“Normalization” is a Montessori concept that describes a time when the students are truly engaged in the work of the classroom.  It is best experienced as a quiet, focused hum in the room.

If a person were to walk in at that moment, it might take them a while to spot the teachers, as they are giving lessons on the floor and it is obvious that every student is engaged in meaningful activity.

How does that happen?  It all begins with the prepared environment.  P1 is organized into areas. There is language (including Spanish), math, sensorial, practical life, science, cultural, and art.  Each one of these areas is defined by the shelves holding specific materials. Work is placed on the shelf in a manner that is useful and interesting. The introductory (easiest) work is on the top of the shelf going from left to right, with the most challenging work positioned on the bottom of the shelf.

A math shelf.

The children are given specific lessons from the work on the shelves, and they are also taught to return the work to the exact place they found it.  This system allows the students to move independently around the classroom working with a large variety of materials. Since the primary classroom is multi aged (3-6 years old), materials are visible and available for the range of ages and ability levels of the students.  It is common to watch younger students observing larger works being done by their older peers.

Dr. Montessori observed in her classrooms (over 100 years ago) :

Normalization comes about through “concentration” on a piece of work.  For this we must provide “motives for activity” so well adapted to the child’s interest that they provoke his deep attention. Their success in this is dependent on the use of the objects for the purposes they are designed to serve, a thing which is also conducive to the child’s “mental order.”  If they are used with care and precision, this leads the child to the “coordination of his movements.”

~ The Absorbent Mind, Dr. Maria Montessori, pg.206

We have already experienced this quiet hum in our classroom this year, and are pleased with the level of concentration and purposeful movement in the room.  

REMINDERS:

The annual book fair started on Monday, 9/17 and runs through Friday, 9/21. The fair will be hosted in the multi-purpose room.

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, 9/20 and all day on Friday, 9/21.  Half-day dismissal on 9/20 @ 11:15am and no school for students on 9/21.

THANKS:

Thanks to Scarlett, Vanessa, and their families for supplying healthy and beautiful snacks, as well as flowers for our classroom.