| Author | |
BrendaPeter
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 981
|
| Posted: May 08 2008 at 11:36am | IP Logged
|
 |
|
As a member of the 2nd (or maybe 3rd) wave  of Montessori Moms, I've learned so much by reading all the old threads. While reading this one, I thought it would be helpful if some of you could elaborate on what Andrea wrote:
AndreaG wrote:
| When I use curriculum other than a montessori album I try to use it in a montessori way. For example with Story of the World, I try to approach each chapter as a "presentation" rather than a "sit down and do history lesson". I will invite the children, I read the lesson while they color, and have them choose projects to do as follow-up work. I don't really use it as described in the Well-Trained Mind (covering a lesson a week, having the child write a narration and take tests). |
|
|
Thx!
__________________
Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 08 2008 at 6:13pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hey I said that! 
I SHOULD be able to elaborate...
Basically, once my kids are passed the 3-6 stage I don't have any Montessori albums. I found that homeschool curricula (such as Story of the World or my Science text R.E.A.L Science) were more affordable and more suited to a homeschool than the Montessori albums for elementary, at least the R&D ones I had purchased. I was excited to read Angel's take on the NAMC albums being more user friendly.
But anyway I go for the Montessori philosophy more than a replica of a Montessori school. Don't get me wrong- I have a ton of Montessori materials, but what I love most about Montessori is the freedom within limits, the way independence is fostered, and how the learning is so hands-on and suited to the child's developmental level.
So I try to present lessons in a Montessori way, which pretty much looks like me asking a child if they want to do a Story of the World chapter or a science experiment. So they have the freedom of choice within limits, and feel like an active participant in their education.
I really like Angela's "choice time" idea where she writes suggestions on a marker board for the kids to choose. I am going to try that next year.
Now after I've said all that I see your topic was "presentation how-to" and I'm not sure I've been very specific in that regard!
__________________
Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Mackfam
Board Moderator
Non Nobis
Joined: April 24 2006
Location: Alabama
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 14656
|
| Posted: May 08 2008 at 8:53pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
AndreaG wrote:
| Basically, once my kids are passed the 3-6 stage I don't have any Montessori albums. |
|
|
Me either. I started compiling an album for my older child last year, but then I found that I was really stifled by that, and her progress was hampered. It just wasn't realistic in our home setting. I might go to a presentation for an idea of how to present, and it might perhaps give me an idea of extensions for that material, but that's it.
AndreaG wrote:
| I go for the Montessori philosophy more than a replica of a Montessori school. |
|
|
Yes. I enjoy the same philosophy. I love the beautiful environment - organized and logical. I love the freedom offered within that environment. I set out work within that environment in a very "Motessori way." Work for my 3 yo follows a Montessori guideline very closely, as do my presentations. Work for my 7 and 11yo is set out in a more open way. I like to offer work centers with needed supplies, but they offer more opportunity for expression. My presentations reflect that freedom. I present with a Montessori flavor. For ex., as we rounded out our Botany studies, I set out an experiment tray for testing soil samples. I presented the basics of soil composition, ph, and the differing nutrient needs of different plants. I gave them a detailed instruction sheet to stay on the tray with the soil samples and all the other equipment. Then I let them go. They complete the work study when they wish because all of the necessary background info has been presented, and all of the work is set out in an attractive way on a tray.
AndreaG wrote:
| I really like Angela's "choice time" idea where she writes suggestions on a marker board for the kids to choose. |
|
|
I incorporated Angela's choice time into my lesson plans offering blocks of time during the day for the children to go to the shelves and choose Montessori work or Art. It was wonderful, and the children really enjoyed it. I gave a list to each child of the choices they had during choice time. Friday was free choice.
__________________
Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angel
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 7:55am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Brenda, I followed your link and kept thinking, "Wow, this is a great conversation! Why don't I remember this?" Then I looked at the dates, and thought, "Oh, yeah, I was having a baby."
I'm printing out the other thread to read and reflect on, and then I'll come back here later. (I hope.)
I do have two blog posts on how we do choice time at my house, though:
A Brief History of Choice Time
Setting Up Choice Time
All my posts that are specifically about choice time are
here.
I'm not sure any of those posts really answer your question, but it's at least a glimpse of how we meld methods in our house.
--Angela
Three Plus Two
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 11:27am | IP Logged
|
|
|
I also noticed today while I was working with my kids (with some montessori materials and some non-montessori things) that I use the 3 period lesson alot.
First period- introduce terms and concepts
Second Period - have child point to item while you supply the name, "Show me the ___?, Which is the ___?"
Third Period - child can name/explain himself, when you ask "What is this?"
__________________
Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
happymama
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 05 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 410
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 2:39pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I also do not intend to follow a Montessori curriculum beyond 3-6. Some of the philosophy has a permanant place, however:
- taking time to quietly observe each child to see what their interests & talents are
- instead of telling a child that they did something "wrong", see if I can get them to discover the mistake on their own
- instead of praising the child, affirm that their answers are correct, or that their artwork is interesting, etc.
- presenting new lessons at a time when the child is in an interested mood
- speaking with sophisticated vocabulary
- recognizing the value of using the hands as often as possible (manipulatives)
- respecting the child's choices (within limits) following my favorite quote: "spread knowledge out in front of them, and let them feast!"
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
BrendaPeter
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 28 2005
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 981
|
| Posted: May 09 2008 at 3:24pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you! You've all been very helpful.
I just started Karen's May 1st class  , so hopefully I'll get "into the swing" over time!
__________________
Blessings,
Brenda (mom to 6)
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Montessori Presentation "How To"
