Conversation Time
From Montessori Album
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Conversation Time | |
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Language - Language Foundation | |
Level | Primary |
Age | 2.5+ |
Prerequisites | None |
Materials | taped line in a large circle on floor vary objects according to lesson |
In this Circle Time activity the child or children engage in a conversation about an anecdote, object, or topic with the teacher, so they can learn or practice sitting, listening, and speaking.
Presentation
- Invite the children to sit at the circle.
- Explain that you have something to share with them.
- Share an object, picture, or story for discussion and questioning. (Mr. Rogers does this exceedingly well when showing an object to children.)
- Allow the children to take turns commenting.
- After sufficient discussion, wrap up the conversation and dismiss the children from the circle.
Notes
- The teacher needs to establish the proper way to sit on the line.
- Be aware of your posture, so the children will copy you.
- Establish a system for taking turns talking, such as raising a hand or passing a special object.
- Try to keep the children on the topic at hand.
- Keep the length of conversation appropriate to the developmental level of the children.
- Use verbal and non-verbal cues to encourage conversation.
Points of Interest
- Taking turns during a conversation
- Objects and topics of discussion
- Different points of view
- Difference between a question and a comment
Control of Error
- The teacher as moderator
- The established procedure for Circle Time activities
Variations and Extensions
- Bring two pictures and discuss similarities and differences
- Do conversation time with a small group of children
- Use a book as a conversation starter
- Problem solving as a group
- As the children get older, the teacher can encourage full sentence contributions
Material
Any object which might be used as a topic of conversation. Watch old episodes of Mister Rogers Neighborhood for ideas for objects and ways to discuss them.
Things to bring for conversation time:
- Musical instruments
- Art prints
- Everyday objects to discuss how they are made
- Objects or clothing from different countries
- Objects from nature
Further Reading
- Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under-fives by David Gettman, pages 137-139