Your Child’s Day at the montessori class 

8:00 a.m. We open the door to greet the students as they arrive. Teachers stands at the gate to greet the student and parent, shake hands and help the student find their peg so that they can hang their bags and take off their shoes. Students are then expected to be cross-legged in a circle. 
 
8:05 a.m. Once the majority of Montessori students have arrived, we begin with a Assembly and worship. we then contunue with our good morning song, a few finger plays, review the calendar and news time, and the special helper is chosen for the day. The special helper feeds Monty, our classroom fish and counts each classmate in the group (in both French and English). If any group presentations are required that day, they are Presented at this circle time, such as when there are new Practical Life or art activities on themselves. 
 
8:20 a.m. We will usually ask students to close their eyes and think about what work they would like to begin with today and when they have thought of something to raise their hand. The guide will walk around the circle and gently tap each child on the hand (one by one). It is a really calm way to begin the day and helps each student begin the day focused and ready to find an activity to work on. While the children work independently, students will be encouraged to work in groups or individually. The guides will reinforces the important rules and routines of the class and helps diffuse any issues as they arise throughout the morning. 
 
10:15 a.m. False Fatigue occurs around this time in the morning, the noise level tends to escalate and there are usually several “wanderers”. Maria Montessori noted this restlessness when she observed classrooms and she referred to it as “False Fatigue”. This is typical of the Montessori environment, however we will take this opportunity to have a break and for children to have some snacks and something to drink. The special helper will then push ‘play’ on our CD player to signal that it is time to have a break. This is a great way to remind them to stop work. And in a calm, peaceful manner, they will be expected to come out to the dining table.   
 
10:30- 11:00 a.m.  30 minutes is allowed for this break. 
 
11:00 a.m.  Table will be cleared and floor cleaned. 11:15 a.m. The children will come back and continue with their Montessori classroom work for another hour 12:15 p.m​. The special helper pushes ‘play’ on our CD player to signal that it is time to clean up. The music is a soft, instrumental CD which is a great reminder to clean up in a calm, peaceful manner. Once the students tidy their work, we all sit down for circle time. We then have a quick circle, reflect on the morning, play some sort of a transition game and they are sent one by one to the washroom to wash their hands for lunch. Eating lunch is the perfect opportunity to reinforce the importance of grace, courtesy and good manners in the Montessori preschool classroom……it’s such a special time of day! 
Tel: 055 9487133    Loc:5 Ahenefie Close, Waterworks, Ashaiman roundabout, behind Bank of Africa   email:info.empiremontessori@gmail.com 
                                                                                             
 
 
 
12:50 p.m. Usually by 12:50, the students had finished eating, tidied the floor and tables, placed their lunch Bags back on their pegs and have put on their shoes to go outside (downstairs). Each child is encouraged to sit quietly in a circle, reading until everyone is ready. 
 
13:00 p.m. Once every student is dressed and ready to go outside (downstairs), the special helper is responsible for calling the classmates one by one to line up at the door and only those who are sitting politely and respectfully are called first. It is a joy to watch and the special helper always feels so proud! 
 
13:00 to 13:40 p.m. We usually have a good 40 minutes to play in the playground and the Montessori outdoor environment is incredible...the perfect space for running, jumping, playing in the sand, watering the garden, blowing bubbles, pulling one another in a wagon, drawing with chalk and having fun on the slide and monkey bars. The 40 minutes always zips by so quickly! 
 
13:45-14:15 p.m. When we come back in we have 30 minutes of watching videos and sing some songs 
 
14:15-15:10 To end the day, everyone sits on the story time mat. The Montessori teacher (Guide) reads stories while children wait for their parents. As soon as a parent arrives, the teacher calls the child’s name to come to the cubby area to get ready to go home. Once the student is dressed and ready to go, they will be reminded to take a reading book home. Every child is required to read at least five (5) times in a week. After choosing a book the teacher shakes his/her hand with a happy and encouraging goodbye greeting, then opens the door to ensure the child goes directly to their parent. Story time is such a nice way to end the day and makes dismissal time calm and relaxing.