May 26th, 2008
by Administrator
Today the Mars probe made a safe landing and so a new era of exploration has begun. Our school children’s children will be faced with the problem of an overpopulated earth.
I can imagine two possible solutions: either satellite dormitory towns above our towns or now that the Mars probe has safely now landed, then the possible life extending with us to another planet.
How interesting and thrilling it will make Maths.
All Montessori schools should extend the number cards for these large numbers and show that by counting the zeros we can change the large number to ones easier to handle by changing to powers of 10.
Extend the number cards using the same colours as the other cards.
May 24th, 2008
by Administrator
Moscow was very hospitable especially when I fell and fractured my wrist!
I found that the schools needed more Practical life exercises and more understanding of learning through The Absorbent Mind. They needed more language around in the environment continuously there.
The school I saw was a happy one with the childen working well.
May 17th, 2008
by Administrator
I have broken my arm. I have given my lectures and they were a great success. My Blog will have to stop now as I cannot type.
My love and best wishes to everyone.
I would love to hear of anything which my lectures helped you to produce.
My email is phylliswallbank@aol.com.
May 15th, 2008
by Administrator
There is gross discrimination at Terminal 5 at London’s International airport.
We have a special area where there is special help for those needing someone for a wheelchair etc,. However although there is often a two or three hour wait, there are only seats, no tables to hold food or drink, no television, no newspapers or magazines, only an arrangement of chairs to sit and look at other disabilities.
When I went for a sandwich and a drink to the general area, I indicated to the helper pushing my wheelchair, a table empty nearby for me to sit. I was told that I was not allowed there in that area !
I was taken back to the special area where there were no tables on which to place my drink.
They kindly took me to the Staff Room for a table.
This is London 2008 and horrible degrading discrimination.
May 14th, 2008
by Administrator
I got my visa by going to London yesterday.In the end it worked and they did it for me. I have a tremor so they had to help with the forms. They were very kind.It cost £95!I hope to go today and look forward so much to seeing my Russian friends.
The last few days of arrangements and activities have been a tiring and stressful experience, and then i think of those disasters and realize it is nothing!
I cannot now go upstairs, and there are unoccupied rooms. It seems wrong when there are people needing shelter. If only we really linked together. Do you think that soon we all will?
Because of the difference of the male and female brains and their consequent varied approaches to problems, I believe that the time will come when it will b e natural for all leadership to contain at the very top, the office shared by both a male and a female head. We work well together on the humanitarian level.It will come eventually on the political level.
We are special, but a part of the animal species and all males are naturally territorial.The femal beain uses mofre lateral thinking and is not so good at immediate problem solv
(Terminal 5 at Heathrow this morning for Russia!)
May 13th, 2008
by Administrator
Two terrible Natural disasters and perhaps we could help? Ceuld we find out if any Montessori nurseries or schools affected? If they are let us link immediately and help them in every possible way with equipment, building etc.
If there are no Montessori Schools could we be put in touch with one nursery or school and then find out what they would like us to do?
Over thirty two thousand Montessori Schools if we link, could be a power for peaceful help?
Who will get this going? Could we all link with the chief people from all trrainings and schools.
Phyllis Wallbank
May 13th, 2008
by Administrator
I am still in England! There was a mistake with my visa and it will be given today at 8am in London. I had to send a taxi to London at great expense for it with the letter from the Russian Embassy in Moscow and they could not do it until this morning at 8am.
Life is full of surprises. I was at the mercy of a very rude and unkind woman for hours with B.A. at terminal 5. I was with her for hours and she said that there was no phone or computer that she could let me access to. I was in my wheel chair with no one to take me to one. It was a horrible experience.
I have paid a taxi with tip, four hundred pounds to go yesterday and again today to get the visa in London, He has the letter in Russian that was from the Embassy in Moscow, in Russian, and that Elena and I thought was to see me through.
After many hours I managed to get free of the unpleasant woman official and managed to get to the real manager with his grey tie, that apparently at terminal 5 signifies a real manager who was kindly and helpful.
I now await Moscow to tell me whether they have managed to get me on another plane. It will not be easy because of the football crowds travelling.
I await now the outcome and wait here with my luggage and wondering whether to get food in or not!
Life is full of surprises.
May 12th, 2008
by Administrator
It is a great honor to travel around the world passing on Dr Montessori’s wonderful message. Today I am going to Moscow to give my remembrances of that great genius.
