tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22722545763564989092024-03-13T13:03:11.967-03:00Michelle's Maple TreeMeditations on Montessori and Contemplations on Children.Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.comBlogger418125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-73797653636803255292024-01-18T14:01:00.000-04:002024-01-18T14:01:13.158-04:00Northern Lights: Winter at the Art Table <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hr-IuBq5EpDJI2hOkL3Lw-Ow26O6MrcAXdh2yx1gpmfnHqFIhsNg_MY4m7cPmcGmRwKsOU8sc0_qswBClyP0ugwtvC_4NnIhrlQ1AN5tCdrMn9z6vf0a5wd6it0SUK2oUW4Gcs2JCG7nioU8zFRWgBtWpExVaUrIpud5GdGT4U7gXYczPUxv7EHRuirc/s4032/IMG_0977.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Hr-IuBq5EpDJI2hOkL3Lw-Ow26O6MrcAXdh2yx1gpmfnHqFIhsNg_MY4m7cPmcGmRwKsOU8sc0_qswBClyP0ugwtvC_4NnIhrlQ1AN5tCdrMn9z6vf0a5wd6it0SUK2oUW4Gcs2JCG7nioU8zFRWgBtWpExVaUrIpud5GdGT4U7gXYczPUxv7EHRuirc/w480-h640/IMG_0977.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Northern Lights: Winter at the Art Table</h1><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">As winter's frosty breath lingers in the air, the children return from their winter break, eager to immerse themselves in the world of art. In our Front Room, we've embarked on a mesmerizing journey with watercolours, a dance with hues that we affectionately call "The Northern Lights."</span></div><p style="text-align: left;"></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Guiding the children's hands to craft a snowy tableau, we set the stage for this visual symphony. With each brushstroke, the canvas comes alive as they delicately paint the scene with water, a gentle precursor to the vibrant display of red, orange, and purple watercolours that mirror the celestial dance of the Northern Lights.</span></p><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">In the delicate canvas of a child's development, the choice of artistic medium becomes more than just an expression; it transforms into a nurturing force that gently molds their minds and bodies. Watercolors, with their fluidity and enchanting hues, play a vital role in this creative symphony, impacting a child's emotional and physical well-being on a profound level.</span></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOjA5F9M0B6S5XxYPr_beV_nsxVDcCofoWrE_ggvjX1EIFJQCOInsBTgbJYyfMBZfTD-ZMDeEwrpfMc85TVRc2OQ8ymf3MGMjVgw1r11ZXvG4MJ9PaX9NGgCG9o6gGMx49EnNq3AsHXg5prQ9Z3uthQBnd0qM1k33FlSPCZXu8cDmUNDMW2tcjB0k5wy/s4032/Photo%202024-01-18%2001.32.18%20PM.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMaOjA5F9M0B6S5XxYPr_beV_nsxVDcCofoWrE_ggvjX1EIFJQCOInsBTgbJYyfMBZfTD-ZMDeEwrpfMc85TVRc2OQ8ymf3MGMjVgw1r11ZXvG4MJ9PaX9NGgCG9o6gGMx49EnNq3AsHXg5prQ9Z3uthQBnd0qM1k33FlSPCZXu8cDmUNDMW2tcjB0k5wy/w640-h480/Photo%202024-01-18%2001.32.18%20PM.heic" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As the tiny fingers clutch brushes and navigate the aqueous realm of watercolors, a dance of fine motor skill development ensues. The precision required to control the flow of water and pigment fosters hand-eye coordination, dexterity, and the refinement of spatial awareness. These subtle movements lay the foundation for intricate skills that extend beyond the art studio into the broader spectrum of a child's daily activities.</span></span></span></p><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6QTHGzpCcfqHOAbe1lncZ3MnSuHvOGt_spUq69IaLadAY5nckBh4XicQJgzzZrtd9oJYj5Zm7xrMaRn_A4x7a-UUAh0JQoicCoqrp6M4eDMfvugYedSEnnRQCtPyepH0RTQu-IvhB-wYfrdJdq344oVGA_vRTlsFY_yyJ5ekYM5UFgWTjPdosg6qkMbD/s4032/IMG_0988.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB6QTHGzpCcfqHOAbe1lncZ3MnSuHvOGt_spUq69IaLadAY5nckBh4XicQJgzzZrtd9oJYj5Zm7xrMaRn_A4x7a-UUAh0JQoicCoqrp6M4eDMfvugYedSEnnRQCtPyepH0RTQu-IvhB-wYfrdJdq344oVGA_vRTlsFY_yyJ5ekYM5UFgWTjPdosg6qkMbD/w640-h480/IMG_0988.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;">Engaging with watercolors stimulates cognitive functions in the developing brain. The exploration of colors, shapes, and textures fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills. As children experiment with blending and layering, they embark on a journey of imagination, enhancing their cognitive flexibility and opening doors to innovative thought processes. This cognitive exercise extends its tendrils into academic pursuits, bolstering critical thinking and the ability to approach challenges with a creative mindset.</span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih14U6Tt6NasgxnlyKq_9BIZIilTK3DJuU6E5X-qAy7MlwMIQ2KJke4__12kGoSu7enZNsX8bLcTbPvs9T1cjIbAjo1Kuo-X0YQ2MF7WNoFy7jDOz9DDaRuo1-IVPzEwhQYYotMnyh-abqhk04TyqkijGUJ97p1_5io1zBMnqm0JMwd_dKtrjwGXJErFMy/s4032/IMG_0985.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih14U6Tt6NasgxnlyKq_9BIZIilTK3DJuU6E5X-qAy7MlwMIQ2KJke4__12kGoSu7enZNsX8bLcTbPvs9T1cjIbAjo1Kuo-X0YQ2MF7WNoFy7jDOz9DDaRuo1-IVPzEwhQYYotMnyh-abqhk04TyqkijGUJ97p1_5io1zBMnqm0JMwd_dKtrjwGXJErFMy/w640-h480/IMG_0985.HEIC" width="640" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHE88WOrkJtvEeytM5XQzVZtPIT_6MRtFgxxHWjGQu0L8O46eCmHURiBW3kRKdvQNUwo5smXbYLpLXvjlv7y1UBEwMgTKuBjdVEGAoMMfcAoPBJejAj51MBAOZtgJUxg4h07X_Jxnm1pHMkUiY8L4e2GU3rpmD4WNgpru8VxMtzJ_cv-pA7UC0hb-5HMu/s4032/IMG_0987.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHE88WOrkJtvEeytM5XQzVZtPIT_6MRtFgxxHWjGQu0L8O46eCmHURiBW3kRKdvQNUwo5smXbYLpLXvjlv7y1UBEwMgTKuBjdVEGAoMMfcAoPBJejAj51MBAOZtgJUxg4h07X_Jxnm1pHMkUiY8L4e2GU3rpmD4WNgpru8VxMtzJ_cv-pA7UC0hb-5HMu/w640-h480/IMG_0987.HEIC" width="640" /></a></div></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><p style="color: #374151; text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(55, 65, 81); color: #374151; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>The meditative quality of watercolor painting invites children to immerse themselves in the present moment. The gentle ebb and flow of the creative process create a sanctuary for mindfulness, reducing stress and promoting a sense of calm. This artistic mindfulness becomes a tool that children can carry with them beyond the art studio, aiding them in navigating the demands of daily life with a centered and composed demeanor.</span></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8e2QxIv72ZTNsYKK5JhpTkfI9oQmZq5xZqrov1nvfTVNF1WR6rM3XvPje2vsoU6YS8kQ_qGSf8Gpjde3np3USd9Je0f3jcJnGpQwsWE8LiG1HhVpFW8L94xDJtmruBrbQoxo-aSxva_KB0_P-zTUjE1nqlF1RTeImKi3wca6BVSi1Enk1r42tVUq88BO/s4032/IMG_0983.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8e2QxIv72ZTNsYKK5JhpTkfI9oQmZq5xZqrov1nvfTVNF1WR6rM3XvPje2vsoU6YS8kQ_qGSf8Gpjde3np3USd9Je0f3jcJnGpQwsWE8LiG1HhVpFW8L94xDJtmruBrbQoxo-aSxva_KB0_P-zTUjE1nqlF1RTeImKi3wca6BVSi1Enk1r42tVUq88BO/w480-h640/IMG_0983.HEIC" width="480" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br />As an early educator, there is an unparalleled joy that blossoms when spending one-on-one time with the children during their watercolor explorations. In these intimate moments, I become a witness to the magical unfolding of their creativity. The sheer delight in their eyes as they dip brushes into water and choose vibrant pigments speaks volumes about the profound connection between mentor and learner. It's in these shared moments that trust deepens, fostering a secure space for them to express, question, and discover. Guiding their artistic journey is not merely an educational task; it's a heartwarming dance of encouragement and support, where I observe the unique fingerprints of their budding personalities materialize on the canvas. In these shared artistic endeavours, the role of an early educator transcends instruction, transforming into a conduit for inspiration and a facilitator of the limitless potential nestled within each child.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">-Ms Katie </span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p></p>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-13779647771896203362023-10-06T12:15:00.000-03:002023-10-06T12:15:11.389-03:00Exploring the Mi'kmaw Sacred Teachings<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AskHCYTF-pZPXvG8xDsk0okPLqgeWNx5CVFa41PDrMD0tT6_52M_hbUuvVLUbMTRGAmbfuD4Bugqb8xzB2UkJ_CRfoJfDMW0M8KSSoCmN9S3uqdXlqpHnjqnuRLFxuHW18BSpNJsazE43vqSWSskv30SsQskbK_Kxs1NFH0dvf4HvadDicEx-sR7Qt72/s4032/IMG_4068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2AskHCYTF-pZPXvG8xDsk0okPLqgeWNx5CVFa41PDrMD0tT6_52M_hbUuvVLUbMTRGAmbfuD4Bugqb8xzB2UkJ_CRfoJfDMW0M8KSSoCmN9S3uqdXlqpHnjqnuRLFxuHW18BSpNJsazE43vqSWSskv30SsQskbK_Kxs1NFH0dvf4HvadDicEx-sR7Qt72/w400-h300/IMG_4068.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">This week the children have been exploring the Mi'kmaw Scared teachings through art by painting a story as told by their teacher. I have been watching this experience unfold all week and I am just in awe of how much the children have soaked up this experience of art and story telling with Ms. Mary Ann. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSctY1YvbgAcsCKSi5XI4JEhahS58iDKFscqG-Ln0hfueAZdkPwWchSNOQV2ffB_VrPPnyi8etBhmwbPUdIjAxhE9owULLMi272_nZZBcMvI2BkwxvCBDBD3gzWIjnsSRtdPEEigIaiBZ5M_-gWeZDqD4QSRkQqoSNs0N3D2xV8wJlrxhWbXrAsZPmptJ/s4032/IMG_4069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqSctY1YvbgAcsCKSi5XI4JEhahS58iDKFscqG-Ln0hfueAZdkPwWchSNOQV2ffB_VrPPnyi8etBhmwbPUdIjAxhE9owULLMi272_nZZBcMvI2BkwxvCBDBD3gzWIjnsSRtdPEEigIaiBZ5M_-gWeZDqD4QSRkQqoSNs0N3D2xV8wJlrxhWbXrAsZPmptJ/w640-h480/IMG_4069.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The story is about the Mi'kmaw people who hunt for seal and fish in their red canoe. They go over the river or seas (black lines are the symbol for water) and the golden sun is shining down upon them. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvdYVD_k30Eox7mnaWCLqURDjDxctywJl35riVh90NDgV87G8OAmS-uP64DuXWbWzN15APKcr-cLD51V-vFuJZ75CRPPMqBvQ1zCG0JcIhYKzamMQgxpk-pqgbwed3-3E4HCEk-i-tHbI1GKMuxrdBu0kpnOFPatCjumFSP4mobnapB7cZya5E8yCqMjC/s4032/IMG_4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAvdYVD_k30Eox7mnaWCLqURDjDxctywJl35riVh90NDgV87G8OAmS-uP64DuXWbWzN15APKcr-cLD51V-vFuJZ75CRPPMqBvQ1zCG0JcIhYKzamMQgxpk-pqgbwed3-3E4HCEk-i-tHbI1GKMuxrdBu0kpnOFPatCjumFSP4mobnapB7cZya5E8yCqMjC/w400-h300/IMG_4067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p>All the colors used in this art activity are part of the sacred teachings. Red represents Wisdom. Yellow represents Patience, white is for Love and the black is for Honesty, Humility, Respect and Truth. <p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChIafZAdYhQ0l4g7wWeE-p7lUqzaYBsxAljVIF3UbgI2fGMW49U51IMb-okiVmCgj0_5kfq970TmCgH2_TgUTmrAlNJLEhtTWwqUukSSDVMG7OFEOm6IIh7NxzRjpN92Odc-OHRq0DGJTr4d9vApGnvRFoLPUqp9O1NwDkJCfBPZgAVhcEgM7dSMVJvlJ/s4032/IMG_4066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChIafZAdYhQ0l4g7wWeE-p7lUqzaYBsxAljVIF3UbgI2fGMW49U51IMb-okiVmCgj0_5kfq970TmCgH2_TgUTmrAlNJLEhtTWwqUukSSDVMG7OFEOm6IIh7NxzRjpN92Odc-OHRq0DGJTr4d9vApGnvRFoLPUqp9O1NwDkJCfBPZgAVhcEgM7dSMVJvlJ/w400-h300/IMG_4066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">It's one of the ways in which we are trying to incorporate more meaningful lessons on indigenous culture in our classroom. There is a magical quality to this lesson. I have watched the children sit in silence and listen to the story and then paint with such curiosity, love and imagination. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkXJSRoVQEHCW88BP8Kh8t-SBH1GATYA7E3DA-DmoRrcqQMmlzgSnWSU1Z3zU-zP5rVD7OAv-gC3nzOLs99EC8sw_TD0DJ0YSgr9sIqE3Gj0B9MuBSwZtS2h2L5gEkzBoYEYFg0epREnPwhFrqQLY_dPxHOjbmXZ_mWxDYNkpcs2SE5mwRVGbOHbSRHeu/s4032/IMG_4065.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrkXJSRoVQEHCW88BP8Kh8t-SBH1GATYA7E3DA-DmoRrcqQMmlzgSnWSU1Z3zU-zP5rVD7OAv-gC3nzOLs99EC8sw_TD0DJ0YSgr9sIqE3Gj0B9MuBSwZtS2h2L5gEkzBoYEYFg0epREnPwhFrqQLY_dPxHOjbmXZ_mWxDYNkpcs2SE5mwRVGbOHbSRHeu/w400-h300/IMG_4065.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The children have also been working on their own version of a dream catcher using yarn and feathers. Such a beautiful week of art and story telling. ~Ms. Michelle </div><br /><p></p>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-1851747241149431492023-09-13T14:37:00.006-03:002023-09-13T16:16:22.854-03:00Celebrating Mi'kmaq Artists: Alan Syliboy <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://alansyliboy.ca/about/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="532" data-original-width="800" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjItD-C2pDrb5MrUHi_OIyDnyt7Sxpvte_d1y1DdWSkcR3uDZy5HCutBH0lzBJSu-UFixCKgADQrGotPHuQlmQWWb0cUOQm3lPSgPUwOsN0QH6nJFzOaaqtjsfewDH1U2ZyqrgB1oOzQxAAv6J7TdaAsStnJzwWeYQnaoNgF-Rq2OeJZDr2hNBvQa8L5uoA/w470-h313/alan-syliboy-about.jpg" width="470" /></a></div><h1 style="text-align: center;">Alan Syliboy</h1><div>The school year is back in full swing and big things are happening in our Art Studio.</div><div>This month's project is focusing on local Mi'kmaq artist Alan Syliboy. The children have been invited to look at his work while we talk about what the work makes us feel, and what the word "Mi'kmaq" means in our community. </div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u>From: https://alansyliboy.ca/about/</u></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;">"Alan Syliboy grew up believing that native art was generic. 'As a youth, I found painting difficult and painful, because I was unsure of my identity.' But his confidence grew in 1972 when he studied privately with Shirley Bear. He then attended the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design, where 25 years later, he was invited to sit on the Board of Governors. Syliboy looked to the indigenous Mi’kmaq petroglyph tradition for inspiration and developed his own artistic vocabulary out of those forms. His popularization of these symbolic icons has conferred on them a mainstream legitimacy that restores community pride in its Mi’kmaq heritage.<br />Alan still lives and works in Millbrook, NS, where he was born and raised. He creates his art in his studio in Truro, NS."</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Alan's work: </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdhNE2583_Mwoz84rvHCyuvpjifJ-H48CYWGTDgFP0iPeL_EiTedDFd0kvSI99Qi0-3wKJjLojKBzfKb93U-vCO3Ja0YV0cyW8DHfN1M03q9EzfbqkaBobsq64OKM0TfXaH_RlNdTo-YHCIKGF0bywPMt0X4qd8maVkqU1b3Mxi0yxldXRUDA6UX4bCL5/s800/2023-slider-7.