A little late, but news from China

The school year ended with a lovely celebration and luncheon.  The children reviewed the sounds they learned this year and sang several songs in English and Chinese.  We all enjoyed the salads and deserts provided by the parents and, by popular request, I made our Shepherd’s

Pie.  Of course I was busy and took no pictures, but hopefully some of the parents will email me some and I will share them. 

For the next month I will be in Asia and will try to keep you updated on my trip and the work we are doing here.  First of all the flight is long, but thanks to my hosts, I flew business class and Delta has done a great job of improving the 12 hour flight experience for the business customers.  Not only was the food delicious, but also the seats totally recline into a personal flat bed and they provide pillows, upgraded blankets, and a personal filled toiletries bag for each customer.  I watched several movies, read for a while and slept a few hours, which is unusual for me, as I normally cannot sleep on the plane.

When I arrived in Beijing the owner of Kiddie Academy greeted me with roses!  Cathy Chen is always very gracious and it is a pleasure working with her to help her teachers and others learn more about Montessori education.  We loaded my three—yes three—suitcases into the car and arrived at my hotel about midnight Beijing time.  I was reminded again what a spoiled American I am when I was told that the main which for the central air is turned off at night because it is cool at night and we can just open the windows!! 

Well the window opened about 3 inches and of course there were no screens and in order to get any cool breeze I had to leave the curtains open!!  After 2 pretty cold showers I did fall asleep for a few hours but was awakened by the sun pouring in through the windows at 6:00 am.  At this point I am thinking I must find a translator soon who can help me communicate to the hotel that I need AC at night--are there no middle aged women in China who wake up hot in the middle of the night?!

June 1 is Children’s Day in Beijing and most of the schools had programs for the parents—Kiddie Academy is no exception, but I thought I would be going to the school to begin setting up the classroom for my lectures so I dressed very casually—in work clothes.  My mistake.  When Joanna, one of Cathy’s English speaking teachers, arrived to be my personal escort for the day, we immediately went to a different school where they were having their program.  Once there, Cathy asked me to please address the parents and assist in presenting some of the gifts.  My first response was to decline and apologize for my appearance, but she insisted and I felt God reminding me that I was there to serve. Not only I am I current president of the Montessori Institute of America, but considered a kind of dignitary coming from the US—it is very humbling and I want the Lord to use me however He chooses while I am here.

I was introduced to all the parents (about 200) so I could bring greetings and congratulations from MIA and the US.  I was then honored to select the winning raffle ticket for the largest prize and present it to the winning parent!  After the program, I had my picture taken with each of the nine classes of children, their teachers, and their parents!  Hopefully no one notice the bleach stains on my ‘work pants’!

Once the program concluded, we were off to the school and we began the task of preparing for the class of adult students who will begin on Monday.  Kiddie Academy has a large meeting room where the students can sit in desks on one end of the room, Michelle (my friend and translator) can face them in the middle, and behind us we can set up the model rooms.  The first space we create is a model infant home environment that I can modify as the lectures progress.  I change it from a newborn room, to an older infant room to a care giving room as I teach the students about the child at each of these stages. 

Once we finish the prenatal and infant work, we transform the room to a toddler home environment and finally to a toddler care giving space. In this way the students can not only see the different environments, but also they can see how to modify an existing space to accommodate the needs of the growing child.

Our first task was to carefully clean the room, move out or rearrange the existing furniture and plants and begin locating the furniture needed to set up the infant environment.   Not only was Joanna a great help, but several of the teachers where at the school and all eagerly moved furniture, swept and mopped the floor and carried furniture from all over the school so I could set up.  Truly many hands make light work, and these people, many of whom I met last year, are always so kind and helpful.  We finished in just over an hour and this afternoon I will take the materials I brought to finish setting up.

As I mentioned it was Children’s Day, so when we went to Pizza Hut for lunch we waited over an hour, but it was a good opportunity for me to observe Chinese children with their parents!  After eating we came back to the hotel where the air was working and the man from the hotel fixed the wi fi so I am now connected!

All in all it was a great first 24 hours in Beijing!

With Extreme Gratitude

There are so many critical pieces involved when putting together a first rate Montessori program.  Dr. Montessori described the balance of three elements to be essential in what is described as a true Montessori program.

