Work Night

On Thursday, we went up to Brooke's school for 'work night'. It's where the parents get to go and see all the work the kids are doing...you know, we get to see what we pay all those big bucks for. ;)

Well, needless to say, we definitely get our money's worth! I sure wish Ms Lydia would teach through high school or something!

First of all, its a Montessori school, the only Montessori-certified school in our area. Everything is on shelves at the kids level and on the shelves are trays with 'jobs' the kids can choose between. They pick out whatever they want to do that day (very much child-led learning). Ms Lydia guides them towards things that are their age level or shows them how to do particular things, but otherwise, it's all of their choosing.

Here's Brooke picking out her first thing she wanted to show me...

And then, when they finish their work, they go and put it up where it goes and put their work in their assigned boxes.

All the kids, ages 2-6 (she goes through Kindergarten there), are in the same room and taught using the same materials..another important aspect of Montessori-style learning. There is definitely a huge social aspect of learning to this school. And her teacher goes to great lengths to teach them the appropriate way to treat others. It amazes me at just some of the little things she teaches them, from manners to respect to courtesy and of course, how to behave and how to clean up and how to be neat. I'll never forget our first time visiting the school and how impressed I was at how QUIET it was inside! With 20 preschoolers all in the same room with one teacher. It's amazing! They all work on their stuff quietly, but yet when they play together they all do so in a very sweet and respectable manner. I have never before seen so many kids get along so well. It's amazing.

All the work, while it may be fun, has meaning and practical learning. Like this 'sink or float' game that Brooke wanted to show me.

And I love how there is even a little sponge on the tray for drying the items when they're done in the water. I did one item and Brooke got on to me, "Mommy! You have to dry them off too when you're done!"

While some stuff is more practical learning, other is more academic. Here is Brooke matching words with the items. Though she was able to do this same work last year at this time, I suppose its a favorite. Or maybe she's just showing off how fast she is now?

Ms Lydia is also a firm believer that preschool-age kids can learn to read easily. That most preschools don't attempt it, but that really its simple when they are young and eager. And she has been proved time and time again. I am not just bragging on Brooke here, but more her teacher...because all the kids there are either reading or learning the beginnings of reading (some are still 2 and just learning letter sounds and such). Ms Lydia does sit with them and have them read to her on a regular basis (every couple days?). They move through the reading books day by day and each day they read a page, they mark it on their bookmark and the next day they pick up where they left off. Brooke is currently on the end of Book 4 out of 7. Books 1-7 are 1st grade level. And she is not even 5 yet! Her reading comprehension is getting better as well (remembering what she is reading and the story line) and Ms Lydia claims her to be what she coins as a "smart reader". Her definition of that is that she is to the point in her reading where she doesn't need to sound out words too much anymore. In fact, as I sit here and type this, Brooke is currently reading a Step Reader book to Brenna. It warms my heart. :-)

There's also many science and math-related work too. Brooke didn't want to show me any "hard" work that she does, but I know (from stuff she brings home) she is doing math and can do simple small math in her head.

So, we are beyond thrilled with her progression in this school and now only worry what will happen when she goes to first grade so far ahead. And we can't wait for Brenna to start there this summer! I really wish we could keep the level of learning up as much when she leaves this preschool.