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTdhNE2583_Mwoz84rvHCyuvpjifJ-H48CYWGTDgFP0iPeL_EiTedDFd0kvSI99Qi0-3wKJjLojKBzfKb93U-vCO3Ja0YV0cyW8DHfN1M03q9EzfbqkaBobsq64OKM0TfXaH_RlNdTo-YHCIKGF0bywPMt0X4qd8maVkqU1b3Mxi0yxldXRUDA6UX4bCL5/w640-h480/2023-slider-7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY_wBR9UD1JBUdNpyj9wYAYOHnKyBFBSo6ZjPLyhTG0RYBUtykpsxntZQOMySGN1IYTD9SUO7e5M3bpXDs_8Plq6vHZrdwGus9RRMyai3syV35JPCFGiETyrgdM1OoGGAYajDiHHYQ3aUmJjwnFj6bgTboNa39-sgoEHGR660rrAFhSRrSqUVcS_oToxI/s800/2023-slider-6.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoY_wBR9UD1JBUdNpyj9wYAYOHnKyBFBSo6ZjPLyhTG0RYBUtykpsxntZQOMySGN1IYTD9SUO7e5M3bpXDs_8Plq6vHZrdwGus9RRMyai3syV35JPCFGiETyrgdM1OoGGAYajDiHHYQ3aUmJjwnFj6bgTboNa39-sgoEHGR660rrAFhSRrSqUVcS_oToxI/w640-h480/2023-slider-6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><u>Why should we study Mi'kmaq artists with children?</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Studying local First Nation's art is not just about creating colourful masterpieces, it's a journey that fosters cultural understanding, respect, and creativity. </div><div><br /></div><div>One of the most compelling reasons to introduce Mi'kmaq art to children is it's role in preserving and celebrating Indigenous culture. By learning about the rich artistic traditions of the Mi'kmaq people, children gain a deeper appreciation for the history and heritage of North American First Nations. Immersing ourselves in this kind of art is not just a form of self expression, but a powerful tool for story telling and cultural transmission.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHkJanUOsuj3vqHOmlFTuUR-wyyrYOS08U7A38_XRb6hL_4B6iopo6mV2NsWKR0ckByuaaavMAq0A1eqyEort3rKYjVOPV0iNJYCg9sN8s4WjSYwla5AYw3mYaF7VAhKEu0-eiVISZcwX-1WW5xKw6edtqpRPKkuhCUbU_rhhD6xLQ7POk_KilBfDaV28/s4032/IMG_0557.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="421" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkHkJanUOsuj3vqHOmlFTuUR-wyyrYOS08U7A38_XRb6hL_4B6iopo6mV2NsWKR0ckByuaaavMAq0A1eqyEort3rKYjVOPV0iNJYCg9sN8s4WjSYwla5AYw3mYaF7VAhKEu0-eiVISZcwX-1WW5xKw6edtqpRPKkuhCUbU_rhhD6xLQ7POk_KilBfDaV28/w561-h421/IMG_0557.jpg" width="561" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Mi'kmaq art is renowned for it's intricate patters, vibrant colours and unique symbolism. Encouraging children to create their own Mi'kmaq inspired art pieces and unleash their creativity and provide a platform for self expression while honouring another culture's artistic traditions. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><u>What is the process?</u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>Children are invited to look at Alan's work and contemplate the painting. Asking questions such as "What do you see?" and "How does it make you feel?". Children are then directed to the oil pastels to start their work and outline the different shapes that will be used in their work. Finally, I model for the children how to use our water colour paints sparingly, as a little can go a long way. I have seen lots of joy come from the children experimenting with using the water colours over the oil pastels, and questioning why they do not blend together, another great learning opportunity. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQxN8mf2vAzNtm2kNm5jO0NMqRGzsaM1jUxeFbFDp_zlFnTWXb98GEDDzP4SokKQTloJwV3FPn9bo4QjpxzGfM5q7UeAvcWiHrRREFUx2sGrN27Ej_-gjLP7jHwMH_RxyPvEF34JpuCPnp5KJ3D1I4q_Y9ykGKkIU2zxoh22YESzErtiXpJ17kwLG-sC2/s4024/IMG_0564.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2150" data-original-width="4024" height="324" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuQxN8mf2vAzNtm2kNm5jO0NMqRGzsaM1jUxeFbFDp_zlFnTWXb98GEDDzP4SokKQTloJwV3FPn9bo4QjpxzGfM5q7UeAvcWiHrRREFUx2sGrN27Ej_-gjLP7jHwMH_RxyPvEF34JpuCPnp5KJ3D1I4q_Y9ykGKkIU2zxoh22YESzErtiXpJ17kwLG-sC2/w607-h324/IMG_0564.jpg" width="607" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I can't wait to see all the children's interpretations on Alan's work, its been a beautiful journey so far. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">*Click Alan's picture to be sent to his website for access to purchasing his prints and more info about the artist. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-Ms Katie </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Image from: https://alansyliboy.ca</div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p><div><br /></div><p></p>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-61026487274224617382023-06-09T16:35:00.005-03:002023-06-09T16:35:52.327-03:00Celebrating Pride Month at Maple Tree: June 2023<h1 style="text-align: center;"> <u>Celebrating Pride Month: June 2023</u></h1><div><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU9HZ0ztza4mfihrgxdSau_klZFxo1ba4O_tPhMPlJXk6feE8PjmGpJV-6OZXMV3_4U1ndqVCktniGuTNNr5b-q7sRjWP4Ld7gq2j59drhtHqvkD_0kbAdU97SC0vLgYPKZTFAGrJZryrZMs1eVupXjKk-uZxXz8-ACy86awHHWeJJ8D3RScik_NEZQ/s4032/IMG_0165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU9HZ0ztza4mfihrgxdSau_klZFxo1ba4O_tPhMPlJXk6feE8PjmGpJV-6OZXMV3_4U1ndqVCktniGuTNNr5b-q7sRjWP4Ld7gq2j59drhtHqvkD_0kbAdU97SC0vLgYPKZTFAGrJZryrZMs1eVupXjKk-uZxXz8-ACy86awHHWeJJ8D3RScik_NEZQ/w473-h355/IMG_0165.jpg" width="473" /></a></div><br /><u><br /></u></div><div>Our school is looking a little different this month, we are celebrating Pride Month. At Maple Tree, we believe in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all children and families. Pride Month provides a wonderful opportunity to celebrate diversity and teach young minds about love, acceptance, and equality. Celebrating Pride offers a chance to introduce children to the concept of diverse family structures, love in all forms and the significance of embracing differences. When we embrace Pride Month with the children we empower them to become compassionate and inclusive individuals. </div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Rainbow Art in the Classroom </u></h3><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfxlL7xi8HkPLqpE5aLkTvy3Y8iIvY0OACU8w3UBemMjCv4fL3IzdjwIV0gspcfcoJR04ksIkwGe2xuKKdzefp4zsMwpmQTMp8JObYWKLZfkKxzQ1l-hY8mLAuIAeIa73R3sjhsTBqoUHx-FUIjmVFboon06LbGtuubcKzm1jHRLykF76mLFpEw9Ifg/s4032/IMG_6559.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSfxlL7xi8HkPLqpE5aLkTvy3Y8iIvY0OACU8w3UBemMjCv4fL3IzdjwIV0gspcfcoJR04ksIkwGe2xuKKdzefp4zsMwpmQTMp8JObYWKLZfkKxzQ1l-hY8mLAuIAeIa73R3sjhsTBqoUHx-FUIjmVFboon06LbGtuubcKzm1jHRLykF76mLFpEw9Ifg/w306-h408/IMG_6559.jpg" width="306" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5QMV7Le_cmDKu1aDWnKcmUxYQwepVYOBJdlJjwcH_wK24N_BBZR_69UCAUPNDlCFIGnZ1x4PgDfeRi9q7OMX3RH5-wem5phTRcGH9AgFhsdg8V8Bn0yZKAJYyFkhbFt9nJVja9EMgqH_fHI9EJ2Cps2G1ktMfxCP5SaeTgweWRsY3GTbX9oW5BKDyA/s4032/IMG_3134.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="327" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX5QMV7Le_cmDKu1aDWnKcmUxYQwepVYOBJdlJjwcH_wK24N_BBZR_69UCAUPNDlCFIGnZ1x4PgDfeRi9q7OMX3RH5-wem5phTRcGH9AgFhsdg8V8Bn0yZKAJYyFkhbFt9nJVja9EMgqH_fHI9EJ2Cps2G1ktMfxCP5SaeTgweWRsY3GTbX9oW5BKDyA/w322-h327/IMG_3134.jpg" width="322" /></a></div><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The rainbow Pride Flag designed by Gilbert Baker in 1978 represents a symbol of LGBTQ2+ pride and visibility. Each colour has significance:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: red;">Red: </span>The vibrant and passionate life of the LGBTQ2+ community.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #ffa400;">Orange: </span>Healing, acknowledges the struggles and challenged faces by people in the community. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1);"><span style="color: #ffd966;">Yellow: </span>Sunlight, happiness joy and positive energy that comes from living as your authentic self. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1); color: #6aa84f;">Green: </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1);">Nature, growth, harmony and a hope for a better future for individuals in the LGBTQ2+ community.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1);"><span style="color: #2b00fe;">Blue: </span> Symbolizes serenity, peace and calmness. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1); color: #ff00fe;">Violet: </span><span style="caret-color: rgb(252, 255, 1);">Spirit and diverse identities within the community, including the ones who identify as queer, non binary or gender non-conforming. </span></div></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div><u><br /></u></div><div>When we include the Rainbow in our art projects, children are asking us "Why are we making this sign?" and "Why is it a rainbow?". This opens up great conversations with the children about the purpose behind pride month. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobKTr16GIfO9l2TwrGg95dkMZGUHR4BT-xlNmkdjqDkHQfFAZCuk-Q1fqvl1YVusTea25e-qTVM5GmjTrcuWqpv-VfdJHlkh09j55UmmhIQZUk0bAGyV2uQoFscqjmUlELEwHM-7MC3PXo9KPFYTAC8d6S6i5m8KLllGwUwGVNqrsN2Ya_rVJoU4h1g/s4032/IMG_6553.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="517" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobKTr16GIfO9l2TwrGg95dkMZGUHR4BT-xlNmkdjqDkHQfFAZCuk-Q1fqvl1YVusTea25e-qTVM5GmjTrcuWqpv-VfdJHlkh09j55UmmhIQZUk0bAGyV2uQoFscqjmUlELEwHM-7MC3PXo9KPFYTAC8d6S6i5m8KLllGwUwGVNqrsN2Ya_rVJoU4h1g/w387-h517/IMG_6553.jpg" width="387" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: center;"><u>Books That Celebrate Diversity and Pride </u></h3><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cWSz5EDn8VeM-2K2rRdF73URovvDdtf2JMR7eNFaqpLr7sStDx3-dvS2ISJ4puaHY9v2P35lCoYbF8d9IHFYUFHaFh_9lGVDUTvHqZtA-ukdyBVOgd3x41hqW6OUADbMLgO7Ox0RQyqb1RgtwrYahqc0KlclL60FOcz2OrhDCuQBFv7rw8m9SeJdow/s4032/IMG_6685.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2775" data-original-width="4032" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3cWSz5EDn8VeM-2K2rRdF73URovvDdtf2JMR7eNFaqpLr7sStDx3-dvS2ISJ4puaHY9v2P35lCoYbF8d9IHFYUFHaFh_9lGVDUTvHqZtA-ukdyBVOgd3x41hqW6OUADbMLgO7Ox0RQyqb1RgtwrYahqc0KlclL60FOcz2OrhDCuQBFv7rw8m9SeJdow/w640-h440/IMG_6685.heic" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><u style="text-align: left;">Why is it important to have a diverse library of children's literature at home and school?</u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;"><u><br /></u></div><div style="text-align: left;">Children's literature that include diverse families or queer characters not only reflect the reality of the world we live in but also provide valuable lessons in empathy, acceptance and love. Books that represent these families and people validate experience of LGBTQ2+ children and families, making them feel seen and accepted. Moreover, they introduce families to different family structures and show them love has no boundaries. This kind of literature challenges harmful stereotypes and prejudices by representing members of the LGBTQ2+ community in a positive light and show that everyone deserves love, respect and acceptance. They provide an opportunity to educate children about the importance of equality and fairness. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">When we celebrate Pride at Maple Tree, we lay the foundation for a future generation that is inclusive, compassionate, and champions of equality for all . Let us continue to create spaces where every child can be proud of who they are, where their uniqueness is celebrated, and where love and acceptance flourish. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Happy Pride Month from all of us at Maple Tree. </div></div>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-27660634606805962992023-04-06T14:34:00.002-03:002023-04-06T14:34:45.965-03:00Artist Study: Nova Scotia's Maud Lewis <p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHYqWwWeUZqknMg2Eiak54XwB9FNb3aWaL9U7NcKFjPrri_BcI1_ORPWby6n53dH3eEAJd55jlAYPQluaDuGjwcIPO-lo9eWV0gIj5wSzv8DDTWM4Md_1MDzKktl0vvduBkW3ZhNmCBUjWe4av8L9hFwZY-c-n_p6d087HCv7uLYEVqv3nqSo2uIT9w/s274/Unknown-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="184" data-original-width="274" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCHYqWwWeUZqknMg2Eiak54XwB9FNb3aWaL9U7NcKFjPrri_BcI1_ORPWby6n53dH3eEAJd55jlAYPQluaDuGjwcIPO-lo9eWV0gIj5wSzv8DDTWM4Md_1MDzKktl0vvduBkW3ZhNmCBUjWe4av8L9hFwZY-c-n_p6d087HCv7uLYEVqv3nqSo2uIT9w/w380-h255/Unknown-2.jpeg" width="380" /></a></div><br /><h1><u> Maude Lewis</u></h1><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Maude Lewis was a Canadian folk artist known for her brightly colored paintings of rural life and nature. Born in 1903 in Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, Lewis lived with a physical disability that made it difficult for her to walk or use her hands. Despite these challenges, she developed a passion for painting and became one of Canada's most beloved artists.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lewis began painting at a young age, using materials such as cardboard and other found objects as canvases. She developed a unique style characterized by bold, vibrant colors and simple, whimsical compositions. Her paintings often depicted rural scenes, such as farmhouses, animals, and landscapes, and were inspired by her love of nature and her life in rural Nova Scotia.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lewis's art gained recognition in the 1960s, when a collector discovered her work and began selling it in galleries throughout Canada. Despite her newfound success, Lewis remained humble and continued to live a simple life, selling her paintings for only a few dollars each.<br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Today, Lewis's art is celebrated for its unique vision of rural life and its bright, joyful colors. Her work has been featured in numerous exhibitions and is included in the collections of major art galleries throughout Canada.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In addition to her artistic achievements, Lewis is also remembered for her perseverance in the face of adversity. Despite her physical challenges and a difficult life, she found joy and beauty in the world around her and expressed this through her art. Her story is a testament to the power of creativity and the human spirit, and continues to inspire people of all ages today.