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3 hours
One of the many wonderful things about the Montessori method is the uninterrupted 3 hour work cycle. In this time the children are actively engaged with their work, ideally with minimal input from any adults. They have freedom to move around and choose the work tasks that they are interested in (within certain boundaries), and due to the work cycle there is the opportunity to engage deeply with them if they want to.
Like today. Grace arrived at school, did her journal check, and then started with the addition box. 3 hours later, the addition box was done…entirely. She had worked through all the material in the addition box. Tomorrow? Subtraction…or maybe art…or science, geography, hand weaving…or all of them. Grace gets to decide and to follow her interests. And just in case you’re worried about a narrow band of interests, the entire environment is set up to stimulate a wide variety of interests, and the teachers are there to guide them as they explore everything that there is to explore.
Not the mama
In today’s 90’s trivia reference we have, “Not the mama,” “I’m the baby, gotta love me,” and this photo:
Hammock sleeping
On Saturday morning Donné went into the playroom to see what Grace was up to, but all she could hear was the faint sound of snoring coming from the hammock.
Grace had gotten up (I’m not sure at what time), gone to the playroom and fallen back to sleep. She eventually woke up properly at 08h00, which if you know Grace is a super, super late sleep in.
She had woken some time during the night (not idea what time), and according to her been unable to go back to sleep, so she went to the playroom. Well, apparently the hammock helped.
An afternoon with the van der Zee’s
We got to spend a lovely afternoon with Pete, Heather, Oliver and Finn today. Great conversations and happy children.
Story time with Heather
Iron man came out of the dress up room
And so did Donatello
The two baby dinosaurs hid away on the couch
Morning buddy
After a late night out, it helps to wake up to a smiling face
Newberry Family Picnic
Fun on the jungle gym with William
Meeting some new parents
Some of the junior primary took to the stage for a rendition of the Amelia skiet. Grace seems to be working her way into everything. Later she stood at the mike and said, “Excuse me everyone, can I have you attention. We’re going to do a play, and anyone who wants to can join.” After that there was dancing on the stage.
Squidgy
Adam has developed his affectionate name – Squidgy. After some others, like Addy, this one seems to have stuck. Our cute Squidgy is now 8.8kg and doing well after his most recent round of vaccinations. He is growing into himself and looking more proportional.
Our cute little Squidgy
Sneaky, sleepy, cuddles
Donné had a bit of a shock when she went in to check on Grace and Eli – Grace was gone! (watching The Leftovers before this, may not have helped)
Luckily she wasn’t far….
Eli was sleeping first, so we’re guessing Grace decided to sneak in for an overnight cuddle.
The flip side of writing
With Grace writing, it means she can make up her own sentences, or modify sentences that she has seen….
What time is it?
Grace needs to keep a log of her activities in class, which also means writing down what the time is. One month in and she can now tell the time.
The first entry of every day
Her handwriting has also improved, along with her reading.