I am brand new to the Montessori philopshy, therefore this experience is a first for me. I would have liked to go observe a Montessori classroom but because of student teaching I was unable to make any time. My plan as soon as we return to the U.S. is to contact Bennett Park to learn more about Montessori and to compare it to my experience in the Dominican. From what I've learned is that Tres Marisposas Montessori is well on its way to becoming a full functioning Montessori, but we still have more work to do that I feel Buffalo State will be able to help with.
One of the mornings at Tres Marisposas, my group was dedicated to material making. Using material we brought in donation suitcases, we were able to create nomenclature cards. Nomenclature cards seem fairly simple, but it is a very tedious process, and it's worth the time consumption. My group created 6 complete sets of nomenclature cards. My groups topic was fruit. Back in the states, we collected a mixture of whole and inside parts of fruits to use for the nomenclature cards. Each set of cards is either whole or inside, not mixed, and they contain 5-7 cards in each set. Even though it was hot, and sitting in front of the hot laminating machine was not exactly easy. The feeling of accomplishment you get when your done and the fullness in your heart knowing that students will be using the materials you created to enhance their learning just overwhelms me.
I cannot wait to start working with the students using these nomenclatures cards. Of course I will have to get a lesson on it first, but I can't wait to work with a student using the materials and resources that I helped create to use in their classroom.