Seeking Independence Ain't Always Pretty...
I'm sitting in the office this Friday morning listening to the sounds of the first full week of Montessori primary education. Some of these sounds are piercing my eardrums and working their way directly into my soul. The good news is that I have been working in this office long enough to know that the situation is spectacularly temporary, and that the key to bringing this stage to a close as soon as possible is the tried and true concept of CONSISTENCY.
Before we talk more about that though, let me say this, virtually all the crying is coming from new students. Their issue is simple and universal: They don't know, when they are dropped off, whether their parents are going to come back or not! At their level, it is a complete unknown. "Who are these people you are leaving me with?"... "Where are you going without me?"... "What?! You're really leaving, even if I scream?!"...They don't have all the information that you do. This will change once they have been here for a while, it simply won't be an issue anymore, but it's going to take some consistency to get to that point.
Consistency is made up of several ingredients, including logic, creativity, flexibility, and most importantly, follow-through. Don't go on the banking website and authorize payment of a bill for which you do not have appropriate funding in the account, so to speak. Set expectations that are high, but reachable, challenge the child and allow some failure to be part of the learning process without becoming discouraging. Stick to the goal and follow through. Routine sounds like such a bad word, but it is absolutely vital to the young child. Let them know what to expect as much as possible. You can start being wacky and spontaneous after they get a little older. Sensible expectations.... Two and three year olds can put on their own shoes and clothes, that's not unreasonable. Take it all home, consistently, and soon we can all be on the same page and watching your child soar to unbelievable new heights! Happy first full week everyone!
Holden and Cora did some reading together on the ellipse this week...be sure you are reading with your kids at home too! It's the key to education.
Keep up with the Calendar....Big dates coming include:
Mon., Sept. 3: LABOR DAY, NO SCHOOL.Thurs., Sept. 6: PARENT EDUCATION NIGHT. I don't like to use the term mandatory, but we have to get together regularly to synchronize our approaches in terms of the education of your child. Our teachers have a combined 237 years of education experience.... (C'mon critical thinkers! That's not possible!). Anyway, we have learned a few things about educating, socializing, and making children happy over many years. Let's get together and learn together. 5:30 - 7, Sept. 6. It would actually be better if your children didn't have to be here, but I will arrange for some folks to help with child care, because we really want you to come.
A Voice from a Pathways grad...
I know I've probably already overloaded most of your web circuits by now, but those of you still reading are in for a treat. In 2012, we had our biggest class of 9-12ers in years to age out of the program and into other schooling situations, and most of them are really doing well (my son included). We have received varying reports from some of the graduates, but received one on email that was meant to be shared. I'll spare the kid's identity, but let it suffice to say he is a brilliant, unique and fully Montessori (almost) 12 year old that wanted to report in to his former classmates (I made a few I.D. changes to try not to hurt anyone's feelings)...
Hello
everyone,
( I say everyone because I really hope this can be read to the
whole class so I shall speak as if I am speaking to you all ) -- Some of
you may be wondering how I am doing, actually youre probably wondering
why you have a email being read aloud to you or maybe your just hungry
and want lunch -- PAY ATTENTION I AM TALKING!!!!!!!! anyway I already have
some friends though I would trade them in the amount of time it takes
light to reach your eyes to go back to school at mps . Not that it's a
bad school, not at all it's not the poor building's fault its home to a
prison for kids. You may wonder why its so bad well while mps is
comparable to Sweden, a country famous for being neutral and peaceful, [my school] is like North Korea, which I am sure you are all familiar
with. As for authority, if you don't do as the
bullies says... zttt! (slits finger across throat) and if you don't do as the teacher says ... zttt !( slits
finger across throat)at mps the teachers don't tell you what to do and
the "bully" is funny and nice. Anyway I'll hopefully see you all
soon I might take a day off to come over and I may be able to to go to
field day and during winter we have some fridays off that I could come
over. If you don't have it off maybe, i dunno and you are all invited
to my birthday ( no you will get your invitation later and yes teachers
can come) anyway let me know what happens keep me updated. I do expect a
reply by Wednesday and you should expect me to write back but not this
long or as rambling on anyway by...
your class wierdo ,world ruler to
be ... all around great
guy, and most of all (besides the world ruler part) a 9-12er for ever even
in prison
----- !!
FINALLY, A BIG SHOUT OUT TO COYOTE KITCHEN FOR COMING THROUGH WITH TWO! (COUNT 'EM) TWO! GOOGLE NEXUS 7 TABLETS FOR USE IN THE CLASSROOMS! We would love to have two more if anyone out there is in a giving mood (Less than $300 and, like all donations to MPS, tax-deductible!)
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