I participated in a Montessori Workshop a few weekends ago that was hosted by Washington Montessori Institute at Loyola. It was great. I am still fairly new to the Montessori community without any formal training, so when I go to these types of workshops I soak it all up. I talk to tons of people, listen and take notes. This workshop had about 80 people at it, from over 15 different schools, so before it even started I new it was going to be well worth my time & energy.
The workshop was titled "Let's Move" and focused on the importance of movement in the classroom. The morning speaker went over Walking the Line and the importance of doing it correctly. This is an important aspect of Practical Life lessons, in learning to move carefully around the room. Children often carry things that must not be dropped. When "Walking the Line" children are trying to carefully balance along a line on the floor, becoming aware of their ever changing body. This activity develops gross motor control. Further lessons involve walking on the line heal to toe, while carrying flags, cups of water, bells and other materials.
The afternoon session that I was a part of involved Aspects of movement in practical life, sensorial and the everyday life of the Primary community. This covered some new preliminary exercises that would ready the children for more complicated tasks in the future (i.e. pouring pre-measured water from pitcher to pitcher - this could then lead to pouring out of a larger pitcher into a glass).
Grace & Courtesy, Sensorial Games & movement in the everyday life of the class - small & large groups was also covered (i.e. fingerplays, clapping games, songs & poems).
A great day, lots learned, very excited about the next workshop in January.
