Upper Elementary Talks with Artist Mohau Modisakeng
This year, the Upper Elementary class has had many art-related learning opportunities right at their fingertips. Recently, they had the honor of viewing South African artist Mohau Modisakeng's exhibit before it was open to the public, and sat down (quite literally) to talk with him about his moving, personal photography and videography. 
Modisakeng was born in Soweto and hails from Cape Town and Johannesburg. In his art, he uses his own image to become a "mediator of the pain" (Art historian Dr. Ruth Simbao) of the difficult, often brutal history of the post-apartheid world of South Africa. In this exhibit, Modisakeng explains to the children what each element in the photographs represents: the axes and machetes linked to the physically demanding plantation work of South Africa, the black hat represents Modisakeng's view of manhood in his culture as well as a nod to self, the horse blinders a representation for looking forward out of oppression, the feet painted white to represent the settlement of white Europeans as they first set foot onto the land of South Africa to colonize.
The Upper Elementary students began with a talk in their classroom about the gravity of Modisakeng's work, as well as a review on South Africa's history of apartheid, then headed over to view the work. The students were reflective and respectful during the viewing and talk. When they sat with Modisakeng to ask questions about his work, they presented him with some wonderful questions and observations.
While some children focused on the feelings they observed in themselves while viewing the work, others asked about the technique and place the photographs were taken, about the objects used in the work, and about Modisakeng's experiences (both physical and emotional) creating the work. Modisakeng did a wonderful job giving voice to his experiences, despite those experiences being challenging and difficult at times.
Modisakeng also took his time allowing each child to ask more questions than he had time allotted! He clearly valued their curiosity and level of engagement. And they also seemed to appreciate the experience. What an honor!
The directress and assistant set out name tags in advance, changing up who sits with whom each day. Once the name tags are place on each table, a child walks around, reading the names and placing woven place mats at each spot.
This child took great care in placing the mats just so!
While the children who volunteered earlier in the day set up the classroom for lunch, the Directress gathers with the rest of the children on the rug to sing songs. The children walking around the room setting up also sing while they work. Such a harmonious setting!
After the mats are placed, the plates and glasses come next.
Next, two children work together, one placing cloth napkins at each setting, while the other is in charge of forks and spoons.
Silverware is heavy!
Perhaps one of the most fun parts of setting up lunch is one of the youngest children in the class taking responsibility for pouring water into each glass. He was so careful, so methodical, and took so much pride in this activity, which, as he grows older, will become more about contributing to the community around him. Each child will drink from the water he poured so carefully. How important he must feel!
Once the tables are set, the directress invites everyone to sit. The children wait until everyone is seated. The directress rings a bell once, and they all begin to unpack their lunches and socialize with their friends.
Children serve themselves or can ask for help opening or heating up food. They do as much of it themselves as they can manage, and take pride in this work.
This part of the day is so special, it is wonderful to witness. It feels like a big family gathering!Thank you, Reghan, for inviting us into your classroom for lunch! 
The guide starts by asking children to recap what had happened the previous day and many hands shoot up. They all contribute, some in greater detail than others, pieces of the story that make the whole. And that's the thing—this group dynamic is representative of the collaborative nature of the Montessori lower elementary classroom: all voices are heard, each child is valued, their voices are part of a bigger picture.
Read aloud is fascinating to observe. A small room, absolutely packed with children, is completely and totally quiet. There is only the sound of paper being folded and the shifting of bodies. Each child understands and respects the expectations: they are to listen, whether their hands are busy finger-knitting, folding origami, or drawing or simply folded in their lap.
When the guide reads a humorous or light passage, the children erupt into laughter. Then, like magic, it is quiet again.
Being together in this small space, one cannot help but notice the sense of community. The older children help the younger ones, using hand signals instead of words—guiding them through a tricky fold in origami, offering a hand when a stitch is off, or sharing scissors and pencils. A treasured time of day, read aloud is a time to relax and refresh the mind before another work cycle.