<br /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">In conclusion, Maude Lewis was a Canadian folk artist whose vibrant paintings of rural life and nature continue to captivate audiences today. Her unique style and joyful approach to art have made her one of Canada's most beloved artists, and her story is a testament to the power of creativity and perseverance. Lewis's legacy lives on, inspiring new generations of artists and art lovers alike.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;">When we started our artist study, we spoke about Maud and the challenges she faced with her disability. She had a hard time using her hands and walking, but that didn't stop Maud from creating beautiful paintings that depicted bright and joyful scenes. Just because someone looks different from us, doesn't mean they have to live a different life, they can also express creativity and create something beautiful. Studying artists like Maud Lewis is one of the many ways we're looking to celebrate diversity at Maple Tree to create a more inclusive community inside and outside our school walls. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"> To start our Maud Lewis adventure, we chose to depict a classic Nova Scotia scene: the clock tower at Citadel Hill.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODc9Ny8nNRj-wxW3tr4aIAykjxsQfxBqYOkAzaoYFKuh7PEfbJyRMFMCjbCyOYDxDVZxN755wdyyBkS9dookFEgZRyogeDdK6s5oG3-1sZKR945EFIo6_vBYYofAAKasiXNiJ9wRTGIziNmtQRq0ra502kn24pgF9y4SIUkAd8N7qdHlm9lAT88RT2A/s4032/IMG_6164.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="440" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgODc9Ny8nNRj-wxW3tr4aIAykjxsQfxBqYOkAzaoYFKuh7PEfbJyRMFMCjbCyOYDxDVZxN755wdyyBkS9dookFEgZRyogeDdK6s5oG3-1sZKR945EFIo6_vBYYofAAKasiXNiJ9wRTGIziNmtQRq0ra502kn24pgF9y4SIUkAd8N7qdHlm9lAT88RT2A/w386-h440/IMG_6164.HEIC" width="386" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p style="text-align: left;">Children traced the shape of the clock tower, and added the small details such as windows, doors and of course the clock. We added beautiful bright colours just like Maud. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHU6SoqNsOka8h5cMs4SshmRsR3QhtN5Y4XGyiH1pxCo__a8ZOW5MKM-Aap21xAg6OjvcbcjeGggiBvT5Xmx-FefQ6lFhjIj-K0v_95FLz8huaq5nqP-V9NAgdIkqm-bI9P3fbwM_hb7VNm1_RIg9z3hiE-HxLKXMXGadM2Q36lgzfAA2KekCv14FdQ/s3550/IMG_9890.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2754" data-original-width="3550" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdHU6SoqNsOka8h5cMs4SshmRsR3QhtN5Y4XGyiH1pxCo__a8ZOW5MKM-Aap21xAg6OjvcbcjeGggiBvT5Xmx-FefQ6lFhjIj-K0v_95FLz8huaq5nqP-V9NAgdIkqm-bI9P3fbwM_hb7VNm1_RIg9z3hiE-HxLKXMXGadM2Q36lgzfAA2KekCv14FdQ/w403-h312/IMG_9890.heic" width="403" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdxLJLi-KmUEnZ1xBx4TL0D39q2VO-XHWEtfqSviEoU415H_hHPRSnr1pnFDoPV7-5vMz8CHP_BXMmogwz7DtcWnhP4RB4afaXZoCOmq1tih7Ln77Up_GgEee_zWvb1Ud28sxn9Vx6TTSuCQcsO3YwUj5wlKl9eotPn3eFzwRws58dsV4jMJqFOG2og/s3746/IMG_9892.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2817" data-original-width="3746" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdxLJLi-KmUEnZ1xBx4TL0D39q2VO-XHWEtfqSviEoU415H_hHPRSnr1pnFDoPV7-5vMz8CHP_BXMmogwz7DtcWnhP4RB4afaXZoCOmq1tih7Ln77Up_GgEee_zWvb1Ud28sxn9Vx6TTSuCQcsO3YwUj5wlKl9eotPn3eFzwRws58dsV4jMJqFOG2og/w396-h298/IMG_9892.heic" width="396" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2S6bkBgGNHE8iMJu8966Pq24mYZAsbT7K6nqhhgvx_XOe4m9wBsf9XWN81NHCFQFsCUEuI87NCHhVzR89Eq4tJRfVofiEJppvXoVXfZDSqRI_w3CGE_n_zEUxiC_Gw4EW3WH-ZmrmUzR58XiwEnVJYO_2GITcx4jgHXwG_9_-_ZBMmV1n5fXPzDg-Q/s3703/IMG_9893.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2661" data-original-width="3703" height="316" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2S6bkBgGNHE8iMJu8966Pq24mYZAsbT7K6nqhhgvx_XOe4m9wBsf9XWN81NHCFQFsCUEuI87NCHhVzR89Eq4tJRfVofiEJppvXoVXfZDSqRI_w3CGE_n_zEUxiC_Gw4EW3WH-ZmrmUzR58XiwEnVJYO_2GITcx4jgHXwG_9_-_ZBMmV1n5fXPzDg-Q/w439-h316/IMG_9893.heic" width="439" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Maud was an inspiration in our classroom this week. We looked at our surroundings through a different brightly coloured lens. I look forward to more conversations about her work in the week to come. </span></div></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-2521088963473619142023-02-09T13:52:00.004-04:002023-02-09T13:54:35.805-04:00Celebrating Black Artists: Black History Month <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXth14pNITsFPlhC07Ksah1nVZdjrkm8tnqJr6ZS-kC1UoNbrILk2X4-QU1pi9sAvMA84HAOPZzp0dr9qZb00z8uB9MTAbIBUlFBoxFAFRToWrSpU_SsAtmkU7Ne0DHpvF0XdZsIZyENw6eUMvBfzv3Bllw3jtfbiI_lqoK2tA8iAE6TbSbc4PgVYYuQ/s971/Alma%20Thomas.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXth14pNITsFPlhC07Ksah1nVZdjrkm8tnqJr6ZS-kC1UoNbrILk2X4-QU1pi9sAvMA84HAOPZzp0dr9qZb00z8uB9MTAbIBUlFBoxFAFRToWrSpU_SsAtmkU7Ne0DHpvF0XdZsIZyENw6eUMvBfzv3Bllw3jtfbiI_lqoK2tA8iAE6TbSbc4PgVYYuQ/s320/Alma%20Thomas.jpeg" width="264" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><u>Alma Thomas </u></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Black History Month is a time to celebrate and recognize the contributions of African Americans to American history and culture. One such contributor is Alma Thomas, an abstract expressionist painter who was born in Columbus, Georgia in 1891. Despite facing discrimination and obstacles due to her race and gender, Thomas went on to become one of the most prominent abstract expressionists of her time.</span></span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjwqikd-gCsaK1QOvPTVnYHRPI7K81uz4-g_WZCyofYofhOj5IxC03a6QQJAfW_pK2O5JPaNr2uVjYEwn9oTG3srHnIHbovOjd3FQlgldjd6hHzB9YjhP4nOz0qMWQK61LNo2PrOcMyi15lFc-d6fQtH7yPSrUELsMtX9LqszMo5OnAFFdq2jSgk1iw/s2000/saam-1978-40-3-2-1646837969.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjjwqikd-gCsaK1QOvPTVnYHRPI7K81uz4-g_WZCyofYofhOj5IxC03a6QQJAfW_pK2O5JPaNr2uVjYEwn9oTG3srHnIHbovOjd3FQlgldjd6hHzB9YjhP4nOz0qMWQK61LNo2PrOcMyi15lFc-d6fQtH7yPSrUELsMtX9LqszMo5OnAFFdq2jSgk1iw/s320/saam-1978-40-3-2-1646837969.jpg" width="260" /></a><span style="text-align: left; white-space: pre-wrap;"><div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Thomas was an artist who pushed the boundaries of traditional art forms, creating bold and vibrant works that were inspired by her love of nature and the world around her. Her use of color was especially notable, with bright, brilliant hues that lit up the canvas and drew the viewer's eye. Her paintings often featured abstracted landscapes, with patterns and shapes that seemed to dance across the canvas</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-65024035-7fff-c05a-e673-85700d9682ed"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIn0DsslXAhIpf4cknZ4i7DVvGbLeOi4fB6CmGRAxQdmWNCDXCCIm-RJ-nKZArgX1bkWK4RGGjvzPEX_DB3nK7pp-552pdse9FfOg6twnxOP3C9uqsdNWhsG0W6YKybracZliOxrv3HHGIXisOmxfwBZdYCzAXSAk9C5jl344dGhvbvHI-MrpJzdfVA/s1000/thomas_apollo12-web.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="997" data-original-width="1000" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJIn0DsslXAhIpf4cknZ4i7DVvGbLeOi4fB6CmGRAxQdmWNCDXCCIm-RJ-nKZArgX1bkWK4RGGjvzPEX_DB3nK7pp-552pdse9FfOg6twnxOP3C9uqsdNWhsG0W6YKybracZliOxrv3HHGIXisOmxfwBZdYCzAXSAk9C5jl344dGhvbvHI-MrpJzdfVA/s320/thomas_apollo12-web.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Arial; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><p></p></span><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Arial; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;">Thomas' work was ahead of its time, and her contributions to the world of abstract expressionism were truly groundbreaking. Her works were a celebration of life, joy, and the beauty of the world, and they served as a testament to her incredible talent and her unwavering spirit.</span></span></div><p></p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We have brought Alma Thomas to Maple Tree and the children have been making inspiring work. While working, we have a chance to talk to children about race, gender and equality in the past and in our community.</span> </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLhketjuiOQLA8N2YTKjxKNVCwZRjtB3FfBwU8JQxVa6fttDYg8ClvwLR9BSPexSmLi4r9SbDrpN8B_h-pa4FyGSoNW1ZbsZzzFiygOGHu7PeVCwaNJr791gNsZ1m6S77lzwS6jgY1I7ihF4xjdEeKdS-dl8TG3QqAxhxu5n4n4NK5M67vm2tuJS0cw/s4032/IMG_5680.HEIC" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLhketjuiOQLA8N2YTKjxKNVCwZRjtB3FfBwU8JQxVa6fttDYg8ClvwLR9BSPexSmLi4r9SbDrpN8B_h-pa4FyGSoNW1ZbsZzzFiygOGHu7PeVCwaNJr791gNsZ1m6S77lzwS6jgY1I7ihF4xjdEeKdS-dl8TG3QqAxhxu5n4n4NK5M67vm2tuJS0cw/s320/IMG_5680.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><br /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-17348136-7fff-5336-d428-23f3b3d4a23d"><span style="font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Practicing abstract art provides children with the freedom to express themselves in new and unconventional ways, which can be especially important for children who struggle with traditional forms of self-expression. By experimenting with abstract art, children can develop their creative problem-solving skills and learn to think outside the box.</span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><span style="font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-45913212-7fff-ad75-37a4-545dcc3dd5b1"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Creating abstract art allows children to take risks and experiment with new forms of self-expression, which can help build their confidence and self-esteem. When children are given the space to explore and experiment with abstract art, they can feel proud of their creations and gain a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, a</span><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">bstract art often requires children to use their hands and fingers in new ways, helping them to develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. This can be especially important for children who are still learning to control their movements and dexterity.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 13.999999999999998pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p></span><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-55359092678789465932022-09-28T14:56:00.003-03:002022-09-28T14:56:38.298-03:00Exploring Indigenous Art-Truth and Reconciliation Day <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVxdI2sH7XOngSUjuXy80oUohs3_uCcEdTNmM0Nz3OCHnYi6byXA5E3pSsM7FeiVPcZvlaMpRV7mZcd8EvlyhesZtPG36hbVPiP1Ln1x8m0hbVb-t3Ql3uS1gVN5qHHwSjyRM-1w__Uk__mXxudow5-R6JDzlXJzywssulzzvMsK4CixnbrCQOZxH_A/s1000/Darren-Julian-Evolving-Bear-big.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="800" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkVxdI2sH7XOngSUjuXy80oUohs3_uCcEdTNmM0Nz3OCHnYi6byXA5E3pSsM7FeiVPcZvlaMpRV7mZcd8EvlyhesZtPG36hbVPiP1Ln1x8m0hbVb-t3Ql3uS1gVN5qHHwSjyRM-1w__Uk__mXxudow5-R6JDzlXJzywssulzzvMsK4CixnbrCQOZxH_A/s320/Darren-Julian-Evolving-Bear-big.jpeg" width="256" /></a> </div><br /> How can we recognize Truth and Reconciliation with children? By celebrating the Indigenous People in our communities. <p></p><p>Truth and Reconciliation Day is an opportunity to honour the trauma and healing experienced by residential school survivors and <span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50); font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“to establish, as a statutory holiday, a National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to honour survivors, their families and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.” (Government of British Columbia, 2021). </span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50);">Starting a dialogue about the relationships between Indigenous and </span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50);">Non-Indigenous</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50);"> people is an important part of Truth and </span></span></span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50);">Reconciliation, </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(49, 49, 50);">In the Front Room of Maple Tree, we have started a special project focusing on local Indigenous artist: Darren Julian. "</span><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">Darren Julian is a First Nation Mi’kmaq artist originally from Afton, Nova Scotia. He now lives in Wagmatcook, Cape Breton. Inspired by his late father who was also an artist, Darren started drawing at a young age. Since these early years he has been improving all aspects of his work with paints, and other artistic mediums. Mr. Julian is an entirely self-taught artist, who continues to explore the Mi’kmaq culture and the beautiful land that surrounds him"(Down To Earth Art Gallery).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">For this project, I invite children into the front room where they can see a picture of the artist, and some of his works. We speak about Mr.Julain and the community he lives in, as well as the types of things he likes to paint. I ask the children what they see when they look at his work.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">H said: "I see my mommy (</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">pointing</span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);"> to the bear figure) and my daddy (</span></span><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">pointing to the figure of the man)"</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">R said: "I see people looking at themselves in a mirror"</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);">M asked me: "It's your turn, what do you think is happening here?"</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApZpPFEobtNOo0Gfj47aCKCMbyI4_BE6bDw1Vy324dFRU4kmdEz97R8UVgXnyAd1gsqTgFPpjwmzOXaXcBnCaPxsmxNM63dxHKCb-yF5YpGwYveIhL0XThUYtr5tZVZMwTV9CvFpcMW5PsE5FEk7A1xpxI2YUe-VoiyzSpZH27tAvqETrYIsDt1eZHg/s4032/IMG_4334.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjApZpPFEobtNOo0Gfj47aCKCMbyI4_BE6bDw1Vy324dFRU4kmdEz97R8UVgXnyAd1gsqTgFPpjwmzOXaXcBnCaPxsmxNM63dxHKCb-yF5YpGwYveIhL0XThUYtr5tZVZMwTV9CvFpcMW5PsE5FEk7A1xpxI2YUe-VoiyzSpZH27tAvqETrYIsDt1eZHg/s320/IMG_4334.