Grace & Courtesy
Helping Children Learn Self-Discipline
“Considering the method as a whole, we must begin our work by preparing the child for the forms of social life, and we must attract his attention to these forms” - Maria Montessori
How to give a Grace & Courtesy Lesson
Grace and courtesy lessons are given as a group as a role-play. Each lesson isolates the positive behavior the teacher wishes to model.
- specific behavior is identified and defined
- preview of what will happen
- observe a role play of the lesson
- debrief about what the children saw and observed
- guided role play, allows the children to repeat the lesson
Classroom Management
How to listen to directions
How to get the teacher’s attention
Place hand on teacher’s shoulder
Wait for acknowledgement
How to raise hand at circle time and wait to be called on
How to wait to speak after others finish
How to shake hands with teacher/adult
How to ask/offer, refuse/wait for help from a teacher or another student
How to greet a visitor: “Hello, my name is…. Welcome to (our home or name of school).”
How to listen to a story or poem without shouting out questions in the middle of the story
How to learn a song at circle time
How to sing with a group
How to recycle paper
Speaking in a low voice
Social Interactions between Adults & Children
Greeting a Person
Saying Thank You
Expressing Admiration
Making an apology
How to admit a mistake and ask to be forgiven
How to say, “I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.
How to give comfort to another
Asking, “Are you all right? May I help you?”
Getting a teacher
How to introduce friends: “Mary, this is my friend, Maria.”
Asking to watch another’s lesson
Asking to join in play
Asking for a turn
Asking an older child for help
Asking to join a group lesson
Requesting privacy
Inviting another child to play
How to refuse an invitation kindly
Excusing oneself
Introducing myself to another: “Hello (or “Hi”). My name is….”
How to say “no” politely
“No, thank you. I don’t want to do that.”
How to say, “Stop! Stop! You’re hurting me. Stop. I don’t like that!”
How to ask someone to move: “Could you please move? I would like to sit here.”
“Excuse me, please. I want to walk through here.”
Care of the Garden (& Environment)
Watering the plants
Pulling weeds
Setting up a plant area
Sweeping walkways
Harvesting
Ways to Cultivate Grace & Courtesy
Remember, do not assume the children know something, but teach everything, giving the child the opportunity to do things correctly, as they generally want to do.
Table Manners
Chewing with your mouth closed
“To pass a jug of milk or shaker”
Passing an appetizer or dish of food
Saying “Thank you”
Using a napkin or serviette
Sharing
Offering a drink to a guest
Avoiding putting elbows on the table
Placement of utensils on the plate when finished meal
Asking permission to leave the table.
Saying excuse me when passing food in front of another.
Avoiding talking with your mouth open
Waiting for your turn in a buffet situation
Using utensils instead of fingers
Language for Respect & Kindness
May I have a turn
Are you Okay? How can I help?
Nice to meet you
Bless you!
Good morning
Excuse me/ asking for help
May I join in, please?
How are you feeling
To hold the door open for someone
Come in, Please
Receiving a gift
Writing a thank you note
Being gentle with one and other
Giving up your seat to an elderly person
Social Situations
Blowing your nose
Removing your hat
Standing in a line
Waving goodbye
Going to a library, museum, restaurant
Speaking in a soft voice, when appropriate.
Putting others first
answering a question
How to cough in public
Winking and thumbs up at someone (reading social cues)
What is appropriate behavior in public
Good sportsmanship
Please take whatever suggestions may be valuable for your family and create your own list that supports your values.
Thoughtful Thursdays
11/1: Toilet Training
12/6: Language
1/10: Montessori Math
3/7: to be determined
4/4: Oak Room Expectations
5/2: Grace & Courtesy
Long Hill Montessori School
Email: LongHillMontessoriSchool@gmail.com
Website: www.LongHillMontessoriSchool.com
Location: 158 Central Avenue, Stirling, NJ, United States
Phone: (908) 647-1852