I love seeing children really connect with specific materials in the classroom and engage in real learning. Sometimes it is an 8 year old delighting in locating the major rivers and lakes in Asia, sometimes it is a 10 year old successfully labeling all of the parts of speech in a particular literary passage; this week it was a 6 year old learning to read a "whole" book and choosing to copy said book on paper! When children are truly captivated they work for long periods of time, and when they complete their task they have a peaceful, satisfied demeanor that is difficult to describe. We Montessori teachers have great faith in the "inner teacher" of each child; we simply must observe carefully and introduce lessons to let "the match" happen.
There is a feeling of tiredness one feels after a day of cleaning house or doing yard work--it is usually just fatigue. There is a completely different feeling of tiredness after a great work out or a serious run; it is more of exhilaration. It is the second type of fatigue that we observe when children engage in activities that are purposeful and fulfilling. They will repeat an activity over and over until they are satisfied. With very young children it may be pouring rice or building the pink tower. With older children it is often more academic, such as spontaneously recording all the combinations of numbers to equal 20. It is so different when children choose to challenge themselves instead struggling to complete the typical paperwork often assigned to children in traditional educational settings.
In the next few weeks we will begin to enroll children for our second year of school at the Montessori Children's House of North Forsyth; what an incredible testimony to God's faithfulness! This first year has been nothing short of miraculous in many ways, and we look forward to next year when we believe He will send us a total of 15 students. I am beginning to interview for an additional teacher and are trusting God to send us the perfect one! Daily, I thank God for the way He is blessing our school and appreciate the prayers and support of so many! Often I go home tire at the end of the day, but I am so thankful that it is the exhilarating tired having completed work that is so satisfying! It is a joy to get to do what you love!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Valentine's for Kids
Valentine's Day is basically celebrated by two groups of people: those who are in love and children who have visions of eating conversation hearts and chocolate candy. Since we do not encourage either of those things with the children at school, what would be the best way to celebrate Valentine's Day with children? We decided to focus on love--God's love for us, our love for Him, and brotherly love between each other.
Paul taught that as the Spirit of God is alive in our lives we will display His fruit. Much like we can look at an apple tree, or a peach tree, an orange tree, a banana tree, or any other fruit bearing plant and identify the type of tree it is, so people should be able to observe us and by the fruit we bear, know that we have His Spirit in us. Our Bible discussions this week focused on those fruits--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We discussed what each of those things mean and what it looks like in our behavior to exhibit those qualities.
We made a form, bordered in hearts, for each child to give to every other child. This special Valentine includes a space for the giver to list at least three positive qualities they appreciate in that person. It could be one of the fruits of the Spirit or any other encouraging trait. It was interesting to see how the children thoughtfully considered each of their friends and the uniqueness of that person.
Yes, we will have a little party with red fruit, heart shaped cheese, valentine cookies, and juice. We decorated paper bags and will let the children exchange any Valentines they bring from home, but our emphasis will be on how much God loves us and how we can express His love to those around us.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day with children?
Paul taught that as the Spirit of God is alive in our lives we will display His fruit. Much like we can look at an apple tree, or a peach tree, an orange tree, a banana tree, or any other fruit bearing plant and identify the type of tree it is, so people should be able to observe us and by the fruit we bear, know that we have His Spirit in us. Our Bible discussions this week focused on those fruits--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. We discussed what each of those things mean and what it looks like in our behavior to exhibit those qualities.
We made a form, bordered in hearts, for each child to give to every other child. This special Valentine includes a space for the giver to list at least three positive qualities they appreciate in that person. It could be one of the fruits of the Spirit or any other encouraging trait. It was interesting to see how the children thoughtfully considered each of their friends and the uniqueness of that person.
Yes, we will have a little party with red fruit, heart shaped cheese, valentine cookies, and juice. We decorated paper bags and will let the children exchange any Valentines they bring from home, but our emphasis will be on how much God loves us and how we can express His love to those around us.
How do you celebrate Valentine's Day with children?
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