Farmington Hills, Michigan – Students at Schoolhouse Montessori Academy learned all about Native American games and dancing when Genot Picor, local Native American storyteller, visited the school on Friday November 9. Mr. Picor served as a special guest presenter to compliment the children’s study of Native Americans during the month of November.

“Some of the games Native American children played are similar to those we do in the Montessori classroom,” said School Director Rochelle Cochran. Mr. Picor introduced students to a listening game which required students to be blindfolded and follow the sounds of a bell being worn by another individual. “This game is usually played in the fall,” said Genot Picor. “The leaves on the ground add another element of difficulty.” Montessori teachers use a similar activity, known as The Silence Game, to work on children’s listening skills and self-discipline. The teachers noted many similarities between the activities of Native American children and those in their classrooms. “The use of multiple senses is a big part of Montessori,” said Admissions Coordinator Doron Vergun. “The development of all five senses is just as important now as it was back then.”

In addition to games, Mr. Picor led several interactive stories and songs. The children enjoyed going on a bear hunt and being chased by our “bear”, Kindergarten student Hayden Chilcutt. When asked about her favorite part two-year-old Nora Hanley said, “When the bear was on his head.”  Mr. Picor also took the time to share several musical instruments with the students. “I like the part where you wipe your hand across,” said Kindergarten student Peter Davis in reference to the musical washboard. Students also got a chance to dance like a rabbit and sing a song about a man whose nose was made of bananas and eyes were made of blueberries. His name was Aiken Drum.

Schoolhouse Montessori Academy hopes to have Mr. Picor return in August when their summer camp features an entire week about Native Americans. For more information on Schoolhouse Montessori Academy contact Doron Vergun at 248-539-3378 or visit their website at www.schoolhousemontessori.com.