Multi-age classrooms in Montessori

There are many reasons why an authentic Montessori school will have multi-age classrooms, typically with a 3-year age span. Here I will explore these many reasons, because it is normal these days to be separated into classes based on one year/age group.

Reason #1: Planes of Development
Through her extensive research, Montessori discovered that children learn in stages, which she called Planes of Development. These are: 

• First plane: 0–6 years (Absorbent Mind)
• Second plane: 6–12 years (Childhood)
• Third plane: 12–18 years (Adolescence)
• Fourth plane: 18–24 years (Young Adult)   (source: NAMC)

and can be broken down even further like this, which reflects how classes should be organised:

• First plane:
• 0–3 years: The child absorbs everything in her environment, subconsciously
• 3–6 years: Child is now conscious of what is being learned
• Second plane:
• 6–9 years: Child has the ability to comprehend. He questions everything. He has a very curious and active imagination. It is the time for creating a personal code of ethics.
• 9–12 years: Child is able to work more abstractly and enjoys BIG works. Inner order takes precedent over external order. Ethics now expands to peers and the world at large.
• Third plane:
• 12–15 years: Puberty
• 15–18 years: Adolescence                                            (source NAMC)

As you can see, generally, children do tend to learn in these 3-year phases (puberty may start earlier for some children, but during 12-15 years they tend to display similar learning traits and behaviour, so this is more related to that than the actual physical changes that are happening). It seems as if it is what nature intended...

Reason #2 - Every child is different

Every child is different, and they may not all develop at exactly the same time. The 3-year classroom will contain many children at all different levels as well as ages. This is fine because Montessori is an individual curriculum, and many of the lessons are conducted either on a 1-2-1 basis or in small groups of the same level or interest. So a child's self-confidence is not knocked because they are 'behind' or 'struggling'. They are given the freedom to take their time, or progress more quickly depending of their grasp of the topic or lesson being taught. Some children learn to be fluent phonic readers in 2 weeks! Some take a lot longer. If a child shows no interest in learning something when they are first taught it, then it is left for a later time, which is fine. All children will eventually learn it, because it is a natural thing for them to do, especially when surrounded by other children who are also learning.

Reason #3 - Progress is made within each of the 3 years of each cycle

Each year within a Montessori classroom is significant, and it is important that a teacher recognises the aims of that year within the classroom. The first year is a foundation year, where they are taught new things based on that stage of development. In the second year they practice and explore these concepts and lessons, and in the third year they are consolidated and applied. Higher level thinking skills are formed, in preparation to move on to the next stage, which is why it is important not to rush a child through this stage, mistakenly believing that they are ready to progress.

(Source: NAMC)

In this third year also, a child can develop leadership skills and other skills as they are able and encouraged to teach and support the learning of younger children. Once these skills are developed, they start the foundation stage of the next plane of development or sub-plane.

(NB. I would argue with the diagram that the ages given are a year out, but it is a good diagram anyway!)

These are 3 of the main reasons. I will add more as I have the time to think of them!

Every child has a huge potential if we let them develop it!

I tend to spend a lot of time (probably way too much) surfing the internet looking at educational things that inspire me. I came across a homeschooling website, and it had some examples of self-directed work that children had done. This is not necessarily Montessori work, but I love the way it demonstrates how a child can really get their teeth into something they love and learn at the same time, without the constraints of a prescribed and timed curriculum. If they are given the freedom to learn, look what they can produce! Here is an example of Ella, aged 9, who undertook a year long study on foxes, completely her own choice, and produced so many wonderful things including a 30-page Fox Encyclopaedia which she word processed. Think of all the skills she has developed in that one year.

http://pbhkids.tumblr.com/post/55635090139/fox-encyclopedia-by-ella-age-9

The skills I can think of are:

Zoology - study of animals, their habitats, different types of foxes, lifecycles, habitats, endangered species (if you look closely she includes this information on her pages)

Geography - where animals come from, the biomes/continents they live in

Language skills - writing a table of contents, alphabetisation, the format of books, note taking etc

Practical skills - word processing, book binding, using a scanner, typing skills, referencing and citing references, research skills, sewing, decision making, presentation skills

Art - sewing, using clay, photography

There are probably loads more that haven't automatically come to mind, but how amazing is that? This is what is possible in Montessori elementary (primary in the UK, or ages 6-12 approx)... I can't wait for this time!

