Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 9:55AM 
Jennifer Brazier, co-director of The Clarksburg Children’s House – A Montessori Preschool in Glen Elk, WV, shares her original project for the Sensorial area of the classroom.
Thank you Jen!
Download the "Whole and Half" pdf for this presentation.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 12:26PM Okay, now for the mundane and difficult YET perhaps THE MOST IMPORTANT component to your success in online distance learning:
Study Time!
First, create a plan tailored for you. It will include: the best times when you are fresh and alert, enjoy plunking type on a computer, less distracted and when you are not competing with wanting time away (for instance, to play outside- yes, I said play which we all need even as adults; rather be fishing or whatever...).
Second, map out a calendar with a schedule of times devoted to study, typing, research, etc. Create a pattern to your weekly study time. Oh yes, turn off your phone, pager and/or cell phone.
Third, let your family and friends know that you are taking an online course and your weekly study times. This is most important! So when they call during your study time you can, without guilt say, "I'll have to get back to you. I am studying right now."
Fourth, create a place to study. Some like one solitary place that becomes like a security blanket for study. Others, like myself, may have a number of places we go to get things done. I have 4-5 coffee shops where I can tune out every distraction. They are my offices. Or perhaps you enjoy a library or public place where most gathered there are settled into a quiet but productive time of reading, writing or contemplation.
All of the above helps you create a Study SPACE or a Study ZONE that is suited just for you!
Friday, September 26, 2008 at 10:52AM The second best practice I want to mention here is making sure your expectations of taking an online course are somewhat aligned with the program you sign up for. I say "somewhat" since there is no program out there that can meet one's expectations entirely. We all have to bend a bit- that's reality. How much? That's a different matter.
So here is how to approach expectations:
1) Read every bit of information you can on the institution's course outline, their policy and procedures, schedule, study costs and more... . For instance, UMA offers a prospective student a clear prospectus concerning the course. You can find most of what we are about and the UMA course on the left hand navigation of the homepage (see: http://unitedmontessori.com).
2) What are the teacher's expectations? This is a tough one. Some schools list the expectations upfront on their website. Others, want you to contact them with specific questions you may have based upon your individual needs. You know your lifestyle better than anyone and will it fit the time, effort and interest necessary to take a particular course? When in doubt, contact the school and talk with someone.
3) What sort of support does the staff offer? This is crucial. Some schools consider themselves just that: Distant. The less they hear from you the better. They are offering you a course, an instructor and perhaps a certification or degree. That is it. For some, that is all they want. Others like, almost require, more frequent communication from the teacher, school or prof. Bottomline, you have to know your learning style and what you prefer when it comes to support. My personal bias is that most of us want to know there is someone on the other end of a phone or there is a quick turn-around time via email. The more interaction or interactivity with a program is usually better.
Monday, September 22, 2008 at 9:54AM For the beginning of the Fall School season, we are offering our students and those interested in taking our online course, a series on "Distance Learning Best Practices", plus other assorted tidbits, helps and hints.
So to start things off, here are a few questions you need to ask yourself:
First, do you have the time to devote to an online study course? Many think that the convenience of online work means less hours required to complete the same amount of work in a classrooom setting. Online class work takes the same, if not more time initially, than an onsite college or vocational class. An online course may save you commute time plus you get to choose your own hours. But typically, students don't weigh the temptation that comes with online work. Let me put it this way. We say to ourselves: "There is often something else more pressing, I can fit in my online studies when I have nothing better to do, I am not facing a strict deadline with my teacher or evaluator,...," and the list of excuses builds from there.
And if you are starting out new to online distance learning, the style of course work, emails, working with an email program on your computer, time between sending a lesson and the response time,... all this and more can add minutes if not hours to your weekly work schedule. Add to that family time, socializing, meals, and the vast minutiae of stuff that enters our day to day living and online time for homework and lessons can easily be forgotten or thought to be not as pressing as other demands.
Here is UMA's suggested TIME REQUIRED to complete UMA course work:
10- 15 hours per week. This is equal to a 9 credits course load at a university or college.
Okay. That's the start to this series. More later.
Friday, September 19, 2008 at 10:10AM UMA is now back blogging again after a long summer sojourn and infrequent blogging throughout the summer. So to start things off, I have posted a recent NY Times article on food mistakes parents often make with their children:
Six Food Mistakes Parents Make...
Enjoy!
John and Trudy
Friday, August 22, 2008 at 6:23AM Regarding environmental issues and how they may impact you and your family, go to:
http://www.enviroblog.org/
Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 6:27PM Kellie Stubblefield of Whitsett, North Carolina shares her original project entitled the Felt Continents Map. “I really enjoyed working with cloth and utilizing a wooden board that I already had, to create what I believe is a pretty high quality home-made Montessori material.”
Kellie cut the boards and hinged them so that the maps fold up for easy storage and carrying. The top map functions as a control. This is yet another fine example of creativity, resourcefulness, and attention to detail. The materials are natural, inviting for the child...simply beautiful. Thank you, Kellie.
Saturday, August 16, 2008 at 6:14PM Here is a link to an interesting conference and other information regarding the child and brain research:
Wednesday, July 16, 2008 at 10:07AM Last year, the Pacific Northwest Montessori Association sponsored an event at the Center for Human Brain and Human Learning Center. It is a resource that you may perhaps may use or a parent may find of interest. Scroll down on the left navigation for some helpful information. Go to:
http://66.84.25.118/index.htm
Wednesday, June 11, 2008 at 6:51AM Weston Montessori Children's House, Weston, Wisconsin
Brand new school in Central Wisconsin looking for Montessori trained teachers for the 2008-2009 school year. Come and be a part of our program from the beginning. Competitive salaries, we pay 80% individual health benefits, summer positions available. US citizenship a plus. Please send resume to: Weston Montessori Children's House, County Road J, Suite 3, Weston WI 54476.
e-mail: macdougall2@hotmail.com
fax: 715-849-8168
telephone: 715-432-3992 (Rachel)
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