Montessori classroom

This week one of the main things I've been doing is setting up the Montessori classroom. This has come from an idea that one of the teachers had during a staff meeting, that we should put all the Montessori equipment into one room that the classes could all use at different times during the week. This way they could see and use any of it rather than having a small amount in each classroom which wasn't enough to do a session with the whole class. Also it meant the teachers could stick with the more traditional classroom set-up that they are happy with - tables and chairs and a small carpet area - but have a space without tables and chairs where the children can learn in a different style. I hope this is a good compromise and that in time perhaps elements of the Montessori ethos, learning through play and hands-on experiences, will filter into the teaching more generally as well.

Anyway, as promised, here are some photos:

The view from the doorway

The sensorial activities shelves

The maths shelves

The language (left) and practical life (right) shelves

Practical life and small world corner

Now, strictly speaking, any Montessori experts among you will have noticed that not all the things in these pictures are 100% Montessori. I have added in some of the games and things that we have which I think are good but that generally languish in the staffroom. I am not an expert on Montessori education and am not trying to pretend I am, but I like to get children learning through hands-on experiences. I am also so interested to give these children a little more freedom and choice than they are used to and see what happens. I hope they will flourish and their teachers will be convinced! The plan is that each class will have a number of lessons a week in the room, which will be taught either by their teachers or by me or a mixture of the two! I have said to the teachers that I am happy to be an assistant or to lead, whatever they feel comfortable with at least initially. The only exception is the top class - they will only have a free choice session in there with me as their teacher decided there wasn't room for any sessions in the timetable. This is a shame, but this teacher has yet to be convinced of the impact of this kind of learning so it's not too much of a surprise. It's a little discouraging, but I'm hoping the enthusiasm of the others will help to bring her round in the end!

So we shall get started next week. On Monday we will have a staff meeting looking at how the teachers can use the room, and I'd value prayers for this, that there would be a positive atmosphere and attitudes. I'll let you know how it goes...