(I feel that I should carry a football to be welcomed in!}
I have received such great kindness and care from the Montessori people even before getting there. Thank you all so very much.
I had this message yesterday:
Dear Phyllis,
we are waiting for you!
Keep yourself.
Welcome to Russia!
Love, Elena and all Montessori teachers of Russia
I have seen such lovely Montessori schools, in so many countries, each with its own character, and yet all, in spite of such different cultures, all show the same eager and happy children..
In this electronic age my doctor friend got my boarding pass for me!
I merely have to ask the taxi driver to ask for the attendant at the airport to see me through with my wheel chair..
So Moscow here I come. Thank you for having me, paying my fare and hotel.
I give you my lecture, my remembrances and experiences, to you with my love.
Phyllis Wallbank
May 11th, 2008
by Administrator
The fsmily of every child or the people they are with, are very important within a Montessori school.
The child is not an isolated unit, and it is very valuable to the school to include all the community as much as possible, and especially the child’s parents.
There is material made in the way Montessori showed that is needed to help each child’s own special interest. Involve the parents and get them to make material for their child’s own interest.
The material should isolate each unit of learning.
It should be in the correct script with only upper case letters for proper nouns.
I will illustrate with material to learn about their country.
A map with only the main cities on it.
A set of labels to match.
The child learns by putting labels under the names and matches them. He will enjoy repeating many times.
A second map is now used that is without any names.
The child puts out the labels where he thinks they should go.
He now checks himself with the other map to see which are correct.
He repeats with great satisfaction!
The next map will be with physical attributes made with labels, blank map, and controls.
The next might be, showing the country’s position in the continent and a later one the position in the world.
This is the pattern of all materials: the isolation of each unit. the learning by matching the labels, Then putting on a blank and correcting their own work with the control.
Copy these main points and give to everyone so that they may like to make material of their own interests or hobbies.
The whole community benefits when you involve them in this way.
May 10th, 2008
by Administrator
In two days I go to lecture in Moscow (no I just miss the football!)
All that has been arranged again by e mail, a very efficient and caring hostess Elena, electronic ticket, and air line. What a remarkable age we are living in!
I was born in 1918 and so the changes are so remarkable because even radio was at the very early infancy of crystal sets and ear phones when I was a child.
The whole world has become so close and we know what is happening as it happens even if it is far away from us.
There was no air travel, n o package holidays, no e mail, no radio.or television.
Your lifetimes will see again enormous changes, and our children even more.
The probability is that interplanetary travel will be available for our childen of the coming generations.
Our scientists say that they believe that there is a common mathematical theory at the basis of everything.
We should give our children the love of the quest for the as yet unknown in physics and Maathematics whilst remembering that in nature everything is linked. There are no very separate subjects such as we have made generally in our school curriculums.
Their wonderful Montessori self corrective materials will give them a love for the quest for answers, based on their own personal experience.
The questions will arise within themselves and they will research their own answers with all the wonderful help now at hand.
Their own questions, instead of the teacher’s, will give them a love for learning about this amazing and wonderful and glorious world.
May 9th, 2008
by Administrator
I was so moved by the behavior of the children at the Gatehouse and the 60th anniversary of its founding. They all met at the old Norman Priory . This is where Gatehouse began and where it continued for a while in the cloisters, until growing too large in number.
Even the tiny nursery children today looked around and were soaking in the atmosphere of the old almost nine hundred year old stones, There was so much for them to see that was new and different, and wonderful.
They look at life with fresh eyes:”Why aren’t the people paid the most money for doing the nastiest jobs that no one else wants to do?”
I couldn’t help thinking of tghe Burma victtims and their great need but not wanting infiltration of other countries, that childrfen would probably say, they should make all their people aid workeers from the other parts unaffected and us the other countries to bring everything to one base rwhere the enormous army of helpers frrom their own military transport and their own helpers would take it over.
It was good to see the mixture there today of basic cultures of both teachers and children,
The school because it limits itself to juniors is not the same as in my day,, but the spirit is still there and the self discipline and kindness towards each other was so evident.
How lucky we are to be able to keep our children company on their way.
Every head and every teacher has their own unique expression of Montessori because they themselves are unique. The basis is the same because all humans follow the same main stages of development, but we all walk our own paths and keep each other company on their and our way.
Countries are also unique and we may walk with them but we cannot actt for their own unique paths but we may keep each other good company and help each other when asked, and accompany on their way.
Maria Montessori, I felt that you approved today and were there with love, with us all. Thank you for showing us the way.
