Montessori teachers Archives

October 24, 2018

Dream A World’s Teacher of the Month for April is Stephanie Pelly

Stephanie teaches the “peaceable being.”

Stephanie Pelly has a true gift of recognizing the magical spirit of children…and adults. As a peace educator, she has spent over twenty years teaching in public, private, and Montessori schools where she implemented character education and bullying prevention programs throughout Bucks County, PA and Southern New Jersey. Her most recent work includes The Peace Center in Langhorne, PA and Naudain Academy – A Montessori School. Stephanie holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary and Special Education from Monmouth University in New Jersey.

Stephanie believes educating children must be hands-on, creative, and fun for both the teacher and students. She is known for creating the image of the “Peaceable Being” which stands as a role model of good character in classrooms. Stephanie has evolved this creation into a “Design Your Own Peaceable Being” T-shirt and Doodle Art Pad. She is currently seeking funding to produce and manufacture these products for children. Her goal is to offer “products with purpose and great valuefor kids!”

The first week in April Stephanie begins conducting the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program, curriculum specifically designed for Montessori, at Montessori Children’s House in Moorstown, New Jersey and at Indigo Moon, a holistic center also in New Jersey. She is co-creator of the Young Masters Little Wisdom curriculum program as well as many others. Thank you for all you do for children!

October 23, 2018December 19, 2018

Naudain Academy, a Montessori School, uses the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program to teach friendship.

What is a Young Master? Someone born with gifts. A Young Master is YOU. This is what each and every child in the extension program at Naudain Academy is learning. They are indeed Young Masters. This week they continued to explore friendship as they reviewed the Secret of The Heart they are focusing on for the first month. They began as always.

“Let’s stand and say the Young Masters Pledge,” said Stephanie Pelly, the program’s director. Proudly they stood with peace sign over their hearts and said the pledge with and without the CD. “I promise to use my gifts every day, in every way, for I am a Young Master. The children already remember the pledge and state it with great enthusiasm.” said Stephanie. “With each meeting they understand a little more, what it means.”

They reviewed the book they read at their first meeting. Many children recalled not only the title of the book The Friendship Seed, but were also able to share the author’s name, Bunny Hull and the illustrator Kye Fleming. They discussed the names of the characters in the story and she then asked them if they could remember, “what was the Friendship Seed that was shared in the story…who can tell me?” she asked. Together the children cheered – a smile.

They talked about how plants and flowers grow transition from a tiny seed and how a friendship can grow from one single smile. They talked about how it’s important to take care of our friendships, to nurture them and they explored how to do that. Together the class created a “friendship flower.” On each petal they wrote an idea that could help their friendships grow in school. They could “be kind”, one child said, “and say kind words.” Another child said, “I could help a friend or cheer a them up if they were sad.” They talked about how they could “include others,” or “share with a friend.” “What about unkind words,” asked Stephanie. ” Those are like weeds that don’t help friendships grow,” they all agreed. “We don’t want those in our garden!”

Stephanie then invited one child at a time to come to the front of the classroom and hold a “friendship flower”, this was a beautiful red rose that she had brought to class. Each child said something they liked about their friend, until everyone had a turn. This activity made each child feel that what they had to say was indeed important and valued. They were showing kindness to their friend.

The children were given an activity sheet to take away so they could complete their own friendship flower at home and discuss it with their families. The Young Masters Journals were introduced for the first time. The children were excited about receiving their new books which will allow them to track their journey of discovery as they learn how to use the Secrets of the Heart.

Before the program ended they listened to new songs from the Friendship Seed CD and sang THANK YOU FOR BEING HERE in English and Swahili, which they learned was the language of Kenya. Finally they listened to Hey Young Masters and played air guitar as began to learn the words. “The music is one more important way the children begin to grasp the very important concepts they’re learning,” said Stephanie.

It was good day at Naudain today as the children moved one step closer to learning what powerful little beings they are and how their creativity as Young Masters can create a world of friendship, for them and for the world they live in. They’re learning they make a difference. Stay tuned for the next adventure as the children of Naudain Academy continue their quest to the Secrets of the Heart.

