I recently had a fascinating conversation with Alison Carberry, a parent at T.E.C., about her observations during a recent classroom visit. She shared some wonderful insights that I think you'll find interesting!

Alison was immediately struck by the sense of calm and order in the classroom. "Every student was working quietly on their own," she remarked. "They knew exactly what they needed, when they needed it, and how to get it." She was particularly impressed by the children's independence and lack of distractions. "Students weren't bothering each other. There was one little guy who was a bit distracting, but he's young!" she chuckled.

One small detail that surprised Alison was seeing the children push in their chairs after getting up. "Every one of them!" she exclaimed. "I can definitely do that at home with my son!"

She also noticed the respectful way the children interacted with the teacher. "When students wanted their work checked, they waited patiently. They didn't poke the teacher for attention or talk over her. It was clear that there is a maturity level there, and that's impressive."

Alison was intrigued by the practical applications of the Montessori materials. She observed one student writing the daily menu, demonstrating that "writing isn't always about penmanship or writing in a workbook." She loved seeing how the students could "use their skills for practical purposes."

The hands-on nature of the materials also caught her attention. "It made parts of a sentence more tangible," she said, referring to a student working on sentence structure with colorful objects. "Something as abstract as grammar becomes manipulable."

Alison was impressed by how the teacher, Mrs. Perkins, guided the students to go deeper in their learning. When a student working with the grammar materials needed help, Mrs. Perkins reminded her to get her adjective book and dictionary. "She was absolutely engaged," Alison recalled. "She even asked the teacher, 'Is narrow the same as small?' The teacher said, 'Let's get the dictionary to find the precise meaning.'"

Alison also commented on the classroom environment: "It is just so spacious in this new building! The room is colorful but not distracting. Neutral palette with a pop of color with the green plants and materials. It looks clean but not sterile."

She was initially curious about the variation in how long children worked with different materials. Some children worked with several materials in a short time, while others focused on one material for an extended period. I explained that some materials are for practice and can be completed quickly, while others require more time to set up and work through the process. These longer activities help children develop focus and concentration.

Alison reflected on the overall atmosphere of the classroom: "The environment was very quiet, and the children were used to this approach of self-directed learning. It is very different from other schools. Here, students acquire intrinsic motivation, self-direction, and leadership skills. This environment is right for my son to develop these life skills."

It was wonderful to hear Alison express her enthusiasm for incorporating some of these Montessori principles at home. She was inspired to create a checklist for her son, similar to the work plan he uses at school. "Perhaps he could have a whiteboard to make a checklist... to read with his grandparents before my husband and I get home, do a little bit every day so he does not have to do a lot on the weekend."

I added that the work plan leaves a lasting impression on the children. "Children love routines. Several of our graduates have mentioned how they continue to use a work plan to manage their time and assignments after they graduate to high school. It is an invaluable life skill that helps them succeed."

Alison's observations provide a wonderful glimpse into the Montessori magic that happens every day at T.E.C. If you're curious to learn more, I encourage you to https://www.thetecschools.com/ or download our free ebook about Montessori at Home!

Rupali Sharma

Founder and Director