Quote:Originally posted by Momcat:
[b]
I don't see this as rushing the child, rather I see the alternative as holding him back.
[/b]
No big surprises here, but often, it's a parent's job [i]to hold their children back[/i]. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/cool.gif[/img]
When we treat a child with the wisdom that the measurement of that child's potential and ability to navigate is far more than their rank within academic performance, [i]then we will be teaching them something valuable[/i]. We will also be affording them protection from a world where no amount of "intelligence" can match [i]experience[/i].
I have a tendency to believe the academic "over achievers" and the "gifted" are more prone to horrific blundering through the complex social web of life than those who can't think beyond their pocket tip calculators. Especially before they are thirty. Maybe forty. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/tongue.gif[/img] Question is, do you believe someone like myself?

Quote:Originally posted by Momcat:
[b] There are kids for whom high school is a waste of time. [/b]
I'd say if they view it as a waste of time, then they are in sore need of the lesson.
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"Be the change you wish to see in the world." ~Genghis Khan

Quote:Originally posted by MommaBear:
[b] I have a tendency to believe the academic "over achievers" and the "gifted" are more prone to horrific blundering through the complex social web of life than those who can't think beyond their pocket tip calculators. [/b]
I think that is simply a stereotype. My point is that there are kids out there for whom graduation at 15 (or earlier) is the best option. I'm not saying it's the best option for everyone.
Just because these kids graduate early does not mean that their parents are not teaching them that other things in life are more important than one's "academic rank" as you put it. These kids are so profoundly gifted that graduating from high school is like an afterthought.
Cathy

Quote:Originally posted by Momcat:
[b] I think that is simply a stereotype. My point is that there are kids out there for whom graduation at 15 (or earlier) is the best option. I'm not saying it's the best option for everyone.
Just because these kids graduate early does not mean that their parents are not teaching them that other things in life are more important than one's "academic rank" as you put it. These kids are so profoundly gifted that graduating from high school is like an afterthought.
[/b]
I think that's just another stereotype. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] "Profound Giftedness" has little to do with navigating day to day. Think of it. What practical use is it? If it's so rare, then it's probably of little value dealing with the average......mope. Especially those who have the advantage of experiences practically all the population shares. That "carnal" knowledge so to speak. It's like having four arms and and no legs in a world where you are expected to walk everywhere. You'll do great on the typing test, but getting there is going to be a trick.

You seem to think that the profoundly gifted are all like Mr. Spock. Good thing he always had Kirk and McCoy there to explain humanity to him... Don't you think that great writers and philosophers who give us insight into the human condition are highly gifted people?
Many highly gifted children possess social maturity beyond their years. Early college is an excellent opportunity for them.

Quote:Originally posted by Momcat:
[b]You seem to think that the profoundly gifted are all like Mr. Spock. Good thing he always had Kirk and McCoy there to explain humanity to him... [/b]
The fact you think Spock was the one with the problems proves my point. [img]http://uumor.pair.com/nutalle2/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img]

Quote:Originally posted by Momcat:
[b]
Many highly gifted children possess social maturity beyond their years. [/b]
IYO, Spock wasn't socially mature....?

For those of you who have children in a traditional Montessori preschool can you tell me how much information you receive back from his/her teachers daily/weekly on what your child is doing?
Our DS (4 yr old) started a month ago at a traditional Montessori preschool. We are brand new to the whole "Montessori way". When I ask about his day when I pick him up they say it was "good" or "great" but that is all the information I get. No one can tell me what he did. They say it doesn't matter what he did . . . and it is up to the individual child to decide what he/she does. Since he can float from area to area there isn't just one teacher that is watching him through out the day. The ratio is 1:7 (up to 35 kids in the class - broken into two classes of 17).
I have been told that they do two parent teacher conferences per year and this is when I will get an understanding of what he has been doing. PLEASE let me know if this is the Montessori way or just "their" way.
Thank you
[This message has been edited by BBCBMom (edited August 01, 2007).]

Since you say you are new to Montessori, I'd ask the lead teacher if s/he can recommend a book or website to give you a feel for the teaching philosophy. This will probably shed a lot of light on the disconnect you are having with the daily updating.
I think it may be both, in other words--"Good" seems a rather curt description of anyone's day, after all. But traditional Montessori is very definitely about building skills and confidence-- not 'doing projects.' So there may not be a lot in the way of worksheets or art projects to show you... Think sweeping, tracing shapes and letters, stringing beads and then putting them away when they are finished, etc. All about personal responsibility, pride in well-done work, and self-direction. It sounds like your classroom is set up traditionally, with centers, and is mostly self-directed and self-paced.
The best way to find out how things went is to talk to your child-- ask things like what was the 'best part' about school today?
Your child may REALLY surprise you with the answers in a Montessori classroom!
(We did Montessori at home because none of the local ones could handle DD's MFA-- but we tried for close to a year to get her in.)

Reraising the question from last night. I did ask the head teacher for a book and unfortunatly it wasn't very informative. I do ask my son how his day went but most of the time he wants to talk about something else. I am not looking for detail information just three things like he did . . . he sweep, he read a book and he enjoyed circle time when they did xxxx.
I just think it is odd that one person does not know what my son's day was like. I understand they can wander around but I just need to know if it is normal not to be able to get information from someone at his school on what he is doing.