Villa di Maria: What do you do?Jay Fram: I'm a photographer. But answering this question is often a process of outlining what I'm not. I'm not a real estate photographer. I'm not a wedding photographer. I take pictures of people for advertising and editorial or corporate purposes. I don't have as much time as I'd like to pursue fine art. But it's a competitive field, so I feel really privileged to get the work I do.VdM: What is it about Montessori that appeals to you and your wife Jackie?JF: Well, Jackie went to a Montessori preschool when she was young. I had a close friend growing up whose mother ran a Montessori. Although I didn't attend one, I was definitely exposed to Montessori while growing up.Montessori appeals to our contrarian, artsy, lefty tendencies. We like to think of ourselves as free thinkers. We got into Montessori in a practical way; we were living in Webster at the time, and we found ourselves suddenly losing our nanny. Our oldest son was at the time almost old enough to go to preschool. Villa was willing to take him at two-and-a-half, so it worked out for us. Then we ended up liking it so much that we kept him there. He was thriving so much socially and academically that we decided to keep him there for elementary.Our youngest (age 3) is also doing really well. What he gets out of it is different from his brother. He's a feeler, whereas our oldest is more of a thinker. The Montessori environment is pretty neat. He writes so many stories, he really just cranks them out. I'm also really excited about the level of mathematics he's doing at this age. He's coming home with long division problems, which I think is pretty amazing.On the writing piece -- I went to a rural school from my early years up until 8th grade and there were kids I graduated with who could barely write. It's important to me that our kids know how to do these things!VdM: Do your kids express any interest in the arts?JF: I would like to get them into music. Our oldest really likes to listen to it. He draws a lot, but I guess I expect my youngest to be more art-oriented. We recently took them both to see The Ugly Duckling production at COCA, and they both really enjoyed it.VdM: What advice would you give to parents who are curious about or interested in Montessori?JF: I think observing in the classroom is pretty convincing. If you're on the fence, that sensory experience of being there in the primary classroom is amazing. If you find yourself unsettled by the appearance of some disorganization, then maybe it's not for you. But it's amazing to see the self-direction of these little kids.My advice would be to trust that the directresses are invested and attuned to what's going on with the classroom and the kids. They are also very available to learn from the parents about their children, which we have had direct experience with, with the directresses at Villa. My mom always says that our kids will have to get along in the real world and learn to thrive in environments that aren't always ideal, and that will strengthen them for a world where they will have to deal with different types of people and situations. I think Villa does that; it seems to me that Villa is a respite from a lot of the stressors of work and life. I don't want to shelter my kids. That's a part of the experience I have to trust.
Thank you, Jay, for taking the time to sit down and talk, and for the fantastic picture of you in mid-sneeze. To see more of Jay's incredible photography, be sure to visit his 
The Upper Elementary had help learning about the traditions from a special guest, Ms. Gloria, who discussed with them the various traditions on the day, including the building of an altar called an ofrenda, which they placed around and on top of the mantle in one of the classrooms. They included beautiful handmade paper flowers (marigolds are the traditional flower used in Mexico's modern holiday), paper cut-outs, sugar skulls, and the favorite foods of the departed, as well as items, photographs, and notes to the children's deceased loved ones.
One student brought a picture of his beloved dog, along with a dog biscuit. Another remembered his grandfather with a photo and a miniature basketball, as this was his favorite sport. Each child had the opportunity to say a bit about their loved one as they place the offering on the mantle.
Candles represent the light needed to guide the spirit back.
One student worked to free plaster of paris skulls he had made over the course of a few days. They turned out great!
As part of the celebration, students took time to decorate in bright, vivid colors, skulls and flowers.
Ms. Gloria brought from a local Mexican bakery an de muerto, ("bread of the dead"), which was a sweet, light egg bread flavored with oranges, sugar, and cinnamon and decorated to represent the bones and skull of the deceased. Some of the children helped her in the kitchen to prepare the traditional Mexican drinking chocolate. It all smelled delicious!
And what celebration would be complete without music? A group of young musicians learned the lyrics to La Calaca Flaca by Oscar Chavesz. The lyrics were, of course, in Spanish. They practiced outside in the beautiful fall weather while the other students prepared decorations and food inside.
As to be expected during the composition of new music to accompany the lyrics, there were disagreements and bumps along the way, but they figured it out just in time!
Mr. Justin did not shy away from helping with the choreography! What a good sport!
