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Walk the Line Montessori Grace and Courtesy Lesson

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This Montessori Grace and Courtesy lesson is one of my favorite Montessori practical life lessons. The activity promotes such wonders like self regulation, balance, gross motor skills, calmness and grace. Plus it is a snap to integrate into your classroom or home.

Montessori Grace and Courtesy Walk the Line Lesson

Materials for Walk the Line

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All you need is tape to create the “line”, plus a basket with fun objects to create variations of Walking on the Line like:

  • A bell
  • A cup for water
  • Beads in a small dish
  • A bead and a small spoon
  • Bean bag for balancing on a child's head

Montessori grace and courtesy walk the line lesson variations

How to Create the Line

I love this description from Info Montessori of how to create the line: “The “line” used during this exercise is a continuous and permanent shape in the environment. With its two straight lines and two lightly curved sides, an ellipse is what most environments have found to be the most suitable for this lesson.”

Montessori Grace and Courtesy Walk the Line Lesson

  • Ideally, the child walks on the line without shoes.
  • The width of the line should actually be a bit wider than a child's shoe. I have never seen a line that wide, so don't worry too much about that detail.
  • The line should be in plain view and should not have the children walking through or around any obstacles in the room.
  • Playing lovely classical music, or any calming music, is a wonderful addition.  One of my instructors used this exercise as a way to bring the children together at the start of the day.
  • Demonstrate to the children how to walk on the line by having them sit on the line.  Show them the slow movement and heel toe foot action.
  • Let the children know they can walk on the line whenever they would like to during the day.
  • Wait until the child has mastered simply walking on the line before adding any creative variations from the basket.

Modeling the Montessori grace and courtesy walk the line lesson

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Marnie

Learn about Grace and Courtesy in the Montessori Curriculum

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Grace and courtesy is an integral part of the Montessori curriculum beginning in the early childhood classroom and continuing through the elementary levels. In The Montessori Method, Dr. Maria Montessori stated, “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” (121). Lessons which help children learn these social strategies are taught so they can navigate friendships and collaborations with others that can benefit them throughout their life.

Grace & Courtesy in a Montessori Classroom

Montessori Grace & Courtesy

Early Childhood Classroom

Grace and courtesy lessons are given as a group as a role-play. Each lesson isolates the positive behavior the teacher wishes to model. During the lesson, there are five steps. First, the specific behavior is identified and defined. Then, there is a preview of what the children will happen. Next, children observe a role play of the lesson. There is then a debriefing about what the children saw and observed. Finally, guided role play allows the children to repeat the lesson. The following are examples of lessons given.

  • Accepting or declining an invitation
  • Accepting help
  • Asking permission
  • Excusing oneself
  • Greeting or saying goodbye to another person
  • Helping a classmate
  • Inviting a classmate
  • Observing lessons
  • Refusing help
  • Requesting privacy
  • Speaking in a low voice
  • Waiting for help
  • Serving snack

Elementary Classroom

Grace and courtesy lessons continue in the elementary environment, but the format changes from guided role plays to group problem-solving and community meetings. Because the students have entered the second plane of development, they are able to process situations differently. Small meetings between classmates or larger community meetings help students navigate social situations. During these groups, students learn the role of civil discourse, allowing one person to speak at a time. Students discuss situations, and they offer solutions. Students continually evaluate these solutions until there is one which works for everyone.

 

These lessons are incredibly important for children to learn, as they provide a solid foundation on how to navigate through their lives. Although children may encounter a lack of grace and courtesy in everyday life, in the Montessori classroom, the lessons they receive will help them be kind and compassionate members of society. Dr. Montessori believed that children are a hope and promise for mankind (Education and Peace). Grace and courtesy lessons are the origins of this belief.