Yes...it's been a while. The school year at my new school is in full swing, and things have been a little wild while we are finding our rhythem. One month into the year, my assistant went back to college. Then I spend a month without an assistant and 18 children. While our staff at MDS is amazing and filled in the gaps, it is always difficult to attain "normalization" in a 3 year old heavy class of mainly boys without consistency.
So I spent a month of feeling like I was falling behind everyday, we weren't moving foward with lessons...the complaints go on and on. Now, I have an amazing co-teacher and after two weeks of adjustments I finally feel back on track. My "To-Do" list has started up again and we have all sorts of plans for a community garden, outdoor work environment, and I HAVE to revamp the Zoology and Botany areas of the room. Time to get to work!
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Friday, August 12, 2011
Happy Friday!!
It is Firday, therefore I am happy. Here a just a few pics of class. Time to do something wonderful this weekend.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
Workshop Day!
Well, I spent the day at a Montessori Workshop to start the school year off right. It was ok...not a lot of new ideas, but enough to remind me to do my job right! I went to Outdoor Environment, Pefect Parent Teacher Confrences, and Peace in the Classroom.
By far my fav was Peace in the Classroom. Lately, I have felt frazzled and stressed at the end of the day, knowing that class went well and the children wonderfully. So WHY the stress?? For this reason I was really ready to hear what the presenter had to say...and suprise she felt the same way. Which got me thinking, why do we adults continue to feel the need to control, control, control, which leads to a feeling of stress or failure at the end of the day. I know it's human nature, but I need to remember in the classroom, to really make an effort to bring a more peaceful me and a more peaceful environment. As teachers, we know we can do this by coming prepared, discussing and practicing conflict resolution, PATIENCE, and taking the time to be truly engaged with each student.
I like to bring some peace and love to my classroom by starting the day off with a short "cirlce time". I say good morning to each student. We all stand and I go to each child and say, "Good morning! It's so nice to see you here today. How are you?" and then we shake hands or hug. We also do quite a bit of yoga and focus on breathing slowly and mindfully. You would be suprised how long these children can hold the tree pose!
I do need to work on setting up an inviting Peace Table...any ideas for more peace in the classroom?
By far my fav was Peace in the Classroom. Lately, I have felt frazzled and stressed at the end of the day, knowing that class went well and the children wonderfully. So WHY the stress?? For this reason I was really ready to hear what the presenter had to say...and suprise she felt the same way. Which got me thinking, why do we adults continue to feel the need to control, control, control, which leads to a feeling of stress or failure at the end of the day. I know it's human nature, but I need to remember in the classroom, to really make an effort to bring a more peaceful me and a more peaceful environment. As teachers, we know we can do this by coming prepared, discussing and practicing conflict resolution, PATIENCE, and taking the time to be truly engaged with each student.
I like to bring some peace and love to my classroom by starting the day off with a short "cirlce time". I say good morning to each student. We all stand and I go to each child and say, "Good morning! It's so nice to see you here today. How are you?" and then we shake hands or hug. We also do quite a bit of yoga and focus on breathing slowly and mindfully. You would be suprised how long these children can hold the tree pose!
I do need to work on setting up an inviting Peace Table...any ideas for more peace in the classroom?
This is such a great picture of the Casa Bamini in Rome, Italy 1906. The start of Montessori! I love how straight that teacher is sitting haha!
Abby
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Montessori Blogging
Hello! I feel as though I need to introduce myself, I am Abby a Children's House Directress in Charleston, South Carolina. I teach at a quaint little school of about 30 children. This is my fifth year teaching and have been inspired to blog about it...we will see where this journey goes.
The "comings and goings" of a typical day in the Children's House can go anywhere and everywhere. From conversations about, unicorns and do they sleep in bushes...to why does Ecuador look like South Carolina? I hope to share some of the wonderful, eye opening, inspiring, and hopeful moments that occur in our little world in the Children's House.
Peace and Love,
Abby Jo
The "comings and goings" of a typical day in the Children's House can go anywhere and everywhere. From conversations about, unicorns and do they sleep in bushes...to why does Ecuador look like South Carolina? I hope to share some of the wonderful, eye opening, inspiring, and hopeful moments that occur in our little world in the Children's House.
Peace and Love,
Abby Jo
Weeding...a favorite work...
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