October 23, 2018December 19, 2018

Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program Continues at Naudain Academy, a Montessori School

Voohees, New Jersey – It was a rainy day and the children were ready for some indoor fun. The theme of imagination continued on their favorite day, the day Stephanie comes to conduct the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery program . As always Stephanie Pelly began with the Young Masters Pledge. “I promise to use my gifts everyday, in every way, for I am a Young Master.” As they reviewed what they had learned during the last class, the children remembered that their Magic Eye was – inside their mind. Stephanie asked, “when can you use your imagination?” “On a rainy day like this,” one little boy answered, “or when I’m laying in bed, driving in a car, at school or with my brother, sister or friend – anytime.”

Today they played imagination games, beginning with The Magic Circle. One child at a time came up to the front of a classroom and began using their imagination to create something in the hula hoop. One girl pretended the hula hoop was a mirror and she held it up to look at herself and strated to brush her hair. Classmates took turns guessing what she was doing. Another child pretended The Magic Circle was a garden of beautiful flowers. One by one she picked a flower and brought it up to her nose to smell its fragrance. Another young boy imagined he was typing on a computer. Even Stephanie took a turn, making a big snowball and throwing it at one of the children. Lots of fun!

The second game they played was Magic Ball. Stephanie used her imagination as she pretended to pull a magic ball out of her pocket. She bounced it and tossed it in the air. Finally, she called someone’s name and threw to them. Using their imagination they caught the ball with both hands and passed it to a friend next to them. The imaginary ball moved around the circle being rolled, tossed and thrown across the room even like a pitcher does in a baseball game. Sometimes the ball grew really really big and sometime the magic ball became very small. The children got a chance to stretch their power of imagination.

The last group activity for the day was story time. Everyone worked together to create a story. Stephanie began by holding up a microphone. “Once upon a time,” she said. The next child held the mic and continued, “There was a little boy.” The story unfolded with each child speaking into the microphone to add their new idea. It went something like this: “A little boy was watching tv… and then he saw something on the news… he got scared and then went into his bedroom… and began dreaming…he dreamed about a door that was opening… and then he heard someone calling his name…he woke up only… to later hear his alarm clock ringing… he was just dreaming.” The children cooperated by taking turns and their story was told. “We all have a story to tell,” said Stephanie.

The program ended today by singing Thank You For Being Here and then they quietly laid their heads down to listen to some soft, gentle music. This was one more opportunity to use their imaginations.

Stay tuned for our next Young Master LIttle Wisdom Discovery adventure. See you next time!

Visit Naudain Academy at www.naudainacademy.com/

October 19, 2018October 19, 2018

Dream A World® Excels At Montessori Conference in San Francisco – Special opening ceremony appearance by Bunny Hull

San Francisco, CA – This past weekend Dream A World’s founder, Grammy Award-winner Bunny Hull was featured at the opening ceremony of the American Montessori Society Conference in San Francisco as she performed Peace In Our Land, the title track from her award winning album and book. Supported by 150 children from Northern California Montessori Schools, the event drew over 3,000 conference attendees from around the world and t00k place at the Marriott Marquis Hotel near Union Square.

Dream A World® celebrates a successful week as they exhibited their award-winning books and music, including the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Curriculum created by Hull and Stephanie Pelly, a Montessori specialist in New Jersey. The curriculum and books are used in Montessori schools. This exceptional character education, values and life skills program, also used in public schools, is based on the Little Wisdom books and music and teaches children they’re born with gifts to share with the world – these gifts are called the secrets of the heart. Hull and Pelly provided a pathway of understanding about programs methods and goals as they shared links to parent involvement and building classroom community.

Executive Director of AMS, Richard Ungerer thanks Bunny Hull, Founder and Executive Director of Dream A World

This week the books and curriculum were purchased by Montessori Schools from around the world including it’s adoption by Ambassador Schools – Montessori in Saudi Arabia and a Montessori school in Shanghai, China, where there are plans to translate the curriculum for use in additional schools. Dream A World® is making a deep mark in the world of children’s education with this program and the Secrets of the Heart Arts Residency curriculum currently a huge success in Los Angeles area schools. “I am deeply touched by the commitment of these incredible Montessori educators I connected with in San Francisco and heartened by their reception and comments about our work,” said Hull. The Young Masters Little Wisdom movement is on the rise!

October 17, 2018December 19, 2018

Resources from Building Classroom Community and Character Through Music

To all of the beautiful teachers and friends who participated in our workshop – Bunny Hull and Stephanie Pelly would like to thank you for choosing to be with them! They are here to help you do what you do best – teach our children how to become better human beings!

