PLC Meeting Notes

3.7.24

The topic of the evening was transitions and looking at the process in terms of signs of readiness.  The group discussed the idea that observation and attention is best placed when the guide is looking at the child and their independent progressions.  The processes of determining transitions is organic and and isn't necessarily determined only by age. When working with children who have have just transitioned, the group talked about ways to support allowing the child to build trust and become comfortable in the space.  Providing cross over activities are a helpful way to provide familiar connections to the activities and also finding ways to build a relationship with the child as they explore and navigate the new environment. The group also specifically talked about the importance of making decisions about when to transition based on observations of the child and the child's readiness.  The pressure some guides feel about keeping kids in a primary class by parents was discussed. The conversation focused on ways to educate the parent and transparent in your observation and the markers for readiness that their child has met.  Lastly, the group talked about the importance as preparing ourselves to be bold and brave in our work providing work and opportunities that the older child needs.  Look for was to expand the work that the child has done, building on their competencies to stretch their interactions with the work   Know the characteristics of the emerging plane and observe the child. Then provide opportunities for the child to explore in a more elevated manner.  

2.7.24

What a great discussion and thank you to everyone who came and shared.  The focus of this session was on classroom management: a Montessori approach. We had a lively discussion and had the opportunity to share real time examples and situations that are impacting the classroom community.  The group talked about when to intervene and thinking about observation as an intervention.  The group discussed how important it is to spend time reflecting on your needs in classroom situations and how this might impact how you view children or intervene in the environment. There was also discussion about the prepared environment and continuing to evolve and create an environment that supports the emerging and continuing developing child. Grace and courtesy aren't a one time thing and need to be continually provided to the child.  Use your observation to inform where changes can be made to the prepared adult and the prepared environment to support the child.  You will find the article that was shared during the session under the Classroom Discipline-A Montessori Approach tab. We are excited to continue this conversation and will look to add more sessions on topics such as this in the future.  

We look forward to seeing many of you at the refresher course next week and look for updates from Uma's presentation.  Mark your calendars out next meeting will be March 6th at 6:30pm CST.  The topic of this session will be When is a Child Ready? Transitions between Montessori Prepared Environments.

1.2024: NO Meeting

12.6.23

Thanks to everyone who was able to join us this week.  This is our last PLC for 2023. Please make note that there is not a PLC in January. We will see you again in February of 2024.  The topic of this session was on self reflection and assessment. The group shared the importance of taking the time to reflect, observe and assess at this stage of the school year to guide your planning and practice for the second half of the year.  The trainers shared the Guide's Self-Assessment on Pacing guide. This document can be found under the Cycle of Reflective Practice section of the website under "Planning and Observation Tools".  The group discussed the importance of tracking a child's progress along their developmental trajectory and using this as the compass for planning and guidance in the classroom.  

The group also talk a little bit more about caregiver engagement and building "crosswalks" with communities outside the classroom.  Additional suggestions for activities to help build relationships around the holidays were shared.  In addition, the group had a great discussion on how to share and "show" those outside of the classroom what the children are doing. Ways to share this information using pictures and video was discussed and ideas were shared on how to do this intentionally and in a manner that isn't intrusive to the work of the child.  Additional ideas were added to the Family Engagement section of the ShareSite. 

Lastly, the group touched on the challenges often felt by guides when the expectations for the larger school are inconsistent of the work in a Montessori classroom.  This is a complex topic that will be discussed in upcoming sessions.

We are so grateful for the time you take to be a part of this community. On behalf of the MINT PLC team we wish you the happiest of holidays and hope that you enjoy the moments and memories that are shared with those that you love. 

11.1.23

Thanks to everyone who joined us last week. The group continued the conversation from October about how to inspire young children to be writers. The group focused specifically on the language materials and the progression of work in the language area that is done prior to the introduction of the pencil to inspire and grow the young child's connection to writing.  The group was encouraged to review and reorient themselves to the full sequence of language activities that prepared the child for writing and how important these are to connect the child to the written word. 


The second topic of the night included a conversation about parent engagement and ways to connect and build relationships with parents.  Trainer Caroline Clark shared the 7-38-55 % rule, highlighting a study suggesting that when delivering a message, 55% of the focus of the receiver is on the body language of the person delivering the message. The group contemplated this idea as they talked about how they connect with the families in their classrooms.  Two main themes were presented: How to deliver parent engagement and ways to increase engagement.  The main takeaway from this conversation was that it takes variety, opportunity, and persistence to build a robust parent engagement ecosystem in the classroom.


Check out the Family Engagement page of the PLC ShareSite for some more great ideas.  


Take a moment and add your own ideas to share and take a look to see if there are new ideas you can implement into your routines.


https://mint.padlet.org/paigekrabill1/parent-engagement-ideas-9i1vymk5g543wyod


We look forward to seeing you next month as the topic will be: A Guide's Self Assessment.

