MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB

When the police car pulled along the curb in front of my house, and the officer lumbered out, heading for my house, I was not worried. I think I actually chuckled softly, as I reached into my file cabinet and pulled out my copy of the local animal ordinances. I met the officer at my door in a friendly way, shaking his hand and introducing myself. The officer: "We've had a complaint that you have...". "MAAAAA!!," came the abrasive call from the back yard. "Sheep," said the officer, "and that's just been confirmed." "Sheep are not allowed in Monticello," he said. "Oh come around and meet them," I urged, nudging him to the backyard. On the way I explained that we are an educational institution, so we have an "exemption" in order to use animals for educational purposes. He actually seemed relieved, and was attentive when I told him about how we had taught all of our older children to knit, using a sheep poem. "And then we got the idea to get these Babydoll Southdown sheep, have the children care for them on a daily basis, then we would shear, wash, card, spin and dye the wool for our projects." He seemed to like the idea, wrote something down, and left to report to those in charge that we were claiming to have an exemption. I should have been worried. In less than ten minutes he was back.

When someone first suggested sheep, I wasn't even sure I would like them. We've had three different goats at our school over the last 30 years, and plenty of chickens. Love the chickens. But sheep? They just seemed boring to me. But because of the beautiful cycle that the children could experience with them, I still thought it was a good idea, so we gave it a try. It took me about three hours to fall completely in love with these animals. I don't think I can put into words the serenity I feel when I am caring for these two, Sunflower the little girl, and Thistle, the wether. Their intelligence is obvious. In fact, I was surprised to read that their level of intelligence is just below pigs - pretty smart. For some reason, maybe because we usually see them in flocks, I didn't realize how distinct their personalities would be. Sunny, at 40 pounds, runs the show. She lost her mama at birth, was bottle-fed, so of course she thinks we humans are around to do her bidding. Thistle, the ram, at ninety pounds, is as docile, and affectionate as an old retriever. He follows me absolutely everywhere, observing my work, and nibbling at the odd blade of whatever...or at my skirt...or the velcro on my shoe. He is also very free with kisses--his muzzle is just like a boiled wool slipper!

Our children are crazy about them, feeding and watering and brushing them with care. Bath days are a hoot. The sheep, much like dogs, wait until they are completely soaked and lathered, then give tremendous full body shakes, splashing the children with water and plopping suds all over the shrieking little ones. I swear they grin when they do this.

I have always felt, no always known, that these authentic experiences to do real work that teaches empathy and responsibility, are the kinds of opportunities that all children need. I am a dyed in the wool Montessorian! Why, oh why, do the powers that be seem to do everything wrong for children, for families, for neighborhoods and communities? My explanations and pleas were met with obtuse responses like, "Sounds like a great idea, but it's against the rules."

The city says our sheep must go. It seems their ordinance was poorly written, and the exemption that we thought we had, is indeed written into the ordinance. But it is an exemption for dangerous animals. In other words, we could have a boa, or tiger, but not two lambs. We are in process of petitioning the city council to alter the ordinance and let us KEEP THE SHEEP. My early June was so peaceful, something unusual for me. School is out due to low enrollment, and I was using the days to take care of the animals, write, make jewelry, and take long walks. Since this situation arose, I have had that old, unsettling feeling of unease. I find myself spending too much time thinking about it, and wondering why someone complained. And then I get onto WHO complained? I feel a bit paranoid, glancing about...was it him? I look at neighbors differently, although all of them insist that the sheep do not bother them. And I think to myself that it is these petty issues, little things, that cause people to distrust each other, and then dislike each other, and perhaps begin to play "tit for tat" with each other. And peace is replaced with insidious hatred.

Mary had a little lamb...it made the children laugh and play to see a lamb at school. I want to see children laughing and playing and loving at schools again. Why is that against the rules? Let's change the damned rules.

Our knitting poem: Under the fence,
                               Catch the sheep,
                               Back we come,
                               Off we leap!

If you are interested in our cause, and its outcome, please visit our Facebook page KEEP THE SHEEP.

https://www.facebook.com/KeepTheSheep

Read the beautiful letters that have been written to our mayor, some of which are written by former students who are now adults, immersed in their own careers - but still they take time to write in behalf of our little Metamorphosis Montessori School. I love them all.

You can participate. Write your thoughts, or a letter. Addresses are on the page. We'll keep you posted.

Children Blossom in the Garden

     Just a few ideas about why I believe every child should experience gardening - on a serious level. No plastic shovels, or hoes, or rakes. Very good garden tools can be found at the local home improvement store. Just buy small sizes, i.e. a bulb digging shovel is a good size for a small child, but quality, as it is made for adults. Another option is to simply saw down adult tools to appropriate size. Teach children to clean and maintain their tools, and keep them in a storage space so they are always in good shape for the next time. Supply gloves and a good watering can, show them how to sow and tend, and they will be content, concentrating, and fulfilled for hours. Leave a small area of garden just for the young child to practice digging deep holes, and don't forget to raise some worms!

