We’re experimenting with a new system to keep us on task for the second semester of the school year. I’ve never tried anything like this before since our school has been extremely Montessori influenced. I follow Maria Montessori’s philosophy that children don’t need a flashy system of rewards in order to work. The satisfaction of accomplishment is reward enough. So that being said, this chart doesn’t have any reward accompanying it.
On the other hand, I have felt a little sluggish coming back from our Christmas Break and I can sense it in the boys too. I decided to try a chart to see if it would help motivate us and keep us on track. John Robert’s chart includes the main skills we are working on at the moment: Reading, Math, Riding his Bike, Tying his Shoes and a space for “Free Work” (aka his Montessori Work Period). Asher’s chart has: the 4 letters he’s reviewing, Red Rods (a work he never chooses on his own), Riding his Scooter, Lacing and his “Free Work.” This chart can be updated weekly depending on what we want to work on.
I’ve heard of Montessori classrooms of older children offering similar guidelines to keep children accountable for their work load. The children are allowed to finish the work in whatever order they choose and can spend however long they want on each subject, but they are required to complete all of the subjects asked of them.
Which brings up these questions: How do you feel about charts, lists or guidelines for work in Montessori environments? Do you think it compliments or conflicts with Maria Montessori’s philosophy? Would you ever use a chart, list or guideline in your school room? I’d love to hear from both Montessori moms and educators. What’s your opinion?
Wouldn’t the sticker be a reward?
We haven’t gone here yet, but our children are only 2. I would assume that the teachers/guides have a sort of chart in what they are keeping track of with each child but instead of having an overt chart that the child sees, wouldn’t they just find a verbal suggestion or some other way to guide them to pick up the components that they are missing rather than a chart, especially a chart that the child did not create himself/herself?
I’m not a trained Montessori teacher but just trying to do this at home with our twin 2-year-olds so far, and they also go to a Montessori parent/toddler class but are too young to start school. So, with that being said, I think I would oppose a chart like this (no offense) and would try other strategies first to encourage them to do the activities that they are not doing. Failing that, maybe have them make the chart themselves and write in what they are missing with help from you but at least they more involved.
I guess the sticker would be a reward if my children were easily pleased. ;) I meant that there isn’t candy or a toy given by filling up the entire chart or anything like that. I agree, that this probably isn’t the most Montessori of strategies…but it seems like we might be slowly transitioning away from Montessori. I truly don’t want that to be the case, so I’m going to try to hang on the best I can. So far, this chart system certainly has it’s benefits. Maybe our homeschool isn’t meant to be black and white. Maybe we’re more of a gray… :)
Thanks for your feedback. I loved hearing your perspective.
I teach and have found that there are kids that need a little more guidance to stay on task or to make sure they are moving to the different areas. I would say that as long as there are choices within your environment that it would stay within the principles. I agree that there is a gray area and that you have to take in consideration the kids and the way to make sure they are growing and moving forward. I think you could try to use it for awhile and then try to phase it out to go back to a more free choice feeling. Good luck!!
I love that idea. Use if for awhile and then phase it out. Maybe we just need it for a bit to get us moving back in the right direction. Thanks for stopping by and sharing your opinion. I really appreciate it.
We use charts, Lori. The kids still have plenty of things to choose from within the day that I don’t let our use of charts bother me:) It may not be the most Montessori, but they do work for us. We do usually phase them out. The children seem to need them less as they get used to a new routine. When they get in a rut, they get the chart again until the routine is set again.
I completely understand where you are coming from. My gang is 5, 3 and 1 with the oldest and youngest having severe chronic medical issues. Sometimes just getting to the classroom is enough to wipe me out mentally and physically. I came up with a binder system that is mostly working for us so far. I posted about it a while back here: http://www.graceandgreenpastures.com/2012/02/montessori-our-way-part-2-planning.html I generally plan the details one week in advance. That gives me the ability to adjust as we go. Some weeks we jump ahead in an area when one child is particularly interested. Other weeks I pass some things off because no one was feeling it. It’s hard to feel like you’re offering the comprehensive experience all the while allowing them to direct their own development. I have stumbled across a few tricks that work for enticing my own children into a lesson they otherwise would avoid in perpetuity. I put some of the essentials in our opening and closing circle time. For example, if I highlight a particular practical life activity during our sharing time they will most likely fight over who gets to do it first when their free time begins. Another big winner has been giving presentations to myself. All I have to do is pull something off the shelf and begin working with it to attract a crowd. Plus, it gives me a chance to practice with presenting.