We believe that music is profoundly important as a tool you can use to help children grasp whatever it is you are teaching them. If you were a participant in the “Building Classroom Community and Character Through Music” workshop at AMS in Orlando, Florida, we think you also believe this is true.

As promised, below you will find resources that were presented in the workshop.

Building Classroom Community and Character Through Music – Resources Handout

Building Classroom Community – Notes for participants
For those who are interested, here are presenter notes which contain an outline of what was presented at the workshop. In addition the presentation was recorded and is available through AMS.

Books and Music – click here to see all the books and music we offer
A number of songs and chants which were performed during the workshop are also available on our books and CD. The Notes For Particpants above lists where you may find particular songs. All song lyrics for songs contained on CDs are available by download on the page of each product.

Courage-crossing — Affirmation Courage Crossing

Fanga
http://dreamaworldedu.org/professional-development/classroom-resources/

Affirmation Activity from

Young Masters: Heart of A Lion
From Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriciulum
Thia curriculum is a free download and was created to support the Young Masters Little Wisdom Books and Music for use in circle time activities.

October 17, 2018December 20, 2018

Courage is the key for Montessori Children’s House and the Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program

Moorsetown, New Jersey – The Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery Program is in full swing at Montessori Children’s House as students jump into unit four in this six week program. Spontaneity is a beautiful thing! Class began with an unexpected, but perfect, twist today when the children were frightened because of a spider. They were reminded how they can be brave even when confronted by a spider as Miss Stephanie’s showed them how she could pick it up with a dust pan and bring it over to a door so it could be set free outside to roam where spiders have unlimited crawling space. Class was off and running!

The children were excited to meet a new character in this week’s book Heart Of A Lion. Her name is EEtha. In the fourth book of the Young Masters Little Wisdom series EEtha joins Butaan and Phylos as they travel through the magic garden learning about the secrets of the heart. It was like meeting a new friend.

Together the children proudly state THE YOUNG MASTERS PLEDGE and discover today’s Secret Of The Heart ~ COURAGE. In Heart of A Lion, Phylos has a choice to be afraid or to face his fears with courThey discuss why Phylos is afraid and how his friends help him face his fears. They children notice how Buttaan and EEtha help Phylos face his fears by encouraging him and helping him believe in himself. They talk about how they can help their friends, brothers or sisters face their fears. The children are asked how Phylos would have reacted if his friends had put him down or made fun of him and how afraid he felt. “Would Phylos would have found his courage if they had done that?” asked Miss Stephanie. The children agreed that friends can help you face your fears and it’s important to encourage each other.

The children were then presented with their POWER BADGES. Each child wore a special message: I BELIEVE IN MYSELF. I AM BRAVE. I AM HEART SMART. I HAVE COURAGE. I HAVE FAITH. I CAN DO IT. They talked about times when they needed to be brave, like when they were at the doctors office and needed to get a shot or at night if they were feeling afraid of the dark. They then discussed how important is it to believe in yourself when when you learn something new like how to tie your shoe, play a musical instrument or maybe when you’re trying something for the first time like standing up to speak in front of the class. Instead of saying “I can’t do this,” or “this is too hard,” there’s something you can do. You can see the light bulbs begin to go off as they realize they can even encourage themselves by remembering to think or say positive messages like I CAN DO IT. They can practice, work hard or ask for help if they need it. A little self-talk goes a long way.

A breakthrough moment in today’s class happened when one little girl who is often too shy to participate stood up and walked to the front of the classroom to receive her special POWER BADGE. The badge said I HAVE COURAGE. “I Have Courage,” she said. “Way to be,” said Miss Stephanie. “She gently faced a big fear” said Miss Stephanie, and took a giant step forward with that small act today. When the Power Badge was placed across her heart she gave a big smile and even had her picture snapped. A snapshot of courage in a world that can sometimes be a scary place.

The children took home a small gift today. A smooth rock that they will decorate with the affirmation that’s on their POWER BADGE. A touchstone to remind them “I believe in myself.” Courage rocks! That’s the lesson from today’s Young Masters Little Wisdom Discovery program. Stay tuned for next weeks lesson, unit five – The Invisible Power – everything begins with a single idea!

View the video of this weeks program. Young Masters: Heart Of A Lion

The Young Masters Little Wisdom Curriculum for Montessori is currently available for free to all you wonderful teachers by clicking here.