Just A Moment

Still trying to complete my research under a tight deadline. Don't know if I will make it. I'm asking myself if it is the end of the world to need more time?

Just a little photo story this week...

Learning to wait is a valuable lesson.

 It smells so good. (Mmmm.)

It looks so good. (Uh huh.)

And oh how good it will taste when he makes juice for himself. Be patient, little one.

From Calm to Chaos in 10 Seconds

My plan for the next few weeks has been to toss up some photos from time to time, as I've been buried in work. I've finished a study, analyzed results, and am attempting to write it all up in a somewhat cohesive way. Easier said than done! But today, our classroom was so hilarious, that I just had to write a few words about it. 

For the last couple of years, our children have been so normalized that the work cycle has been a breeze. We have felt that we could invite literally any observer, without trepidation, as the children know the ropes so well that they are a model Montessori group. We've actually gotten almost cocky about this notion. Ha! How we had forgotten that the equilibrium in the Montessori environment, that bubble, that work-full hum, can just pop and all heck can break loose. Today we were reminded...

A few weeks ago, we moved a little one into our group. She is two, full of gusto and determination, and already adored by all the other children. I have to mention her name because it adds to the aura of our calamities this morning. Her name is "Jurnee," however, a number of the other young children believe her name to be, "Germy." This is because, as you may have noticed if you are an educator of young ones, children have built a certain glossary of terms that they know in their minds by around age three; if something sounds similar, they always use their known word instead of the new one. That's why we have "metal insects," and "allergy eater fish," and the "Vampire State Building." (By the way, I would love to hear your favorite children's derivations of the english language - send to me in comments and I will post!) So...this morning as soon as I arrived, I felt the children's energy. They were a bit frenetic. There is so much going on around our school, as parents are preparing for our annual Italian Dinner/Raffle Fundraiser. Parents are lingering at school, discussing details, hurrying to complete projects, and the children feel it.  So far, little Jurnee has hardly caused a ripple in our classroom, and is quite focused and loves to work. But this week, in our studio, real canvases have been placed about, with many colors of acrylic paint for the oldest children. Every year they create one masterpiece each to be auctioned at our fundraiser. Jurnee has been quite unable to leave the paint alone. So my cooperating teacher, who is extremely skilled and well-trained, suggested we put some shaving cream out for Jurnee to finger paint in. I agreed that this was a fine idea, and she occupied herself for a time. Then she discovered that if she clapped her hands together hard, shaving cream flew about wildly and landed on all of her friends who were working at adjacent tables! The working children let out shrieks as the cream flew onto them. This delighted Jurnee! Our little boy who has sensory issues was standing near the scene of the crime. He had a look of pure horror on his face. Jurnee saw this and loved it. She jumped up with her hands loaded with shaving cream, and proceeded to move toward the little boy with her hands raised ala monster. This little boy who has an aversion to anything making contact with his person or his clothing, began to run, howling, "Noooo Germy, No!" Jurnee, giggling wildly, set chase. Mind you, this was happening over a few seconds, but the effect was stunning. Order dissolved. Chaos ensued. They made a loop around the room, and the next thing I knew the little boy had thrown himself through the air and was climbing me as if I was a tree! He made it to the top and held his knees up tightly, and Jurnee was apprehended by Miss Heather. Did I mention that our classroom dog was in pursuit, running after the two? When all of the children and teachers finally closed our mouths, I got the giggles. After my climber was assured that the little anarchist would not put shaving cream on him, I unglued him from me, and he slid down and sat on my shoe. As he walked away, I noticed a big blob of green paint on his bum. I looked down at my shoe and saw this...

Our dog, Sputnik, has green paws as well... No idea about the origin of the blob of green paint, but there was a commotion of floor scrubbing that followed. Now just what would a person think, who happened to drop in, during that two minutes? That Montessori! What a free-for-all!

THE RINGLEADER

A young man, who had no Montessori training, once shared his experience with subbing at a Montessori school. He said some children worked, while another group got out all the food from practical life, prepared a feast, then strapped paper plates to their feet and skated about the room. I remember being amazed that this could happen, and felt bad that it was his first experience with Montessori. Today, as I thought of his tale, I laughed all over again at his descriptions and my images of his day in the prepared environment. It works beautifully, almost all of the time, if adults are well-trained. But, as I was reminded today: We still have to be "prepared" for anything! Just keep your cool and never let them see you sweat.

SOME LOVELY OUTDOOR SPRING PLAY AND WORK