May 7th, 2008
by Administrator
MAY 8th is the 60th anniversary of the Gatehouse School, London.
I ask a blessing on all past and present pupils, and on those pupils during my thirty years of creating Gatehouse.
We were a school that had a mixture within it and took turns for our own special prayer at assembly. We had many children of other ethnic backgrounds when it was rare in London. However if they entered they had to agree to take part in the annual Nativity Play as literature which used the St. James version Gospel words.
I thank the Gatehouse pupils for the most wonderful thirty years when we were creating the all age Learning Centre.
This year I have been round the world with my wheel chair, lecturing and visiting Montessori schools.
My lectures link the Montessori ac3tivities with the latest brain research. .
My travels to Montessori schools all over the world was a most wonderful experience but I couldn’t help thinking how disappointed Montessori would be at the very few schools going up in age in the wonderful way she spent so many years developing in theory.
Her work went even through the university years, saying what she thought about university and how there should be a difference between vocational universities and those pursuing pure research.
My own senior work has been lost, as Gatehouse now doesn’t go into the senior adolescent years. However my second lecture is always showing slides of the Gatehouse as a Learning Centre, and telling of our experiences.
We were the first school to integrate children with profound disabilities. We learned so much.
Thank You so very much staff and pupils during those thirty years of our all age Gatehouse Students.
Thank you BBC for the fine documentary about us and also for the BBC radio Broadcast with us at The Festival of Britain.
Remarkably we neveer had a prospectus as we always had a very long waiting list which we took in at date order. May The Gatehouse always have this fine social and also ethnic mix.
Every child said every day with his or her own meaning:
“Oh God I love you! Help me to love you more and more every day. Amen
Do write to me. I am just about to be ninety!
phylliswallbank@aol.com
May 7th, 2008
by Administrator
For more help in Maths, pupils and teachers may obtain extra help from Wolfram Projects.
Stephen Wolfram devised Mathmatica, a soft ware program used by space travel to the moon.
What is The Wolfram Demonstrations Project?
I was guardian to Stephen’s Wolframs Mother. Stephen has tried to help sschools by making programs of interest showing Maths in different subjects of interest to young children. Theese programs are free of any charge.
What is The Wolfram Demonstrations Project?
The Wolfram Demonstrations Project was conceived by Stephen Wolfram as a way to bring computational exploration to the widest possible audience.
With hundreds of interactive, open-code Demonstrations–created in Mathematica by users from around the world–The Wolfram Demonstrations Project brings to life ideas in maths, science, and many other areas, from elementary education to front-line research.
All Demonstrations, and the programs that made them, are provided free of charge and run on any computer with Mathematica ,6 or the free Mathematica Player.
This means that pupils can continue to teach themselves at their own pace in the Montessori way, with now, expert help.
The Wolfram Demonstrations Project was conceived by Stephen Wolfram as a way to bring computational exploration to the widest possible audience.
With hundreds of interactive, open-code Demonstrations–created in Mathematica by users from around the world–The Wolfram Demonstrations Project brings to life ideas in maths, science, and many other areas, from elementary education to front-line research.
All Demonstrations, and the programs that made them, are provided free of charge and run on any computer with Mathematica 6 or the free Mathematica Player.
May 6th, 2008
by Administrator
Whatever the future holds, whether robotic or not, Maths is in nature itself and holds the key to our future.
The need is for easy swift computation,ease of managing equations, and fractions, and also problem solving.
Fast computation is achieved in Montessori schools by such materials as the bead stair which helps with the make up of ten . The ease of knowing 7 qnd 3, 6 and 4 and so on is vital.
The very large numbers that are connected with space travel may thwn be easily handled as ‘powers of ten’.
The multiplication tables are understood with the materials and the use of both hemispheres of the brain help them to go into the long term memory.
Once the make up of ten is known, one of the numbers can be substituted wiith a letter and equations are used and understood.
Problem solving is enjoyed because the children make up their ow ‘Story Sums’ for their friends. There is much laughter as children make up such imaginative themes through these story problems.
Problem solving is a major need for any new invention.
The founders of Google were Montessori chilldren and say it with pride.
May 5th, 2008
by Administrator
Dr Montessori said that we must give the child in his schooling the Keys to the Environment that he will need as an adult in his own generation. We therefore have to look at the next stage of use of technology that is likely to happen.
