First School Visit!!

Today we woke up bright and early to go to our first school visit of the trip! We went to a montessori school called, Hometwo Montessori, which school children ages birth to kindergarten in a montessori philosophy. A montessori philosophy is a child directed curriculum where the teachers as guides in their education, rather than instructors.

The school was absolutely beautiful! It consisted of two yellow houses surrounded by a beautifully landscaped yard. There were three separate playgrounds, that are separated by age group, between the two houses. The school consisted of around 150 young, bright children. Each classroom has two instructors and anywhere from 7 to 14 students depending on the age group. Each one of us were placed in a different classroom where we were able to interact and learn this interesting way of teaching that was new to most of us.

In the preschool classrooms they started the day by changing their shoes into slippers, so that they could be in a more comfortable setting. They then proceeded to spend two hours in montessori time. Montessori time consists of two hours of student directed hands-on activities that the children choose, they are not directed by the instructors. Most of the activities were math, science, and life skill based. For example, some of the students were cleaning and cutting vegetables and then serving them to their classmates. The students decided what they wanted to do and all of the activities were educational. After montessori time, they changed their shoes into rain boots and went outside to snack, which was a banana and cookies with orange juice. The then proceeded to have recess outside for about 45 minutes! Unfortunately, we had to leave after recess so I was unable to see what happens in the classroom after recess. A few of the children were laying down for nap as we were leaving.

We met with a director of the school afterwards who explained the philosophies and policies of the school with us before we left.

Over all it was a spectacular day!

-- Jimena and Alana