Sharing Knowledge

Over the past couple of weeks, we have really noticed a new level of sharing of knowledge among the children.  I very much appreciate how this is occurs naturally within the mixed age setting of a Montessori classroom.  The children are so fortunate to have each other to observe and learn from.  Here are a few pictures of our classroom from the last two weeks:

Finding a quiet moment with the Individual Silence Game.

This painting activity has been very popular lately!

Counting quantities with the Short Bead Stair.

It's always a joy to see such exploration and collaboration with the Pink Tower and Brown Stair.

Static Addition with the Golden Bead material.

Setting out and counting the 45 Layout...

…and checking one's work.

A beautiful flower arrangement - its so wonderful to be surrounded by such beauty!

Making new shapes with triangle using the Constructive Triangles.

Learning about the Function of Words: the conjunction.

 Number writing practice.

Careful exploration with Pink Tower and Brown Stair.

Creating a collage with paper cuttings.

Transferring small beads with a tweezer.

Making a crossword using the the Small Moveable Alphabet and phonogram list words.

Sorting images into categories of Land, Air, and Water.

Comparisons between the Pink Tower and Brown Stair.

Quantity and counting with the Short Bead Hanger.

Walking the maze without touching the sides - such a challenge!

Reading and recording silent 'e' words.

Analyzing sentences.

A festive St. Patrick's Day pin pushing collage.

Making a flag of Ireland.

This chid spent most of the morning creating this gem!

Listening to the sound of a bell - "I listen until I can't hear the sound anymore!"

A small group of children descried to make a cultural table using all of the items from our Russia shelf.

Humming Along

The children continue moving forward in their lessons and activities in the classroom.  A few pictures to share from the last couple of weeks:

Beginning Sentence Analysis.

Memorization of addition facts.

Explaining 'Go-Togethers.'

Pronoun-verb agreement.

Addition with the Stamp Game using all four categories.

Understanding place value and quantity with the Teen Boards and Beads.

Two mornings worth of work - the completed 45 Layout!

Using puzzles to learn Russian words.

Careful construction and exploration with the Pink Tower and Brown Stair.

Using a baster to transfer water.

Refining skills with the Sponging lesson.

Comparing cylinders in the Cylinder Blocks.

Arranging flowers for the classroom.

Using the Hundred Chain to practice linear and skip counting.

Learning about odd and even numbers with the Cards and Counters lesson.

The Spindle Box allows the child to internalize the concept of zero.

Practicing cutting skills.

Look at those cross stitches!

"I know how to do this.  I've seen someone else do it.'  After weaving the ribbons on the rack, this child is carefully winding the ribbon to be placed back into the dish.

Transferring water beads - a lot harder than it looks!

Pouring water into four cups.

Montessori Education Week

In honor of Montessori Education week, our class is putting together a class book about what Montessori school means to each child.  Their ideas are too superb not to share!  Here are a few examples of what the children have been sharing with me:

At Montessori school, we learn different kinds of math and language.  Also, we learn how to be peaceful.  If you are peaceful, you will have an easier life.  These are some of the things you learn at Dirigo Montessori School.

At Montessori school, we learn that if someone falls, we help them up.  Montessori school reminds me of helping people.  I feel good at Montessori school.

We learn about the globe at Montessori school.  There are two globes.  One shows land parts and water parts.  One shows continents.  Montessori school makes me feel like home.

I like Montessori school because I learn.  It is my favorite place.  It makes me feel good when I am doing works.  I also like the flower work because it makes the classroom pretty.

Montessori school is about making more peace.

At Montessori school, the classroom is beautiful.  I do the works.  Painting is my favorite.  We are kind to friends.

I like playing outside on the slide.  I like doing works.  I feel happy when I come to my classroom.

I like that Montessori school is peaceful.  I like that we care for other people and things.  I love Montessori school!  We give thanks to the world.

I like Montessori because the lessons are so helpful and help you figure things out by yourself.  Montessori school makes me feel good and joyful.

I like how all the friends work together to make their brains grow.  We also work together to be peacemakers.  We will bring peace to the world.   Maria Montessori was a special person because she created Montessori schools.