New Video Partner for Keys of the Universe

My darling niece is taking the place of Joshua (Legoboy) for making some of our Keys of the Universe videos.

Here is a blooper sample from our first set of videos filmed in over 9 months.

She needs a screen-name.... Hmmm.....

Despite being a temporary invalid, all-new to Montessori and we're not filming in my normal location, she is a great video partner so far!

There was a hair stuck in her stress ball - looked like it was growing out of the ball.

Remedial Mathematics - Video Fun

Just another one for fun.

Remedial mathematics, variation on the 2nd period of the 3 period lesson. Having a little fun - and then it backfired on me!

;)

Square Roots Videos - NOW POSTED

My son left us in November. I still have many unedited, unposted Montessori lesson videos to share with the world.

I will edit them. I will get them posted. My Joshua is the star of the show. Both wonderful and absolutely heart-breaking. 

This weekend, I created the videos for the Square Roots - they are edited and posted for all Keys of the Universe mathematics owners. 

Where can they be found? 

• Keys of the Universe course page with the albums: keysoftheuniverse.com
• Keys of the Universe discussion community (private link for those who purchase the online support)
• Keys of the Universe Montessori: keysoftheuniverse-montessori.com - online support and/or the videos purchases will get you access. 

No bloopers this time. But in the months since my son's passing, the golden bead units have come up missing, so here is a clip of me using the green beads in place of gold for the units! 

Home-made Montessori Videos - Elementary and Primary

I make videos to support those who are using the Keys of the World and the Keys of the Universe Montessori homeschool guides.

They are full-on real-life quality. I LOVE that!

We homeschool. And we believe in reality. We don't have a studio in our home, but we do have the following:

• a child who has been Montessori homeschooled since he was born
• visiting children who receive presentations on a routine basis
• a natural living environment in which we provide the presentations and experiences
• a desire to share our experiences, real and messy, with you in as an authentic manner as possible

The videos were never meant to be stand-alone instruction. Some people wanted videos they could show to their children in lieu of giving the presentations themselves. There are a few reasons this won't work well: 

• Montessori experiences are about interactions within relationships; the sharing of knowledge while exploring together. While I am not opposed to watching videos for learning as my son uses such resources as Cover Story, One Year Adventure Novel, various art and geography related videos, it is important for the adult to also explore these materials as well, in order to best guide the child in his own explorations. Culture an attitude of exploration and discovery. 
• Montessori training itself uses a similar model we have here: trainees watch the instructor provide the lesson to a sample student (another trainee or a group of trainees), while everyone else watches. Then the presentation is discussed from start to end (by "discussed" I mean, walked through it step by step) while taking notes and writing one's own album pages. 
• I have long suggested watching the videos while reading through the album pages, then running through the materials oneself while watching the videos and looking at the album pages, tweaking where appropriate for your natural voice. Then present to the children. 
• As homeschooling parents, we're not Montessori trainees; but because Montessori is rather detailed regarding the academic presentations, I feel the best approach is to get as close to training as possible without belaboring the point. 
• There is discussion for some of the presentations and that conversation will vary depending on the child and the adult and their understanding and previous knowledge. Also, you should certainly ad lib in areas where the child is requesting more information, or allow the child to ad lib! 
• The videos are not accurate presentations in time and space. The yardstick on the screen is not a yard long, it is screen size. Where I ask my son to bring cards for the Elementary Bank Game, I don't video him moving to the other side of the room and bringing them back. I do video where I see a thought-process taking place to show what they looks like from the outside, but once a procedure is down pat, those portions aren't included. If your child were to watch the video and try to follow along, there would be many starts and pauses which would detract from the presentation and the work itself. 
• It is impossible to video everything that is contained in the albums. Much of it would be me just reading out loud. And yes audio-options are coming after the videos are made! This option will be available for the theory album and all the subject introductions. 

The videos are a learning tool for the adult to see the work in progress, to follow along with the album pages and to aid their own practice with the materials. We adults have so much to learn from these experiences as well! 

Above all else, I love feeling like I am speaking to YOU: a homeschool parent or a teacher in a school - speaking to you personally. Because I am. And I invite further discussion on the discussion community (online support). Let's chat! 

Fractions Videos !!!

The fractions videos are finally being uploaded - I truly thought they were already up!

Here is a teaser!

This is from the fractions chapter in the elementary Montessori mathematics album - for Keys of the Universe that is "chapter 5".

All the others are available at Keys of the Universe!

And hopefully I will get caught up posting all my draft posts from... APRIL !? Ouch. We have had 2 boys come and go (to their permanent home), 2 older girls move in, then 2 little siblings move in. Addressing the needs of traumatized kids in the public school system. Family vacations.

And all the reality of how the Montessori approach is SO suited to the meet the needs of children with special needs and coming from traumatic situations.

I am in love with the Montessori approach more and more every single day. Even more so the days I don't approach things in this respectful, needs-based way - and go the way of the world - and everything literally falls apart.

More to come!

BLOOPERS! 

How many times was that!? 

I'm hungry! 

Cuz we can't be serious ;)