| Author | |
marianne
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 22 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 300
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 12:01pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
I "presented" the insect rubbing plates today. We taped down the rubbing plates, taped our papers, and did a bunch of rubbings. Then I asked the older kids to label their insects and copy the little blurb of info off of the sheet that came with the materials onto their rubbings. My idea was that we would hang them on the wall for a while, and then make them into a book when we get enough.
The problem is that they wanted to do 50 rubbings, and no writing. The rubbings came out beautifully, but I wanted that info copied for our future books! It was only 2 sentences per insect, and I backed down to "making" them only write for two of the rubbings each. I am disappointed that they weren't wanting to follow through and really complete the project nicely. How much do you push in a situation like this? This was their only writing for the morning, btw...We're just warming up to school at this point.
__________________
\
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Meredith
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 08 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2355
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 12:48pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Marianne, what a great idea and I LOVE that they wanted to make 50 rubbings! I would enjoy their creative spirit for today and then revisit the copywork/bookmaking aspect on another day. As you ARE just easing into the new learning cycle/year, they may be more inclined to do the book on another day.
I'm inspired by your enthusiasm and what a fun way to start off the year 
__________________
Meredith
Mom of 4 Sweeties
Sweetness and Light
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
AndreaG
Forum Pro
Joined: March 25 2007
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 326
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 1:51pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
This is a great question- I have similar issues. My thought is that after the novelty wears off they would settle down and be willing to do more serious work with the labeling. Personally I am trying harder to accept it when my project ideas (no matter how cute I think they are) don't call to my kids. That can be the frustrating thing about montessori at home- you present lots of things and only some really take.
The other thing I am trying to do is actually be MORE strict with my presentations- so with something like the rubbing plates I would make it clear before I let them use them that they were for making booklets (ie that writing would be involved!), not just pictures. My kids would balk if they were happily coloring and I tried to turn it into a writing activity!
I'm not sure what Maria would do, I'm waiting to hear other's takes on this.
I am remembering a line from Montessori in the Classroom that really struck me and I've since returned my book, but it was something like, "Once the children are able to focus on work of their own choosing, then they are able to focus on the work I choose for them"
As far as your specific situation, I agree with Meredith- 50 pictures is great, especially on a non-school day! The fact that you are reflecting on how your kids responded to the materials is really the heart of the montessori method, following the child!
__________________
Andrea
GrayFamilyCircus
Read Through the Catechism in a Year- For Moms!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
marianne
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 22 2006
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 300
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 3:26pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Andrea,
I believe you found my mistake exactly. I only presented the rubbing part of the activity, and then when they finished with a couple, I went on, in an excited voice, "And NOW, we're going to label and copy this information!" Whoo, hoo, surprise! This pretty much ruined everything for them, but I didn't really forsee that, although I guess I should have.
I probably should have even had an example ready, so that they could see the finished product before beginning. I just hope I can apply this to future situations, I'm so dense sometimes.
__________________
\
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Angel
Forum All-Star
Joined: April 22 2006
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2293
|
| Posted: Aug 15 2007 at 6:29pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
With my kids, I have to be careful how I handle these situations. Their attention spans are sometimes so fragile that if I press too hard in the wrong place I can break what might have been a half hour activity in about 15 seconds. If it was the first time I presented the plates, I probably would have only shown them how to do the rubbings and said something along the lines of, "You can label them if you want using xyz resource." (Or whatever.) If they went on to do 50 rubbings I would have been very happy -- they're figuring out how the materials work, engaged, happy, creative. If I wanted them to go on to more formal work with the plates (I haven't actually set up my plates yet, because I'm saving them for after the baby is born), then I think I would probably sit down and do a booklet myself. Often, if the kids see me doing something, they'll try it themselves... which is sort of a sneaky way of presenting things. In any case, they'd at least have an example to follow, and then I could say (to my older kids anyway): "One of your choices for the morning is to make a booklet of insects like the one I made," or something along those lines.
It's a lot of trial and error, though, and of finding out what approach your kids respond to best. I wouldn't be too discouraged, though, because it sounds as if the kids really enjoyed the activity!
--Angela
Three Plus Two
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
CatholicMommy
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 07 2007
Location: Indiana
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1254
|
| Posted: Aug 18 2007 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
I would present everything you want them to do - to completion - before letting them go with it. BUT if they make all those rubbings one day, make the booklet and add labels another day perhaps?
Or present it again in a week or so, with the addition of the writing as part of the presentation? Just some ideas.
My son LOVES rubbing and has recently starting tracing over larger letters when he has a thinner sheets of paper to see through.
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
happymama
Forum Pro
Joined: Feb 05 2007
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 410
|
| Posted: Aug 19 2007 at 11:45am | IP Logged
|
|
|
Hmmm, great question. I honestly haven't read much beyond Absorbant Mind, but what comes to mind is her long description of how to "allow" a 2-3 year old to go for walks... completely leaving them alone! Never interrupting them or breaking their concentration.
She also focuses on single activites. I haven't read of any presentations where writing is combined with another skill initially. (but again, i haven't read much on MM for older kids.)
I agree with the thoughts above about presenting the entire activity as you would like them to do it, that is probably key. You could also give them this choice, "okay kids, we are going to do some writing this morning. You may write on your rubbings as i showed you, OR you may write on this paper (or whatever other option is fine for you.)"
Blessings!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Nurturing the Years of Wonder
Topic: Frustrated...what would M.M. suggest
