A Montessori Dog

April 30, 2020

As many of you know, this year I have been supporting Mrs. Wermerskirchen and Mr. Barnhart in the classroom environments by presenting Montessori lessons to the students.  Distance learning has not changed that, thus I video myself giving Montessori lessons and send them to the students.  

Additionally, perhaps you know, in the Montessori classroom presentations have a place of high regard and if a Guide is in a presentation with one or more students, there may NEVER be an interruption (with the exception of fire, blood, vomit or a life/death situation).  Students all know this and have always respected the presentation time a Guide has with their fellow classmates.  

Since distance learning, I have been videotaping presentations in a corner of my house where I can find the quietness needed as well as a way to hold a camera steady.  Last night as I was videotaping, I received a text with this picture.

As a puppy Dusty spend months in a Montessori classroom where he learned the ins and outs of being a Montessori dog...it has paid off he guards the door to ensure no one interrupts the videotaping of my presentations!  

My own children always joke around about things that Dusty would do.  If he took an eraser (as an example...not sure why but as a puppy erasers where his favorite) they would tell Dusty that 'that was not very Montessori'!  And when he did something correct they would give him a treat and tell him how Montessori he was being.

In Montessori terms: Dusty has mastered independence but is still in progress in remembering to restore his work!

A Montessori dog in the making. :)
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Enjoy a read-aloud by Ms. Rose Ann

Listen here










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Today, I would like to highlight students working/being together...the creativity and work of the Montessori child can be seen day in and day out. Even if the picture is of one person...there is still working together that is happening behind the lens!

Here are a few snapshots:

Sharing a favorite book

Sibling teaching sibling

Olympian Fun

Working on sounds together

A little fun with balls

Independence together

 

Time in the trees

Brotherly love

Fractions!

Culinary delights

Reading with dad

Spelling together

Zooming sessions with friends

Geometry together

Brothers painting

Tower with dad

Creative Fractions!!

Sisters, sisters!

Careful measurement

Mom learning the stamp game

 

Atrium: One of a Kind Gift

April 29, 2020

As a trained catechist in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd I receive a newsletter from The United States Association of The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.  As I was reading the posting for today, I started to feel what Luke 24:32 says, "Were not our hearts burning within us?" 

Why, you may wonder? What was in that article?! 

It wasn't so much what was in the article, it was more about being aware of what I know we have here at St. John's in the gift of the Atrium. I have had the privilege of being the catechist for preschool, elementary and MS both during the school day and for after school kiddos, therefore I have had the benefit of experiencing this gift firsthand.

Whether you are Catholic, a Christian or identify with something entirely different, as humans we all need a place where we can go to enjoy some quiet time and experience a peace that can fill us.  We need a place to see others in a new light when we are frustrated or overwhelmed.  We need a place to simply reset us with the joy of life and remind ourselves about what really matters. 

At St. John's we not only have a place for children to go to experience this, we have trained catechists to support the students as they ponder the questions of life!  What a gift we have!! 

Working with the Good Shepherd

For the youngest ones, the Atrium serves as a place where they can go to simply be with the Good Shepherd, experiencing a greater than human love. For lower elementary students, the Atrium not only serves as a place to experience a greater love, but adds the element of the merciful forgiving love of the Father. For those choosing to receive the sacraments of the Reconciliation, Holy Eucharist and Confirmation, the Atrium is also a place where preparation can be enhanced. For the upper elem/MS students, the Atrium is a place where the child can truly see how everything from the past is interconnected with the present and ultimately to the future. This child ponders where their place is and what is the 'gift' they can leave for future generations all the while also experiencing a greater love. 

An opportunity to enter into personal prayer.

This truly is a one of a kind gift.  







How do we bring this gift into the home?  An earlier blog posting shared the Domestic Church...today, I would like to expand on it.  

During this time of our stay-at-home order and watching the Celebration of the Eucharist on a screen, we have an opportunity to look more closely at what may not be seen as well while sitting in a pew.  

The Celebration has two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

During the Liturgy of the Word, the Word of God is proclaimed, responded to, explained, and accepted. It is God’s word spoken to us. He speaks to us personally and is fully present to us. 

