Learning Community Monthly Update August 2025

“The secret of good teaching is to regard the Childs’ intelligence as a field field in which seeds may be sown , to grow under the heat of flaming imagination”. – Dr.Maria Montessori

Term 2 began with a bang and full of surprises. Whatever I felt as a challenge in July, it just disappeared and each one of them looked new in their own ways.  

Something happened and we did not know what it is, but we trusted each other and the environment in a deeper level. August we began our new study cycle – “Sports” as adolescents wanted to create a sports area for themselves.

As a facilitator, I consciously made few decisions so that 2 age groups can find their own spaces and work peacefully as per their needs.

This months' highlight was completion of the Wall clock for the community space.

Circle time

As we step into new term, the circle time includes breathing and a follow up imagination exercise. Each day we explored simple themes, words, values which we want to carry the whole day. This month the circle time. In verse, we are performing 2 English and 2 Tamil verse with more intense movements, from sitting and doing the verse we are now added new movements where the flow goes from sitting, standing and again sitting.

The second part includes finding Tamil and English vocabulary exercise using the materials. In Tamil, we are now on the journey to reach 200 words.

The 3^rd part has announcements about presentations, story sessions or any sharing of knowledge by students where we need other members presence. Then finally we all do the day planning using the planning sheet.

Planning and Reflection

Students are so affluent with the planning now. Each one of them started looking at their needs and planned their day based on it. We are continuing the 5-minute reflection this month as well as it is providing a space for students to think and write, yet in a very simple format.

This format is helping the students to express themselves better. I could see each one of them are able to connect to certain parts of new reflection process and taking it back to their work.

Work

As we begin the new study cycle, I proposed to the adolescents to include more practical work into their schedule. While I was thinking that there would be huge opposition, both of them agreed to the idea with a huge smile. As a facilitator, I felt this was a good beginning to explore the farm and practical work in a deeper way.

Art, Craft and Music

This months’ open-ended exploration was recycled crafts. We explored making a recycled Montessori pencil holder using old floppy disks. We created a new model of smoke fountain using recycled glass bottles. We also explored clay making this month.

This months’ inclusion was Singing. We tried to sing few songs during the online sessions.  

Farm work

Every week we are doing 1 hour of maintenance work in the farm with all age groups. This month, students participated in planting tomato and traditional veggies’/Keerai like Yaanai thandam Ladies finger, Chakkaravarthi keerai.

We continued Plastering of steps for the dry toilet this month as well.

Study Cycle

We began our study cycle with a mind map and introduction with an expert visit to “Tarzan academy”. The inputs from Mr.Giriprakash was very helpful in designing the sports area. We are grateful to have people around us who are offering their time and effort with so much love to these students.

The warmth of the session made them to go a step further and explore a weekly session in Tarzan academy throughout the month.

Festivals

We celebrated Vinayagar charthurthi in the learning space. Students made their own Ganesha idol using clay from the farm and explored flower braiding.

Community outing

As we step into the 3rd month, adolescent started to manage the money for the product making, cost price tracking and calculating the profits. As we headed out to Tarzan for the expert visit, the idea of community lunch also popped up. We had our first community lunch outing to Auroville Bakery.