I apologize for not adding a letter last weekend, but I was in Orlando for the American Montessori Society's National Conference. You can read more about the conference and about AMS through their website: www.amshq.org
During the conference I shared the model of a Florida watershed with other teachers in a Florida teachers section. Several other Florida Montessori teachers shared how they presented local cultural and environmental lessons with their students. We tested the watershed lesson the Thursday before I went to Orlando. I had created a model of land and water run off by canals through clay. The end result shows how the water will run into the bay, (just as the water runs from our canals into Biscayne Bay). We talked about how the canals are man-made and how they help keep our homes from being flooded. We also took out models of different animals to show some of the diverse wild life in Biscayne Bay. Then we added a little pollution through oil, (represented by soy sauce), colored tissue paper, and small pieces of plastic. We added the effects of a tropical storm, (provided by a spray bottle), and allowed the children to observe the results. The children immediately made the connection that anything we put on the land also has the ability to go into the water. I observed in the following week how the children were more apt to pick up litter from the playground and put it into the garbage bins or recycling bins.
After the fun with watersheds we prepared our Chinese Stone Soup. It was more enjoyable preparing the soup than eating it. As we discovered, some soups are better left cooking overnight. However, it was impressive to watch the children carefully grating garlic, cutting tomatoes and mushrooms, and delicately breaking eggs without leaving any shells in the liquid.
On the Monday following the conference we talked about St. Patrick's Day and why many Americans celebrate this day. We found Ireland on a map. I told a story about how Irish people came to the United States and brought their traditions and celebrations. For this, it is common for people in the United States to wear green on St. Patrick's Day even if they are not Irish. We danced a very basic jig and also shared the meaning of the colors on the Irish flag.
We have had a great number of visitors in the past few weeks. The African Grey Parrot Bimini caught our attention with its bright red tail feathers. His owners also delighted us with tales of how it mimics their voices and frequently tricks them into doing common commands, ("C. brush your teeth" or "C. get ready for school"). We also had a cousin from another student visit our classroom. He and his family were here from France and he was a great companion at school. His abilities to speak French and Spanish allowed us to communicate in multiple languages. At the end of his visit we wished him and his family a "bon voyage" and they shared fruits and cheeses with us.
Our continent study of Asia has continued and we will finish it in the week back from the Spring Break. We've looked at Chinese and Japaneses characters and the Arabic alphabets. We've experimented with Origami, (Japanese paper folding), and creating collages our of colored paper and rice. We also talked about Zen gardens from Japan created a small one that can be seen in the above photo. We have continued identifying countries on the continent map. We matched the flags we have of various Asian nations and highlighted the country of the Philippines, (where two of our students' families have heritage). In a note about the puzzle maps I am happy to share that a new set of puzzle maps has been ordered from the company Hello Wood and will hopefully arrive at our school before we return from the break.
On Thursday we had a chance to dye eggs with natural dyes. Although the onion skins made a strong yellow/golden color, the red cabbage dye did not set well. Before we dyed the eggs we took a vote and made a tally chart to reveal what colors the children thought the red cabbage would dye. The majority of the children believed that the red cabbage would turn the eggs either purple or blue, but other children thought they would be red, pink, or green. Although we did not get an ending result, I can say from experience that the children who guessed blue may have been on to something..............
Although I will miss everyone during the Spring break, I hope that it may allow for some time to rest and reflect. If you are traveling anywhere be sure to take or draw pictures. They can be shared with us in April. Speaking of April, please be sure to turn in the field trip forms and money no later than Wednesday April 3rd.
Have a safe and joyful break,
Ms. Joanna Boone