Learning

I've been reading a very interesting book about how people learn. there are some thoughts that I've been wanting to record for a few days now about "Transfer." The ability of learning to transfer to another subject or different context.

One of the first relevant factors is that you actually have to master the initial subject with initial learning before transfer will occur. There is a difference between understanding and memorizing. Often an organizing lecture will help to provide a framework from which to learn. This is particularly true in a school setting when faced with tasks that have no meaning. Understanding when to use new knowledge is enhanced through contrasting cases.

Challenges must be at the proper level of difficulty to remain motivating and prevent frustration.

This leads a lot of things to think about when teaching preschool. In the Montessori classroom there is the opportunity to teach at many different levels, yet I also need to organize and adapt to everyone. This is ideal for the "Needs of Man" unit. It's a good time to think about abstract concepts, finding out what children know to begin with and building connections with their knowledge.

Most days I'm waking up with thoughts of the classroom in my mind. Processing some very useful things in my head.

Summer School is Over

Wow. Today was more of a challenge then the last several days. I'm not used to working the last day of school. Just the way my schedule has been the last few years. I knew that it was coming, and I know exactly what triggered it. I still hate the chaos. It's primarily generated by the structure of the school. It was a combination of excitement, sadness, and changes in the classroom.

It's amazing how much I know them now, and how I know that I will miss them. The classroom will feel so strange when I go in on Monday to prep for the fall. One child had his best day yet- except for pulling over a chair and trying to reach the candles. Sigh. Another girl had a melt-down on a scale that I hadn't seen before. I knew some of the boys would go wild without some guidance so I pulled some new practical life and sensorial works specifically to involve them. It worked incredibly well. I know what they need now. I don't feel as if the classroom was properly prepared before. It's getting better.

I can't wait till some of the materials that I've ordered arrive. It's how I want to set things up. What we need. It's so nice to have a budget and the ability to spend it as I see fit. I know that I'm going to have to invest in Practical life materials. So much is so small that it's really only fit for more advanced work. No basic pouring, etc. I did make a good start on setting up several of the things that I've had in my mind.

The parents have loved the little notes that I've sent them. I have to find a way to type them though. Handwriting is like hand sewing. Far too slow!

The Needs of Man

The fall curriculum is about Needs of Man. It's been a long time since I actually studied Mazlov's hierarchy. Looking at it briefly- it's much more detailed than I remember. However, the real point at this age is to connect with what they know/think/believe and distinguish between needs and wants. I think it will be interesting. Especially when you look at combining that with Grace & Courtesy and the beginnings of the peace curriculum.

I do wonder though if we should do more to follow up on the Olympics. It's starting now. The need to compete. The need to have fun. It ties in nicely. I'm going to look it up and think about it more.