Demonstration Night

Onnie doing his Stamp Math Demonstration

Last night was Demonstration Night at Onnie and Cassidy's school.  This is one of my favorite things that the school does.  It is a good opportunity for Jim and I to see the kids doing their favorite activities, and because we didn't go to a Montessori school when we were kids,  a chance to see the materials they use everyday.  What I love about Montessori materials is how hands on they are, and how everything relates to each other.  When you watch them being used, they make so much sense(there is a reason the abacus has been used for centuries)!   Onnie's demonstration was "Stamp Math".  He had a  notebook with four digit math problems in it.  Then he put out the different stamps to solve the problem.  Each color stamp represents a different unit(ones, tens, hundreds, thousands).  So after he had laid out the number of units for each line, he added them up.  Then he wrote the answer in his notebook.  It is amazing to watch Onnie work.  He is so meticulous!  He told me that he wanted to demonstrate a language project, but he chose Stamp Math because it was more challenging.

Cassidy doing her Table Washing Demonstration

Next was Cassidy's demonstration.  Last year, her demonstration lasted about 15 seconds.  So I didn't know what to expect.  She kept telling me that she was going to demonstrate "Table Washing."  I didn't know that was an actual project, but sure enough, that is what she demonstrated!  The Casa classroom is divided into different areas, and one of them is practical life skills.  It is one of Cassidy's favorites.  So Jim and I sat down, and Cassidy began her demonstration.  She put on a smock, and them filled up her bucket with water and then began to scrub the table.  She had to add her special flair to the demonstration and her facial expressions were hilarious!  Table washing sounds like a simple thing, but there were actually a lot of steps to it.  Cassidy showed so much more focus than last year.  It was amazing!  After she finished, she emptied her bucket, folded her smock up, and then put everything away.  Then she gave Jim and I a big kiss.

I am so proud of Onnie and Cassidy!  They did amazing.  I can't wait until next year's Demonstration Night(and next year, Lucy will get to do one).  Here a note that Uncle Bill sent about last night:



Dear Ones,

After teaching research into teaching practice at the first rated Graduate school of education in the U.S., I am deeply impressed with the learning by doing, the exhibits of personal knowledge that your kids have to present. The retention level of this kind of learning is stellar and the character building and work ethic is beyond evaluation.

Bless all of you and much love,

Bill

Onnie with his teacher

Cassidy with her teacher