My children are aware that the planning binder exists. I do bring it out during class from time to time, although it is just for me to follow. Like I said above, I try not to view it as a must-do task list. I have a tendency to be a bit type-a. Our best moments have always been 100% unplanned. As for myself, I’m not the type that would put a sticker chart out simply because it would become the motivating factor, especially for my daughter. Every child is different though. I do know that measures like this are seen as strongly anti-Montessori, especially among the purists. I used to fall more in that camp when my children were younger. They were also healthier back then and fewer in number. At the end of the day, you have to do what works for you and your resource pool, whether it be time, money or sanity. We all live in vastly different circumstances. The last four months for us have been nothing short of shocking in our household. I quickly learned that digging in my heels to stay on course wasn’t helping anyone. As great as “ideal” may be, we have to be careful what we sacrifice to accomplish it. If this is working, stay with it. If it isn’t, change it.
And now that you mention it, no one ever picks the red rods here either.
Hahaha, I’m glad we’re not the only ones where the red rods aren’t a favorite. Thanks for sharing your story. I’ll have to stop by later and check out your binder. I love the idea of practicing presenting. Very sneaky, Ms. Bess. I love it!
I too am not Montessori trained, I have learned so much from your site.but I think I have a bit of an eclectic Homeschool environment and I think that is okay..My recent motto is stages and ages..The children need different things at different stages and ages and if this chart is getting you all back on track, then I LOVE IT. You are not abandoning Montessori,merely tweeking for your stage and age..That is my opinion on the matter..
Fantastic philosophy, Sha-Toina. Education evolves, changes and grows, right!? I’m glad you feel that we can tweek it to fit our homes and the stage we’re in. I’ve always felt that way too.
Love it! I need to do something like this. When I used to teach the children would assist in making a list if they were having trouble making appropriate work choices. What you are doing is actually very Montessori. It helps the child make good independent choices. As they begin doing the work again on their own you simply ease away from the list.
Thanks for the reminder!
I’m so happy to hear you’ve found success with this type of organizing tasks. I’ve received such great feedback and suggestions. Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion and share your experiences.
Lori, this has been a huge issue here with trying to keep on track, esspecially since I need to keep Bunny moving forward on the state standard. So I decided that I need some real Montessori advise. After talking to many different Montessori teachers, I found out that everyone uses some kind of system to help the kids keep track of what they need to do and when they do it! Every Montessori school needs to make sure that each child is meeting the state standards, so that means that each child is required to do a certain amount of work! So the teachers sit down at the begining of each week to set a list of work that they are going to do that week. Once they have done their work that they listed for the day, they are free to choose anything else they want. The list simple like the one you described and it doesnt take super long. So long as they make sure that their requirments are met, they are free to choose their own work! You see, the Montessori philosophy is that the child has freedom, but it is freedom within limits. They need to learn that time should managed properly, that responsibility is theirs, and that there is someone that will help them learn to manage things on their own. It is in fact considered a practical life exercise for the elementary student! In many Montessori schools, these lists begin in Kindergarden. I hope that helps. It seems that your lists are super simple and a perfect way for you and the boys to find a way to keep things going! Bunny has the requirment that she choose a reading work, a math work, and language work each day. Somedays there is more, sometimes that’s it! That is what homeschooling is all about! Happy Schooling!
Oh, Stephanie! You gave me all of the info I needed to hear. Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I love that it’s considered practical life for them to manage their time and fulfill their responsibilities. You just made my night. It also is wonderful to hear that Bunny needs a little persuading on the reading too. It’s such a hard skill to master and even though JR wants to read, he has a hard time practicing sometimes. He’ll tell me, “I know I need to practice, but my brain just doesn’t want to do it.” He’s such a sweetie.
I was a Montessori Directress before our second son was born. After he was born and not breathing and having problems we closed the school. I have been a stay at home Montessori mom ever since. In our school we used charts which listed every subject we had in our environment, our school taught K to 6th in one classroom. The kids used the chart to keep track of what they have done and what areas they still needed to work on. When they completed a lesson they maeRked it on their chart and picked something else to work on. They used it as a guide. Our idea was the next morning when they came in they could see what they already did the day before and what areas they still needed to explore. It helped the kids to have control over their environment and helped to ensure they explored all areas. Every child had their favorite lessons and ones they just really didn’t want to do. This system helped them to remember to do the things they really didn’t enjoy. I encouraged them to do the lessons they didn’t like that much first, to get them out of the way, then they could enjoy the rest. Worked for us. Now that I only have our 5 yr old daughter (and a few friends ever now and than) to do Montessori we still use this idea. Our system is a little different on. For our daughter I made 3×3 cards that list all areas (history, botany, zoology, language, phonics, reading, writing, math, geometry, geography, colors, nature study, art, practical life, and any others we want to add). Her cards are kept in a box and when she chooses which one she wants to do she transfers it into another box, when that box has all the cards she transfers them back into the first box. It just helps her have control over her Montessori work without me having to remind her what areas she forgot or avoids. It’s a win win for us. Sorry this was so long. Just had experience in this area for over 20 hrs. I say if it works for you and your lovely family…..than do it! :)
Thank you Kortney. I highly value your opinion and advice. I’m so glad you commented. I love the index cards idea. That’s a wonderful system too. Thanks for sharing your experience with us. Have a great week! -Lori