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JoJo
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 6:02pm | IP Logged
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I wanted to ask your opinion on how Montessori "work cycle" works in your home.
When my 6dd attended a Montessori preschool (from 3 to 5yo), the "3 hour work cycle" was often mentioned and it was how the sessions were structured. Children came into the classroom and chose their activities. The directress would observe and present to individual or groups of children as needed, but basically the children chose different "jobs" for around 2-3 hours, taking things off the shelf, working with them and then putting them back when satisfied.
When we decided to homeschool about six months ago, my vision was to continue with a similar sort of routine at home. Whilst she was happy to do that at the start, she is becoming less and less inclined to do an activity, particularly on her own (which she happily did before - at home and at preschool).
I really really want homeschooling to be an enjoyable experience, and I can appreciate that she wants to be with me - playing games, doing puzzles, sitting down next to her her etc, but as soon as I walk away to attend to one of my other kids, she generally stops what she's doing.
So how can I encourage her to stay on task, and chose another job - this is important to me for many reasons.
I would love to hear about how your Montessori homeschooling works for you and how you started out.
Jo
Mum of 4dc
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SeaStar
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 6:22pm | IP Logged
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I have just started reading "Montessori in the Classroom" and am fascinated by the work cycles. But, like you, I also wonder how I will set this into effect in my own home.
The more I think about it, though, I realize I kind of sabotage myself by constantly reorganizing and rearranging things. I don't mean rotating material off and on the shelves- I mean the crayon basket is here one day, on a different shelf a week later, the playdough is lined up on a shelf for a month, then I redo the shelves and the playdough is in a plastic bin in the closet. My kids don't know where things are one week to the next, and yet I still expect them to be independent about getting things out and putting them back.
The other thing I have to change I gleaned from the Taking the classroom Outside post. I have to make learning more "special". I love the materials and think they are special, so I have to teach my kids the same idea.
In the book the author describes how the children help each other more and more as time goes by. Maybe your dd is missing the help or comfort of her peers and that is why she wants to be near you. Or maybe she is just so thrilled to be home with you she wants to stay close. I'm sure the others will have more advice!
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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CatholicMommy
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 7:14pm | IP Logged
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FWIW: I just did CGS 6-9 training and in our discussions about the nature of the 6-9 year old child, we discussed in depth their need to be in community with others - not content to work by themselves anymore. We also discussed (with much laughter) the 6-9 year old tendency to spend most of their time hammering out rules, arguing the rules, etc. and minimal time actually carrying out the activity the rules are for.
Perhaps your daughter is simply moving into that stage where interactions with others is becoming more important. Is there some way she can have some incentive for working alone (ie she can join you for some sort of activity after her independent work is complete?). I have little specific advice to share, sorry! The dynamics in my household are so different right now.
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lapazfarm
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One way I have addressed this issue of wanting to be with me instead of doing her work was to set up a small desk workspace for dd to use in my room. That way if I am in there on the computer, folding laundry, etc, she can do her work there near me. It keeps her from feeling isolated and she really likes it and works contentedly there beside me.
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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Mackfam
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| Posted: July 03 2007 at 8:31pm | IP Logged
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I am loving "Montessori in the Classroom" and the way she discusses the structure of her day. She does start very slowly, at first offering a very tiny amount of choice time, and works up to the three hours.
Could be your dd needs a little more structure for some of the time, and a little less choice time.
Also, I have a ds who really needs a lot of physical contact and reassurance, it's just how he communicates and receives love. If there is anything stressing going on, I can bet that he'll need even more. That translates into really "needing" to be wherever I am for the most part. I try to accomodate this need, but he is also very capable of independent work time when he is really interested in something...hours of independent time! Maybe rotating some of the items you have on your shelves off, and giving them a break for awhile will bring back some freshness.
Perhaps a few neat homemade projects like the glitter letters that you work on together would spark a little more interest.
I don't usually offer 3 hours of choice time. That may change as we progress through the year, but I will start out very slowly to re-introduce old habits, and start presenting new materials.
Maybe a short break is in order?
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
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Jordan
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Can I jump in here and ask how much time you guys try to plan for your kids to spend with their Montessori activities each day? Do you schedule this time into your day or do you just let it happen as it will?
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Jordan
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JoJo
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| Posted: July 05 2007 at 12:52am | IP Logged
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That is an excellent question Jordan. I think that's kind of what I was asking - in a round about sort of way.
I've also read about the social nature of the 6-9 age group , and how they are drawn to working with others. Is she then missing out on that at home, I wonder?
Another thing I've come across (not sure where) is that in this age group they are not so keen on repeating the same activity - not in the way they were before they hit 6.
We've been aiming for perhaps one hour or so of activities in the morning - a bit of maths, phonics, writing - all related to something she's been interested in. Plus of course there is heaps of learning going on at other times of the day - cooking, being outdoors, craft, reading, singing, playing games, sport etc etc etc.
I do find that I need to have some structure and thought put into the day's activities (for my sake), and I guess I'm trying to find a balance
Jo
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Meredith
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| Posted: July 07 2007 at 11:25am | IP Logged
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Jordan wrote:
| Can I jump in here and ask how much time you guys try to plan for your kids to spend with their Montessori activities each day? Do you schedule this time into your day or do you just let it happen as it will? |
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Great questions here and sorry it's taken me so long to reply on this one. I just finished sorting through 375 emails 
Anyhoo, this is how I plan to start initially:
1) Any materials that have already been presented will be on the shelf for the older three.
2) First presentations to the 5 yo and others will be shown during the 2 yo's nap.
3) When presenting to the 2 yo he will be with me the entire time during set-up, presentation, then showing him how to put away the material on a low shelf. I will let him have access to the material only with me present until I feel comfortable with his ability to manage it without dragging it all over the house or dumping, throwing them, etc 
I am still working through the "where" to set up as we have that pending move ahead of us still, but this is my first thoughts on how this will be the most successful and least stressful for everyone involved.
Any other ideas??
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Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
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ozlouise
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| Posted: July 07 2007 at 7:12pm | IP Logged
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Jordan wrote:
| Can I jump in here and ask how much time you guys try to plan for your kids to spend with their Montessori activities each day? Do you schedule this time into your day or do you just let it happen as it will? |
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I have a grade one child. We do 2-3 45 minute `sessions' each day. Not all of these will be with the montessori equipment. I am expanding the number of activities that are left out but he has NEVER chosen to do any of these over his lego  I am being more concious of setting up other things during the day at his `size' instead of doing lots of montessori practical life trays. Eg having a small jug of water at the dinner table.
Louise
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JoJo
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| Posted: July 09 2007 at 2:22am | IP Logged
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ozlouise wrote:
| I am being more concious of setting up other things during the day at his `size' instead of doing lots of montessori practical life trays. Eg having a small jug of water at the dinner table.Louise |
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We are the same. I only ever set up a practical life activity to do there and then, and the trays are cleaned up and put away when they tire of doing it. It's the only way I found of keeping these under control, so to speak. I did start having a few trays on the shelves before our baby was mobile, but now she can reach all those low shelves.
Also it keeps the activity new and exciting.
I consciously encourage the use of those skills in real life - cooking, setting the table, dressing oneself, changing bed linen (we have a doona cover with beautiful large buttons and my ds 3 always loves to help me with those), washing up dishes, folding clothes etc.
Joanna
Mum of 4 (13 to 0)
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: WORK CYCLE