Learning the Books of the Bible

During the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the priest who represents Jesus, takes the bread, blesses it, and breaks it.  Although the Risen Lord is hidden, He remains present to us and gently invites us to encounter him in the mystery of this passion, death and resurrection just as the disciplines did "in the breaking of the bread."

The Sign of Peace

Preparation of the Cruets

Setting up the Altar

During this at-home times, we have an opportunity to observe more closely the gestures of the Eucharist. These gestures speak to us, telling us what is really happening in the celebration.  Your children have experienced and 'practiced' these gestures...perhaps they could tell you about them!

As an additional resource, I am attaching a link to The Good Shepherd and the Child Podcast here.

I certainly am looking forward to the moments our students are able to be together in the Atrium again. In the meantime, enjoy a few pictures for the Atrium days this year.  

Gestures of Baptism

Dressing "Father" for Mass

Liturgical colors

Presentation of Jesus in the Temple

Gift Strip: Creation, Redemption and
Parousia

The Cenacle: The Last Supper

Puzzle Map of the Land of Israel

Hands-on experience with the Liturgical
calendar.

Treasure the Moments

April 28, 2020

I must admit that I marvel every time I experience a day like yesterday.  

I am an early riser and therefore when I leave in the morning it is usually dark and lately, cold. Yesterday, I got to add rain to the list!  When I arrived at school, it was just in time for a sudden down pour.  While I did not have far to run in the rain, I tend to prefer to stay dry verses getting soaked. However, as the day progressed, the clouds went away, the sun came out and created the most beautiful afternoon, warm enough to feel the hope of summer but still spring enough to not deal with mosquitoes.  

On such days, spirits are lifted and joy abounds!

I was then double blessed for when I entered the house, the aroma of apple crisp met me in the doorway.  What a perfect mix of spring, summer and fall!

Perfection!  I walked upstairs to see which angelic child had made that wonderful smells.

It was in that very next second that I had to remember the previous perfect moment because before me was a kitchen spattered top to bottom with salt water. All I could think was, 'How in the world...?' 

But I knew....doesn't a mom always know?

The evening before Jeremiah had really wanted ice cream, of which we did not have. 

The true Montessori-an in me said, "How would you like to solve that?"

To which he replied somewhat jokingly and yet not, "Have you go buy some."

I, therefore, replied most seriously, "I have a better idea, how about you make some?"

Jer proceeded to take out what was needed and noticed that there wasn't enough ice.  He made some and left it for the next morning. 

This is how I knew.... 

During the course of the day, they had tried making ice cream. Perhaps due to the nature of being teenagers (or simply because I was not there), the bag shaking needed to turn the cream into ice cream was done by walking all over the house.  I may not need to continue since one can just imagine what happened next. 

Yes, the bag was too vigorously shaken and the salt water was shaken right out of the bag...everywhere. 

When I inquired about the events of their day as I always do when I arrive home, they shared what had transpired and then proceeded to tell me, rather proudly, that they had cleaned up the entire mess. (I promise I didn't laugh out loud.) 

Lucky for them, I am good at deep breathing and firmly believe in using even moment as a teachable moment. :)  I am happy to say that by the time the evening was over they had restored order to the kitchen. There were great moments to treasure within the mess.

I shall never cease to be amazed at how children can make you laugh and cry, sing and dance and then take you to your knees all within seconds of each other! 

Hold onto the moments of singing, dancing, and laughing.  Remember the perfect moments when spring, summer and fall are all mixed together (and it is okay if these moments do not always include children).  Pick out a perfect moment from within your salt-water sprayed kitchen...those are the moments to treasure.   

Hoping some of the following pictures are your moments of singing, dancing and laughing together:

Kite flying

Bea in her nature fort

Fort building

Building together

Planting

Working on gross motor skills

Bubble blowing

Family game of basketball

Family Olympic awards (with cookies)

Clara and Lena on the Monkey Bridge

Bird house building

Bird House

Water balloon fun

Even dad joins in the fun! 
Looks like he might be having the most fun!! :)