Parents,
This week we will be doing a close read on the life cycle of frogs. Each day we will talk about a different stage in their life cycle. We will be making a book of our own as well to show some of what we learned. We will also talk about the plants in the wetlands as well as some of the different types of amphibians. We will also finish our study of day and night.
One of the most popular jobs in our classroom have to be the cooking jobs. This year we have made toast, orange juice, hot chocolate, and most recently banana bread muffins. We all assume that the reason these activities are so popular is the product they result in. Montessori philosophy has a very different idea. Paula Polk Lillard said in Montessori a Modern Approach
“Instead of opportunities for serious accomplishment in our culture, we supply our children with expensive toys, hoping that these will occupy them. . .Why do we give the child toys that occupy him instead of involving him in the life around him in a meaningful way as they do in other cultures? Montessori felt it was because the adult in our culture realizes this would entail certain accommodations on his part, and he is so intent on his own production and achievement that he is unwilling to make them. . .Instead of giving the child toys that have no meaning for him, the adult must prepare special activities within his environment that will aid in the child’s development. . . The parent must observe the child closely, and watch for the kinds of activities he chooses spontaneously . . . and then make them more available with variations and expansions of them” (p. 116).
I know that most parents have extensive to do lists and the thought of adding one more thing (especially one that involves your child cooking something) could test your limits. I do not think that any parent buys toys with the thought of just occupying their child so they won’t bug them, but when we shift our focus to how we can involve our children in meaningful ways it can change our thinking on what we might purchase for them. Just some food for thought 😉
Here is the recipe for our muffins if you want to try it at home
Banana Bread for One
- 3 tbsp white flour
- 1/16th tsp salt
- 1 tbsp very-ripe banana
- 1 tbsp applesauce (you could use butter or cooking oil)
- 1 tbsp milk of choice or water (we have been using water)
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp baking powder
- 1/16 baking soda
- 1 tbsp sugar.
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Mix all the ingredients. Pour into an oiled (or sprayed) muffin pan. Smooth top of batter. Cook for 10-14 ish minutes. Or you can microwave it in a silicone muffin pan for 1 to 2 minutes on high.
Have a great week!
Ms. Jen, Ms. Jess & Ms. Kimber