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Children are invited to first use sharpie, and fill the page with whatever they feel inspired to draw. Some children drew animals such as birds and unicorns. Other children were inspired by the artist's works and tried to re create what they saw in front of them. Next, children were guided to use water colours on top of the shapes they created.</div><span style="caret-color: rgb(25, 25, 25);"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiWzxGAd_1REAGLCjRK4EKxxWG-EJvbbzyiGrXc0XIbcEjXDra4HuCRFbbCtSafcpUm5gzR3T7f6Ck1alTLHUc8Y8XonXi4bEFbb75b1tx-LBbLw7TX9kUZMmpy5EavXnH_Zc6OGRkKxcwH2TEMco3TXOSABln-yRuW8VTuybohMum3yybhNmEZ9ykg/s3877/IMG_0487.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1082" data-original-width="3877" height="89" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJiWzxGAd_1REAGLCjRK4EKxxWG-EJvbbzyiGrXc0XIbcEjXDra4HuCRFbbCtSafcpUm5gzR3T7f6Ck1alTLHUc8Y8XonXi4bEFbb75b1tx-LBbLw7TX9kUZMmpy5EavXnH_Zc6OGRkKxcwH2TEMco3TXOSABln-yRuW8VTuybohMum3yybhNmEZ9ykg/s320/IMG_0487.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuwlOtZpr-7OZKJxvvmqoOpWDkqgOxC5S1rtifPBZOeYPUXkuvsBoD-H3ocumRo4mkuU4HPX-FlJy-zzaJaoUitPYai3Q2FdgPLfcKkHczvgV7p5ztJ0l-PDk37hcfQaGs7EIMvZA3FTBXgwalHrH1kGl4OxvHlfW1HoXEXwPxWfpMjqwf0pSOkdxfg/s3939/IMG_0488.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="971" data-original-width="3939" height="79" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuwlOtZpr-7OZKJxvvmqoOpWDkqgOxC5S1rtifPBZOeYPUXkuvsBoD-H3ocumRo4mkuU4HPX-FlJy-zzaJaoUitPYai3Q2FdgPLfcKkHczvgV7p5ztJ0l-PDk37hcfQaGs7EIMvZA3FTBXgwalHrH1kGl4OxvHlfW1HoXEXwPxWfpMjqwf0pSOkdxfg/s320/IMG_0488.heic" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrfHBKZhg56bZwhG-yizOWWuT19VpnmjVFEO_o-BsodeY3qD4yoBBQQSaH9aG8lcNeJAEqNKdZp6gFVDdAb4piSSaR02BIwkCkjj8droMZ2ihvz74YY2D_PQX5nbcdM3q82s500hSb3g89g_DAPZsXt0uVN-oMTXyd8MYolddIQDcRjEWHLxoCbwZgQ/s4030/IMG_0489.heic" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="4030" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmrfHBKZhg56bZwhG-yizOWWuT19VpnmjVFEO_o-BsodeY3qD4yoBBQQSaH9aG8lcNeJAEqNKdZp6gFVDdAb4piSSaR02BIwkCkjj8droMZ2ihvz74YY2D_PQX5nbcdM3q82s500hSb3g89g_DAPZsXt0uVN-oMTXyd8MYolddIQDcRjEWHLxoCbwZgQ/s320/IMG_0489.heic" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am so happy with each individual interpretation of Darren Julian's work. I can't wait to see what other inspiring projects will come into the Front Room this year!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Ms.Katie </div></div><br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-2339314234729267752020-04-23T14:42:00.001-03:002020-04-23T14:42:02.755-03:00Should we or Shouldn't we say, Good Job?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">As we are now over a month into our “new normal,” I hope you and your children have all been able to enjoy time together and find a sense of peace amidst so much change! While we are all finding our footing, I have been so encouraged seeing friends and family shed old habits that were no longer serving them, and trying to use this time to build new, more positive patterns in their life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">I am sure being at home is looking quite different for each and every one of us. However, while we are going about our days separately, I find comfort in knowing we are all going through this intense change as one. As I was thinking about our collective realignment, an idea sparked for a habit we can all try to let go of together. Specifically, one very popular<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span><i class="">phrase</i><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>we can all try to let go of together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">As many of you are familiar with childcare centres, schools and parks, there is one thing you will consistently hear ring out above the rest: “Good job!” What a positive phrase... it couldn’t possibly be bad, could it? Well, it’s complicated! Of course, this is almost always stated with nothing but the best of intentions. That being said, there are so many more constructive ways we can appreciate a child’s contribution or achievement. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">In my studies, when I first heard this notion, I was confused! What is wrong with saying good job? The short answer is this: telling a child "good job” suggests that we are judging the child, rather than empowering them to reflect upon their own efforts. It tells the children in our lives to look for outside approval, versus allowing them to value their own thoughts and ideas.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">Maria Montessori said, “We must help the child to act for himself, will for himself, think for himself; this is the art of those who aspire to serve the spirit.” (Education for a New World)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">Our ultimate goal is always for the child to learn and grow for themselves, not because we would like them to. So, while we are all considering what habits we want to leave behind, and what habits we want to take forward with us in this brave new world, I think one of the best ones we can shed is the overuse of the uninspiring phrase, “good job!”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">Here are some more creative ways to encourage and show interest in your child’s work:</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“You did it!”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“How did that feel?” </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“I love the colors you’ve chosen.”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“What do you like best about your work?”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""></span><br class="" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“That was really helpful!”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""></span><br class="" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“Tell me about your picture.”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“Your brother looked so happy when you read him that book.”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""></span><br class="" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“You tidied up everything so nice and neat.”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""><b class="">“It was hard, and you stuck with it!”</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">If you are feeling stuck in the “good job” hamster wheel, it’s a great start to find one specific thing your child did, and comment on that. Show your appreciation for how your child helped and how it made you feel. While “good job,” can be a kind thing to say, it gives your child very little to walk away with. So let’s all strive to break this habit, and find new ways to light a fire for all the children in our lives. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">“The secret of good teaching is to regard the child’s intelligence as a fertile field in which seeds may be sown, to grow under the heat of flaming imagination. Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core.” - Maria Montessori (To Educate the Human Potential)</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class=""></span><br class="" /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span class="">Happy spring to all of my MTM friends, big and small. I cannot wait until we get to work together again — hopefully soon! ~ Ms. Janie</span></span></div>
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<br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-77799245529690083802020-04-22T17:18:00.002-03:002020-04-22T17:20:49.796-03:00The Montessori Math World from Home<span lang="EN">Hello Mapletree Montessori Parents!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN">This is Miss Jennifer. I am trying my hand at
writing a blogpost.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">A few weeks ago, I tried Instagram live for
the first time and it was so much fun to visit with you all in your homes. I
hope you and your children enjoyed doing some math exercises together with me.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">I hope this post will explain some background
as to why Montessori uses these math materials to promote understanding of the
language of Mathematics in our young children.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">The first Presentation we did together is
called Sandpaper Numbers.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
looked at how to say the number and then properly trace the number. Starting
from the top, then following the number down to the bottom.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
practical approach teaches the child to recognize the number visually. Then
through hearing the name and repeating the name of the number vocally. This
uses as many sense channels of learning for the child is absorbing their
environment using any many senses as they have.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Through
tracing lightly over the sandpaper material the child feels the correct shape
of the number and can self correct if needed to follow the number flowing from
top to bottom slowly. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN">In using the first two dominant hand fingers
and tucking the rest of the fingers down, the child is preparing their fine
motor muscles of their hand, thus making them stronger so as to be able to hold
and use writing tools. This helps the child to print the numbers before they
have the fine motor skills to write them successfully on their own. The
sandpaper numbers can be used with children as young as two and a half years
old, up to five years old.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">If you would like to make these materials for
use at your home.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Materials needed:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Cardboard or thick cardstock</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">White glue</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Sand or Salt (small fine grain) or glitter
glue</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Black marker</span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Method:</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Cut out a rectangle about the size
of an adult handprint (fingers closed).</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Draw numbers 0-9 large and shaped
like the numbers in the following exercise: cut-out numbers and counters.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Colour the number in</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Trace a good amount of glue on the
numbers you have drawn</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Sprinkle on sand or salt (or
glitter glue as last choice)</span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Shake off excess </span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Allow to dry overnight or until
fully dry before use<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Step 1 Step 2</span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN">Step 3</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSCCypu6qGRDtOmeAWtoRfKArjgdokQ82nwXWvMheER1j8q275UIeoQ7TurUcHk1OhWJuVo7eNSGXVTkXyxUAs09yKGbPv3iZxU0frqxPDAb52_iQPrnUukpVoMcx_FmqOUe0DEO35YNK/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBSCCypu6qGRDtOmeAWtoRfKArjgdokQ82nwXWvMheER1j8q275UIeoQ7TurUcHk1OhWJuVo7eNSGXVTkXyxUAs09yKGbPv3iZxU0frqxPDAb52_iQPrnUukpVoMcx_FmqOUe0DEO35YNK/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f11.jpg" width="155" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kUCTM_bQlZOv1QuNxAlnS73VD2P3WWrbMhwkBUuCoZCJDD4Djy_05Vl-Ez_ZCYFeKYw6p68PrA0IsUObvHQV7e8ejIqXumi2y3eYl3HmZTF5vY-kbuhS2LDeQrKRrmiRod-YFLi-yrnT/s1600/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5kUCTM_bQlZOv1QuNxAlnS73VD2P3WWrbMhwkBUuCoZCJDD4Djy_05Vl-Ez_ZCYFeKYw6p68PrA0IsUObvHQV7e8ejIqXumi2y3eYl3HmZTF5vY-kbuhS2LDeQrKRrmiRod-YFLi-yrnT/s320/UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_thumb_1f10.jpg" width="155" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span><span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-no-proof: yes;"></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I then showed how to allow the child to use
this material to count on objects.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The Procedure:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Ask the child… What number is
this? (3)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Wait for a reply. If they don't
know, that is totally okay. Just tell them the answer and smile. (it is the
number 3)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Show them how to trace the number.
You trace first with your first two fingers and start at the top and work your
way down to the bottom.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Making sure they are using their
“bunny ears” first two fingers up, the others are tucked down under their
thumb, have them trace the number. If they are having trouble tracing on their
own you can place your hand over theirs and guide them. (they trace 3 and say
3)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Have them count out the amount of
objects for that number. Example: 3 the child counts out three things. It
really helps if the objects are of similar size and shape, like stones, coins,
etc and they can all fit into one small basket or bowl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">This work is done at a table.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Please be very patient. It is totally okay to
just do one number at a time over many days, if the child is young. If the
child is showing interest in doing more, add another number. Let them count as
long as they are interested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If they
are showing that they are getting to be not interested or tired. Stop.
Acknowledge their very good work. Let them know that they can do this work
again another time with you. Let them know that this was fun for you too. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">We are laying a foundation of love for Math.
