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Don Jennings
[email protected]
Topsfield, MA USA
Don Jennings ([email protected])

Topsfield, MA USA

Following the child while following a work plan/ Scientific observation of children and record keeping

CONVENER(S): Alys Cross- Montessori Acadamy at Belmont Greene, Ashburn, VA and Harvey Hallenberg from Clairmont Montessori, Bocca Raton, Florida

PARTICIPANTS: Wanda Rothrock,Marion shelty, angela Izzillo, Judi Charlap, Bonnie Surrell, Julie Barnes, Patricia Okeefe,Leigh Lasck, Pamela Miller, Bobbi Ann Helgeson, chris Brown, Beth Gorski, Diane Gertsen, Dana dale, Rachael Pulido, Marion shelley,Rebecca Little, Caroline Taylor, Mike Catalano, Therese Hester, Debbie Montgomery,

SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:

The two issues above were combined into one discussion. Both issues held an interest for those involved and it was also felt that the issues related to one another.

The following are some highlighted notes and thoughts from the session.

The lessons we give are offerings, not commands. children should be allowed to select from those offerings what is most important to themselves.

Maria Montessori- Follow the child. The Children's choices are as important as what we tell them to do.

She did not promote one assignment after another.

Record keeping- the hallmark of science. Keep records of what they are choosing.

Concensus of the group was that a work record faired better than a work plan. Some guidence as to the "Academic" selections can be offered and negotiated. let the child know: Skills either improve or deteriorate. Skills need working on in order to improve. if not, they will deteriorate.

It is a human instinct to want to progress. Children will naturally progress when provided with an enriched environment.

Children must have an enriched environment. Shallow work is meaningless to the child.

When a child shows interet in a work, don't take them away from it!

Montessori Materials- Anything that stimulates them to learn. Whipe off boards, home made materials, anythiung you have access to! Maria montessori borrrowed everything available to her. A true scientist. ecelectic. If she were alive today she would be using everything at her disposal.

Back away from children to write things down. It stops you from over teaching. Important to record what a child chooses.


Homework

Again it is the general concensus that homework is not necessary. It is ill perceived by parents that homework and more homework means a better education. If parents want children to have homework, send home a list of ideas for parents to do with children at home. Reading is the only "homework" that should be required.

Parents need to be educated as to the Montessori method and philosophy. When they are, they will understand that it is not necessary for children to have homework in order to be succesful and responsible.

Give lessons, then stand back and observe what they choose. some times they will choose to follow up on a lesson sometimes not. A negative result is not bad it's just negative.

Work Records.

Children record what they have done. Keep it simple. one method that was used by one of the educators was to simply circle the work listed on a pice of paper. when they did readingthey would circle reading.

If creating a workplan for each child, it is time consumming but can work. First let children write down what they want to do. You can add by suggesting additional "necessities"

Instead of "I think you should do this" "what would you like to do" Forces child to make choices "I don't think that is an adequate choice, can you think of something else?"

Be sensitive to children's different modes of learning.

Educate parents- Don't expect all work that goes home to be perfect.

Let parents know: "we can't catch it all" there is a human factor.

Daily work records go home as a form of communication as to what child di in class.


Comments on the above:

How does this: The lessons we give are offerings, not commands. children should be allowed to select from those offerings what is most important to themselves.

Jibe with this: I don't think that is an adequate choice, can you think of something else?


Is it possible to create an environment where an elementary child doesn't need to negotiate with you about what's appopriate work, or not?
Did Maria write anywhere about any elementary work being "required" of the student?
If skills only "deteriorate or improve", what if a child chooses not to practice? Should we examine the environment, ourselves, observe, re-present, force the child to practice...?

Cheers!

Don Jennings ([email protected])

Topsfield, MA USA


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