Look at the Child

Giveaway

Congratulations Montessori Print Shop on your 8th Birthday!  This is a great site to find materials to make for school or home.  I also love reading the blog...sometimes using them to foster discussion at staff meetings.

Humphrey Sings about the Planets

North America

Humphrey learned the names of the countries in North America over the past couple of months.  Today she spent a better part of her morning tracing the puzzle pieces onto a large piece of paper, only to be disappointed that she could not stay at school all day and complete her work.  After nap, we got out the watercolors and she was able to paint her map...thankfully I know the correct colors (or at least know the web site to reference:).

Soup's On

chopping carrots & celery for soup

all dressed up to chop veggies...there was a lot of dancing going on too.

Violin Days

With fall soccer winding down, we took the plunge and Humphrey began violin (Suzuki style).  I didn't really know what to expect; would this be something someone as unmusical as I, could do with her?  Would she like it?  Would we be okay with the sounds floating throughout the house, sometimes a sweet melody, other times loud screeches?  We took the plunge!  Our Montessori lifestyle has meshed wonderfully with this method of teaching.  And more importantly, Humphrey is even working with me on it...if she only knew I am only a few steps ahead of her and video-taping lessons has been a saving grace for me.

Humphrey is very thrilled to have a 1/32nd size violin (the smallest made), and it challenges her a lot--something that she needs.  All of the students had a recital last week, Humphrey played her song with incredible concentration.  She loves her teacher so very much--even enough to try and goof off a little at her weekly lesson...

A Glimpse at Independence

I had the chance to witness another glimpse at the independence of my four-year-old today.  After a long day at school, I was upstairs with Magoo for about 5 minutes, changing clothes and just unwinding...  I walked into the kitchen to discover Humphrey on the ladder in the kitchen juicing an orange.  She turned around with a big grin and states that she is thirsty for some orange juice.  She had taken it upon herself to get out a cutting board, a sharp knife, an orange, the juicer, and a glass.  She sliced the orange (she did receive a gentle reminder that I need to be next to her to use a knife--Papa keeps them pretty sharp) all by herself and was able to quite a bit of juice to have for her quick snack/drink.  As Magoo cannot pass up much that Humphrey does, she had a turn soon thereafter...