News

We are excited to invite parents of Primary and Elementary students* to observe in their child(ren)'s current classrooms!  Parent observations provide an authentic glimpse of your child’s day – his/her friends, teacher, environment, and learning – both academic and social/emotional. Observations are also a great way for parents to learn more about Montessori. 

Spring Observations will be independent (unguided) but parents may email Cara Friedline or their child's Teacher with any questions. Teachers and Assistants will remain focused on the students and will likely not engage in conversation with parents during this time. Likewise, students will be encouraged to continue their normal routines.

• Click the link in Springmont Weekly News to select your preferred timeslot. Times and dates vary by class. Please select a time and date to observe in your child's current classroom.  If you would like to observe at another academic level, please email Andrea Restifo.
• In order to make sure all families have an opportunity to observe, each child's parents are asked to select and share ONE timeslot per classroom.  
• As parking is very limited, we ask that parents make every effort to bring just one vehicle to campus. 
• Parents are asked to arrive promptly.  We will not be able to extend your 30-minute timeslot for late arrival. 
• Upon arrival on campus, please park in a space across from the Pavilion and come to the Front Office to check in.  

Hints for Observing - Please remember that your presence is unusual for your child and his/her classmates. The following will help minimize the disruption for your child and his/her classmates while allowing you to make the most of your time in the classroom:

• If children – yours or others – come to your chair, try not to engage them in conversation. Say a quick hello and then quietly ask the child to return to work. 
• If your own child clings or acts silly, remember that having you in the classroom is not part of your child’s normal routine. 
• If your child is aware of your presence when it is time for you to leave, you may wish to say a brief and positive goodbye. It is helpful to explain to your child that your visit to the classroom is limited and that you will leave and then see him or her at the usual dismissal time. Most children will take your leaving in stride, but some may cry and want to leave with you. Rest assured that even the most agitated child will calm down very shortly after you leave.

What Will I See? - Naturally, parents’ first tendency is to focus on their own child’s activity but observing the class as a whole is also valuable.

• Notice the placement, color, beauty, and order of the materials and the environment. Your child is attracted to learning in this specially prepared setting.
• Watch how your child’s teacher interacts with the children. Montessori teachers serve as guides, giving children lessons with the materials and then doing only what is necessary to allow them to work independently and allowing them as much time as they need to complete the task.
• Observe children learning in different ways. You may see groups of children working cooperatively, individual children working intensely, and some seemingly not engaged in any direct activity but rather actively absorbing through observing others’ work. 
• See the children interact with each other – offering assistance, resolving conflict, encouraging each other, enjoying each other’s company.
• Witness children taking responsibility for their environment - choosing work, taking it from the shelf, completing the work, and returning it so the next child can use it. 
• Listen to hear the normal murmur of children working and the special pitch of children excited about learning with success as their primary reward.