Rewards and Punishments

A surprising discovery made through Dr. Maria Montessori's observation of the first group of children in a children's house, in Rome Italy in 1907.

No need for rewards or punishment—Children have an Intrinsic Desire to learn. Observation of children has led to the knowledge that a child’s desire to learn comes from within and so rewards and praise are not necessary and can even decrease that intrinsic desire. From a recent study today, (years later after Montessori discovered this keep in mind) when two groups of children were given a task and one group promised a reward at the end and the other no reward—children in the group given a reward did it more quickly and would not repeat. The other children would take their time—showing that sustained interest leads to a deeper understanding. Again this was so surprising to Montessori that many experiments and further observation were necessary for her conclusion to abolish the rewards and punishment technique on children for it did no good and even could do damage to that internal drive in children.

Truth

I wrote a poem, after getting home from a bike ride today...I call it Truth because that is a word hard for me to define, but now I'm a little closer to it, I think:)

Truth
I saw truth and beauty in a sunset today.
I stopped riding my bike so I could practice mindfulness.
I simply wanted to stop and sit in the straw grass near to the edge of the lake and stones.
So I did.
I parked my bike to the fence and sat down among the straw that almost hid me, it was so tall.
I stared straight ahead at the small pinkish area of the sky. This was only the beginning of the revelation to come.
I kept my attention focused on that area and gradually but without visible movement that I could identify, the color spread upwards and outwards.
It was still a solid color, contrasting very much to the very solid blue skyline.
Then it came.
The holes, cracks, openings in the pink color emerged and rapidly grew outwards and spread quite rapidly.
The thought came to me, was planted in my mind, that these holes, cracks, openings in the pink color of the sunset were the flaws in me.
My weaknesses, my secrets, my vulnerability, my self-consciousness, my ugliness, my flaws
They were spreading to fill the entire sky I could see.
As it spread, I began to appreciate the look, the view I was experiencing was nice.
It was different than the solid pink.
It gave texture. It reminded me of a ripple in water when it is disturbed by something, like a stone or log.
The stone is sin. The stone could be sin.
Or the stone is the environment. The stone could be the environment that formed me to be who I am.
The rapidity to which the holes, cracks, openings spread made me think it was moved by some force.
A life force, I call a spirit, the soul, the Holy Spirit.
I’ve been taught and have accepted-
that God’s Holy Spirit dwells somewhere within every person in the world.
Therefore I thought to myself, watching the truth of the sunset dance before me…
God’s spirit, God’s self moves through us, through our holes, cracks, openings
And it was beautiful.
It was truth.
I couldn’t deny what was in front of me.

Humbly Bringing Change

Dr. Maria Montessori said,

"How splendid it would be

if we could, by standing ready

by treating the child intelligently

with understanding of his vital needs

prolong the period in which he has this capacity to absorb!

What a service we should render mankind

if we could help the human being to acquire knowledge without fatigue

If people could find themselves replete with information without knowing how they came by it-as it were by magic!

Thought it is true, is it not,

that all the works of nature are

perhaps, magical and mysterious?"

:)

-p. 28 in The Absorbent Mind

KoriMontessorus!

I don't even know where to begin, but I think this is the best place and time as any. As many of you know I moved about a month ago to Minnesota to attend MTCM, the Montessori Training Center of Minnesota, in Saint Paul. I do have to say that thus far, the experience has been more than I could have expected! In the quality, the inspirational aspect, the dedication of the staff and my fellow trainees couldn't be any better. I finally feel I am where I should be in terms of a vocation and calling in life and although I am aware of how much further I have to go, I simply know I am stepping into a beautiful and significant profession. Montessori is so complex and different than any other method or tradition of education taught, that I know of, and I do get overwhelmed when someone who is unfamiliar with it asks me, "well what exactly is Montessori?" I get overwhelmed because I want so badly to do it justice and accuracy but have again a long way to go in developing this, what I see now as, skill...And that is what this blog is for now as well, to help me explain to the world unfamiliar with Montessori, what it is.

The Montessori method was developed over years of observation and trial and error scientific experimentation by a woman beyond her time, a genius really, and to me an anthropologist through and through. By profession however she was a physician, and the first woman to attain an M.D. in Italy (University of Rome) in 1896!! She then pursued a second degree in the Art, Science, and Profession of Teaching and from 1897-1898 Maria gained all the knowledge she could by reading all major works on education philosophy in the last 200 years. That is only the beginning of her impressive life.

