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ALmom
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| Posted: June 29 2007 at 6:06pm | IP Logged
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Well guys, my orders are done and now I'm just waiting for the materials to come in. I'm so excited about this. I need to go online and print off/ purchase the actual albums instead of just looking at them. I'm feeling giddy - but also looking for recipes for beans. I figure that will help with two problems - making the budget balance and getting away from too many hormones in meat and cheese.
My husband was so extremely generous and I am just basking in the thought of our year - though a bit scared about doing my part to make this a truely wise investment. I was even more delighted because my dh read the Gettman and Hainstock books too and there were things he pointed to that we absolutely had to order. I must say that I think he understood the material better than I did so I know I will have a lot of work to do in getting ready to present. I want to honor my dh by following through in doing this carefully and in ways that will make his sacrifice and investment in our children bring forth generous fruit. (He was happy for us to order so much despite the weight of the expensive car problems that seem to keep plaguing us).
I just have to share with you the reaction of my 4yo. He just glowed when he realized I was ordering stuff for his school. He kept running over and hugging me and telling me "Thank you mommy,daddy soooo much! This he repeated over and over again. Then he would come over and give me big bear hugs and smooches and tell me "I love you so much." All he saw were occassional pictures looking over my shoulder as I perused the various Montessori businesses and also the knowledge that we were getting materials for Catechesis of the Good Shepherd - I found sheep, wolf and fencing, we already have a the Good Shepherd.
I did a ton of asking, looking at posts here, looking at Montessori-Loris lists and reading on-line albums to get a feel for materials - also the Hainstock and Gettman books. I must say that the various suppliers who spoke to me were generous with time and advice and helped me sort through the various tradeoffs. Allisons Montessori and Montessori Concepts were particularly kind though I ended up ordering between Allisons and Montessori Outlet (they had 25% off). Shipping was a shock.
One thing I have noticed in this whole process is the factor of my enthusiasm - but also the need to really understand the whole Montessori before I adapt it. In digging, I discoverd things like the albums are always so precise about how you pick up materials - now other than promoting respect for the material, I couldn't at first figure out the significance of this until I'd read tons and then all of a sudden it clicked. The way she is having them pick up materials, is actually helping dc develop the muscles and fine motor coordination for later writing. Now, I know one of the main reasons for me wanting to do Montessori with a number of my dc relates to this eye-hand, fine motor delays from vision problems. I am so excited to see this. I am also hesitant to deviate until I know I really understand because while someone else may make trade offs in presentations, I don't want to inadvertantly become careless and lose some of the benefits. I'm beginning to think ahead to training - not because I'm going to be a purist, but because I want to understand before I deviate.
Has anyone taken classes/been trained in the method, what time and cost and travel are involved? Where do you find training options - not a lot seems available locally so I may have to simply rely on what is reasonable/possible and trust the Holy Spirit to guide.
I'm trying to set up a meeting with a Montessori teacher here as a starting point.
Janet
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SeaStar
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| Posted: June 29 2007 at 7:03pm | IP Logged
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Janet-
Very exciting! It sounds like you have done a very thorough research job, and your enthusiasm will be contagious to your children. 
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Melinda, mom to ds ('02) and dd ('04)
SQUILT Music Appreciation
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Mackfam
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| Posted: June 29 2007 at 7:29pm | IP Logged
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Oh Janet - I'm so glad everything is falling into place for you. I meant to mention on the phone yesterday - why don't you look into Karen's Montessori class?
A number of us here are taking it. The cost is very reasonable - $30 - She provides albums and instruction. Class starts July 1! You might want to look into it.
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Jen Mackintosh
Wife to Rob, mom to dd 19 , ds 16, ds 11, dd 8, and dd 3
Wildflowers and Marbles
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lapazfarm
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Joined: July 21 2005
Location: Alaska
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| Posted: June 29 2007 at 8:29pm | IP Logged
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Wow, Janet! I am so impressed that your husband is taking such an active interest in your homeschooling! That is awesome! And your enthusiasm is bound to inspire your children. You are going to have such a great year!
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Theresa
us-schooling in beautiful Fairbanks, Alaska.
LaPaz Home Learning
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AndreaG
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| Posted: June 29 2007 at 9:15pm | IP Logged
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I heartily recommend Karen's class. If you want something more expensive and formal check out NAMC
They offer training videos which I always thought would be nice since montessori is so visual and precise.
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Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
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ALmom
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| Posted: June 30 2007 at 11:01pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for the link to both training programs. The NAMC version is just way out of our budget. I'd love to have access to videos and full color albums like that but just isn't realistic for us.
Karen's program looks very reasonable. I'm hoping she is offering an introductory class soon after the July one. I -emailed with some questions, but seeing as it is late on June 30 and we will be traveling on some of the dates, well, July probably won't be the best time to take the class for us. Plus I won't have my materials in yet. Oh, I really, really hope that she offers another introductory training program soon.
Janet
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AndreaG
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| Posted: July 01 2007 at 9:40am | IP Logged
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Janet- I would go ahead and sign-up for the July 1 class- it is very informal - your participate as you can. I had a baby during it and often get behind with the downloads- it is easy enough to just pick up where I left off.
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Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
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ALmom
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| Posted: July 01 2007 at 1:16pm | IP Logged
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All right, ya'll, thank you so much. I'm in on Karen's class and getting more and more excited about this between being a little intimidated by the work I'm running into  . My children, particularyl the high school and above crowd, were tickled (and had a field day teasing me, I might add)as I found the e-mail letting me in the class this AM after church and I started bouncing around the house singing, "I'm going to school." My dh, the model of infinite patience just walked me through finding my way to the class, getting set up with yahoo and all that. Without him, I never would have found it or figured out how to do it. I am so excited about this. Thank you all for pointing me in the right direction.
Janet
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4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: my order finally is in