The first element is the physical environment.  When deciding where to set up a classroom, beautiful natural lighting and plenty of space is desirable.  Of course having a complete set of the materials Dr. Montessori developed is essential so that the children can do the work of developing their minds.  The materials are not only child-sized, but are self correcting and intentional in their design.  They should be very attractive and arranged on the shelves in logical order.

children.  Montessori discovered that children develop in three-year planes.  By grouping children together who are on the same plane, we can maximize their learning experience.  In the Primary classroom we enroll children who are basically between the ages of three years and six years of age that allows them to work in each subject area on the level that is individually most appropriate.

When adults learn to be Montessori teachers they become certified on different levels.  Each level of training requires at least 210 classroom hours and a 9-month internship.  The certification levels are Birth to Three, Three to Six, Six to Nine, Nine, Nine to Twelve, and Twelve to Fifteen.

The third critical element is the adult in the environment.  The adult must not only be well versed in Montessori philosophy and pedagogy, but must be a keen observer.  Dr. Montessori did not refer to the adults as teachers but Directresses or Guides, because they do not teach in the traditional sense.  After carefully observing the child, this prepared adult directs or guides the child to appropriate learning materials.  

While most intelligent adults can learn the materials and philosophy and can even learn to become a careful observer, really outstanding Guides have more. 

Really outstanding Montessori adults express a true respect for children.  These adults do not consider themselves superior to children, but delight in spending time with them and watching them discover new truths.  They diligently prepare new materials and they share their love of learning with the children.  They bring a sense of joy to the classroom and they genuinely care about each child.

This week I was reminded once again that God has blessed our school with all three of the critical elements that make an outstanding Montessori program.

On Monday evening, when I very suddenly and without forewarning, was stricken with a severe attack of acute pancreatitis that resulted in five days in the hospital and emergency gall bladder surgery, I knew that everything at the school would be fine.  I knew that under the leadership of Michelle and James, and the availability of Miss Karen, the school would easily continue without missing a beat.

I am so grateful, and hope that you are too, for the dedication as well as professionalism of Michelle and James.  It was so comforting to know that these outstanding Montessori professionals would continue to be at school each day to love on, and guide your children.  We are truly blessed to have them and while I hope to not ever have a

medical emergency like this again, I am grateful to know that the school is in great hands.

I also appreciate the prayers, emails, texts, and calls from many of you!  I should be back at school full time this week.  Seeing the children and hearing their precious voices was great ‘medicine’ for the few hours I was at school this week!

Montessori Philosophy

Many times I am asked to describe, simply, what Montessori is and what makes a Montessori school different from other schools.  It is a simple question, but not so simple an answer.

To begin, Dr. Maria Montessori was the first woman physician in Italy, and as a physician she approached education from a scientific approach.  She observed children and developed a pedagogy based on her observations.  One of the greatest contributions Dr. Montessori made to the educational world is  her discovery that children do not come to us as mini adults or as 'blank slates', but rather their minds are like sponges that absorb, without filters, everything in their environment.  By the time they are three years of age, they have absorbs and incorporated not only a native language, but a native culture!

It is for this reason that authentic Montessori environments are filled with natural light, lovely child-sized furnishings, rich learning materials, and a well educated staff.  We do not set up typical 'learning centers' with activities to re-enforce what the teacher says.  Rather out classrooms are very orderly and filled with self-correcting materials that the child uses to 'construct' his mind.  The adult carefully observes the child and presents new materials on an individual basis as the child is ready or shows an interest.  There is no lock-step learning here--each child is an individual progresses individually.

“Mentally, the children have an immense power and are capable of great effort and concentration.  Their intellectual curiosity is limitless.  This curiosity is not the same as that o f the adult’s.  A scientist, for example, seeks to find something new.  The children’s purpose is the formation of their own minds.  They take in new information in order to re-form it and bring it into existing relation ship with what is already there.  Recent research substantiates this conclusion of Montessori.  The frontal cortex of the brain is not a storage place but is in constant formation and re-formation, in interaction not only with the outer environment, but within the brain’s own interior pathways.”

                                              From Montessori Today by Paula Polk Lillard

We are so grateful to have the opportunity to observe the daily miracles these children reveal as they interact with the environment, each other and us!  

Have you ever observed a Montessori classroom?  What were your impressions?  How did you feel about it?  We would love your feedback.

Starting Again

It is sad, but true; I forgot about my blog!  Not quite sure how that happens, but in all the busyness of school, and children, and church, and life, I suddenly realized that I had sorely neglected this blog!   A few of you have hung in there and still check it occasionally--thank you.

