. The doctor said her daughter sucked her thumb until she was 7 and this is what finally solved the problem. Overall, he is one healthy boy and doing well! He had to get shots yesterday and for the first time was having a lot of anxiety about it before the appointment. He did great. He cried for a few minutes and then was sooo happy he was done (mama too!).
Sunday, September 16, 2012
parent education night and lost power
I attended Parent Education night at Aidan's school this week. It was an informational night to educate the parents more about Montessori, the materials, and how the program works. It was very informative and I left totally overwhelmed. The amount of enrichment these children are surrounded with every day is unbelievable. The math area alone left my head spinning. Everything is hands on and they are able to do some very complex math with the materials. Everything is done a certain way and I am wondering how my lil guy is doing with following the steps. He is more of a guy who likes to do things his OWN way. I know it may be frustrating now ( although he hasn't said this) but I am so glad that it is teaching him discipline. He is still loving school and I am so happy. I got the chance to observe his class early in the week ( without him seeing me) and then met with his teacher the next day to discuss his sensory and fine motor issues. It is really amazing to watch a good Montessori class "in action". All the kids were on task interested in their own "work". I watched Aidan do orange juice squeezing ( and drinking the juice he squeezed). He squeezed the oranges, drank the juice, washed and dried his dishes, and then put everything away! He even took off his little apron he was wearing and hung it up on a coat hanger. I had no idea he was capable of all this and NO prompting from the teacher! Things are about to change at home. lol. Overall, his teacher said he is doing well. He is having a few issues not staying in his area but his teacher thought it was because he is such a curious little boy and was not concerned. Everything is still pretty new to him so hopefully after he is more familiar with all the materials this won't be an issue. I gave her some materials that we use in OT to help him. She was thrilled and is using them with many of the children in the class. Next month I get to spend a whole weekend doing parent education and we get to actually work with the materials. I am so excited! As with everything, a Montessori School is only as good as the program and the teachers. There are good ones and bad ones out there. I have to say that I think we scored big and are at one of the BEST ones. :) This school prides themselves in staying true to Montessori ( some schools just take bits and pieces) yet staying current with the times. The kids receive computer time, Spanish, Music, and PE every week as enrichment classes.
It is the HOT season for Southern California. The Santa Ana winds have started blowing in and the temps have been 100+. It is the "perfect storm" for forest fires. I am praying that things stay calm. The transformer in front of our house blew yesterday afternoon due to the heat and we ( along with about 10 other houses) lost power. I decided to make the most out of it and finally camp in our back yard ( one of the things on our bucket list we didn't accomplish)! I built a fire in our fire pit so we could roast marshmallows and make smores and pitched our tent. I was VERY impressed with myself since this is a "daddy job" and I didn't think I could do it. The party quickly moved out front while they changed out the transformer last night around 9ish. It was quite fascinating for a little boy ( and his mom!). Several of the neighbors came over and a tackle football game ensued with Aidan and 3 other boys. The SDGE workers were so nice. One of them even offered to let Aidan control the big crane, but he was to nervous. Another one gave him an ice cold gatorade. To quote Aidan, " it was the best day ever". ;) I love me some power crew!
We ended up staying about 20 minutes in the tent and then Aidan thought the ground was to uncomfortable so we came in and slept on the couches in the living room. The power was turned back on some time in the middle of the night.
roasting marshmallows. The fire started making me nervous and I didn't want to see our house go up in flames ,so I put it out after we were done with the Smores.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
2012 Summer Bucket List
So we didn't get EVERYTHING checked off of our bucket list but we sure did pretty well!Some things we could have checked off multiple times. I wasn't able to get pictures of all the things we did, but here are the ones I was able to document. I will have to say Summer 2012 was a success and a blast!
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