What I absolutely love though, is where the seeds of the method came out of, that we now implement in Montessori schools around the world. (It is important to note too that Dr. Montessori never wanted it to called a method and merely gave credit to the children; And encouraged adults to look to the child, to follow the child and continue to learn from them.)
It all began after Maria Montessori worked with disabled children and produced amazing results in their test scores. She did this through introducing them to materials, many of which first were created by two important men: Gaspard Itard (1775-1838) and Edouard Seguin (1812-1880) who both researched and built upon their findings that children learn much better through engaging all their senses. After she was praised for these results, Maria was actually more intrigued and interested to see if "normal children" were being held back and not pushed to their potential and wanted to try out these materials on them. She was later given this opportunity through a crazy story and series of events that took place in the San Lorenzo district in an old housing project, coined the "shame of Italy", that began to be revived in the early 1900's. Dr. Montessori was then called upon to see to the children there who were left alone all day when the adults would go to work...to be continued:)

the daily quote, because she is so quotable!

"This phenomenon of creation and evolution makes manifest the power of God, who chose to make the newborn appear infinitely frail, while endowing him with the omnipotence of superhuman energies." San Remo Lecture: III The Absorbent Mind

endnote: the title 'KoriMontessorus" was created by one of housemates! Shout out to B-Love.

the girls and their chicks

I Will Change My Ways

These lyrics have recently hit home for me in my life at present, and I'd like to share them:) I know many see these as a break-up song lyrics, but it has many meanings, which is super neat and talented I think in song lyrics.

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"It's empty in the valley of your heart. The sun, it rises slowly as you walk, Away from all the fears And all the faults you've left behind.

The harvest left no food for you to eat. You cannibal, you meat-eater, you see But I have seen the same I know the shame in your defeat.

But I will hold on hope and I won't let you choke, On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain And I will change my ways I'll know my name as it's called again

Cause I have other things to fill my time. You take what is yours and I'll take mine. Now let me at the truth Which will refresh my broken mind

So tie me to a post and block my ears. I can see widows and orphans through my tears I know my call despite my faults And despite my growing fears

But I will hold on hope And I won't let you choke On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain And I will change my ways. I'll know my name as it's called again

So come out of your cave walking on your hands And see the world hanging upside down. You can understand dependence When you know the maker's hand

So make your siren's call And sing all you want I will not hear what you have to say. Cause I need freedom now And I need to know how To live my life as it's meant to be

And I will hold on hope And I won't let you choke On the noose around your neck

And I'll find strength in pain And I will change my ways I'll know my name as it's called again."

--------------------------------------------------

My Cave is depression, dependence. what's yours, do you have one? have you had one in the past you have walked out of?

My Sirens are the negative thoughts that bombard my head whenever i try to do the right, healthy and best thing for me in the moment. the sirens never seem to shut-up, but you just learn how to speak back, ignore or just push through the lies to the light, to the truth.

I liked to read what others have thought about the words and appreciated them greatly.

a new mantra - I will find strength in Pain.

A Spiritual Nurturer

A quote from the Book: Nurturing the Spirit: In Non-Sectarian Classrooms

"I am a spiritual nurturer...I don't have to instill spirituality in a child, we have only to protect it from being trampled on and to nourish its growth."

ONE of the many reasons I can't wait to be a Montessori Teacher:)

stages of grief

Please watch this in its entirety, the first part explains what it is about:) this was on last evening's show of So You Think You Can Dance?

me today :) blasting in my car

I saw you today
My familiar stranger
Everything's changed
You have come so far
You're different now
Would you go back, would you want to anyhow

Chorus: Say goodbye, say goodbye
To the you I knew before
Say hello, say hello to a new beginning
Say goodbye, say goodbye
To the you I knew before
This is your genesis

Face to face
The present and past collide
And it's no mistake
I see the future is in your eyes
You seem so free
Like nothing's ever gonna keep you down

Chorus

You're different now
You're different somehow
You're different now

Chorus

Say goodbye, say goodbye

"One Man Disney Movie" Nick Pitera Disney Medley Music Video

thank you johnny

this kid is amazing.

Team Christina Performance | Lady Marmalade | the voice Aguilera Jaquel ...

i got chills!!! wooohoooo the power of singing and performing

An Offering of Solidarity

This is to give you a taste of what the days looked like. I be back with more of my processing of the issues I was opened up to and how it effected me and how I want to get involved further.
I am truly thankful for this experience.

So, as many of you know I walked 75 miles last week with 66 other individuals from Tucson, Phoenix, Tempe (myself and two others from UPC, church I attend), border communities in AZ, Michigan, Colorado, CA, NYC (including an Anthropology Columbia student originally from Brazil getting her ph.d and an NYU Professor taking footage for his documentary on border issues), North Carolina, Philadelphia, Canada, Peru, Guatemala and we ranged from 18 years to 77 years. A large portion of my experience was due to these amazing people who were once coined as “power houses in their communities” which is a very accurate description. I was surrounded by mostly bilingual people from all walks of life. Many of whom are involved in human rights border and immigration organizations (Coalicion de Derechos Humanos, Borderlinks, Humane Borders, No more Death, Coloradans for Immigrant Rights, Samaritans in Tucson, Frontera de Cristo, etc. as a career and/or as a volunteer.