First day back in to the swing of things

Today Addie showed a lot of interest in her educational toys we have for her. She seems to have lost interest in most other toys to be honest, which is not a bad thing I suppose. There was one puzzle - a geometric shape puzzle, that she could not do before we left for our holidays and the Pageant. Today, she just picked it up and could do it! Daddy also showed her how to carry it properly, and she absolutely loves doing that too! Here is a video of her doing her work today! It also shows her new skill of being able to stand up independently (she was very resourceful before and always used something else to pull herself up) and also her ability to now walk confidently (she could walk before, but didn't seem to have the confidence to go for it and now she won't stop!)... She still needs a little help standing up and then picking something up, which is why I take the material off her while she stands up, but she is coming on in leaps and bounds! Go Addie!!

The British Pageant 2013

I was planning on writing a daily blog about our family's experiences at The British Pageant 2013 - Truth Will Prevail however, being 5 month's pregnant, with an 18-month old and a husband who was trying so hard to work around our rehearsal schedule, which consisted of long, hard days, it all went a bit awry! So, I hope I can capture the spirit and great experience we all had at this amazing event and relay it all to you and do it justice.

The Pageant was a show that lasted for a 9-show run (plus two open dress rehearsals) that we took part in, and was based on the history of our church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the UK. It is the first time an event of such magnitude has been held in the UK (there are pageants that are held in the States every year). It comprised a core cast of about 20 or 30 people, a choir and then the family cast - a mixture of families, couples and single people - who made up the bulk of the people on stage. Because of the intensity of the performance and rehearsal schedule, the family cast was split into 2 separate groups - the Red Cast and the Blue Cast. We were members of the Blue Cast, and our time at the Pageant lasted from 1st to 10th August.

Before we left, I was really worried about the rehearsal schedule - 9 to 4.30 for 3 days, 9am to 9pm for 2 days and then the performances which started at 8.30pm to 10pm. I was worried because I get SPD (a pregnancy condition where my pelvis relaxes too much causing excruciating pain) and because Addie is so young, and 8.30pm is her bed time! I was more concerned when we arrived and found out that there were evening rehearsals too after the 4.30pm supposed finish, and also on one day the rehearsals would include a full dress rehearsal open to the public, so we would be there from 9am to about 11pm!!

When we started rehearsals, we started with dance rehearsals, named 'moving with joy' for those put off by the word 'dancing'... I really think this is exactly what happened, because there were so many people who probably would not have danced much at all, and possibly not come forward, had they known so much 'movement with joy' was involved! I abstained because I knew I wouldn't be able to cope physically, and I have to say that the choreographers and director were amazing at accommodating me in everything, and told me what I could do to still be involved and move with joy without damaging myself and my baby!

Learning the songs was a struggle for me - I couldn't even remember what my lounge looked like let alone words to all the songs, so I did what I could!

I cannot possibly put down all my thoughts and experiences from the Pageant, but these are my main ones. The first and most significant one was how well Addie coped with everything. She loved it, and always wanted to be involved with things on stage. When she had to clap, she clapped; she waved when others waved, she danced and had fun, cheered and fell asleep every evening towards the end, even during the loud music, dancing, clapping and cheering. She was amazing, and 80% of the time, when we explained to her what was about to happen, she seemed to behave and do as she was meant to, which was a miracle and such a blessing in itself. It was a pleasure having her with us, supported by some great people who were there to look after the children, and she made my week really. I learnt a lot from her, and learnt just exactly how much she is capable of, even at only 18 months old!

