Friday, October 31, 2014

Silent Journey and Discovery

Parents Experience Montessori through our "Silent Journeys" in Emeryville and San Mateo

Each fall, parents of children in either campus get to experience what it is like to be a child in the PRINTS program by signing up and participating in our "Silent Journey" workshop.

The Silent Journey takes place over two sessions each October: the first session is on a Friday, immediately after school at around 5:30 p.m., and then the second session is held the following morning, Saturday, starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending around noon. 

The Silent Journey is a very important part of the AMI Montessori parent education experience. As you might imagine from the name, during the first session (Friday), parents walk through each of the school's environments, from Nido through high school. They get to see and absorb in silence the beauty and scope of Montessori's vision. They are also able to decide which materials and activities seem most appealing to them, and plan to engage with those materials the following day.
Parents are instructed to reflect on what they have seen in each environment and to plan which materials they will try out and work with the following morning. This builds the anticipation and also leads to greater understanding. Montessori knew that learning happens through all of the senses, so starting with the eye's connection to the brain and then moving to be able to explore the material through touch, hearing, smell and sometimes tasting, all this adds to the layers of absorbent learning that set Montessori apart from other educational philosophies.

Below, read some of the comments and reactions from parents who enjoyed the workshop! If you were unable to join us this year, we hope to see you next fall!

"The logical, simple, beautiful materials make me want to touch them"
"This was truly eye-opening!"

"For someone who was not brought up in a Montessori environment, I found this so informative, uplifting and engaging."
"Wow! This was such an educational back-to-school event. It was so totally different from traditional education. I loved the richness and intuitive nature of the material."

"I really enjoyed learning about the activities my child spends her time working on each day. It helped me really understand her better."
"I was so curious. I love how everything is hands-on. I appreciate the time and effort put into the materials and the work of the guides. The experience was so unique!"

"I feel inspired to expand my own knowledge. I want to help broaden my children's exploration at home."

"The sand paper letters - the feel of them - and the cursive letter writing was my most memorable experience of the day."
"I am surprised and really pleased that the children are learning cursive in Children's House"

"The math lessons in Children's House were most memorable for me. So engaging!

"Studying math with the Montessori materials was the most memorable experience for me - that it is totally different than the traditional way."
"I love that the math approach is 'guide - then thought' - no need to memorize."

"I have a much deeper appreciation for the school, for the teachers, and for the style of learning."

"It was so beneficial to see the value of all the materials in the classrooms and how they facilitate curiosity, motor skills development, and the foundations of language and mathematics. I was amazed at the things that my son can obviously now do."

"Seeing the transitional 'building blocks' from each level was so memorable. The all-encompassing journey through each environment was engaging and thoughtful."

"I feel like I got to understand the child's experience when using this material and seeing self-discovery in formation."



Half-Day Friday, November 7th

All classes except at the High School will end at 12:30 pm.  

Phrase of the Day: October 31, 2014




有的小朋精心打扮過萬聖節。
ハロウィーンの仮装をする子供もいます。
Some children dress up for Halloween.

Thursday, October 30, 2014

A Day in the Life - San Mateo Infant Community

Getting Ready for Lunch!

 We are moving the table for our lunch.

I am setting up the lunch table carefully.

The Amazing Maze!

The Erdkinder Visits Arata's Famous Maze on Highway 1


Last week, after a hard morning's work at the farm, the EK students stopped at Arata's Maze. Arata's is located on Highway 1 approximately 10 minutes south of Half Moon Bay. We had driven past the maze many times over the last two years, so this year, we decided to stop and check it out.

 The maze is HUGE! There are so many twists and turns, and the hay bales are very high, so you can't see over the top!

They finally worked out the route out of the maze!

This was a fun, seasonal side trip for us last Friday. We strongly recommend Arata's maze and pumpkin patch if you are looking for a fun outing to celebrate Halloween and the fall.

Parenting Series, Thursday, November 6th, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. (San Mateo)

Phrase of the Day: October 30, 2014




看這秋季的天空多美啊!
なんてきれいな秋空なんでしょう!
Look at the beautiful autumn sky!

Monday, October 27, 2014

A Day in the Life - San Mateo Infant Community

 I want to use lots of colors for my drawing.

I am breaking the broccoli for lunch.

Phrase of the Day: October 27, 2014




全世界有多少個國家?
世界にはいくつ国がありますか。
How many countries are there in the world?

Sunday, October 26, 2014

Phrase of the Day: October 26, 2014




我們來學習有關聯合國的知識。
国連についてもっと知りましょう。
Let's learn more about the United Nations.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

Phrase of the Day: October 25, 2014




看聯合國大樓外挂滿了彩旗。
国連ビルの前にならぶ色とりどりの国旗を見て!
Look at all the colorful flags outside the United Nations' building.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

A Day in the Life - San Mateo Nido

I am looking carefully at the mobile. I am moving my hand to reach for the hanging balls.
The orange smells good and the texture of the skin is interesting.

This is a different fruit with a different smell and texture.
Our guide helps us to develop our senses with the different fruits. We also get to taste them!

A Day in the Life - Emeryville Children's House


We are learning about different types of solids: elastic and plastic.

Phrase of the Day: October 22, 2014




大人們在議論我們長大了很多。
大人たちは皆がどんなに成長しているかをお話します。
The grown-ups talk about how much we are growing.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

A Day in the Life - Erdkinder

A Day in the Life - Erdkinder Program, San Mateo

It's always busy and industrious in the EK program. This week, the students are juggling a lot of assignments in preparation for upcoming events and deadlines. This year, we are studying the Americas so our humanities work is focusing heavily on American history. We are practicing our in-class essay writing skills as we have recently finished our first literature books for the year, plus, we are preparing for presentation of a project about the European Explorers for next week.


Cayle working on her "Explorers" essay.

 Emily typing up her notes.

Steven working on his "Explorers' " project board.

 Here, Emily and Fiona are conducting a science experiment.


Analyzing the science experiment together.

We are also working on our Historical Halloween projects. This year, students will be presenting on a variety of important and interesting characters in American history, including Walt Disney, Rosie the Riveter, Chief Tecumseh, Sacagawea, William Randolph Hurst, and Shirley Temple!

We look forward to welcoming the EK parents both for our Halloween presentations and then on the following day for conferences!

Picture Day, Thursday, October 22 (Emeryville)

Phrase of the Day: October 21, 2014




家長們和老師開會。
両親と先生が会ってお話します。
Parents and teachers meet to talk.

Monday, October 20, 2014