This was a walk that is in its 8th year running and was brainstormed by a few people that are still today involved in the organization and running of the annual Migrant Walk; it’s purpose is to raise awareness for the outrageous number of deaths that occur and continue to happen to migrants attempting to cross the border for a better life and provide for their loved ones back in Mexico. We shared the space in which a majority of these deaths have been occurring (Sonora)and found evidence of their journeys. It was a walk of solidarity, not so much experiencing anything remotely like a typical migrant would experience because we had an abundance of security and trust among our community as well as hospitality that would overwhelm you and ample amounts of supplies/equipment to make our journey as comfortable and safe as possible. So the most basic thing a migrant and one of us had in common was simply the environment, the setting; namely the desert we both crossed on our feet. But even then we walked at different times in the day because obviously we weren’t hiding from border patrol so we were free to walk in daylight and the early hours of morning when it was coolest. And we could walk on trails that were already open and vehicles drive on, we knew where we were going and those of us who didn’t, we were able to put our full trust and faith in our leaders knowing they would never abandon us or exploit us in any way.

Each person was put on a team. I had the pleasure of being on the logistics team. There was the environmental team “poop crew”, medical, who took care of the blisters and reminded us to drink water and listen to our bodies, food team, pretty self-explanatory, security team who kept us in a straight line and told us when to get over “CAR!” and when to get back on the line. It was so very well organized, I and many of my other friends who were 1st timers were astounded at how well things ran.

We would leave at 5:30 am after packing up all our camping gear (Logistics team was in charge of that tetras puzzle project of fitting all the luggage into a uhaul that would be packed to the brim each time, but always seemed to work out:) ) and we’d walk an average of 10-12 miles a day with frequent water and snack spots. We all carried white crosses that we held or had in our camelbacks/backpacks that had a name and age of a person identified as dead in the desert. We had times when we’d be silent and call out their names and other legs we had to talk to our neighbor either next to us or behind us and got rather good at talking over our shoulders without turning around and veering off (Security did their job there.) By noon -1pm we would be done for the day and the rest of the time we’d set up camp and wade out the heat under tents and laying on tarp or sitting on chairs, napping or reading or having conversations and of course being served lunch. For dinner a particular church or organization or family would come to our campsite and serve us a delicious and bountiful meal (including a highlight after Thursdays' 16 miler we were served authentic Thai food from a Buddhist monk from Tucson and slept inside a hospitable church) and Humane Borders would come to fill our water and sometimes offer us a hair rinse, which was just beautiful.

Here is the site if any of you are interested in next year. I will be there!

I Walked 75 miles for Life this Week

Prayer for the Migrant

(I did not write this, we read it as a group each day before we walked in two's and single file through the border lands of Mexico and Arizona with wooden crosses named after those unknown and identified dead in the desert and a prayer tie representing all 264 "human remains recovered" as well as this year's so far 88 dead.)

Creator, full of love and mercy, I want to ask you for my Migrant brothers and sisters. Have pity on them, as they suffer mistreatments and humiliations on their journeys, are labeled dangerous, and marginalized for being foreigners. Make them be respected and valued for their dignity. Touch with your goodness the many that see them pass. Care for their families until they return to their homes, not with broken hearts but rather with hopes fulfilled. Let it be.

I can't begin to express my experience on the Migrant Trail: We Walk for Life, 2011 I just returned from today; so for now I pray this prayer and meditate on it, I hope you will too.

I Will be back this week with much MORE to share about my experience. Bless you readers and never give up hope.

It was Everything

Wow. The reason I recognized this beautiful, moving song in the trailer for Water for Elephants was because of over a year ago, a dance choreographed on So You Think You Can Dance to the song; Cosmic Love by Florence and the Machine

watch this

Two days ago I participated in the Ride for the Children fundraiser and it went well, It was so nice to ride with so many other bikers, couldn't have asked for a nicer day and the ride it self was through Paradise Valley and Scottsdale so beautiful as well!

Soon I hope to have some updated pictures on my Picasa Page from my birthday celebration at the Biltmore Hotel/Spa day I had with sister and mother!! It was amazing. I'm still job searching for the summer. Also Easter's celebration at my sister's as well, she is an amazing hostess I have to say!! Corinne and Josie were as cute as ever in their new dresses and hats!

This past Holy Week I gave a short meditation on Jesus as Grace and have a link here if you'd like to read it as a google document. It was well received and was a nice challenge/task to do for the UPC community on an early Tuesday morning. It took me back to College papers and reflections. I miss school some times.

familiar to me

"You desire my attentions, but denied my affections"

this is sick and freaky and AWESOME!!