The cost of a home in the industrial cities means that generally both parents have to work and their need is for more help with the more mundane household chores so that more time can be given to their children when they come home from work..
There is general belief that the age of robots for mundane tasks will come about in his next generation, just as they are now used in the factories to make cars..
Boys have a larger spatial area of the brain than girls and so they are more attracted to engineering.
So what maths will be needed to be conversant with in our schools.? I am so very glad that there are some Senior Montessori schools working in the way advocated by Dr Montessori.
Children in our youngest age groups are very happy working with computation. Numbers and fractions are needed in programming robots. Our very young have the understanding of fractions through their senses working early on substituting one fraction for others..
I will continue tomorrow pointing out the Keys needed to deal happily, with understanding, the probable needs for the future of our children within their new environment.
May 4th, 2008
by Administrator
Dancing a`nd acting should of course be within all ages of Montessori as these are attributes of our humanity.
Walking on a line to music is a coordination development exercise in our schools. However we still need free movement each in their own way, to music.
The music should be vaied from day to day so that sometimes it is easy and flowing and sometimes sycopated and lively.
Children who have eor are distressed by something at home can get a gt eat release from their anxiety or sadness. Similarly great energy and joy can find expression.
When ac4ting the childen’s attention can be drawn to nature bby acting.
“Fly like a bird.”
“Be a little seed that is watered and grows very strong and tall.”
The possibilities are endless and help observation and aid expression.
It is a help afterwards to have everyone go on tiptoe to their seat with their choice of what they wish to do if it is the six and under age group.
Remember Dr Montessori said that she would never segregate those ages as they learn from each other through the Absorbent Mind and through their companionship and care for each other.
May 3rd, 2008
by Administrator
Music and singing are a natural part of all human beings. Our brains are made to be activated by the sounds of different types of music, and also to produce music through our voice and through instruments.
Listening to music activates the Auditory Cortex in the right hemisphere of the brain.
When we pitch a note the Precuneus is activated.
When the children know a tune and follow the melody, their right temporal lobe is used.
When a song tune eis played and they play the game of remembering the title then the temporal lobe in the left hemisphere is used.
And ehrn they sing along with understanding of the words the the area activated is the Wernick’s area.
The children in addition use the Montessori Tone Bars and the wonderful bells and so are helped to perfect pitch and a love of music in all its variety.
Montessori children often hum quietly as they work and the are enthusiastic choral singers and music makers.
May 2nd, 2008
by Administrator
Yesterday I had this from my hostess after visiting her school in Israel.
Dear Phyllis,
I have more good news - do you remember the quiet very withdrawn girl who’s interest in the letters you spotted and suggested to Daniela to offer her reading activities? This girl is now spontaneously working and playing with other children in the class room!!! Can you imagine?!? Actually I think you can, as you spotted her hunger and showed us how to do this miracle. You taught me so much in such a little time! thank you so much dearest Phyllis. Big hug! Naomi.
Reading is a great help to all children and so we give the early keys.
My Jewish Hostess took me to the Holy Land, to Jerusalem, Nazareth and Bethlehem for me for Easter! Montessori is about the development of ALL humans and so crosses boundaries whilst keeping the culture.
There are said to be over thirty two thousand Montessori schools in the world so we have at least thirty two thousand friends!
I go to Russia on the 14th, no! not for the football but to lecture and to see some schools. I look forward to it very much.
Life is for living even when 90! I go with my wheelchair. Love to you.
May 1st, 2008
by Administrator
The Absorbent Mind is so very strong so use it for the printed word.
Label your shelves so that when the child goes to fetch the Pink Tower, he sees the words, Pink Tower on that shelf at the Pink Tower.
Use capital letters only for Proper Nouns and only for the first letter; remember the absorbent mind takes in everything!
Use a large reading card when you announce a general activity such as a break.
The children very early on will feel the sandpaper letters with the sound for each. They will be using the movable alphabet for their own thought.
The fun of reading must come long before any exercises for spelling with the alphbet and then the fun and magic of reading is captured.
One day let everyone wear already prepared name labels and dsmall children love going around reading the labels because they know what they say.
T&he Command Cards are enjoyed very much. These have such commands as
Clap three times. ( Put the capital letter at the beginning).
Stand up and turn around twice. etc.
Your science experiments should Montessori suggested, say for the plants
‘Water me every day”, then the next plant:’Water me once ea week’ and the third, ‘Do not water.”
Puttt these reading words very early within the environment and like at my Gatehouse School, children will read very easily by five years.
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