Day 9 - Bringing the outside in and the inside out

Today we continued the cosmic methods for Montessori with a focused on the natural sciences. Jerry has been guiding us to bring the outdoors into the classroom along with connecting with the nature outdoors.

As we are in an electronic age it is crucial to help children connect with nature

One activity we did was to go out in nature, explore and find two leaves. As we go to retain the leaves we must also be conscious of where we are picking them as to allow nature’s environment to stay as close to how it is. We can do this through picking it consciously and with appreciation. After I picked my leaves I came back to class where we all observed and identified our leaves along with matching its shape to a wooden puzzle piece. I really enjoyed how this lesson combined, botany, math, vocabulary and nature appreciation.

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I really enjoyed learning about the culture table and the peace table. For example, 
I really like the idea of a culture box which is a box filled with artifacts of a particular country.  At the peace table, I enjoy the the zen sand box and all the materials that allow a child to self regulate. The culture table allow a child to learn about other from a greater depth. The peace table teaches a child to care for them selves. These two table create a greater sense of awareness which is part of the Montessori Peace Flower.

The peace flower can be incorporated into the classroom in. We did an activity which was mindful eating. I will include this with the children. An extension of this would be mindful walking. My intention would be to assist children into bringing awareness into all their thoughts, words and actions along with challenging myself and staff to be on this same page. Together we can work together and make fields of colorful flowers that spread the fragrance of peace where they stand.

Affirmation of the day: I am filled with wonder and awe, integrating and merging all aspects of life.