Who do you like best, readers!??

Comfort and Twitch - Hip Hop (Forever) HQ

This is dedicated to my niece, "Missy Caitie" :)

Right Now

I love GLEE music!!! I love college bball and am sad March Madness has come and gone :( I enjoy making new friendships in Arizona I love celebrating my two nieces Corinne and Josie's 2nd and 4th year Birthdays!! I am almost 25. scary? eh not so much. It's just a number. I love GLEE music, getting me through hours of bike riding...haha. The training is coming along... RidefortheChildren charity bike ride i'm in is April 26th and Thanks to friends and family I've raised $403 :)

I just haven't met you yet -michael buble

Today is All I Have

Human beings are story-tellers. I mean think about it, before written text and Internet information galore, we existed and defined ourselves through the oral tradition, i.e. telling stories to family and friends. I like that! The girls I have been babysitting recently have really pushed me to be creative with their constant demands of "tell us a story!" It's all about the process, the experience, not the end product necessarily. Life is a journey not a destination. I'm finding that philosophy prevalent in my line of work these days (pre-school age learners) and enjoy applying it to my adult life as well. I'm practicing extending grace and present-mindedness on myself. Here's a nice quote about teaching: " It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge." I'm currently looking for new teaching work/job/summer camps opportunities, in lieu of being laid off for the summer months at Red Mountain Montessori Academy. So here's hoping I can find something in the alternative, non-sectarian world of education and possibly with elementary ages for a change, all in order to find what to go back to school for :)

Lovin' March Madness

I am so excited to go to Las Vegas for my birthday:) Check these dudes out we're going to get to see break it down!! Jabbawockeez, meaning "mystical dragon" with a hip hop adage to the name were first found on Randy Jackson Presents:America's Best Dance Crew (how i did not follow or know about that previously, boggles me) ha. I do however remember seeing them on So You Think You Can Dance? as guest performers. It's been a while away from the Blog, but it doesn't mean I haven't been meaningfully thinking about life and spirituality, service, career paths, relationships, etc. I want to share some beautiful lyrics from some hymns I've heard and sung in church this month of March, which is almost over!!

What wondrous love is this? O my soul, O my soul

what wondrous love is this?

that caused the Lord of Bliss to bear the heavy cross for my soul, for my soul

to God and to the Lamb, I will sing. I will sing

to God and to the Lamb I will sing

to God and to the lamb who is the great I AM.

where millions join the theme, I will sing

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing on.

I'll sing on

And when from death I'm free, I'll sing and joyful be

and through eternity I'll sing on. I'll sing on

Lent is allowing us to reflect. What have you been reflecting upon... my friends?

"I used to carry the weight of the world but now all i want to do is spread my wings and fly"

:)

beautiful song during church communion today

Sanctos, Sanctos, Sanctos. Mi corazon te adora! Mi corazon te sa bedecir Santo eres Dios!

Holy, Holy, Holy. My heart, my Heart adores you! My heart knows how to say to you, you are holy Lord.

how i met your mother

I quote...


"I think for the most part, if you're really honest with yourself about what you want out of life, life gives it to you."

(yes, this is from season 2, episode 22 of the tv sitcom How I Met Your Mother)

"you gotta pucker your lips like dish"

- Sebastian from The Little Mermaid

This is my lovely niece Corinne Marion Silcox :)

Black Swan - Music Video [HD]

This is why I dance

I came back from a run this evening and actually felt inspired, stronger, motivated and glad! That was a surprise, haven't felt that in a while. Part of the reason however was having to do with feeling so free enough in myself, my body that in the middle of the open, park/lake nearby I began to bust moves and dance around like a silly person!! It was so fun, I highly recommend it and you can do it in the dark with hardly anyone around ;) winkwink, but that's not even the point. And later I was listening to this song on my ipod that got me thinking about one of my favorite dance films because it is in the soundtrack.
movie- Honey with Jessica Alba
music- I believe by Yolanda Adams

Click on here to watch and listen and be inspired:)

sufjan stevens

What if this is as good as it gets?

I re-watched the great film, "As good as it gets" starring Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear last night and of course couldn't go without pausing and writing down some of the lines in dialogue :)

"I mean I'm drowning here and You're describing the water!!" -Jack N. says to Greg who isn't giving him the advice he wanted/expected at first.

"The best thing you have going here is your willingness to embarrass yourself" -Greg K. says to Jack N. in a moment of desperation to declare to Helen his love for her.

"Buddy, I'd be the luckiest man in the world IF that did it for me" -Jack N. to Greg K. after he tells him he loves Jack." (yes Greg is homosexual)

Jack introducing Helen's character to Greg's :

"Carol, the waitress, Simon, the fag."