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Montessori Teachers Chatboard

Extended Care?

by MF

Mar 4, 2013

I own a small Montessori school. We used to offer an extended care program, but noticed many of the extended care families did not participate or make an effort to become a part of the school community. We did away with the program after two years, and things have been going very well. However, as the years chug along, more and more parents are req...See More

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MF Thank you for your input, Maureen. I'll go with my gut on this one, unless finances lead me in the other direction.

Mar 9, 2013

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No. Don't be sucked in There is SO much funding these days for after-school programs that there should be plenty of other places for your students to go between 3 and 6 or whenever, if their parents can't be with them during those hours.

If it doesn't work for you personally, don't even consider it. And if you do, apply for grants, grants, grants so you can go h...See More

Mar 10, 2013

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Montessori & themes? (HELP)

by CS

Mar 5, 2013

Do any of you teachers have themes in your Montessori classrooms? In the school I work at, they have monthly themes (some are relevant to the month, others are not).

For e.g. Sept theme is Human Body, 5 senses, Nutrition & Nov theme is US/Native Americans. While I like to do Social Studies activities based on interesting activities eac...See More

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maureen On 3/05/13, CS wrote: > Do any of you teachers have themes in your Montessori > classrooms? In the school I work at, they have monthly > themes (some are relevant to the month, others are not). > > For e.g. Sept theme is Human Body, 5 senses, Nutrition & > Nov theme is US/Native Americans. While I like to do Social > Studie...See MoreOn 3/05/13, CS wrote: > Do any of you teachers have themes in your Montessori > classrooms? In the school I work at, they have monthly > themes (some are relevant to the month, others are not). > > For e.g. Sept theme is Human Body, 5 senses, Nutrition & > Nov theme is US/Native Americans. While I like to do Social > Studies activities based on interesting activities each > month, I don't particularly see the relevance to working on > a theme (for e.g. "Dinosaurs") if it has nothing to do with > a month. We have a Dinosaur & Texas theme for March. > > Thanks!

CS: I wasn't into themes that weren't related to the month or holiday either. I never did dinosaurs in the classroom either. Most preschoolers knew a whole lot more then I did on that subject anyway. lol Actually, other then using "seasonal" colors throughout the room like in PL, art, maybe cultural, I didn't really have a theme. Each year was different when it came to which countries or continents we might focus on through out the year. Often I would choose a culture that I had parents representing so I could tap into that resource. Even when I worked in a large school, I didn't follow the rest of the classrooms. For instance, I absolutely refused to have a costume party with a parade where the parents distributed candy for Halloween. I closed my doors and simply had our own thing going on.

I would focus on our state when someone pulled out the state map with all the counties as a puzzle work. I grew up in our state so I knew a lot of interesting tidbits about various places around the state and could "humanize it". However, we never had a state theme for the entire classroom.

I was always given the freedom to follow my own ideas in my classroom so I was fortunate in that manner. I saved my "battles" for the really big things and I worked years to wear them down indirectly. Sometimes I could do it. Sometimes they were too resistant. Yet, I felt strongly enough about themes in a Montessori classroom that I asked for that autonomy. I didn't want to come across as a rebel, yet I wanted to stay true to my beliefs. Following themes dictated by the school is not my idea of following the child. Don't you think so too?

Mar 5, 2013

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CS Completely agree. But then again, I teach lower & upper elementary so the themes are listed as a school wide thing which I am expected to follow. But dinosaurs in March? I just can't see the relevance & it's very much bothering me. But I am somewhat fortunate enough to independently manage my classroom (for most part).

But I will d...See MoreCompletely agree. But then again, I teach lower & upper elementary so the themes are listed as a school wide thing which I am expected to follow. But dinosaurs in March? I just can't see the relevance & it's very much bothering me. But I am somewhat fortunate enough to independently manage my classroom (for most part).

But I will do what I know to be right by Maria Montessori. Thanks so much Maureen. I've missed your advice!

