Dented Car & Control of Error

I still drive my 1987 compact car. It has a dent on the front fender, a reminder of “control of error” when my son was learning how to drive. It’s true that Montessori children learn from their mishaps, it’s called control of error. Much of the Montessori equipment and approach is based on a child learning by doing, and even making a mistake. Everytime I look at my dent, I have a warm feeling about my Montessori car with a control of error still on it. Basically, there are no mistakes, only an opportunity to learn.

How to peel a carrot

Montessori introduced practical life skills to very young preschool children. It’s easy to incorporate these skills by observing your child’s role in family activities. One of my children’s favoritie activities was to peel a carrot. Here is how to show your child this activity.

You will need:
carrots
a basin with water
a vegetable brush-I use a new tooth brush
vegetable peeler or butter knife
paper towel

1. Take the carrots from the refrigerator and take out a carrot from the bag. If you have a garden, pull a carrot out and brush off the dirt with a brush.

2. Fill a bowl with water and put at your work area.

2. Sit at a talbe or work area facing your child.

3. Grip the carrot with one hand and with the other hand pick up a vegetable brush.

4.Dip the carrot in the water and gently scrub each side of the carrot.

5. Put the carrot on a towel

6. Put away the brush . Empty out the basin and put it away.

7. Carefully wipe off the carrot and use the paper towel to place the carrot peelings.

8. Take the butter knife (or vegetable peeler) and slowly scrape carrot away from your body. Rotate the carrot to peel each side. Turn the carrot around and do the other side.

9. Cut or break in half and share it with a friend.

10. Put the carrot scraps in the compost pile.

Your child will provide your family with lots of peeled carrots!

Montessori and Head Start

The 1960’s was the era of hope. In fact, we were going to wage war on poverty. The Head Start Program was in its infancy, and believe it or not, Montessori was the motivation for the movement. Some of the first Head Start Preschools were Montessori based.
Because Dr. Montessori was so effective with her Chidrens’ House in the Rome slums, her experimental results were to be the proto type for Head Start. I don’t know what happened to the Montessori based Head Start Program, but it is coming back again in the Denver Head Start Program.

Me & Norman Mailer

I really didn’t think I had much in common with Norman Mailer.
After reading “One Idea” I am in awe of his understanding of how children learn. “If the desire to read diminishes, so does one’s ability to read…” he states that television has interferred with our children’s desire and ability to learn. He discusses the danger of streamlining education for the sake of testing as well.
It’s very Montessori to think that children have multiple intelligence and that just sitting before a glaring tube can take away a natural desire for learning.

Gray Whales

Journey North has started it- Gray Whale Migration.
Learn how to track a gray whale, watch them migrate on their real time world map, and look at the lessons and informatin for your marine biologist.
This is a great activity for homeschooling and classrooms using Voyage of the Mimi.
You can probably find the “Vogage of the Mimi” Videos at your local library.