We have to be careful to not work the child too hard at first. Let their
interest and happiness guide you in playing this Game, while you work with them
for as long as they want. Some will work at this for 5 minutes; others for up
to 20 minutes.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Most of our 3 year olds love this work and
will happily do numbers 1-5 easily. It is working the understanding of 6-9,
plus the concept of 0 that will be a challenge for the child. Most of our 4
year olds have mastered this work, but love doing it as a review. Also to show
how smart they are at knowing their numbers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The game with the basket I was describing is
like this;</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Materials: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Basket or small bag or small bowl</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Objects or small toys that will be able to fit
into the basket</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Method of Game:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Show and say the number (3) Child
takes the number with them to look</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Ask child to “go to find three
things and put them in their basket”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">When the child brings back the 3
objects, have them count them out on the table in front of you. It is totally
okay if they get the answer wrong… just show and ask them the number again and
send them out to find more.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Extension for older/ elementary children:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Same as steps 1-3 ( the number now
stays on the table with you)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Ask: How many will we have if you
add (3) more?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Have child find (3) more and add
them to the objects on the table </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Say out loud: First we had (3)
then we added (3) more now we have (6)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">So 3+3=6</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">REMEMBER that the child can make the numbers
out of playdough or clay. Just have the number card nearby for the child to
copy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The second Presentation we did together is
called Numbers and Counters.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">This work is for ages three and a half to four
and five year olds.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
work builds on the visual recognition of the number as well as the amount
needed for each number. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The next building block to learn is how to
arrange the numbers into what is known as number order. We were working before
with sandpaper numbers in an isolated manner. This work puts the numbers in
order. It works with teaching the child how to remember, “what comes next?” and
also “how many?”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">The Montessori method uses the child‘s sense
of wonder at putting things in order then mixing them up and then putting them
in order again to very good use. The child would be well indoctrinated in order
versus mixed order through the use of the sensorial materials. The first
presentations a child receives, in the beginning of the school year, are
cylinder blocks using the order versus mixed order method.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26y6Pb-e0Ou7DWb9jQE2uPCbCibHkGmS7ZOz34WBUumBa5iGT8pz1gHG4nGcuNx7wsWv5ziMvHryBC7OUjDlRq84r2LmY05498PqoVKO6sJ16dP3SxF-alzLD4GJ_9YgEs0Wxqe4l3QlW/s1600/3AXLaTPkSqaficdsihvWPA_thumb_1f12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh26y6Pb-e0Ou7DWb9jQE2uPCbCibHkGmS7ZOz34WBUumBa5iGT8pz1gHG4nGcuNx7wsWv5ziMvHryBC7OUjDlRq84r2LmY05498PqoVKO6sJ16dP3SxF-alzLD4GJ_9YgEs0Wxqe4l3QlW/s640/3AXLaTPkSqaficdsihvWPA_thumb_1f12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">If you would like to make this material for
your home.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Materials:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>thick
cardstock paper</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">55 small items to arrange and count with</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">(coins, poker chips, pompoms, large beads,
dried large beans, bingo chips, marble glass drops, stones, etc.)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Small rug (or small baby blanket)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">2 Baskets, or small boxes, or bowls</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Method:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Make Number cards (½ the size we
made above) </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Make numbers 1-10 on cardboard or
cardstock. Just write the number the same as in the picture below (this is what
your sandpaper numbers should look like as well)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Place numbers into a small box,
basket or bowl.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo6; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Have the 55 objects for counting
in another container</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN">Note: you can cut
out the numbers or not.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-no-proof: yes;"><br /></span><span lang="EN"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<span lang="EN">The Procedure:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Lay out the number cards in mixed
order on the bottom of the mat. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child finds number 1, puts it at
the top right hand corner. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child finds and counts one object
and places it under the number one card.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child finds number 2, places their
left hand beside the number one already placed, makes a full hand space, then
places the number two card down on the mat.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child finds and counts two objects
and places side by side, (as if they are holding hands walking to the park)
under the number two card.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child finds number 3, makes a hand
space, places it, then finds three objects and places them in a group of two
with one underneath (should look like a triangle)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child does the same for the number
four, it‘s objects should look like a square underneath the number four card</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt; mso-list: l5 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8)<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span lang="EN">Child continues up to the number
10. Making the pattern in the picture above.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<span lang="EN">Note: this work
usually takes a long time to lay out on the mat, some children will need
encouragement to start, to continue, and to finish to the number ten. This can
be 30 minutes or take up to an hour, or more. Just be patient and let them
work. This is developing the ability to focus and concentrate to be able to
complete. They can take a snack break and come back to this material. When they
complete this work please make a good acknowledgement for their time spent and
hard work accomplished. They will be intensely proud of themselves when they
can finish and then even more so, when this work is so easy. They learn,
through this work and others, that sometimes things take a long time to do, or
that things may take many days of doing to understand or may take practice to
become competent. All of these are great qualities to instill in the child to
understand hard work will help them in the future.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 72.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Game for this material:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Parents or older sibling can ask the child to
find and point to the number 3.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Ask, “can you find (3)?” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">When the child does, acknowledge them and then
ask, “can you count it for me?”</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Acknowledge and play the game until all
numbers have been counted.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Older Children can learn about Odd and Even
numbers with this work. I will try to show this part of this work in another
instagram live.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">I really hope that this blogpost explains any
confusions that may have happened during my first instagram live. Most of the
children can use the above presentations. Please have fun working with this
work and learning how smart your children really are! It is really amazing how
fast they learn these Math concepts and language. </span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN">Have Fun! </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span lang="EN">Ms Jennifer</span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span lang="EN"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><style>
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ul
{margin-bottom:0cm;}</style>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-75823554343891003382020-04-21T13:52:00.000-03:002020-04-21T13:54:23.513-03:00The Power of Yoga <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBR1M7VbhW-LlunXAkHv48h58XDs09B-oSn6BfhJU4eDsk4r1Z_7L7XmWKV6zOQIIj-8v3QZERNoUpovdwPDau0Ov6a_CtL99ycvDHG-UvzvXP3yxpBppqWzXnAm_EGjVDkIabQ1sZcmb/s1600/IMG_1337.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjBR1M7VbhW-LlunXAkHv48h58XDs09B-oSn6BfhJU4eDsk4r1Z_7L7XmWKV6zOQIIj-8v3QZERNoUpovdwPDau0Ov6a_CtL99ycvDHG-UvzvXP3yxpBppqWzXnAm_EGjVDkIabQ1sZcmb/s320/IMG_1337.jpg" width="240" /></a> Yesterday, I came back after taking a week off. Since COVID-19 I've been teaching my children online. I've been feeling like I needed to stay connected to my children and families. I also realized, after a dear friend became sick with COVID-19 that I needed some time for myself. That getting up everyday and being cheerful online is sometimes challenging and that I needed to cut myself some slack. And then, as if the world wasn't already feeling like a very fragile place, our tiny province experienced unimaginable tragedy this past weekend. Nova Scotia is place of kindness and generosity. The people are warm and it feels like coming home when you land here. There is so much hurting right now. So much pain. </div>
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I knew I was going online to teach on Monday. How was I going to pull it together to be present for my children for Yoga. I mean really present. I decided I would focus on Sunshine and affirmations and breakdown a Sun Salutation. I started the class with a Sunshine meditation. <a href="https://sarahjanehinder.com/">Sarah Jane Hinder</a> has done a beautiful job writing books about yoga for children. They illustrations are stunning and the books are vibrant with movement, color and stories to go along with the yoga poses. I picked up my copy of Hello Sun at<a href="https://www.bhavanayogaboutique.com/"> Bhavana Boutique.</a> </div>
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I think meditations are very important for children. In the winter, I have a meditation called the melting snowman. The children love it. It's important for children to find stillness.</div>
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<u><b><i> Sunshine Meditation</i></b></u></div>
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Lie down on your back and make yourself comfortable and still. Close your eyes, take a big breath in, and slowly breath out. </div>
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Let your body feel soft and relaxed. Imagine you are floating on a very big, fluffy cloud. You can hear the birds tweeting, the hum of buzzing bees, and the flutter of butterfly wings. Imagine the warmth of the sun on your face.</div>
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with your eyes closed, slowly start to rub your hands together and feel them getting warmer. Imagine the energy from the golden sun. Place your hands on your tummy. What do you feel? Move your hands to kyour chest and fill your heart with the sun's warm, yellow light. Can you feel your heart beating? Feel the warmth spread like an orange glow across your arms and down your legs. Breath in the light and think, "I am love." Feel the sunshine's rays warming your body. You are shining bright. Breathe in the sunlight and think "I am sunshine."</div>
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Let's wake up your body by wiggling your fingers and toes. Lift your arms up to the sky and then reach them back behind your head. Point your fingers and toes and have a big stretch and a yawn. Bring your knees up to your chest and give yourself a big hug, rocking side to side, Slowly roll onto your right side and then quietly come to a seated positions. Open your eyes and feel ready for the new day. Breathe in and think "I am Happy." ~<i>from Hello Sun by Sarah Jane Hinder</i></div>
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Oh my goodness that meditation was so good to start off with yesterday. It was so uplifting and just what was needed. Next in our class we had a tune in and did some singing and chanting. We then went on to do our Sun Salutations and I talked about where Sun salutations come from and why we do them. We read Hello Sun and then I reread the story and we moved through the Sun Salutation Story for our bodies. we finished up our class with fly like a butterfly and Savasana.<br />
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Yesterday I finished our class up in Savasana with the affirmation card, Light is my Power. </div>
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I am a shining light.</div>
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I am bright, </div>
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I am glowing, </div>
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I choose to live in the light of love.</div>
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The Questions I left my children with were, "how did you shin your light today?" "How did it make you feel?"</div>
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Namaste 💗</div>
Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-80075301167793316702020-04-16T12:45:00.003-03:002020-04-16T12:45:33.714-03:00Reading work and Bunny Baskets<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5ePl047mOtr2xKFp3G2RV_0etH4HvGK1ncs-c16QxP-joV3jvtDBlw9V7Bqg2lT71hGOPI3IvauVtdcaUx0IWUwYktCV5aIfbse0zvLLyM3q6PgPWI-LvDy87dni8vExiDHhFOslsmFr/s1600/IMG_26321.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP5ePl047mOtr2xKFp3G2RV_0etH4HvGK1ncs-c16QxP-joV3jvtDBlw9V7Bqg2lT71hGOPI3IvauVtdcaUx0IWUwYktCV5aIfbse0zvLLyM3q6PgPWI-LvDy87dni8vExiDHhFOslsmFr/s400/IMG_26321.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
Maria Montessori once said, "The goal of early childhood education should be to activate the child's own natural desire to learn". I've been thinking about that a lot these last few weeks as I move through my days and think about what I will teach on line with my children next. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU_bt4lBajchiyHE4BQsDbrRKVf45ZVNu9dlt2dgezbmq9SWXRqhr3j-Wfjpg8pYVF7j3dtQMjEdlDUdoIe6vEyw6mC9CsDD7Sq00vo2yyZZf5Yq-jwCtT60ACstUCJPZtELroUj8G4Gz/s1600/IMG_26341.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguU_bt4lBajchiyHE4BQsDbrRKVf45ZVNu9dlt2dgezbmq9SWXRqhr3j-Wfjpg8pYVF7j3dtQMjEdlDUdoIe6vEyw6mC9CsDD7Sq00vo2yyZZf5Yq-jwCtT60ACstUCJPZtELroUj8G4Gz/s320/IMG_26341.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It's been tricky transitioning to online teaching. Lots of things to work out such as camera and platform I want to use that makes the most sense and is easy to use for the parents and children. We've done a lot through our school Instagram account (michellesmapletree) . Teaching online has allowed me to do a few things I haven't been able to do, such as a baking lesson. I find this really challenging in our normal set up as so many little hands want to be in on the action and then someone doesn't get a turn. Moving this to as live video has been great because the children can participate from their own home with their own ingredients and also they can adapt the recipe to meet their own food sensitivities. The baking sessions have been well received. While the the actual food is baking I stop and read a story to the children. I feel very connected during this time and it has been such a big lift to not only me but my children and their parents as well. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_zKBJ7qsDri-OLyRXA484wZfAdPIP8pvx93ISlyaiyuy4ql7avM1hLzmv5N9Wwr0X-jN7ILqYku8EjQQ_SIFh3F6g_06jMtIPGnKTUzXJmqSvuxLzMgdP9ser3r0ensM5YUfFHVIsPlL/s1600/5nem%2525p1dQOe7vfnosPA1%2525g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr_zKBJ7qsDri-OLyRXA484wZfAdPIP8pvx93ISlyaiyuy4ql7avM1hLzmv5N9Wwr0X-jN7ILqYku8EjQQ_SIFh3F6g_06jMtIPGnKTUzXJmqSvuxLzMgdP9ser3r0ensM5YUfFHVIsPlL/s400/5nem%2525p1dQOe7vfnosPA1%2525g.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