For a small recap since the last blog post:  We had a very good second year of school, starting with 12 students.  We moved to a new location on Brown's Bridge Road in January of 2012.  The Board, parents, and students came together and we dedicated the building to God on February 4, 2012.

We finished the school year in May and prepared for the opening of the Primary class in August 2012.  For a variety of reasons, we did not have an elementary class this past year.  Many of our students aged out, some decided to homeschool and several moved out of the area.  

When I reviewed my calendar from last spring, I am amazed at what the Lord was able to accomplish through my meager efforts!  We completed the paperwork and are now a 501 c 3 non profit organization, which means we can accept donations!  We got the new Primary classroom all set up, I prepared for my three weeks of teaching in China last summer, we completed the paperwork to sponsor Miss Michelle for her H1B visa, AND my daughter has a little wedding!  It was quite a few months, but He saw us through it all!  

Our Primary class has been outstanding and such a blessing.  Miss Michelle is our lead teacher and Mr. James is completing his Montessori internship as her assistant.  We have 10 students, all of whom are new to Montessori but doing exceptionally well.  One big change has been the addition of hot meals to our program.  The new building has a full kitchen and currently I am the head cook!


As we begin enrolling students for the fall classes, we are thankful that almost all of our current students want to return, and we are getting several inquiries from possible new students.  It is our earnest prayer that next fall we will have both classrooms full of precious children eager to learn.  

This ministry reminds us daily of our dependance upon our Heavenly Father, but we would not have it any other way.  As the old song goes, "Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand, but I know Who holds the future, and I know He holds my hand."  We are eager to invite many new children to this amazing little place He  has provided and watch them bloom.  I will try to do a better job of updating this post so you can celebrate the fun stuff and pray us through the uncertainties.  Thank you for journeying with us!

Finishing well

It does not seem possible that tomorrow we will begin the last full week of this school year; wasn't it just yesterday that we were incorporating and designing a logo?  The time really has flown by quickly and although a part of me is ready to have a break where I can sleep until 8:00 am, another part of me is sad to think that I will not see these children and our terrific staff each day!

Last week I spent some time writing a year in review newsletter for our Board and I was a little overwhelmed with all we have done!  I know that some prospective parents who like what they see when they visit our school are still hesitant because they feel we are too small to meet all of their child's needs.  While I certainly respect the opinion of parents, I don't think I agree with that sentiment--our students lacked for little this year!  In addition to providing an incredibly rich learning environment, we had a couple of field trips, a visit from the Mobile Science Lab and a couple of guest speakers, had school pictures, a Thanksgiving Feast, a couple of class parties, did two charitable events, entered a float in the Cumming Christmas parade, and re-enacted a Passover Seder, to name a few things!!

Our goals for the year were simple--we wanted the children to feel good about their ability to learn and to like coming to school.  By the grace of God we reached those goals and surpassed them!  The children did learn and for the most part they improved their attitudes and their self esteem.  Some of them greatly surpassed the expected academic goals for their age.  We want to finish well and look to the future to see what God has planned for us next year.

Our fence is finally up and the in-house cameras are functioning well. We are interviewing for our additional teacher and have enrolled two new students for next year, with several other appointments this week.  We are still awaiting our 501 c 3 status and will need to change our accreditation agency, so there is work to be done, but as always we trust that God will lead and will provide.  We appreciate your continued prayers and will try to get to the blog more often.

"I Love This"

We want school to be fun for children, but the truth is, there are certain academic disciplines that are not necessarily fun.  Some of our older students are behind academically and as we have worked with them it has become obvious that there are "holes" in what they do know.  Often it is in the form of processing skills, or lack there of.  Even if they can successfully complete a task they often do not understand it. In an attempt to help these students "catch up" we introduce them to the Montessori materials which can give concrete understanding.  We also have them produce work on paper to help 'cement' concepts and knowledge.

We use the Spelling Connections curriculum for spelling as it is very thorough and phonetically based, but we find it is challenging for them.  It requires thought and and writing---both of which are somewhat difficult for several of our students.

Today, as I was working in the classroom, I overhead a student say, "I love this"!  I could not see what he was working on, but presumed it to be some hands on lesson.  When I looked over to see what it was, I was thrilled to see it was one of our students, who is usually resistant to spelling work and he was commenting on his assigned spelling pages--that was a win!  As I smiled to myself I could not help but think, "I love THIS"!

There is work, and there is work

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!