Quinn's 1st Day of School :)
Quinn started school this past Wednesday. Starting next week, he will be going every morning, from 9-11:45am. It is a public Montessori school in our neighborhood. The school goes through 6th grade, and each family can choose between the Montessori and Traditional track.
Quinn's transition to school has been very good so far. I anticipated crying and the teacher having to peel him off of me, but so far, that hasn't happened. His teacher says that sometimes there is a "honeymoon" period, and he may become more resistant next week, so we'll see. The classroom is mixed ages, 3, 4, and 5 year olds. All Montessori preschool classrooms are this way. The younger kids leave at lunch time, allowing the kindergarten students to stay in the afternoon, working on specific higher level skills. The older children take part in "teaching" and role modelling for the younger ones, as the philosophy is that you really learn something yourself if you must teach it to another.
Quinn shows me his bag. He got to choose the color (all students have the same canvas bag) and was THRILLED they had a dark green on, his favorite color.
Quinn is ready to go on his first day.
Hanging up his bag on his hook. He now has a photo on top of his hook.
The day before the 1st day, we brought Quinn in to meet his teacher for some 1 on 1 time. He got a chance to explore some of the materials in the classroom.
The classroom is large and beautiful. It's hard to see Quinn, but he's there. (with Mike!)
Here he is ready for circle time on his first day. I quickly took a photo, and left quickly. The shelves facing me are the "practical life" area, pouring, scrubbing, polishing, using tongs and spoons to transfer things from one container to another, spray bottles, screwing in bolts and screws, buttoning and snapping things, washing dishes, and so on.
The school playground has this massive rock. I told Quinn he was NOT allowed to climb it if I wasn't there! HA!
When I picked Quinn up today, and asked him what he did at school, he said, "the farm puzzle, dog sorting, watching, and singing the Monkey Roll out of Bed song. And I ate my snack but I didn't eat all of it, but I didn't go to the bathroom there yet" :) That pretty much sums it up!
Quinn's transition to school has been very good so far. I anticipated crying and the teacher having to peel him off of me, but so far, that hasn't happened. His teacher says that sometimes there is a "honeymoon" period, and he may become more resistant next week, so we'll see. The classroom is mixed ages, 3, 4, and 5 year olds. All Montessori preschool classrooms are this way. The younger kids leave at lunch time, allowing the kindergarten students to stay in the afternoon, working on specific higher level skills. The older children take part in "teaching" and role modelling for the younger ones, as the philosophy is that you really learn something yourself if you must teach it to another.
Quinn shows me his bag. He got to choose the color (all students have the same canvas bag) and was THRILLED they had a dark green on, his favorite color.
Quinn is ready to go on his first day.
Hanging up his bag on his hook. He now has a photo on top of his hook.
The day before the 1st day, we brought Quinn in to meet his teacher for some 1 on 1 time. He got a chance to explore some of the materials in the classroom.
The classroom is large and beautiful. It's hard to see Quinn, but he's there. (with Mike!)
Here he is ready for circle time on his first day. I quickly took a photo, and left quickly. The shelves facing me are the "practical life" area, pouring, scrubbing, polishing, using tongs and spoons to transfer things from one container to another, spray bottles, screwing in bolts and screws, buttoning and snapping things, washing dishes, and so on.
The school playground has this massive rock. I told Quinn he was NOT allowed to climb it if I wasn't there! HA!
When I picked Quinn up today, and asked him what he did at school, he said, "the farm puzzle, dog sorting, watching, and singing the Monkey Roll out of Bed song. And I ate my snack but I didn't eat all of it, but I didn't go to the bathroom there yet" :) That pretty much sums it up!
posted by Pam & Mike at 10:09 PM
3 Comments:
Well YAY for Q! :) His school looks awesome!
I enjoyed your description of the Montessori philosophy, Pam, and the rationale for multi-age classrooms and the opportunity for older kids to teach the younger ones. And, of course, it was fun seeing Quinn participate in various aspects of school life. Have a great time, Quinn! XOXOX
Quinn -- I hope I can visit your Montessori school sometime. I love the look of your classroom! You are going to have fun!
Love, Grandma Nan
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