So we've done language lessons, math lessons, baking, yoga and art! Before Easter we did a live session in art making our own paper mache Easter Baskets. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0lT72gM5-uy634zeW5-AJXxrfLbUN3nunVd9b5m5gyNeKIc5F0n800wg80dgSPXnbOMQPk1dU3gsCIIy3DmuvT_VrQYgHqA9xxEl_4osN7fHXlX8xuvz33K2LBYy2gZItiitwbwB9zrT/s1600/fullsizeoutput_f4b.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1229" data-original-width="1600" height="244" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0lT72gM5-uy634zeW5-AJXxrfLbUN3nunVd9b5m5gyNeKIc5F0n800wg80dgSPXnbOMQPk1dU3gsCIIy3DmuvT_VrQYgHqA9xxEl_4osN7fHXlX8xuvz33K2LBYy2gZItiitwbwB9zrT/s320/fullsizeoutput_f4b.jpeg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Paper Mache Materials </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOamgTGk5bVwOBN0MbEZ5YZhafD7cHQCB_ac5DJJdX5m6KNYa6YDC7MSzpk8Fi6dpzpeFJvz6FIJdb7WjJECcdWvpcHsJ7P3gNJSTY4KJDTIIWlur3UhbWcE3b-_4pdVpTXxlg7hGtKEgl/s1600/Tb4NPP62Q46FCvoLlqiEdw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOamgTGk5bVwOBN0MbEZ5YZhafD7cHQCB_ac5DJJdX5m6KNYa6YDC7MSzpk8Fi6dpzpeFJvz6FIJdb7WjJECcdWvpcHsJ7P3gNJSTY4KJDTIIWlur3UhbWcE3b-_4pdVpTXxlg7hGtKEgl/s400/Tb4NPP62Q46FCvoLlqiEdw.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
I love how the baskets have turned out. The children have made Dinosaur Baskets, cat baskets and Easter Egg Baskets. Each one was different and each one was beautiful. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKun39wkw3jDzFqUQTNFkJht9fswaTFObHsTfoeBx8Vp9yEtidjoWJ1mRp-yewlBiJudEi5dA04b96BnOkldjAS760OVpwKYNA9WuHoSW-TbQNJ5eP3RJMUeztWSwUN6tRhZMXk5uo-7Nv/s1600/Image.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKun39wkw3jDzFqUQTNFkJht9fswaTFObHsTfoeBx8Vp9yEtidjoWJ1mRp-yewlBiJudEi5dA04b96BnOkldjAS760OVpwKYNA9WuHoSW-TbQNJ5eP3RJMUeztWSwUN6tRhZMXk5uo-7Nv/s320/Image.jpeg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinosaur Baskets</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGYXEZEkmaDynEFUoB4yQ7tTHNpVvlE2UZSQGR7lgjAZNVWdSaX4Z25QPtmeb4u_cWpWTBQGjD3pdDGgjJPxB78eSEOxSgKtsS8bx8IgF8ue81J2EgRP5cyR7G4ObAxST5sljBBLHldrZ/s1600/IMG_0719.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGYXEZEkmaDynEFUoB4yQ7tTHNpVvlE2UZSQGR7lgjAZNVWdSaX4Z25QPtmeb4u_cWpWTBQGjD3pdDGgjJPxB78eSEOxSgKtsS8bx8IgF8ue81J2EgRP5cyR7G4ObAxST5sljBBLHldrZ/s320/IMG_0719.jpg" width="240" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"> </td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cat Basket</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqQBtlUDh9ONyWQYT4vuJNRryQ3Fqnnw1ARdGmbt25F6r4yq0U9nWqmY_cXnrtL52s7ZsL4ur5M1VhjjVpIri4hyphenhyphenqI2LsTr9u2HTldM0zTjisJt7eLD9PVa4Kf7kCEdQCySj2EyHfPA-A/s1600/IMG_0592.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXqQBtlUDh9ONyWQYT4vuJNRryQ3Fqnnw1ARdGmbt25F6r4yq0U9nWqmY_cXnrtL52s7ZsL4ur5M1VhjjVpIri4hyphenhyphenqI2LsTr9u2HTldM0zTjisJt7eLD9PVa4Kf7kCEdQCySj2EyHfPA-A/s400/IMG_0592.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Easter Egg Bunny Basket</td></tr>
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<br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-16528736322915533652020-04-08T08:32:00.001-03:002020-04-08T08:40:33.711-03:00Dog Days and Searches <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XV2v-B8_-FJutfJcHpFWmzct9NuRdktzoMgQFLIgZ9vI3j32Jio3ILvH6ltQ2rIwGrS5CgRQlnatIwJwO2RmNpjylCANq3LWKW5KCs6ooDcrY0KSJStNwk45xxaQZJ8K4sl1ueXsYRvA/s1600/20200407_202434.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0XV2v-B8_-FJutfJcHpFWmzct9NuRdktzoMgQFLIgZ9vI3j32Jio3ILvH6ltQ2rIwGrS5CgRQlnatIwJwO2RmNpjylCANq3LWKW5KCs6ooDcrY0KSJStNwk45xxaQZJ8K4sl1ueXsYRvA/s400/20200407_202434.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ms. Madeleine's dog Oliver in his Happy Place</i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This break has given many of us extra time to spend with our families. I am grateful for having more time to spend with my 5 year old dog, Oliver. Now that it is has started to get a bit warmer, he has been resuming his duties as "paw patrol". We decided to move around some furniture so that he can look out the window to supervise. He also likes to go around the house finding things, usually a treat or a toy. It reminds me of our friends at school. If something is missing in the classroom, it's quick to find helpers since everyone is eager to help! I came across a <a href="https://383d4ada-dd15-433d-ab7a-99ad70ed9c77.filesusr.com/ugd/4d0ffd_d55ca699f4f34a95ac3110ea709d4e67.pdf">"Cherche et Trouve"</a>" (Search and Find in English) that reminded me of all our treasure hunters. The children are always eager to learn something new, especially different languages. We have some families who speak French as well (did you know we have one friend who speaks 3 languages?). </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_BmuTfWiOP4nkit-9Y0PTXuPVQdXA320bnTf9ncwiZhiJXQrfypwbLtRvshfKurjRj_RDJcFCQrdMqYp4clH0KRSx7U7Kt-kTmfESHIAyVrgxKhFd-Ew7_m-fIAzevi_pMOBdI04BHqQ/s1600/91147781_2886706118079043_3381495883207016448_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1245" data-original-width="1600" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1_BmuTfWiOP4nkit-9Y0PTXuPVQdXA320bnTf9ncwiZhiJXQrfypwbLtRvshfKurjRj_RDJcFCQrdMqYp4clH0KRSx7U7Kt-kTmfESHIAyVrgxKhFd-Ew7_m-fIAzevi_pMOBdI04BHqQ/s400/91147781_2886706118079043_3381495883207016448_o.jpg" width="400" /> </a></td><td style="text-align: center;"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Search and Find Treasure Hunt</i></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">I also found this one for all our <a href="https://383d4ada-dd15-433d-ab7a-99ad70ed9c77.filesusr.com/ugd/4d0ffd_2a8288d31c4a4e11aa0cccc93f6f5203.pdf">dinosaur</a> lovers! (I am pretty sure one of the children knows all these dinosaurs by heart!) * You know who you are!! </span></span><br />
<br />
<u><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; display: inline; float: none; font-family: "helvetica"; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">Here's what to do:</span></span></u><br />
<br />
<div dir="ltr" style="-moz-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-family: Helvetica; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: start; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">1. Cut out all the dinosaurs</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">2. Hide the dinosaurs</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">3. Use the list to check off the ones you've found (this sheet could be put in a page protector if you'd like to reuse it again)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">4. If you make two copies of the second page, this could turn into a matching game or it could turn into a memory game for one or two people! (I would recommend gluing it on construction paper so they can't see through)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">Let me know what you find on the nature walk or how you found the dinosaur game :)</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: small;">~ Ms.Madeleine</span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /></span>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-56939449778271174362020-04-01T11:58:00.001-03:002020-04-01T12:25:02.878-03:00Oatcake Magic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx3DwerRfRM4jeNPfx6H0YjTbTQoIxeOfoM-J29e7lS6QSj4uS_PzfMZts-Jc0yJ_L30fynBAw3C0J2Wm_Q9zFBunpwVpWmGsPFBXw63WopAUmaQC1iBHHH-BCVBO6mEKBoycj_uzYVMf/s1600/gYvx8VBzQg6KmhKMJHzOpQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJx3DwerRfRM4jeNPfx6H0YjTbTQoIxeOfoM-J29e7lS6QSj4uS_PzfMZts-Jc0yJ_L30fynBAw3C0J2Wm_Q9zFBunpwVpWmGsPFBXw63WopAUmaQC1iBHHH-BCVBO6mEKBoycj_uzYVMf/s400/gYvx8VBzQg6KmhKMJHzOpQ.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<u>Maple Tree Oatcakes</u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>PREHEAT OVEN to 350 Degrees </b><u><br /></u></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
3 Cups Oats</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
11/2 Cups All Purpose Flour</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 Cup Brown Sugar</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 tsp Baking Soda</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 tsp Salt </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
2TBS Chia Seeds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 Cup Hemp seeds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/4 Cup Flax Seeds </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/3 Cup Sunflower Seeds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/3 Cup pumpkin Seeds</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1 Cup Cold Butter (shortening, lard)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
1/2 Cup or more of Ice water</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mix the dry Ingredients together. Cut in the Butter or cut up the cold butter and add it in with your hands. Mix it up until it looks like the size of small peas. Next add the ice water a little at a time until it comes together in a ball when you squeeze it in yor hands. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pour your mixture out on a table and pat it into a rectangle. Cut your rectangle into square and the triangles or whatever shape you like. Bake for about 15 minutes maybe longer but check them first. They should be a golden color. Cool on a rack and enjoy with your mom and Dad! </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Today was another great online live session of baking and stories with my preschoolers. Honestly, these sessions have been so up lfting . I am loving the creative outlet and baking has been so great because if feels very one on one even though so many are coming online to the session. I really look forward to planning the next class each day and I love how connected we have become through sharing our pictures and stories around these activities.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrOpkiEUN7TCwNr8Yho-8RNSRiJPrDhqJ5sTciQv3JE3UZP96m8CCJgkOcAMFsHYjv7W1PG67AxvyFWoIf8ATKNGhEI6rR1Tryax6aOJ19W9zNNf0TOsxwQ4PLFxIIqQwvQYo8QzfxDht/s1600/image1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrOpkiEUN7TCwNr8Yho-8RNSRiJPrDhqJ5sTciQv3JE3UZP96m8CCJgkOcAMFsHYjv7W1PG67AxvyFWoIf8ATKNGhEI6rR1Tryax6aOJ19W9zNNf0TOsxwQ4PLFxIIqQwvQYo8QzfxDht/s400/image1.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Practical life work. Great job Flynn and Mila!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I am also learning so much about technology. Isn't it great when you learn how to make lemonade out of lemons!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzecpsy72SV_lVL8a8FG5rg9zLZS1OQn0-YGqsYIhq1I85UfYO_crUuqwkmO9UGt7Sla75w1HPQ4Gpfb1VsXfzTGPnsq8mRY8fMY35mIRS3MEePIXV-C4AiwTYJ-qlEAylEpFvThxBG5-h/s1600/image0.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzecpsy72SV_lVL8a8FG5rg9zLZS1OQn0-YGqsYIhq1I85UfYO_crUuqwkmO9UGt7Sla75w1HPQ4Gpfb1VsXfzTGPnsq8mRY8fMY35mIRS3MEePIXV-C4AiwTYJ-qlEAylEpFvThxBG5-h/s320/image0.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Happy Baking everyone!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-40182790693957855912019-12-18T12:48:00.001-04:002019-12-18T12:48:46.226-04:00At Quinpool this Fall<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTvxy1fNePGP7y7fpgk565mFXTffaGEX3Oe26wKQhZc4aHidSU5-EzGC6Fn2OS5QWzd2blr0xNhXp1XcXzBofHGkfZGXNnbdl23SXL9qGSFMePqHinl5ZwMHmOUO5P7kQ4u4sAWM8001/s1600/IMG_0572.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvTvxy1fNePGP7y7fpgk565mFXTffaGEX3Oe26wKQhZc4aHidSU5-EzGC6Fn2OS5QWzd2blr0xNhXp1XcXzBofHGkfZGXNnbdl23SXL9qGSFMePqHinl5ZwMHmOUO5P7kQ4u4sAWM8001/s400/IMG_0572.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-size: large;">This Fall in our Quinpool classroom, our classroom community has
been focused on exploration and creating.<span> </span> </span></div>
<div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-size: large;">Many of the children have been interested in the new Lion King Movie so
we have extended this into an exploration of the continent of Africa.<span> </span>We have been talking about the animals in
Africa.<span> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
<i>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspired by the Lion King</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring Africa on the Map</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMpJhbea6ARtdXE5glLUSi9H-kUTCXOagXPM-aeocAg0gwus2HqJnGtKa7U1zDK2jBMIOreCdb6eE2aY_iIiT-iIL4zyApJRN_T0R4pPJdwlkiQvu4-r1i_Kz7QhVtSFBus9tNVzPz216/s1600/IMG_0570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1440" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMpJhbea6ARtdXE5glLUSi9H-kUTCXOagXPM-aeocAg0gwus2HqJnGtKa7U1zDK2jBMIOreCdb6eE2aY_iIiT-iIL4zyApJRN_T0R4pPJdwlkiQvu4-r1i_Kz7QhVtSFBus9tNVzPz216/s640/IMG_0570.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Artist Study on Georgia O'keeffe</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been exploring Color and texture in art.<span> </span>We have used different materials and tools to make
art such as paint, markers, pastels, clay, play dough and natural materials
like sticks and leaves.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="Standard">
<br /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making at with the Sensorial Materials</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Digging into Clay</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br />
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-size: large;">We have been using tools like hammers, tongs, screw drivers,
spoons, pitchers and writing implements.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><div class="Standard">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Secret spaces in the Trees</td></tr>
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<br />
<div class="Standard">
<span style="font-size: large;">Outside we have<span> </span>been
playing in a natural setting building and making designs with loose parts we
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<span style="font-size: large;">
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<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-ZFEMDuyacAVHekJK1_ZYIcnU9_mORoekr_f_jhv89XgLyslD37ncsWzKAAaqm8toqqhlIOeA_EbOu-j2wIucxyDtg5vC8731MOSShJ5lGBFTITvd2KCwsY4Moj0m4cxv23OXIyKG_Gk/s1600/IMG_0569.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX-ZFEMDuyacAVHekJK1_ZYIcnU9_mORoekr_f_jhv89XgLyslD37ncsWzKAAaqm8toqqhlIOeA_EbOu-j2wIucxyDtg5vC8731MOSShJ5lGBFTITvd2KCwsY4Moj0m4cxv23OXIyKG_Gk/s400/IMG_0569.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">It has been a fun time of exploration and creativity.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-87888088720151504712019-12-06T13:27:00.001-04:002019-12-06T13:27:35.214-04:00Montessori Moment <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIabDPzNIgpumyyT0bpdJrhjYppcYve9zZ9tjb3ioeZe3vBoSeeIyBnxLtIk-ZkfcYmW-lIa3oakyZfVmjoAO3rEgf59SpAx6CuBjW8rOvsPDYj7soSn0CvAfZ-pbseHwBCgXPrkOHYth/s1600/fullsizeoutput_e34.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1368" data-original-width="1600" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOIabDPzNIgpumyyT0bpdJrhjYppcYve9zZ9tjb3ioeZe3vBoSeeIyBnxLtIk-ZkfcYmW-lIa3oakyZfVmjoAO3rEgf59SpAx6CuBjW8rOvsPDYj7soSn0CvAfZ-pbseHwBCgXPrkOHYth/s400/fullsizeoutput_e34.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px; text-align: center;">
<em>{Montessori moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</em></div>
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-13844158731460516312019-12-05T15:33:00.000-04:002019-12-05T15:33:19.138-04:00About Those Golden Beads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: start;"> Our children are lucky. They get to spend time with beautiful materials in a beautiful space. I have always been enamoured with the golden beads. In my early days when I was learning to become a Montessori teacher I spent a lot of time with the golden beads. The bead cabinet in my training classroom was all made of glass. They were shiny. The glass beads cool to the touch, and they made a beautiful sound when they clinked together. I was desperate to have glass beads in my own classroom one day and I promised myself I would. That was until I learned how impractical they are and how often they get dropped and break. I still would have committed to them except replacing glass beads is impossible. The beads would have to be taken apart and rewired. We have all the golden bead material in our classroom. It's not glass, it's plastic but it is still beautiful and the children are equally drawn to it. Getting to work with the golden beads represents growth and new responsibility in the classroom. It is regarded as 'big' work. </span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC0fMMTv5gedEaLZ_Y5ve-XtOjnObFalI6rSDPcNIyj2sMLB3_UgoSi4eOQ4igffncjOxYDAvSAqNsTcRagcx13fsETUcuxoG7KvHCtDujxd0y_jTpVlF_7zcHHx1Tv92t4BBdgh_RGI5/s1600/fullsizeoutput_e21.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcC0fMMTv5gedEaLZ_Y5ve-XtOjnObFalI6rSDPcNIyj2sMLB3_UgoSi4eOQ4igffncjOxYDAvSAqNsTcRagcx13fsETUcuxoG7KvHCtDujxd0y_jTpVlF_7zcHHx1Tv92t4BBdgh_RGI5/s400/fullsizeoutput_e21.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Teaching the names of the powers of ten</span></i><br /><span style="font-size: small;">In this presentation my friend Edward is learning the names, 'unit' , 'ten', 'hundred' and 'thousand' in association with the quantities. We work towards understanding the value of one, ten, a hundred and a thousand by sight, feel and weight. This is a three period lesson that is given to the child. The beads are brought to the table on a tray and laid out in order from left to right. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjBrmrhayTUdQxCGZ_X6St3RRIMjQork5IiI6pwoAyh_BtxuW1Dg77HFsu9scZj_ZMk6g80bNAN6TJQOzPQ7AIDc_PY9w8V_hUn9V58KcBgkp35p2_matgOPksd44WmBizg6IWZndfFgd/s1600/3lx2IbVYRKabioMpHXOMcQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjBrmrhayTUdQxCGZ_X6St3RRIMjQork5IiI6pwoAyh_BtxuW1Dg77HFsu9scZj_ZMk6g80bNAN6TJQOzPQ7AIDc_PY9w8V_hUn9V58KcBgkp35p2_matgOPksd44WmBizg6IWZndfFgd/s400/3lx2IbVYRKabioMpHXOMcQ.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Collecting hundreds from the bead cabinet </span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: 12.800000190734863px;">A</span><span style="font-size: small;">s an extension of this work, after I have already given the initial presentation. I like to have the child go to the bead cabinet and math shelf to build their own set. I find the concept really lands with the child when they can count and see ten units makes a ten and ten tens makes a hundred and ten hundreds makes a thousand. In this photo, that is what my friend Edward is doing. <br /><br />The purpose of this exercise is help the child understand the decimal system by showing that after nine a new category or power of ten is created.<br /><br />Another exercise that happens during this period is the teaching of the written symbol for the powers of ten. We have beautiful wooden number cards one, ten, one hundred and one thousand. The numerals from one to nine are in green (ones), ten to ninety in blue (tens), one hundred to nine hundred in red (hundreds), one thousand to nine thousand in green (thousands).<br /><br />The child will then practice laying the number cards out in the correct order from left to right and when confident they will then be invited to add the quantity to the number as shown in the picture below. This is such an "aha" moment for the child to see the written number and quantity together. We call this work the 'Bird's Eye View'</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbrIzmuSjVG9J7ESkLOKkainP4HVB1mVS-RQXYb_g7DcixRXObFiC68L7k6mlCIB8l6c6WVvtBjC84MYsuEC0LYYOooriQnpA0Ol1MrnAT_wjlTwaZ0I8pHVs3VdAaZLqVfrCI0zhyYY/s1600/fullsizeoutput_e1c.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTnbrIzmuSjVG9J7ESkLOKkainP4HVB1mVS-RQXYb_g7DcixRXObFiC68L7k6mlCIB8l6c6WVvtBjC84MYsuEC0LYYOooriQnpA0Ol1MrnAT_wjlTwaZ0I8pHVs3VdAaZLqVfrCI0zhyYY/s400/fullsizeoutput_e1c.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Adding golden beads (quantity) with number</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9HtUbY-TOWTzfNUJ6ZrgIER0sPZmDLFhDBtAaIeXdekEY1n2v_NM0v02goWSseXuo9aht1q44Oa6UyHyiOKKyrYO88VYrDHtCKKVbGeo3enSOMgAm_rPWQJxtUFMjylYiVwRLJ_ituUq/s1600/qsZu%2525MPNQp6mTmT6ya9SOQ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy9HtUbY-TOWTzfNUJ6ZrgIER0sPZmDLFhDBtAaIeXdekEY1n2v_NM0v02goWSseXuo9aht1q44Oa6UyHyiOKKyrYO88VYrDHtCKKVbGeo3enSOMgAm_rPWQJxtUFMjylYiVwRLJ_ituUq/s400/qsZu%2525MPNQp6mTmT6ya9SOQ.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bird's Eye View</span></i></td></tr>