On 3/05/13, maureen wrote: > On 3/05/13, CS wrote: >> Do any of you teachers have themes in your Montessori >> classrooms? In the school I work at, they have monthly >> themes (some are relevant to the month, others are not). >> >> For e.g. Sept theme is Human Body, 5 senses, Nutrition & >> Nov theme is US/Native Americans. While I like to do Social >> Studies activities based on interesting activities each >> month, I don't particularly see the relevance to working on >> a theme (for e.g. "Dinosaurs") if it has nothing to do with >> a month. We have a Dinosaur & Texas theme for March. >> >> Thanks! > > > CS: I wasn't into themes that weren't related to the month or > holiday either. I never did dinosaurs in the classroom either. > Most preschoolers knew a whole lot more then I did on that > subject anyway. lol Actually, other then using "seasonal" > colors throughout the room like in PL, art, maybe cultural, I > didn't really have a theme. Each year was different when it > came to which countries or continents we might focus on > through out the year. Often I would choose a culture that I > had parents representing so I could tap into that resource. > Even when I worked in a large school, I didn't follow the rest > of the classrooms. For instance, I absolutely refused to have > a costume party with a parade where the parents distributed > candy for Halloween. I closed my doors and simply had our own > thing going on. > > I would focus on our state when someone pulled out the state > map with all the counties as a puzzle work. I grew up in our > state so I knew a lot of interesting tidbits about various > places around the state and could "humanize it". However, we > never had a state theme for the entire classroom. > > I was always given the freedom to follow my own ideas in my > classroom so I was fortunate in that manner. I saved > my "battles" for the really big things and I worked years to > wear them down indirectly. Sometimes I could do it. Sometimes > they were too resistant. Yet, I felt strongly enough about > themes in a Montessori classroom that I asked for that > autonomy. I didn't want to come across as a rebel, yet I > wanted to stay true to my beliefs. Following themes dictated > by the school is not my idea of following the child. Don't you > think so too?

Mar 5, 2013

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Source for children addressing guide by 1st name

by Jennifer

Mar 8, 2013

In many Montessori schools children address their teacher by first name. Please point me to the philosophical origin of that. Does Maria Montessori address this specifically in writing? Where? I understand why it is done. Not looking to debate this, just looking for the source info for how and why this is common practice in many schools. Thank you.

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No idea, but it's not good practice, in my experience Some of the traditional boundaries between teachers and students exist for sound reason.

On 3/08/13, Jennifer wrote: > In many Montessori schools children address their teacher > by first name. Please point me to the philosophical origin > of that. Does Maria Montessori address this specifically > in writing? Where? I understan...See More

Mar 10, 2013

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maureen On 3/10/13, No idea, but it's not good practice, in my experience wrote: > Some of the traditional boundaries between teachers and > students exist for sound reason. > > > On 3/08/13, Jennifer wrote: >> In many Montessori schools children address their teacher >> by first name. Please point me to the philosophical origin ...See MoreOn 3/10/13, No idea, but it's not good practice, in my experience wrote: > Some of the traditional boundaries between teachers and > students exist for sound reason. > > > On 3/08/13, Jennifer wrote: >> In many Montessori schools children address their teacher >> by first name. Please point me to the philosophical origin >> of that. Does Maria Montessori address this specifically >> in writing? Where? I understand why it is done. Not >> looking to debate this, just looking for the source info >> for how and why this is common practice in many schools. >> Thank you.

This subject comes up every so often as a discussion among Montessorians and I don't recall actually reading any quotes saying that this should be the case in Montessori's writings. Most of my friends who are AMI trained are called Mrs. Last Name. I would think with the supposedly strong connection with the "original" Montessori, if it were the case that Montessori wrote that teachers should be called by their first names, then AMI trained teachers would all be doing that. Of course, I am just guessing from personal experience. I never thought to ask why or if there was a definite reason for the formal name.

I have always been called by my first name and lack of respect from my students was never an issue. One's name has absolutely nothing to do with one's relationship with any child. I never felt like I was "just a friend" with the children in the same sense that we hear the complaints today about parents wanting to be their child's friend instead of parent.

When I worked at a large school, the teachers were called whatever the teacher preferred. One teacher was called Mrs. Last Name. One was called Ms. First Name and the rest first name only.

I did change my "name" in the last years of teaching but only because of parental "pressure". This was a cultural thing as in some parts of the US, it is considered disrespectful for a child to call any adult by his or her first name. These parents would insist that their child still call me Miss First Name although the rest of the class called me First Name Only. It was difficult for a young child to try to honor his parent's request and be the lone man out in calling me something else. So, I just went to the Ms. First Name and got used to it.

My grandchildren attend a public charter school that is based on the Progressive Model (whatever that means), and everyone there is called by their first name only. That includes the director, principal and all the teachers. This is a public elementary school and the teachers at the other traditional elementaries are totally up in arms that this is not right. My grandchildren are very respectful towards their teachers and I don't think the teacher/student relationship is affected one bit by what they call their teacher.

The ONLY label I absolutely disliked was being called Teacher. I never cared for that label and it bothered me personally. I would just tell the child that we had more then one teacher in the classroom and I preferred to be called by my name so i knew who they were talking to. Often, this label of Teacher came from parents. I am sure there is some root to that label, too.

It would be interesting to locate any reference to this name calling for teachers in Montessori's writings. I recall reading about the relationship of what a guide would have with the children in contrast of the traditional teacher model. I just don't remember an exact passage on how to address a teacher in Montessori classrooms. Good luck in your search!

