Our Guest: Jennifer Shields
Show Notes
Jennifer Shields joins us to talk about creating a culture of writing in the Primary classroom.
Jennifer explains how Montessori Guides first build up children’s ability to express themselves orally by talking to them, singing, reciting poetry, and maybe most importantly, by listening to them. In a Montessori setting, children can explode into writing when their hands and minds are indirectly and directly prepared through practical life, sensorial, and through spoken language. The key lessons in sound games, sandpaper letters, and movable alphabet get a child on the road to writing.
Jennifer then details all the ways Guides can encourage writing through a variety of modes from modelling, creating important opportunities to write (e.g. thank you notes, invitations), using a class journal, and more. She encourages us to use our intimate knowledge of each child to create experiences of writing that are personalized and joyful!
About our Guest
Jennifer Shields, M.Ed.
Director of Primary Training, Washington Montessori Institute
Jennifer Shields has been an Association Montessori Internationale primary teacher-trainer since 2010. She is also a lecturer, examiner, and consultant. She taught primary children for over ten years and now serves as a Director of Primary Training at Washington Montessori Institute.
Jennifer earned her 3-6 Primary AMI diploma in 1992. Twenty years later, she earned her 0-3 Assistants to Infancy diploma. Jennifer holds a BA in English from Georgetown University. She earned her M.Ed. from Cleveland State University.
Jennifer has trained teachers at WMI, nationally, and internationally. She has trained teachers in Switzerland, Austin, TX, and in Charlotte, NC. Jennifer joined the Board of the AMI Global in spring of 2019.
Jennifer delights in the adventures of her three young adult children who all “grew up Montessori.” She loves to eat vegetarian food, thrift shop, and to hike with her husband and their dog, Niblet.
Resources
Washington Montessori Institute
https://wmi-montessori.org
Voices in Montessori Podcast
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