The presentation of the music and traditions was lovely, and a wonderful way to foster the Montessori value of global citizenship, during which children begin to identify themselves as being connected to a world community. This exploration into a tradition to which they may not have had previous exposure is one way to cultivate a global and diverse outlook, a sense of personal responsibility, and a respect for humanity.
There was so much thought put into each game and activity. These parents and children are quite a creative bunch!
Our fearless leader...
There were some pretty amazing costumes, of course...
… as well as some pretty creepy ones!
It's a pretty great community, no doubt. Happy Halloween from Villa di Maria!
What is happening here? Coordination with one's own body in addition to coordinating with others' bodies, balance, teamwork, joy, and relaxation all in one!
Imagination, abstract thinking, and a self-imposed time-out: this child was upset and went to be by herself for a few moments. Her friend, standing, checked on her and took a position of protector. They ran off together minutes later. 
Pure joy!
Simply observing children at recess is enough to see the evidence of this complex and important part of a child's day. What an honor to be a fly on the wall! Let those kids play!
From left: cylinder rattle with bells, cube with bell, egg and cup
VdM: Why Montessori?MB: It comes from the heart. I really wanted something for my kids that went beyond academics. We chose Montessori because it really does develop the whole child. It's not about external rewards; it's about helping them become complete people, not just smart people.VdM: What advice would you give to parents who are interested in Montessori, or to those who are just entering the Montessori world?MB: Absolutely observe in a classroom. Read a book. For the young child, I recommend Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home, from Birth to Age Three. For elementary children, read Montessori Madness, by Trevor Eissler.Thank you, Maria! 
Within the box are three items: a button, a cup, and a duck. Here, directress Reghan McAuley plays an "I Spy" riddle with these young children:
I spy with my little eye… something that begins with "KUH." The child responds by picking up the cup and saying, "Kuh, kuh. Cup!" as she hands over the cup.
In Reghan's words: "The attractiveness of the small objects and the rhyming riddle makes this a treasured game in the Montessori environment."
Judging from the number of children who gathered round to watch in the background as the game progressed, it clearly is an appealing game, and a fun early introduction to the sounds words make. Thank you, Reghan, for sharing!
With plenty of fun events on the horizon, excitement is in the air. Halloween is just around the corner. We can't wait to share some pretty great costumes with you when the time is right!
All of the children have a part to play and a story to make of themselves in each class. But some roles are hard to fill and take a rarer set of qualities. Sometimes, in some classes, they remain unfilled because no one is up to it, and the classroom experience as a whole is less rich and a little less complete. The contrarians, as I think of them, are scarce. Their special gifts have often been thought of and treated by the culture at large as burdens instead of opportunities — even when they are yet children! — so I prize those ones especially.Thank you for [your contrarians].And thank you, Anna, for never failing at the magical ability to see the good in every child. Your perspective and words are truly inspiring!
Another first: the school bus ride, which was the highlight of more than one child's day. How lucky are these kids to have the wonderful city of St. Louis and its talented musicians at their fingertips? Hooray for the symphony!
The bird watching area is situated in a quiet corner of the patio and includes a chair facing out toward the wooded area of Villa's school grounds, a table with binoculars, and several bird guide books. The laminated booklet of Backyard Birds of North America contains clear photographs of many different birds and is easy for small hands to hold and turn pages.
Bird watching in Montessori is a good example of the importance of identifying everything a child encounters in the world by its true name; a red bird may be a cardinal, a black bird may be a common raven or an American crow, a blue bird may be a blue jay, a scrub jay, or an eastern bluebird. During the sensitive period of language which occurs during the first six years of a child's life, identifying a thing by its proper name is extremely important to language development."The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper names." — Confucius 
The younger (and older) siblings of the Lower Elementary kids had just as much fun as their brothers and sisters! It is a joy to see these budding friendships and to observe the older students taking care of and including their friends' little brothers and sisters. It really does take a village, and that village is made of all different age groups!
Outdoor natural climbing structures allow for this age group to test and challenge their bodies, and to create elaborate pretend games that often focus on group and social dynamics. This group quickly formed small packs and ran through the nature's classroom space and the surrounding woods together.
A few of the older siblings brought nets and containers and successfully caught fish from the large pond. "There used to be two fish in this container, but the big fish must have been hungry…"
Let's hope for more of this glorious weather!