Mar 10, 2013

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New Building Concern

by Head of School

Mar 27, 2013

Hello Everyone, Our program is expanding to include lower el. Our current school is not large enough, and we've recently been given the opportunity to purchase the building next door. There is no way we can connect the two buildings, so the school would be run out of two buildings. I've worked in schools in the past that are "campus style" and they...See More

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Teacher training hours

by CS

Apr 9, 2013

I've heard that there are courses (some free) available online for this purpose. Any website tips? Thanks.

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MC On 4/09/13, CS wrote: > I've heard that there are courses (some free) available > online for this purpose. Any website tips? Thanks.

I went to my state's Department of Education website. You can click on their ACT 48 tab to access online videos. To be honest, if you're trying to fulfill mandated hours, you'll want to take a credit co...See More

Apr 9, 2013

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Wishing well Montessori

by Zoe Zhang

May 3, 2013

Want tp put my daughter there for CASA! Any one knows if this is. Ood school or not?

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Montessori Survey

by Kellie T

May 15, 2013

Hello all!

I am a Montessori teacher in training and I am in need of some help. My training requires that I conduct a survey as part of a research paper. My survey is on classroom management. I am looking for 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 teachers to take my survey. It will take no more than 10 mins and all information is kept confidential. The surv...See More

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maureen On 5/15/13, Kellie T wrote:

> Hello all!

>

> I am a Montessori teacher in training and I am in need of

> some help. My training requires that I conduct a survey as

> part of a research paper. My survey is on classroom

> management. I am looking for 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 teacher...See More

May 16, 2013

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so sorry, couldn't find the survey... On 5/15/13, Kellie T wrote:

> Hello all!

>

> I am a Montessori teacher in training and I am in need of

> some help. My training requires that I conduct a survey as

> part of a research paper. My survey is on classroom

> management. I am looking for 3-6, 6-9, and 9-12 teacher...See More

May 17, 2013

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Montessori Learning Center of Pickering

by Mrs. Iyer

May 30, 2013

I am looking to admit my son into a Montessori school. He is currently in grade 3 in a public school, has articulation and language difficulties, some hearing problems, and has been bullied at school. He does not feel like going to school and claims has only one good friend who is also moving soon. I believe a smaller class room and some individual...See More

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max I am curious....will the school accept a third grader with no prior Montessori experience, or has your child had the prior experience? Perhaps it isn't the Montessori as much as the acceptance of children with diverse learning needs that makes this school attractive? How will they plan to introduce him to the new learning style of Montessori? I hop...See More

Jun 7, 2013

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Mrs. Iyer On 5/30/13, Darren Best wrote: > On 5/30/13, Mrs. Iyer wrote: >> I am looking to admit my son into a Montessori school. He >> is currently in grade 3 in a public school, has >> articulation and language difficulties, some hearing >> problems, and has been bullied at school. He does not feel >> like going to school ...See MoreOn 5/30/13, Darren Best wrote: > On 5/30/13, Mrs. Iyer wrote: >> I am looking to admit my son into a Montessori school. He >> is currently in grade 3 in a public school, has >> articulation and language difficulties, some hearing >> problems, and has been bullied at school. He does not feel >> like going to school and claims has only one good friend >> who is also moving soon. I believe a smaller class room and >> some individual attention will help him. Any reviews or >> tips on this Montessori School - Montessori Learning Centre >> of Pickering - is greatly appreciated. > > > My daughter attended JK in Public School, where her teacher (a > Goddess like figure) instilled the idea that reading was not > necessary! The teacher also went to sleep, while my daughter > wondered the room on her own! > > For the past 7 years my daughter has attended the Montessori > Learning Centre of Pickering. It is a fantastic family like > atmosphere. My daughter has severe ADHD, (self esteem with > atypical children is already comprised) it is my feeling we > need to do whatever possible to maintain a high level of self > esteem. My daughter (7th Grade in September) cries at the > thought of leaving the school after 8th Grade. > > The school includes all snacks and the optional Hot Lunch is > cooked on site with allergies, dietary and cultural > restrictions in mind. > > The school offers native French language teachers, Art, Home > Ec., and advanced Music programs. They also have a > wonderful program called "Community Service", in which > elementary children are taught to care for younger students > as well as Seniors in the Community. > > The school offers a wide range of after school extra > curricular activities such as: Dance, Sportsball, Karate, > Craft Club, Drama (both French and English) and Piano. > Several of the teachers also offer private one on one > Tutoring. > > Bullying is absolutely not tolerated at this school. > > If I can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact > me directly. > > Darren.Best(@)gmail(.)co

Hello Darren, thank you for taking the time to reply. We are definitely considering the school for our son.

Regards...

Jun 7, 2013

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