Several years ago I was an "after-school nanny". Basically, I picked up these 2 precious girls from school & drove them to their various after school activities. They were involved in theater, art, dance, and even Hebrew school. One of the many cool things about these girls is they attended a Montessori school. I had never heard of or experienced a Montessori school before so the concept was brand new to me.
Through conversations with the girls while hanging out at the local soda shoppe, I learned the VERY basic idea of the Montessori-style of teaching. Basically what I gathered was multi-ages in one classroom with multiple teachers. Students learned at their own pace and had goals to accomplish within the week but they could choose what, when and how they completed those classes.
This style of leaning intrigued me as there were times that I struggled with traditional school, not because I'm not intelligent but I tend to like to learn on my own. I love research and figuring things out and testing theories and a lot more tactile opportunities. This resonated with me greatly. I didn't realize at the time what an impact this small conversation would have on my life or I would have paused, taken pictures, asked more questions, observed the classrooms more closely, scrutinized every detail until it was imbedded in my brain.
Through conversations with the girls while hanging out at the local soda shoppe, I learned the VERY basic idea of the Montessori-style of teaching. Basically what I gathered was multi-ages in one classroom with multiple teachers. Students learned at their own pace and had goals to accomplish within the week but they could choose what, when and how they completed those classes.
This style of leaning intrigued me as there were times that I struggled with traditional school, not because I'm not intelligent but I tend to like to learn on my own. I love research and figuring things out and testing theories and a lot more tactile opportunities. This resonated with me greatly. I didn't realize at the time what an impact this small conversation would have on my life or I would have paused, taken pictures, asked more questions, observed the classrooms more closely, scrutinized every detail until it was imbedded in my brain.
Fast forward to today. I am a full-time missionary, living and serving in Tijuana, Mexico. I am now the director of a missionary preschool and as I was researching themes and ideas on how to teach certain concepts like scissor practice, writing practice, sight word work, etc I came across the Montessori method again. I was reminded of my previous "experience" and fell in love with the idea of transitioning our school into a Montessori-inspired education center.
Over the next few months, I will be sharing ideas with you about how we will be making this transformation. I will also be posting some of the ways we will be using found objects, dollar store purchases, current toys & activities, created materials and a few traditional Montessori Works to prepare environments for our classrooms. I am so excited to walk through this journey with you and show you the finished product once we make all the necessary changes. We are also getting ready for a HUGE renovation of our current school so we will be using this time to implement some of these new ideas.
Over the next few months, I will be sharing ideas with you about how we will be making this transformation. I will also be posting some of the ways we will be using found objects, dollar store purchases, current toys & activities, created materials and a few traditional Montessori Works to prepare environments for our classrooms. I am so excited to walk through this journey with you and show you the finished product once we make all the necessary changes. We are also getting ready for a HUGE renovation of our current school so we will be using this time to implement some of these new ideas.
 |    |
If you like this, please pin it on your favorite board on Pinterest or share it with your friends. Also consider making a donation to our ministry by clicking the button to the right.
Leave a comment below with some other preschool ideas you would like to see & join our new mailing list to receive bonus resources and reminders to visit when something new is uploaded.
Make sure you check out our Preschool Printables, Preschool Science, Preschool Crafts or Preschool Montessori Inspired posts for more inspiration.
Here are a few to get you started:
Also, for more worksheets & printables packs, check out my new TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) store. I am uploading things as I create them and I have a few teacher friends testing them out in their classrooms as well.
Leave a comment below with some other preschool ideas you would like to see & join our new mailing list to receive bonus resources and reminders to visit when something new is uploaded.
Make sure you check out our Preschool Printables, Preschool Science, Preschool Crafts or Preschool Montessori Inspired posts for more inspiration.
Here are a few to get you started:
- Preschool Craft: Homemade Paper
- Preschool Crafts: Let's Go Fly A Kite
- Character Costumes: Dr Seuss
- Preschool Crafts: Cardboard Tube Snowmen
- Preschool Printables: Hidden Sight Words
- Preschool Printables: The Solar System Inner Planets PreK Pack
- Preschool Printables: Fun Facts About Apples
- Preschool Printables: Handwriting Practice - Uppercase
- Preschool Printables: Bonus Freebie - Trace a Shape
Also, for more worksheets & printables packs, check out my new TPT (Teachers Pay Teachers) store. I am uploading things as I create them and I have a few teacher friends testing them out in their classrooms as well.
RSS Feed