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My friend Edward, is immensely proud of his work as he should be. This work took the better part of the morning to do and his commitment and focus was unwavering. </div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">*Please note ~ Permission was granted to post pictures of my friend Edward for this post. It is our policy to always protect children around social media and if I post pictures of our classroom I will never post anyone's face without permission from parents. </span></div>
<br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-53643845898850825322019-11-07T13:56:00.001-04:002019-11-07T13:56:43.171-04:00Montessori Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em style="caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.850000381469727px;">{Montessori moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember.</em></div>
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Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-5374703183711268972019-11-06T15:45:00.000-04:002019-11-06T15:45:25.561-04:00Running for Others, Running for Terry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbepMj0drAJWzz6D3MSHWwDfe8yTv3VfSJIJzi_cPuq6ulTCBy79V3J0RJwuFHYDlPc33_AqmPz8m7iR1zneAxsOHTrsKKeqXnWpYLxozvk1JqtuHsJe2iOoH6yRtg2kY4d-wwhI7FVR/s1600/IqxrUeKTTamUzBMIlhw0hA.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0HbepMj0drAJWzz6D3MSHWwDfe8yTv3VfSJIJzi_cPuq6ulTCBy79V3J0RJwuFHYDlPc33_AqmPz8m7iR1zneAxsOHTrsKKeqXnWpYLxozvk1JqtuHsJe2iOoH6yRtg2kY4d-wwhI7FVR/s400/IqxrUeKTTamUzBMIlhw0hA.MOV" width="223" /></a></div>
We had our Terry Fox Little Fox Run last month. The children were so excited. I set up the course at Ardmore park inside the basketball court. It was especially fun to get everyone together for a team bonding/building time and celebrate an important cause. Our combined effort raised over $2300.00 for the Terry Fox Foundation this year. <br />
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the children were excited. I had a warm up play list that may have included the theme song from Rocky. There was laughter, running, tears, water stations and popsicles to finish up the event with and greater than all of that, there was such a feeling of Community at our run this year. Thank you to all our parents and caregivers who helped to make that all come together!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr94DQdJ97UW0YPMKc3Ba16hysF-RPrdGFYmpL0Mxad99vaGLQkk5n_uhAa2VTD8FsxSnyUwCpdO5kF-AWZbdvpmt2srzeIaEp7YH976oHh3ZKWKlIk3Tx60ZAvLbwR0MLzG3gFeFWpW-/s1600/lDHtNXGMQgCgx9EJzANklw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxr94DQdJ97UW0YPMKc3Ba16hysF-RPrdGFYmpL0Mxad99vaGLQkk5n_uhAa2VTD8FsxSnyUwCpdO5kF-AWZbdvpmt2srzeIaEp7YH976oHh3ZKWKlIk3Tx60ZAvLbwR0MLzG3gFeFWpW-/s320/lDHtNXGMQgCgx9EJzANklw.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacVcIBe-FB1XMijaQGNchio5XlWLWsBaIlVqpG7fQY1KhmzUnnipIp5DKN_synGw637N2ChqGPAyYf4-ZvnK6Ec04JWSMrVpjTFnqoS7rX-aBR-rn3UMYQLJe6ehyLezND-P1TDj2RARY/s1600/54FiRm3uSKCCumbkXZG0hA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhacVcIBe-FB1XMijaQGNchio5XlWLWsBaIlVqpG7fQY1KhmzUnnipIp5DKN_synGw637N2ChqGPAyYf4-ZvnK6Ec04JWSMrVpjTFnqoS7rX-aBR-rn3UMYQLJe6ehyLezND-P1TDj2RARY/s320/54FiRm3uSKCCumbkXZG0hA.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<br />Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-71170391784790917052019-09-23T18:52:00.001-03:002019-09-23T18:52:36.903-03:00New Beginnings<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxxf6IWVaqqp6hhs2o9tF1Braq6JCjsZJRY2Dw0NlZXZu0AtVcviyyKeVqy5K4t4eiZMxBD7sHDbpPZUCNEhjvc0iJAzy_E3StTOjw_Pgui__IHYhnjDK6liPslmZFc5X7EJ9JykBFMT_/s1600/fullsizeoutput_db2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1155" data-original-width="1600" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYxxf6IWVaqqp6hhs2o9tF1Braq6JCjsZJRY2Dw0NlZXZu0AtVcviyyKeVqy5K4t4eiZMxBD7sHDbpPZUCNEhjvc0iJAzy_E3StTOjw_Pgui__IHYhnjDK6liPslmZFc5X7EJ9JykBFMT_/s400/fullsizeoutput_db2.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fruit stamping at the Art Table</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We have started a new year. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I love the beginning of a new year. I love
that it is full of possibilities and fresh starts. This feels like a
big year for me. It's the first time in five years we've had a big
shift in staffing. This shift feels good. There is a new energy in
our classroom. It's infectious and so much is happening both on the
Montessori working front but also creatively. Teachers are making new
materials for the shelves. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">There are a lot of Grace and Courtesy lessons
happening right now also. Lessons on how to receive something and
say,"Thank you" and how to ask for something and say "Please". The
best, most positive way to effect change is to model it and be open to
all the ideas and possibilities. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">So I am watching and listening. I am
listening to our children, and listening to our teachers. This past
year I was taking a management course at a university. I learned so
much, especially about leadership and what a leader looks like. I am
excited to mentor my new teachers. But most of all I am excited to
teach leadership in my classroom. One of the biggest parts of a
Montessori classroom is the mentoring that happens. The older children
naturally mentor the younger children. We don't call this out and say
it is mentoring it just happens very naturally. It is a beautiful thing
to watch unfold. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuYldf-jDEpl99jV7asg1D8vkWyOIPcL41KYVDawXeEhYXpuDoQoSV0Ul15u4WEZxMvUGiM2TZmbWPloQlmM00T40AwBcD4evAZ9wwkh28xLdqufx8C_rDweSYY1IaGVyjD9n7fAnYh-O/s1600/Ll7JN54pRXi6irtWRjGkJA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuYldf-jDEpl99jV7asg1D8vkWyOIPcL41KYVDawXeEhYXpuDoQoSV0Ul15u4WEZxMvUGiM2TZmbWPloQlmM00T40AwBcD4evAZ9wwkh28xLdqufx8C_rDweSYY1IaGVyjD9n7fAnYh-O/s400/Ll7JN54pRXi6irtWRjGkJA.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Parts of the Sunflower</td></tr>
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Fall arrived today; it was the subtlest of shifts. That same sublet shift is starting to happen in our classroom. We are hearing: "I
am bigger" / "I can do more" / "I want to do it myself" / "I want to be the leader" / "Show others how to do it" / "Let them know they can do
it their own way."</div>
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I've never been more excited about all that I see and hear unfolding around me. It's going to be a fantastic year!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlah5DGAAfBKKOTiPUCT93Yiz_RtLqvG7p41VvytFpt9sCWpJ92o83pu1FrkhBqerFc8hLOEQWE_ZWCasJW91ADVWzCVkYMk_3DhaFexm38Vyspo2PLZmqPlAeOwOk2vcPswEmWGn5eCia/s1600/H4fBjC8SRgugg%2525R3Nc7Qaw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlah5DGAAfBKKOTiPUCT93Yiz_RtLqvG7p41VvytFpt9sCWpJ92o83pu1FrkhBqerFc8hLOEQWE_ZWCasJW91ADVWzCVkYMk_3DhaFexm38Vyspo2PLZmqPlAeOwOk2vcPswEmWGn5eCia/s400/H4fBjC8SRgugg%2525R3Nc7Qaw.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Table Scrubbing</td></tr>
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<i>"It is necessary for the teacher to guide the child without letting
him feel her presence too much, so that she may always be ready to
supply the desired help, but may never be the obstacle between the child
and his experience". ~Maria Montessori</i>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-27187296231602242802018-11-02T09:01:00.000-03:002018-11-02T09:08:21.313-03:00Montessori Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R5MQ3Vd7tcijSYP99sF07jg8yMTIgWsp8jxVJiiJYOwiwraZ1slp_k_0BIojOkbtE2M1_RhymbBwzxkYRsxBNQgNOweJN5RZPe-4EP7iMxyIKSd-piI82ViVTFQ3VLeZbh8cqvdeIcd5/s1600/IMG_6130.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0R5MQ3Vd7tcijSYP99sF07jg8yMTIgWsp8jxVJiiJYOwiwraZ1slp_k_0BIojOkbtE2M1_RhymbBwzxkYRsxBNQgNOweJN5RZPe-4EP7iMxyIKSd-piI82ViVTFQ3VLeZbh8cqvdeIcd5/s400/IMG_6130.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #555544; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 19px;"><i>{Montessori
moment} ~ A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a
moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I
want to pause, savor and remember. ~Ms. Michelle</i></span></div>
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Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-67117807433058511282018-07-18T15:28:00.001-03:002018-07-18T15:28:43.041-03:00A Visit to Lefferts Gardens Montessori School<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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At the end of April, I had the chance to visit Lefferts Gardens Montessori School in Brooklyn New York. I actually went to the talk they were hosting for teachers and parents on the Tuesday evening when I arrived. Dr. Marlene Barron, a Montessori educator was giving a talk on how Montessori Principals develop Self-Regulation. I was very excited to attend and listen to Dr. Barron's talk. In the end, the talk was about children and making real life choices and how we chose to expose them to life all around them and those choices. Why we choose Montessori and what Montessori children do in their days that is so very different from other programs. We also looked at Forest schools in Scandinavia and how those teachers are inspired to reach and teach their children with their natural environment every day no matter what the weather is. As a Montessori educator myself I was excited to have Dr. Barron share her experiences and knowledge from her many years in the field. Dr. Barron, echoed what I already knew but, sometimes when your in it every day for many years it's comforting and reassuring to hear from someone who is still so passionate about Montessori today as she was 50 years ago. This fed my soul. It needed feeding. I was craving a learning opportunity for myself and here it was right in front of me. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Movable alphabet work. Three letter phonetic spelling.</td></tr>
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A few days later, I returned to the school to do some observations. I got to spend time in each of the classrooms at the school from toddler to elementary. <br />
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The Casa classrooms were charming and felt like an extension of home. I love how in New York every square inch of space is used. Waste not want not. I saw it over and over again. from thoughtful and fully used spaces in the classrooms to cutting hand towels into smaller usable sizes so they are not wasted. I cam away with brilliant ideas and a renewed sense of self. I am a Montessori teacher, and I must stay true to my calling and the philosophy of our method for teaching. It's so important to be the student from time to time. to take that time to reflect and create space. That's when the ideas come and where that sense of renewal comes from. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">When your student takes all the numbers out for the hundred board and they get mixed up!</td></tr>
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When I got to speak with the teachers, I heard the some of same things that I struggle with. "How do you get to everyone every day?" "How, do you manage this and what about when the children use all the Sensorial materials at once?" What I heard was so very reassuring and so very much like my own classroom. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Math Shelf</td></tr>
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"Does it all have to be perfect?" No, it doesn't and sometimes we make ourselves so crazy with the need for perfection. There is perfection in all the imperfection and I need to appreciate that. I am working on appreciating that. <a href="http://www.mylgm.com/">Lefferts Gardens Montessori School</a>, is in a converted house. It has three floors and a basement space with a beautiful library in it. They use the parks and many green spaces all around them. I loved walking around neighbourhoods and discovering all the little parks tucked into tiny places in the middle of a space you would not expect it to be. A wonderful example of this was the <a href="http://www.thehighline.org/">High Line Park</a>. A converted rail bed turned into a green space above the city. I walked it one of the days I was in New York. All along the path, different Preschool groups were there playing and having lessons outside. There was also a volunteer community garden group maintaining and looking after the garden spaces all along the path. It was wonderful. <br />
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I soaked up as much as I could. I enjoyed all of the artwork I got to see and I felt the love at this school so very much. From the parent support at Dr. Barron's talk, to the kind and loving environment the teachers and administration have created at this school. It was truly a morning well spent. I hope I get to go back, next time maybe I can teach them yoga!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The jobs board in the classroom. Each child is assigned to an area or shelf to care for each day. Its very much teach them to do it themselves. Such a sense of pride and ownership in these classrooms. It was overflowing. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Library. A fantastic use of this basement space. </td></tr>
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The last day of my trip I was able to connect with <a href="http://mapletreemontessori.blogspot.com/2015/01/friendship.html">Ms. Wendy's </a>family. It was important for me to connect with her family. It helps me keep her with me. She was my Montessori mentor and a very dear friend.Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-43881078293278639272018-02-23T15:27:00.002-04:002018-02-23T15:27:13.877-04:00This Montessori Moment<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyePfveP37MMzgbNzxfi6SI-JECznEKP5MAQ1naYGjSycFsPWQ0OyYJ6zox2zysl7ZH7oyPa-pVvy_ODCkNwthUXhNxzMMVdVqRuhJ3zJq2txEKG-ZS_4ARfxLcOujMyBc2LvglOFQ3SA/s1600/IMG_5137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyePfveP37MMzgbNzxfi6SI-JECznEKP5MAQ1naYGjSycFsPWQ0OyYJ6zox2zysl7ZH7oyPa-pVvy_ODCkNwthUXhNxzMMVdVqRuhJ3zJq2txEKG-ZS_4ARfxLcOujMyBc2LvglOFQ3SA/s400/IMG_5137.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<em style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 14.85px; text-align: start;"><em>{Montessori moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savo</em><em>r and remember.</em></em></div>
Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-77560134901603205522018-02-12T10:13:00.001-04:002018-02-12T10:13:20.306-04:00Color and Pattern<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: small;">Some of the children have been experimenting with color,
patterns and shapes in the classroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Maria Montessori spoke about the sensitive period for development and
refinement of perception through touch, smell, taste, hearing and sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This happens from birth through 4 1/2.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sensorial materials such as the pink
tower, broad stair, color tablets and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>the geometric cabinet are a great way to develop this sensitivity.
