Children can't wait until they are old enough for "contracts".
This is how they work for me and other Montessorians that I have known....
You sit down either Friday or early Monday (I prefer Friday afternoons) The first thing you do is prepare for this Thursday so that you have a list of where the child is in all areas in the present. You start by asking the child how they have felt about their work this week...you ask leading questions like are you happy with how your report is going for you? Do you need help or do you have any questions? Etc. Use statements like, "You must be proud of yourself for having finished that job!" Then say "Now, let you and me figure out what exciting work you will be doing next week". Then go down the list of subjects...like..In math what did you do this week? What do you think you should do next week? Oh, I know you say you don't like fractions...so why don't we figure out what you need to do to get through them! I know you like games...I have a pie game that you might like and that will help you learn fractions! Do you think you would like to try that? Great! and so on....at the end you say...now you get to choose 3 works that you would like to do....you'll get things like basket making, drawing, woodworking, etc. The child then has a list on a clipboard which is also used as a portable desk. They take it with them and cross off as they go or write questions and notes.
This is for a weekly contract.
For older children, do the same thing, only start each morning off with a short meeting with each child and do a daily contract. - Karen, Montessori Teacher
My children's work plans always had the days of the week listed across the top and the subject areas down the side. For a 3-5 class I would list Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Science, Culture, Language, and Art. The teachers I have seen use this allow the child to pick a lesson (or 2) from each subject that is appropriate for the level they are working. After finishing each of these, they can do whatever they like within their remaining time.
This is how they work for me and other Montessorians that I have known....
You sit down either Friday or early Monday (I prefer Friday afternoons) The first thing you do is prepare for this Thursday so that you have a list of where the child is in all areas in the present. You start by asking the child how they have felt about their work this week...you ask leading questions like are you happy with how your report is going for you? Do you need help or do you have any questions? Etc. Use statements like, "You must be proud of yourself for having finished that job!" Then say "Now, let you and me figure out what exciting work you will be doing next week". Then go down the list of subjects...like..In math what did you do this week? What do you think you should do next week? Oh, I know you say you don't like fractions...so why don't we figure out what you need to do to get through them! I know you like games...I have a pie game that you might like and that will help you learn fractions! Do you think you would like to try that? Great! and so on....at the end you say...now you get to choose 3 works that you would like to do....you'll get things like basket making, drawing, woodworking, etc. The child then has a list on a clipboard which is also used as a portable desk. They take it with them and cross off as they go or write questions and notes.
This is for a weekly contract.
For older children, do the same thing, only start each morning off with a short meeting with each child and do a daily contract. - Karen, Montessori Teacher
My children's work plans always had the days of the week listed across the top and the subject areas down the side. For a 3-5 class I would list Practical Life, Sensorial, Math, Science, Culture, Language, and Art. The teachers I have seen use this allow the child to pick a lesson (or 2) from each subject that is appropriate for the level they are working. After finishing each of these, they can do whatever they like within their remaining time.
