Thinking Maps

In our district, we use something called Thinking Maps. Thinking Maps are 8 different graphic organizers used to organized thoughts in a cohesive, visual way. We use Circle Maps for defining, Bubble Maps for describing, Double Bubble Maps for comparing and contrasting, Tree Maps for classifying, Bridge Maps for analogies, Brace maps for breaking down into parts, Flow Maps for sequencing, and Multi-Flow maps for cause and effect.

Making a Tree Map of animals of the rainforest and their habitat (forest floor, canopy, etc.). They are classifying their animals.

Making a Double Bubble Map after reading a book about families a long time ago and now. He is comparing and contrasting the 2 kinds of families.

Making a Double Bubble Map about 2 different books about hermit crabs.

Reseraching with Technology

We are blessed to have a few district iPads in our room. Technology in a Montessori room is something used strategically and purposefully. We are using this amazing tool for (what else?) research! Here are some photos of us using this technology to do amazing work. By the way, how fitting is it we use Google and Wikipedia to do our in class research and the founders of Google and Wikipedia all went to Montessori school?

 

Our Easter Eggs

Before Easter, our class made Easter egg pinatas. We have been studying countries of North America (including Mexico) so this fit in nicely. Everyone enjoyed this long and messy project!

So how did we do it?

First, we wrapped paper mache around a balloon. To do this at home, combine equal parts flour and water and a dash of salt. Dip strips of newspaper in the mixture. Wipe off the excess. Wrap around the balloon smoothly.

It was messy, but we had fun.

After the paper mache dried, we painted them

Loving the sunshine while we work.

After the paint dried, we popped the balloon, put some candy inside, taped up the hole, then painted over the tape. Voila!

The girls.

The boys.

Ling Ling goes to the Smoky Mountains!

Ling Ling has been globetrotting again! Last week, he went to the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. He got to see beautiful mountains and got to go to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge. Thank you so much to the family who hosted Ling Ling!

Historical Figure Day

We've worked hard for the past month researching someone from history and writing a biography on that person. Last Friday, we all dressed up and read our biographies to the class.

We all found a partner to practice reading our biographies.

I have a dream!

Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth I

Did you know Doc Holliday was born with a dentist?

Dr. Montessori. I was starstruck.

Sacagawea and Jean Baptiste

From Left: Martin Luther King Jr, Thomas Jefferson, Doc Holliday, Walt Disney, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Colonel Chamberlain, Claude Monet, and Jackie Robinson Jr.

From Left: Princess Diana, Queen Elizabeth I, Dr. Montessori, Sacagawea, Del Wood, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Clara Barton, and Pocahontas

The whole gang

Dr. Steven Hughes

Dr. Steven Hughes was one of the keynote speakers at the national conference last weekend. He is incredible. He is a pediatric neuropsychologist and a proud parent of a child in Montessori. If you ever get a chance to hear him speak, he will knock your socks off. He talks about where education is heading and how Montessori education is the solution to many of the issues we're running into. He outlines brain function and how Dr. Montessori had it all figured out years before anyone knew anything about brain imaging. Check out the video below for a taste of his speeches.

AMS Conference

We arrived home last night from the American Montessori Society conference in Orlando, FL. We had such an amazing time touring a school, attending professional growth sessions, and seeing all the latest and greatest materials. I missed the kids so much! I can't wait to start implementing all the great stuff I learned!