tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680036813963600695.post6848422769177474767..comments2023-08-21T05:37:34.953-04:00Comments on MontessoriSeeds: Intuitive, Critical and Analytical Thinking in the Elementary Classroom - Part 2Matthew Simberghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07477228092701929706noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680036813963600695.post-70466095813280673132016-10-08T20:09:01.358-04:002016-10-08T20:09:01.358-04:00Hello Iseult Catherine O'Brien,
I really appr...Hello Iseult Catherine O'Brien,<br /><br />I really appreciate that you shared your story and gave some input. It's okay that you did not contribute to answering the questions I posed. I think what you are stating is true. In fact, it is true for any age, especially those of us who decide to take the training(s). What you are saying makes sense to me and I see where you are coming from! <br /><br />P.S. Migraines are rough, I know several people who are debilitated by them, hang in there. And, Thank you for letting me know you are out there doing the great work you are doing with these youths!Matthew Simberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07477228092701929706noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680036813963600695.post-29606046449264493252016-09-23T13:39:42.179-04:002016-09-23T13:39:42.179-04:00Hello Matthew Simberg. I read with great interest ...Hello Matthew Simberg. I read with great interest your Blogs on critical and analytical thinking in early school years. I studied Montessori Teaching and Supervision, but was unable to work with children as I was struck by a migraine in 2009, which remains to date. This is a tangent, but the short version is that I tutor young people who, for whatever reason, are having difficulties staying in second level education. I use what I learnt in my Montessori studies. I observe closely, listen carefully, and get to know my student. Frequently, these young people have been written off by some, and all have very low self-confidence. I use lots of material. Being addicted to postcard collecting, I find spreading out a very mixed array of cards on a table while we read and talk our way through a poem, can be very helpful. A student will choose cards which appeal in the context of the poem, and then we discuss what there is in each card that brings the emotions and ideas to the surface for the student. Young people also love to work on large Mind Maps, with lots of colour. We may be no closer yet to answering a set question on 'What do you believe is the main theme of this poem, giving three examples'. But we are in the heart of the poem, in the heart of the student's ideas and emotions. Does this sound familiar to you? All the various materials we use to explore the set curriculum, expand the types of thinking my students do. For example, they become awakened to the sensation of emotions being transmitted to them by a man who died a week before Armistice Day, 1918, Wilfred Owen. They immerse themselves in the mud and lice; and then become angry and outraged at the unfairness, cruelty, carelessness, and utter waste of young lives. Of course, the above does not contribute to answering the questions you posed, but I wanted you to know that for some young people, who have never really been given a fair chance, Montessori Methods, starting at teenage years, open minds and hearts, make eyes shine, and cheeks glow! Regards, Iseult Catherine. O'BrienAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05390774645347361655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7680036813963600695.post-74837371256062230182016-09-12T09:19:11.342-04:002016-09-12T09:19:11.342-04:00I enjoyed reading your blog Matthew and I hope it ...I enjoyed reading your blog Matthew and I hope it will be read by and influence educators all over the world. I also think politicians could benefit from reading and embracing the concept of team building you identified.Alan Simberghttp://lifemasterywithalan.comnoreply@blogger.com