The Montessori Work Cycle
“The mind takes some time to develop interest, to be set in motion, to get warmed up into a subject, to attain a state of profitable work. If at this time there is interruption, not only is a period of profitable work lost, but the interruption produces an unpleasant sensation which is identical to fatigue.”
-Dr. Maria Montessori, What You Should Know About Your Child
As an adult, think about what you need to do your best work?
- What should your workspace look like?
- What do you need from others?
- What restrictions do you need removed in order to meet your goals?
Dr. Montessori spent years observing children as they played. She recognized that significant learning takes place during play, so much so that she called it the “child’s work”.
Children, even very young children, have the potential for intense concentration. Children do have the innate ability to work through problems and come to solutions all on their own.
Montessori saw that they want to do these things and they do it with a sense of self-satisfaction; not because it is demanded or expected.
What Montessori realized is that we, as adults, often imagine the children require more help than they actually do, or that we must offer rewards or incentives to ensure they do their schoolwork. What children really need is time, respect, and an environment where they can focus deeply on their work.
So, the work period or the work cycle was born. Generally spanning between two or three hours in the morning, this precious time is a cornerstone of Montessori education.
How does it begin?
The start of the work can vary from classroom to classroom but typically begins as children arrive in the morning. For some classes, there may be a whole class morning meeting or circle time at the start or end of the work cycle.
A typical day begins with the child hanging their belongings in their locker, changing into their indoor shoes, and greeting their teacher as they walk into the room. Children may say hello to a friend or two, take a moment to transition themselves, and then select a work from the shelf.
Prior to age six the children will often work by themselves, but near their peers. They may lay out a work rug, set up their material, and delve into a deeply concentrated state. They use the materials in the way they have been taught, then clean up and replace everything when they are done.
In the classrooms with children older than age six, the start of the day can be a bit noisier and more chaotic due to their level of social development and their desire for social connection. They still get to work rather quickly, although it’s often in the form of group or partner work.
What do the teachers in the room do?
A Montessori classroom typically has two adults present: the teacher and an assistant. The assistant busies themselves with ensuring the room stays neat and orderly and that everything the children need is available to them. If children need help or redirection, the assistant is quick to engage while still allowing the child to maintain an appropriate level of independence.
This allows the head teacher to focus on two main tasks: observation and presenting lessons. During the work cycle, teachers give lessons to individual students or small groups of children. Adults in a Montessori classroom do their best not to interrupt the work of the child.
Do children really focus the entire time?
Can anyone truly focus for three hours straight without a break?
This is one of the reasons our environments are designed for students to meet their own needs independently: If they feel hungry, they are welcome to have a snack. If they need to use the restroom, they don’t need to ask permission. Even if they just need to get up and stretch their legs or look out a window – we do not prevent children from doing these things. Allowing for breaks lets us all focus better in the long run.
There is one interesting phenomenon worth mentioning here. Sometime around 10:00-10:30 in the morning, toward the end of the work cycle, classroom communities often experience what we refer to as false fatigue.
Like clockwork, the volume of the children’s voices will rise, there is noticeably less engagement with the materials, and fewer children are sitting in one place – rather they seem to be wandering around the room.
The adult instinct is to ring a bell and make a plea for re-engagement, but we have learned to hold back. False fatigue is a normal part of the flow of the day. If we pause, observe, and wait even two or three minutes, we will see the children find their way back into their work. It can be pretty amazing to observe.
Curious to see what a morning work cycle looks like in action? We would love to have you visit. Please contact Paromita at pduttkunzweiler@fraserwoods.com to arrange an in class observation.
Head of School for the Day
Olivia Labastida was FWM’s Head of School for the day on Friday, May 27th. Olivia began the day with the 8th years as they delivered the weekly news in the FWM Commons. Olivia announced, “Popsicles for everyone and extra recess for Lower El, Upper El, and Middle School.
Olivia took her place at the desk in the head of the school’s office and called to check in and say hi to her family. After that, Olivia got right to work. She visited several classrooms to get a real look at the work that goes on in each of our classrooms at FWM, just as Ms. Gina does.
Olivia and Ms. Gina talked about how we can bring back the annual school dance. Our parent’s association were the planners and organizers; however, Olivia worked on two themes for the dance we hope to back.
All in all, a GREAT day for a Head of School!
Enhanced Police Presence
Given the tragedy in Texas, it was confirmed with me Wednesday morning that Newtown Police will provide an enhanced presence at all schools including FWM. In addition, our security company briefed our guard before he arrived on Wednesday as to the heightened protocols he is to take.
Summer Camp is ON
We are happy to let you know that we have enough students registered for camp to run all of our programs. Registration is still open!
If you would like your child to participate in FWM’s Summer Camp, please register as soon as possible.
To Register:
- Log in to your MyFWM.org account
- Click on PARENTS Widget and click FWM PROGRAMS
- Find the program and click REGISTRATION DETAILS
Click here for the:
Memorial Day-Monday, May 30- No School
Wishing you a warm and Happy Memorial Day; let us remember all our heroes who have left us while preserving our lives, our freedom, and our country.
