Peaceful Classroom: Meditation Table , “Switzerland” Peer Mediation, Sun Salutation Yoga Morning Poses
Celeste Baucom
The focused mind benefits from a break in concentration. A respite often leads to a rebirth of discovery or burst of imagination. The creation of a classroom “Mediation Shelf” will be discussed. Meditative sensorial choices such as a Tibetan singing bowl, recorded nature sounds, a mini Zen garden, aromatic cinnamon and clove boxes, and more will be demonstrated. Participants will be invited to try out examples for themselves. The idea of a meditation corner was inspired by a suggestion in Aileen Wolf’s popular book “The Spiritual Nature of the Child”.
The Elementary child responds most to peer mediation rather than an adult. Each year the class elects two peer mediators termed “Switzerland” from whom they may request help resolving differences.
Lastly, the quiet Sun Salutation poses create a set of peaceful group sequences the children enjoy following at the start of the day or during a break in standardized testing weeks.
The Elementary child responds most to peer mediation rather than an adult. Each year the class elects two peer mediators termed “Switzerland” from whom they may request help resolving differences.
Lastly, the quiet Sun Salutation poses create a set of peaceful group sequences the children enjoy following at the start of the day or during a break in standardized testing weeks.
Celeste Baucom has been guiding the Upper Elementary class at Aquinas Montessori School for 24 years. In 2014 she accepted the additional role of Montessori Director upon the passing of the school’s longtime director and founder, Kathleen Futrell. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in biochemistry, worked as a biochemist at the National Institutes of Health, decided to pursue teaching, received her Montessori certificate from WMI in 1994, and us been at Aquinas ever since.