|
By Eleanor Zucker
Students and teachers from Otoch Paal Montessori celebrated their 4th annual Desayuno Elegante (elegant or formal breakfast) at Bahía Príncipe Tulum on December 15, 2009. Bahía Príncipe graciously provided transportation to and from the school, as well as hosted the Montessori children and staff for an elaborate breakfast in one of their formal dining rooms.
The Desayuno Elegante gives the young Montessori students, most of whom come from families with limited resources who would not otherwise have the opportunity to dine in a formal setting, the chance to apply the fine dining skills and table manners they learn during the school year. Two or three times per year, each student participates in the Mesa Elegante (elegant table or fine dining) at school, wherein s/he shares a three-course meal with another student (salad, main course and dessert).
Each classroom has its own formal table with full place settings which the children use for this exercise. More than just an exercise in fine dining, the Mesa Elegante is part of the practical life skills taught in the Montessori classroom. These skills include learning manners (how to say please and thank-you), social skills (how to share, how to partake in a communal meal), and the basics of table manners such as using all the silverware, wiping one's mouth with a napkin (instead of a sleeve!) and so forth.
At the Desayuno Elegante, the head waiter explained to the children the use of all the different silverware (salad fork, dessert fork, etc.) and glassware (water glass, juice glass, etc.) prior to serving the food. The children and staff were treated to a delicious meal of eggs, beans, fresh fruit, sweet breads, juice and hot chocolate. Both the school staff and the restaurant staff remarked on how impressed they were by the children's behavior, both their table manners and their overall good conduct.
To see a Montessori preschool in operation, come visit Otoch Paal Community Center in Akumal Pueblo. Otoch Paal welcomes visitors who are interested in seeing how a Montessori center operates. Classes are in session from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Friday. Visitors are asked to come between 9 and 10:30 a.m.
How you can help. As a non-profit community-based learning center, Otoch Paal does not generate sufficient funds to pay for all necessary school improvements. Monetary donations and donations in kind are always welcome. Donations can be made directly at the school. Or more information can be found at: http://montessoriaroundtheworld.org/otoch.html/
Are you associated with a Montessori school that could donate used learning materials for the preschool/kindergarten classroom or support the school in some other way? Contact Graciela Avila, school principal, at: perikavilarivas@hotmail.com
Directions to Otoch Paal: The school is located near the back of Akumal Pueblo, on the northern edge of the town. It can be reached by following the Pueblo's main street (avenida) to the fourth block on the right-hand side of the street. After passing the secondary and kindergarten schools (which are on the main street), turn right at the corner where the kindergarten is located and continue to the next corner. Otoch Paal is next to the kindergarten and the entrance is at the far corner, near the town's edge.
Otoch Paal students and staff pose for a group photo in the Bahía Príncipe Tulum lobby.
Students patiently await their breakfasts in the elegant dining facilities.
Children share a meal at the Mesa Elegante in the Montessori classroom.
|
