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Looking back on the first week of resumption reminds me of a quote by Maria
Montessori, “Growth is not merely a harmonious increase in size but a transformation”.
The school year started with so much hope and expectation from children of mixed age
groups in one class. The environment was well prepared with two friendly teachers
ready to stimulate and guide the children's love for learning.
The colourful materials on the shelves were simply toys for them to play with. With
constant redirection, their tiny feet learnt self-development and respect for the
Montessori materials.
Their active participation during circle time and other class meetings helped them fit
into the class routine. Today we clearly see them work independently.
The simple song, 'I'm growing up' became our class anthem as we watched our
Intermediate friends grow daily in their communication and social skills. They enjoyed
all class activities especially 'Singing Rhymes'. This activity helped them in identifying,
quantifying as well as writing numbers and the letter sounds of the alphabets. Our
weekly art work and cultural subjects helped to enhance their creativity and sense of
understanding of the world around them as well as their place in it.

The presence of the older friends brought a sense of inspiration and motivation to the
classroom. This group came with the 'Yes I Can' attitude. The children contributed whole
heartedly during class meetings. They learnt to set ground rules. They learnt to be
sensitive to the needs of their younger friends and become role models and mentors to
the younger ones. They learnt to read long phonetic words, short stories and solve
simple mathematical questions on addition and subtraction of numbers.
None of us had learnt how to cope with the sudden pandemic of COVID 19 which started,
hence sending us all out of the classroom and welcoming the idea of online schooling.

As Maria Montessori once said, “Our work is not to teach, but to help the absorbent
mind in its work of development”. The school year that started in a physical class ended
at home with online learning, but I can truly say that the children in Tulip Imoisili have
had fun and made positive development both physically and cognitively.

Annabel Imoisili 2113
Class Teacher