The second one was the experiences I had and how I could liken everything that was happening to us as a family. The whole cast and crew became like one huge family. We loved each other, helped, embraced, supported, cried, laughed, shared everything together. It was a wonderful experience of a united cause and of Zion for us. I was particularly affected by a few individuals, particularly the Director Alex and Assistant Director Jonathan, who were so accepting and kind to me, and made me feel so part of the Pageant, and did not leave me out at all. In fact, in one scene I decided I couldn't participate as I was not selected to dance on stage (I was relieved!) and knew I would not have been able to do the dance down the aisles. I was sat watching and Jonathan came over, and insisted that I had to be a part of what was happening, and found something for us to do. No one has ever really gone out of their way to insist I am involved in something before, and this really touched me. Also, in a later scene as I was sat in the back, where no one could see me because everyone else (180 people!) were stood up in front of me, Jonathan made it a priority in a certain part of the dance to come over and dance with me, even though I was 'invisible'. And this people, is a 22 (or maybe 23) year old guy, who is definitely older than his years... I was really touched by his efforts to include me, and he has told me we will be eternal friends, which is good to know. Between him and Alex, they made the whole Pageant experience one of enablement for me, they are great enablers. I did not feel handicapped or left out in any way, and I know that this then paved the way for me to have so many insights into the gospel and how it can be applied in my life.

I remarked to Martin that if he were ever to become a leader in the church, then one of the goals that he must have is to try to build the unity that we experienced in the green room and on stage, families working together, not individually or apart, but together as one, even when one was asleep or absent. One where everyone was welcomed, greeted, loved.

After every performance we had the honour of going outside to thank people for coming, and try to see if they had enjoyed it (all said a resounding yes!). Yes, we were tired, but this was such an important part, whether the people visitors were members of the church or non-members, because we were so happy they had joined us in the journey. I will try to do much better myself to thank and welcome people at church and try to talk to more people.

The other main thing was that there was a scene towards the end of the show where the Saints gather and get on a ship to emigrate to America to join the Saints and build up the church. Families were together, embarking on their journey to the promised land to be together in Zion. On the first or second performance, I had a bit of a small pregnancy scare and the medics recommended I went to A&E to get checked out. I went early, but as time went by it became apparent I would miss the start of the show. The nurses told me I was fine, but I had to wait for the doctor to see me before I left. By this time, it was 9.20pm, and I felt I couldn't wait any more. I had to go back to the Pageant to be with my family, I had to be on that metaphorical ship, I could not miss it and my family go without me. It was a strong and powerful moment, where I realised, in parallel to the church's teachings, that we are all sealed together as a family, Cassidy, this baby and our 3 angel babies, Sam, Ashley and Morgan are all sealed to us, but Martin and I have a responsibility to ensure that sealing power lasts into the eternities. If we do not do all we can to get there, we will risk not being with our families all the time, and I am determined that that will not happen now. I must be on that 'ship' with my babies.

I met some wonderful people, and had such a great experience. If they choose to do this again, I want to make it a family tradition that we are involved in it.

However, the most important thing about the whole experience is the vision of the church I had. We met with 3 members of the Quorum of the Twelve, Apostles of the Lord. Elders Ballard, Nelson and Holland shared with us their thoughts and insights into how this Pageant will be the start of a reawakening of the church in the UK. We have seen this already, with the experiences and missionary success that is happening as a direct result of the Pageant. There are 600 more missionaries being sent to the British Isles, triggered by the lowering of the age for missionary service. What happened on stage in the portrayal of masses of people being baptised in the 1800s will become what happens now in these days. The work is hastening, and there have been at least 60 self-referrals, innumerous commitments to baptism, people who were less active returning to the fold. We performed to nearly 20,000 people, with 2,300 on the last night alone! It is exciting to be a part of it, to see it happening, watching miracles unfold and I am excited to see what I am to do next! I have suggested to Jonathan that if there is no Pageant next year, perhaps we can put something together to continue the work using our talents, his musical/theatrical and my organisational... so we shall see...

I will put pictures in the next post!