Children learn about color and shading by using the color tablets.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Engaging in art activities extends and refines what we learn from using the sensorial materials.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">We learned about symmetry and color by painting hearts in different ways. The children have also been experimenting with color by mixing primary colors with eye droppers and mixing colors with plasticine. In addition to learning about primary and secondary colors, these activities are a great way to promote fine motor development. They have been using their newly mixed colors to make temporary designs on a black canvas.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Posted By~Ms. Melanie</span></div>
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</style>Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-4446695180117222622018-02-06T14:38:00.000-04:002018-02-06T15:20:53.282-04:00The Last few Months at Oxford Street<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4cQdD0zHMUsfv3BFsZrklDdJTwPmacD0vZEnQ-02Odn0dV8uiCiYhSfFbDaqmCEJvmT2P_0wcf89qbF6c_R2blMT8GJPzpMcA-du0Kd_vsQZXEU87hxvwrs6AbYmgLqkskkrSPYXVP3r/s1600/IMG_4446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc4cQdD0zHMUsfv3BFsZrklDdJTwPmacD0vZEnQ-02Odn0dV8uiCiYhSfFbDaqmCEJvmT2P_0wcf89qbF6c_R2blMT8GJPzpMcA-du0Kd_vsQZXEU87hxvwrs6AbYmgLqkskkrSPYXVP3r/s400/IMG_4446.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple Finger Painting</td></tr>
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It's hard to believe we are into February already. The last few months have flown by and I have been quiet in this space. I am not going to say I am sorry for being absent from here. I've come to learn, that we live in a world where all we do, is say we are sorry. Sorry for so many things. I am not sorry that I am busy teaching in my classroom or that I choose to spend my evenings with my children (one is in his final year of high school and getting ready to leave us). I started Maple Tree when he was two and in two months he will be eighteen. My life is shifting as it should and I am getting ready for the next transition. A smaller family, empty nest and making a choice to slow down. I don't want to be in front of a screen all the time and I don't want to live with regrets. There is lots of self reflection in my life these days and one of the things I have reflected on is this blog. Melanie and I have made a plan to update this space two maybe three times a week. We will each be responsible for one post each a week and I may post a Montessori Moment on Fridays if time permits. That feels like a great compromise for me and really she should write her thoughts on her classroom as I should on my classroom. So here, is a breakdown on what we did in the fall.<br />
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We've done a lot a work on Part's of the Apple with Nomenclature cards and labeling the parts of an apple. This work expanded at our Art table and we set up a space for the children to enjoy a sensory experience with finger paint. I loved how this project unfolded and how each child's versions was so<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Q_638OBogRdTLlHhLdHJmKrOXYmSINMNr-8jSrCANE2NUehmtQ3ZL-oe3EGM8svWOxuWqU3a6F49WHtsux543IkZdOr7eXKPk_N-oFsclFmkqA1M8Y1UR0l8ZkulgHDe9mu6bt6XNHv/s1600/IMG_4593.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh2Q_638OBogRdTLlHhLdHJmKrOXYmSINMNr-8jSrCANE2NUehmtQ3ZL-oe3EGM8svWOxuWqU3a6F49WHtsux543IkZdOr7eXKPk_N-oFsclFmkqA1M8Y1UR0l8ZkulgHDe9mu6bt6XNHv/s320/IMG_4593.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sewing Acorns with Cardboard and Yarn</td></tr>
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very different from the next one someone else painted. Sensory work whether it's painting or working with Pink Tower, Red Rods, Geometric Solids, etc is so very important. It is extremely calming. comforting and grounding for children. Paint is just a wonderful extension of our Montessori Materials.<br />
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We set up Early Sewing work on our Art shelf. The children who have mastered the Stitching block and moved on to this work. We do a lot of sewing in our classroom. I am a sewer and I think this is a very important part of Practical Life work that all children need to know how to do. I've had children come to school with a hole in their sock only to go to the shelf and get the materials to sew it up and put it back on their foot. There is such a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment knowing you can do that for yourself. Maria Montessori once said, <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">“The essence of </span><b style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">independence</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><i> is to be able to do something for one's self.” “The child can develop fully by means of experience in his environment. We call such experiences 'work'.” </i>This is just one of the many great examples of independence at work. </span><br />
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We did an artist study of Van Gogh in the fall. I set up a vase of Sunflowers with a sample idea next to the easel. The results were lovely. It was wonderful to watch that unfold and see the children paint their own versions.<br />
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With our second year students we dove into the botany cabinet. We took some time to really look at all the leaf shapes in the botany cabinet and then see if we could find matches for them in our outside experiences during playground times and nature walks.<br />
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Some of the second year children have been nature journaling through pencil work and water colour paint and pressing leaves in their journals.<br />
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We also took some time to set up pin pushing work using the shapes from the botany cabinet. Many of our children made leaf books. Pin Pushing work is fantastic, as it really helps children who struggle with a weak pincher grasp to develop that more and strengthen the hand. It was optional to write the names in their leaf books and many children chose to do that. </div>
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Cutting, Glueing and Printing are such important pieces of work and children really love to cut paper and use glue. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJyhMg-PujkK92_DcTd2BD7nyasxh7OUtf_95cHRvL5u8VROzj4s9zH1A8vuuRhjIQdqLqO8b_S7W2W_wKslVHvH4RFJKyhExYKmxrXLfnCshpEhGtkww0dZpYVaNX8H5EZvnlYKL3yPG/s1600/IMG_4710.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJyhMg-PujkK92_DcTd2BD7nyasxh7OUtf_95cHRvL5u8VROzj4s9zH1A8vuuRhjIQdqLqO8b_S7W2W_wKslVHvH4RFJKyhExYKmxrXLfnCshpEhGtkww0dZpYVaNX8H5EZvnlYKL3yPG/s400/IMG_4710.JPG" width="300" /></a>We looked at Georgia O'Keefe in October and Poppy Art Ideas showed up at the art table and in our practical life shelves in the classroom. From tearing paper into tiny pieces to making poppies, to Pin pushing them out from paper to sewing them into pins with buttons. We found many ways to appreciate poppies and talk about Georgia O'Keefe.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SVmv986HyIwkyKqz-G2A5mPVf3TtTSA7XyiPuAbywFxV2BTmbEVPizVM6rgLWdTu0TF8_meXH24svvWbGT8n9VpBHg0Zl52dkQQPKtLVnmqKJKG3P8cs3H7qk1ZV5WjIuwMaR7h_Os3D/s1600/IMG_4709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SVmv986HyIwkyKqz-G2A5mPVf3TtTSA7XyiPuAbywFxV2BTmbEVPizVM6rgLWdTu0TF8_meXH24svvWbGT8n9VpBHg0Zl52dkQQPKtLVnmqKJKG3P8cs3H7qk1ZV5WjIuwMaR7h_Os3D/s400/IMG_4709.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXZ-DrmpEkbxVFWNHgxdsRhf-HMi6JCqAnfJQ0ZU7ydcf-TJlThvZhfm-zSgQccg_spb02EH2E1MjTleAhA7aYxugxz2vblqgAc_DFY8vYpgXoYwA_7qUFwgTy-aJrA40cB2SFdm_JU7g/s1600/IMG_4714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDXZ-DrmpEkbxVFWNHgxdsRhf-HMi6JCqAnfJQ0ZU7ydcf-TJlThvZhfm-zSgQccg_spb02EH2E1MjTleAhA7aYxugxz2vblqgAc_DFY8vYpgXoYwA_7qUFwgTy-aJrA40cB2SFdm_JU7g/s320/IMG_4714.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy Button Sewing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQruuqo1VD7tYmgVfrc0PVHxDseOf6rYUtbFWA5JYal6CMIh3Qs5Qm8QX8WuexXpgoLE8NJtsI0499DhCbcStCIJKyYHXMffh_PskEGZej461ZKnR-TetYKKVB_HXreedOSPY_CGbprOXV/s1600/IMG_4708.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQruuqo1VD7tYmgVfrc0PVHxDseOf6rYUtbFWA5JYal6CMIh3Qs5Qm8QX8WuexXpgoLE8NJtsI0499DhCbcStCIJKyYHXMffh_PskEGZej461ZKnR-TetYKKVB_HXreedOSPY_CGbprOXV/s320/IMG_4708.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Poppy Pin Pushing Work</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR6EtajKQ0ooQgBN-FGrjsZhGdeGwy2NJUUnXofRRjYcqPvY5bFtJ-mEfIJswKqIQdey7Q-G4XJsr1GXs4K4-1IgEoJlUtvjt1QtPfHvG1ges4jrjm7HaLMG1t76QpMawbmowqU402i5q/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDR6EtajKQ0ooQgBN-FGrjsZhGdeGwy2NJUUnXofRRjYcqPvY5bFtJ-mEfIJswKqIQdey7Q-G4XJsr1GXs4K4-1IgEoJlUtvjt1QtPfHvG1ges4jrjm7HaLMG1t76QpMawbmowqU402i5q/s640/IMG_4644.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Extension work with Natural Geometric Shapes</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aNKNl1YYRdmKNg3SLiifaYDr6KMIryKYZceALRDGdd5siAdP9CWRG0lPo2jZb0Bzc3kT1Mf63AftP29pMOy07Cu-_HDIlqPCugca4irQO6OpDPekaS0GbbiXcN59_f6fkJu4P9mDBwyc/s1600/IMG_4723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7aNKNl1YYRdmKNg3SLiifaYDr6KMIryKYZceALRDGdd5siAdP9CWRG0lPo2jZb0Bzc3kT1Mf63AftP29pMOy07Cu-_HDIlqPCugca4irQO6OpDPekaS0GbbiXcN59_f6fkJu4P9mDBwyc/s400/IMG_4723.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van Gogh Self Portrait Work</td></tr>
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When we looked at Van Gogh's Sunflowers we also set up an independent work space so that children could explore the idea of making a self portrait.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Namaste ~ End of Yoga class<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Some of you may or may not know but in September I started my 200 hr Yoga Teacher Certification and in June I will be finished with that credential. I Did my Radiant Child Yoga Teacher certification back in the fall of 2011. I was personally practicing yoga long before that. I can truly say that having yoga as part of ours days at Maple Tree has been a wonderful addition to our program. Every day I witness the benefits of children connecting to their breath and movement. Right now, my work around this is about the teachings and how they relate to every day life. I am learning so much right now and by extension your children are learning so much right now. Kindness, Strength, Softness, Breath and Movement. What to do when they just want to collapse in tears and how to channel that energy in a positive way. Yoga has been a gift not only to me this year but also to my children.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MEerSC1XkM69ryZPJ1eljwGb6sQ2pR3jBEAVhyphenhyphen3C7U9FHPU4ezf6N8gP621KMeoCupcqIoG6BxQcgmlfluzBAV_lA0xjxq_MHFBGSvSD7lC6xbgrAr3wGMJ0e5_4XhulG66wRTuAlTXZ/s1600/IMG_4848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-MEerSC1XkM69ryZPJ1eljwGb6sQ2pR3jBEAVhyphenhyphen3C7U9FHPU4ezf6N8gP621KMeoCupcqIoG6BxQcgmlfluzBAV_lA0xjxq_MHFBGSvSD7lC6xbgrAr3wGMJ0e5_4XhulG66wRTuAlTXZ/s400/IMG_4848.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Van Gogh Starry Night</td></tr>
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I so loved this large group project. <a href="https://artprojectsforkids.org/">Kathy Barbro, Art Projects for Kids</a> is a wonderful site that has for sale large Pdf available to all kinds of paintings. You print them out in 8x11 size sheets and put them together like a puzzle to make a large master piece. We used Soft Pastels on this project and I sealed it with Hair Spray when it was finished. It was a calming, community based activity that we had going on for several days in our classroom that the children could come and go from. Many would tuck into their usual Montessori work and during transition from one thing to another they would pause and stop and settle in and add their mark to the project.<br />
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This pastel master piece made it's way into school as a gift for me. This little boy was clearly taken with Starry Night so much that he promptly went home and drew his own version. I love that his Mom, let him go for it with oil pastels! I actually think I need to frame it. Right now it sits in my office on the wall next to another smaller picture done in marker of Starry Night by another friend. These are such wonderful gifts and in them if I look closely enough, teachings from my children. Oh the gifts we receive each and every day. We are lucky for certain.Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2272254576356498909.post-3086128615300410222018-02-01T20:34:00.001-04:002018-02-01T20:34:15.357-04:00This Montessori Moment<em><em><br /></em></em>
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<em><em>{Montessori moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savo</em><em>r and remember.</em></em><br />
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Michelle Clearyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18373576948102271972noreply@blogger.com0