Before I arrived one of the things I wanted to see and observe at Tres Mariposas Montessori was the similarities and difference of the classroom compared to my experience at Bennett Park Montessori. One difference is that at 3MM they have two different age groups. El Nido (the nest) is the younger children ages 1-3 years old. Then the Primary room is ages 3-6. At Bennett Park the youngest age they unrolled was three years old. Also The classroom I was in was years 3-5 not 3-6.
When I was working in the Primary room, I was able to observe some lessons as well as help guide the child through some lessons. I noticed that many of the shelf work they had was similar to that at Bennett Park. I noticed they lacked resources, but they were able to improvise with different materials. Some of the materials they made were very creative. It was interesting to see how some shelf work was supposed to be used as well. I was able to learn how some lesson work by asking the students to show me how to do it. It gave the child the opportunity to be the teacher.
While working with the children, I noticed that a few would get off task pretty easily. They had the materials on their rug but were not using them properly. I was able to discuss this with some teachers and I was able to work on getting them back on task. First I sat down next to them and ask them if they knew how to do the work. If they said they did, I asked if they could show me how to do it because I did not know how and it looked interesting. This method was very successful. They were very happy to show me how to do the work and it also showed me they knew how to do it. Due to the fact that they were using the materials for other uses, I came to the conclusion that maybe the work was not at their level and they needed something that would challenge them and keep them occupied. It was great to see two difference Montessori settings in two different countries. I think it was very beneficial to see how the method can vary slightly depending where you are.
When I was working in the Primary room, I was able to observe some lessons as well as help guide the child through some lessons. I noticed that many of the shelf work they had was similar to that at Bennett Park. I noticed they lacked resources, but they were able to improvise with different materials. Some of the materials they made were very creative. It was interesting to see how some shelf work was supposed to be used as well. I was able to learn how some lesson work by asking the students to show me how to do it. It gave the child the opportunity to be the teacher.
While working with the children, I noticed that a few would get off task pretty easily. They had the materials on their rug but were not using them properly. I was able to discuss this with some teachers and I was able to work on getting them back on task. First I sat down next to them and ask them if they knew how to do the work. If they said they did, I asked if they could show me how to do it because I did not know how and it looked interesting. This method was very successful. They were very happy to show me how to do the work and it also showed me they knew how to do it. Due to the fact that they were using the materials for other uses, I came to the conclusion that maybe the work was not at their level and they needed something that would challenge them and keep them occupied. It was great to see two difference Montessori settings in two different countries. I think it was very beneficial to see how the method can vary slightly depending where you are.