Today I got to spend the day in Jake's classroom. I already had tons of respect for his teacher, but let me tell you. I practically worship her now. What a busy class! I had a great time and was very proud of Jake's behavior all day...here's how it went.
When we first got there this morning, each child was putting away his/her bookbag, coat, lunchbox (One child was very helpful at telling me where to put my lunchbag. 4-year-olds apparently love to tell adults what to do...not that I didn't know that). Quiet music played to help the kids settle in for a good day. At 8:00, Mrs. Ventura started the day by ringing her bell and calling the kids over for group time. She welcomed each child, they talked about the day of the week and the month, and children who had something to share had a chance to talk.
On a typical day, they go from this time to a Work Cycle that lasts until 10am, but this morning they had 15 minutes of Work Cycle, then went to "Relax class." I'll explain Work Cycle later.
Relax class was yoga and movement. I don't know that it relaxed the kids...but I did notice something Jake has told me about in the past. They start and end class with "Candle Breathing," where they cup their hands together (like they're praying) and pretend their hands are a candle's flame. They work on deep breathing while they "blow the flame," moving their hands around. Jake actually told me about this at the beginning of the school year when I was irritable--"Mommy, you need to practice your candle breathing to calm down." They also acted out parts of a story about a mountain, in which they did several yoga moves. Several of the kids had trouble paying attention and staying on their mats, but Jake paid attention and did everything he was supposed to. That was the theme for the day--we've got a good kid here.
From Relax class, we went back to the classroom for Work Cycle. In a Montessori classroom, each child finds "work" to do, based on their interests and abilities. In other words, unless the kids were working as partners, they were all doing separate things. I noticed that the younger kids (preK'ers like Jake) spent a few minutes wandering, watching the big kids, then finally settling down to their own work. It was amazing to see what these kids worked on. Such a wide range and, with the exception of two kids who had trouble all day, the children were all very respectful of each other's work. They were also very polite with me, showing me what they were working on and sharing what they'd learned. Jake worked on a coloring activity that helps him recognize color words, then he moved on to the "Spindle Blocks," which was a counting activity. He and a friend then taught me the correct way to roll up a mat (they do all of their work on mats, unless they're writing at a table). Finally he finished up with the same friend and large brown blocks. I don't know the intended purpose of those blocks, but I think I heard Jake say something about building a robot...
Just like Jake, all the kids seemed restless right around 10, as Work Cycle ended. So the teaching assistant took the kids out to run around on the track for a few minutes, then they headed back in to wash up for lunch.
Lunch was fun, but I was bullied out of my food...This little girl sitting beside me looked pointedly at my apple and said, "I want an apple. I wish I had an apple. My daddy didn't pack me an apple. I want an apple..." until I gave in and gave her my apple. After she finished that, she started with my chips. "I want chips. I wish I had chips..." etc. Oh well...
We went directly from lunch to recess, where the kids were all over the place. How in the world do teachers keep up with them?? Jake ran the track three or four times, then ran circles around me and the teaching assistant. He also spent a good deal of time being silly for Cayley, the girl he likes. I like her, too, by the way. She was very polite and sweet and grown-up. I approve after all.
Next we went in for a story. Normally this time of day is more of a "Group Lesson," but there was a disturbance with one little boy before lunch, so Mrs. Ventura was out a lot of this time dealing with him. I won't dwell on that boy, since he's not my son, but whew! Teachers don't get paid enough to deal with a child like that... Anyway, because their teacher was out and they were tired, a few of the kids acted out at this point. Not Jake, by the way. He was very good. I was asked all day if he was that good at home, and you know, I had to say yes. We're very lucky to have this child who behaves well and really is self-disciplined most of the time. If he feels out of sorts, he'll put himself in timeout in his room. Of course, I didn't tell anyone about him hitting Ike at breakfast because we wouldn't let him have candy... :)
So. The teacher was gone, the assistant was dealing with discipline problems...I stepped in to read the story and calm kids down. You know, it felt very natural to be with the kids, making sure they stayed in their places quietly and listened to the story. But every day? Hmmm...maybe as the librarian...who can send each class away after an hour or so.
When Mrs. Ventura returned, the kids laid down for naptime. I did a little work for Mrs. Ventura and had a chance to talk to her quite a bit. Then naptime ended and I brought Jake home. (He was excited to leave a little early, instead of having to wait to go out with the car riders.
I was excited not to wait in the dreaded car line!)
That was our day. Now we're home...and I'm heading off to take my own nap. I'm exhausted, but very pleased with Jake's school experience. And him. I just can't tell him enough how proud I am of his behavior.