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1.6.22

The focus of this meeting was on the preparation process that one begins this time of year.  The group focused on the reflective questions:  (1) How do you look at your group collectively, what is needed to support the larger community.  (2) How do you look at each individual child. Where is the child at at this moment and where are they headed? The group shared different approaches to the data gathering and planning process.  The group discussed a developmental trajectory for consideration that incudes the following:  gathering and collecting, explosion and application.  They group also discussed developmental movement that is both horizontal and vertical.  

12.7.22

Our December meeting focused on a discussion around Culture in the Casa. Reflections were shared about the importance of Culture and how to ensure that Culture is an important thread in the classroom. The group discussed idea about how to implement culture across all areas of the classroom and what was needed to continually prepare oneself and the environment to keep culture a central focus. A new section has been added to the page CULTURAL EXERCISES. There you will find additional information on this topic.

10.22 & 11.22

The October and November sessions focused on reading in the casa and understanding how Montessori's pathway to reading aligned with the Science of Reading movement presently seen in traditional educational settings. The group reflected on the similarities and differences and discussed how to talk about how the Montessori reading program addressed the needs of the child.  Further details and resources can be found und the LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT section.  Recordings of both sessions are also provided.

9.7.22

The discussion focused on sensitive periods and the importance of putting these periods at the center of our work in the classroom.  The group discussed the sensitive periods and shared examples of how these periods are observed in the classroom.  Sensitive periods will be the focus of upcoming meetings. The group discussed how the sensitive periods should be viewed as a "window of opportunity"  where the child is able and motivated to reach out independently to build a relationship with the environment. They are attuned to certain aspects of the environment, and it is our role as guides to prepare the environment so that the child's needs are met, helping to unlock the child's potential.   When observing and reflecting, it becomes important to orient back to the question, How are you supporting the sensitive periods? 

3.2.22

Language development and the language trajectory were the topics of focus for this meeting.  Check out the new page, LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT where resources and a recording of the meeting are housed. The developmental trajectory of language was discussed, and alignment with the materials are presentations was shared. 

2.2.22

The topic of this meeting focused on The Evolution of the Guide in the Daily Practice of the Classroom. The following items were discussed:

Additional resources were shared. These items can be found on the new page titled CYCLE OF REFLECTIVE PRACTICE.  

12.1.21

Thank you to all of you that could join us. What a wonderful opportunity to connect and reflect with gratitude on this amazing community.  We look forward to many more great opportunities to share and grow from each other in 2022. See you the new year

11.23.21

The topic for the Dec PLC was Living in Community.  It was a celebration of the adults who have embraced their work as Montessorians serving their communities with grace, compassion, forgiveness, acceptance, determination, and good humor. The group took time to honor work that is being done b this community to serve children despite larger challenges. Each person shared one reflection of gratitude and joy.  The discussion guided us to reflect on the importance of this work for the children we serve, the communities we live in and for our interdependent world.

10.29.21

The topic of our second meeting was observation.  Shannon Manley visited the group to share her experience with her son and talk about the power of observation, planning, and reflection. She shared her system with the group and talked about the importance of building the environment and mindset to support this work.  As she has built a system to support her work in the preparation of the adult, she stressed the importance to be able to spend time in reflection to help her better understand the entire ecosystem of the teaching setting. She also talked about how important it is to carve out time to do this work daily. It is through the daily exercise of documenting that she has been able to better identify patterns and flow.  Lastly, she wanted to stress how important it is to make sure that the system you adopt is manageable. Ensure that you have a space integrated into your classroom where you can do this work throughout the day, make sure to carve out the time at the end of the day or session to complete your reflection and make sure to leave the day with recommendations/planning ideas for the next day.  

The session ended with some initial conversations about how important observation, planning and reflection are to address the unique challenges and abilities of all of the children in the classroom.  It is also essential to help evaluate the environment to make any changes to could ensure increased success. 

9.1.21

Our first meeting of the year kicked off.   

Announcements and Updates:

A brief orientation was provided to the PLC Google Site and Shared Folder.  These two resources will be used to house information, resources, ideas, etc. that will be shared during the sessions.  The group was encouraged to share the invitation information with others and to start exploring both the site and folder. 

Topics:

The overarching topics that were discussed were:

(1) Dr. Montessori's call for expansive education.

The group reflected and shared on what this might mean and the how the definition of expansive education might evolve in a new educational landscape.  The group also reflected on what this means for how we define and create the prepared environment.

(2) Connections to home and parents. 

The group talked and reflected on the past two years have brought unique opportunities for parents to connect to the classroom  environment. How might we continue: (a)  to conceptualize where the prepared environment begins and ends and (b) what are ways we can continue to build a deeper relationship with parents?

Wrap Up an Calls to Action:

The group was called to begin to reflect on their work and these larger calls to action presented by Uma.  There was also a call to action to share your ideas, questions and thoughts. It is through this ongoing, collaborative conversation that we will continue to grow and evolve each other and the group. Here is a tasks to consider before the next meeting on 10/6 @ 6:30pm CST.

PLC Topics of Interest Form 

PLC Contact Sheet 

PLC Shared Folder 

Questions and Wonderings