Montessori Our Way

In my opinion, it is very challenging being a Montessori public school teacher. There is always a constant dance between meeting "non-negotiable" state mandates and trying to be a "true" Montessorian. In my years of public Montessori, I have gone through the process of being the idealistic new teacher to realizing the commonalities between the goals of both philosophies. I'm sharing this right now, after I just got out of a CPS Summit conference and a debrief with Suder admin and teachers. There is so much we, as teachers have to consider to assure that every child is accessing every opportunity we try to present to our students.

One thing we agreed on is to all strive for the concept of a "normalized classroom." In Montessori, normalized means that each child is on task with activities that are meaningful and powerful to each child. The classroom is happy and contented because each child is lost in their work. Students are working with freedom of choice within the limits of responsibility. 

Every year, I strive for my class to be able to experience normalization. Ms. Castillo and I do our best to stay consistent with the classroom's order and procedures. Within order and sequence, our young students find consistency and safety. They are given many opportunities to try their best, make mistakes, problem solve and celebrate their accomplishments. We are thrilled to work with all our families towards a classroom where happy and loved children are excited to learn. 

Thank you for your continued support! I have linked a few articles that will help you better understand normalization and a few on the importance of  fostering independence here and here. Watch this video of Olivia, one of our new 3-year olds show us how proud she is of her work! =)

See you at school!

Always,

Celine Guerrero

Maddox and Maya worked on the Moveable Alphabet to build words.

Haylie graded the knobbed cylinders.

Ethan and Mark Anthony observed and cared for Digger.

Happy Birthday, Julieta!

Stefan sounding out letters while working on one to one correspondence.

Solomon completed the Teen Board.

Kindergarteners practiced Turn and Talking (Pair-Share).

The 9 Layout (Golden Bead Material)

Frances and the Sponge Squeezing Work.

Ms. Ada, our new Mandarin teacher stopped by our room to meet our students.

Santi showed Oona the Sandpaper Numbers.

Caleb graded the Knobbless Cylinders.

Our way towards "normalization." =)

Pouring Work (Hand-Eye Coordination and Independence)

Maya extended the Metal Inset work to show her creativity.

Sophia practiced some phonemic awareness.

Santi and his drawing process.

James showed focus and concentration towards his work.

Happy Birthday, Frances!

Ms. Castillo read at Sunset Meeting.

Ethan and Maddox played I-Spy.

Lea practiced her pincer grip using the Tearing work.

Children and their Practical Life works. 

Maya gave Frances a presentation on the 9 Layout.

Solomon sounded out his words.

Mark Anthony was so proud of his work!

Frances scrubbed the cup she used. (Care of Environment)

Amelia did the Hand washing work before snack.

Caleb concentrated while counting the Number Rings.

Maddox and the Vowel Tree.

Maya and Winter wrote a sentence about the picture they chose using inventive spelling.

Sebastian worked on the Sound Box #1.

Nijel and the 20 Board.

Sophia and the Moveable Alphabet.

Tyler worked on a Rhyming Sort work.

Calm Classroom with Ms. Castillo during Sunset Meeting.

OOna and the Hand Washing work.