To encourage or not ...

This young boy enjoys using the moveable alphabet and is capable of reading the words but reluctant to reading them on lists or in short books. When asked to read, he declined but Mrs. T paid no attention, sitting with him, coaxing him to read a simple book. He plodded through, and upon completion of the last page, he gushed, "Mrs. T, I'm glad you ignored my complaints!"

We find that many children need a bit of nudging, in reading as well as math. These are important areas and areas where the children themselves are happy to make strides. I imagine that is because their parents value progress in those areas. In this way, we still "follow the child" while helping those who need it, to make the right choices.

painting

Some children have such a smooth flow of activities throughout the day. After performing several tasks requiring thought in math and practicing new skills in writing, she quietly put on the apron and began painting. An educationally productive break in the Montessori style, where just changing activities rests the mind.

Hope your Thanksgiving was delicious, and that your break was energizing.

If you're still in the mood, here are some goodies on Native Americans:

http://www.montessori-units.com/free.html

We've reviewed materials with each child and introduced new ones. The class hums with activity from morning until afternoon. We love working toward milestones with words, shapes, numbers, movement and our inter personal relationships, but we also can't forget one of our favorite holidays.

Native Plants for balance

Carol has a great philosophy.

I like her videos.

always busy

Well, here is someone who spent a seriously productive summer!

Although I believe that anything a child does, except watching the you-know-what all day, is seriously productive.

sea shells in the sand

This simple beachy craft can be done right on the sand. At home, school or take a box of plaster of paris along to the beach. Form about a 3 X 3 inch square about 1 1/2 inches deep in damp sand. Use petroleum jelly to grease up the inside ridges of a scallop shell. Press the outside of it into the sand in the bottom of your square. If the sand has bits of shells and seaweed in it, that's fine. It'll make an interesting surface. Now fill the sand "box" with plaster of paris. Let it sit for an hour, then carefully remove the block of plaster of paris. Let it sit for several more hours to fully harden. Pull off the shell to see the cast underneath.

If you use a clam shell, grease the outside of it where it has ridges. Then put it in the sand hole with that side toward you (up). You can use a ruffled, rough oyster shell this way, also.

Scratching in the child's name and date makes a nice memento.