Independence in Montessori

Very now and then, there is a presentation of teachers at our Montessori school about a subject important for the education of our kids. This time it was about independence. Of course Montessori education implies a lot of independence, what why is it so important.

The presentation started with the class of 3-6 year olds, called primary. With examples from the class, we saw how the kids are gently maneuvered to be self sufficient (tying shoes to choosing their own work) and how they are let free to make mistakes and learn from them. (breaking a glass to spelling phonetically.) Especially the spelling was very interested. When a kids is trying to spell a word and asks a teacher how to make the "u" sound to write America, the teacher gives the letter "u" instead of "a". This goes on until the kid is ready to learn the proper spelling of words.

In the lower elementary (6-9), we saw how the children are give a general story about a part of history and tools to dig in whatever is interesting for them. They have freedom to choose their work partners, pursue their interests and work independent from teacher and a curriculum.

In upper elementary (9-12), they are allowed to do research on subjects they are interested in. After doing research at school, they can organize a trip to a museum or a college, where ever they can get more information about the subject. They have to plan all the trip details, get permissions, contact the authorities and people in question, find a parent to drive them to the location and after the trip, send thank you notes.

These were interesting, but the creme de la creme was the presentation from the two secondary level (12-14) teachers. At that level, the independence really finds its use. The children are self sufficient, as individuals and as together as a group. They follow a tough curriculum with the freedom to choose their own pace. Next to the studies they do, they also plan these trips (3 per year.) They literally have all the responsibility, choosing the place, getting the directions, planning cooking, finances, everything. I wouldn't be able manage such a complex process, it's so much work. The trips aren't without purpose. They build, they help, they discover... They use everything they learned from all the way from primary to that day. They are self sufficient, independent and harmonious as a group.

when we started Montessori education with Miss A at the Young Children's Community (18 months to 3 year), we would say with other parents that it would be so nice to be in that classroom. We wished we were at that age and in there. Now I prefer Secondary. The only problem is, even though I would manage Young Children's Community without problem, I am not so sure about the Secondary level. I doubt I have the life skills the kids get from all those years at the Montessori School.

Back to life

Last weekend was "back to life". Friday evening, we were invited to Melinda's house for a dinner with her and Tony's family. This time, we said "yes". I tried to rest during the day to be able to make it, and I did.

When we arrived, I loved the expression on especially Lillian and Amelia. They were genuinely excited. Tally to Miss A from the hand and they were gone for the rest of the evening. P had a nice conversation with Tony's husband and we got to know their families better.

Saturday morning, Miss F had her b-day party at the bowling place. 9 girls and 1 boy bowled for an hour. Then we had some cake in the party room. It was great, the bowling place arranged everything for us, we hardly had to do anything. P has a video of the kids literally screaming a song - all of them!

Even though it was all well arranged, I came home exhausted. But there was no time to rest. P went to play tennis with Paul for a short while - which probably looked like anything but tennis!! Then we left for Deniz's house. We saw them one whole year ago. The little Alexander was not so little anymore, more like a giant 2 year old. The girls had Alexander had a blast. They are so welcoming and nice, we ended up leaving pretty late. Of course in good old days, late would be 1 am (with the kids) or later (without the kids.) It was 10.30 when we arrived home. Still I had to pay for it the next day.

Sunday, Paul came for a crepe breakfast. So I got up, made crepes and had a major bleeding that scared the sh.. out of us. Now we know that it's all OK, but at the moment, I literally screamed when I saw what was happening. That same day, after quite some doubt, P left for Europe. This is his first trip since 3 months!!

Looks like I'm OK, the baby is OK and I manage the household - not without hiccups- without P. I even went to swim today, for 12 minutes!! 12 long minutes. Had to sleep on the couch for 1,5 hours after that, but I did swim!!