Junior Guides: Expanded Genuise Hour Program Guide
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Transform 6th graders into peer teachers with our Junior Guides program. Montessori math, Orton-Gillingham reading, inspired by Sister Cyril Mooney.
Background: Sister Sarah Cyril Mooney's Legacy
Sister Sarah Cyril Mooney (1929-2006) was an Irish Loreto nun who dedicated over 40 years of her life to educating children in Calcutta, India. Working primarily in the slums of Sealdah, she revolutionized education for some of the world's most disadvantaged children through her innovative "Rainbow Homes" program.
The Rainbow Philosophy
Sister Cyril's approach was built on the belief that every child, regardless of background, possessed inherent dignity and potential. She organized children into "Rainbows" - mixed-age groups where older children naturally became mentors and teachers for younger ones. This organic mentorship structure created:
- Natural Leadership Development: Older children developed responsibility and teaching skills
- Accelerated Learning: Younger children learned faster through peer instruction
- Community Building: Strong bonds formed across age groups
- Character Formation: Both mentors and mentees developed empathy, patience, and service orientation
Her "Littles" were the youngest children (ages 3-7) who benefited from this nurturing, multi-age learning environment. Sister Cyril observed that when older children taught younger ones, both groups thrived academically and emotionally.
Genius Hour, also known as "20% Time" or "Passion Projects", is a student-centered learning approach where students are given dedicated time to explore topics that genuinely interest them. This time allows students to delve into subjects beyond the standard curriculum, fostering creativity, critical thinking, and self-directed learning. While the core concept is about student choice, Genius Hour can be structured with specific phases or guidelines to ensure effective exploration and project development.
Detailed Workshop Curricula
Workshop 1: Orientation and Foundation (3 hours total)
Session A: Junior Guide Identity and Mission (90 minutes)
Opening Circle (20 minutes)
- Welcome and introductions
- Share personal learning mentors who made a difference
- Discussion: "What makes a great teacher?"
The Sister Cyril Legacy (25 minutes)
- Story of Sister Cyril and the Rainbow Homes
- Video excerpts or photos from Calcutta programs
- Discussion: How can we bring this spirit to our school?
Junior Guide Code of Conduct Development (30 minutes)
- Collaborative creation of classroom agreements
- Role-play scenarios: What would Sister Cyril do?
- Commitment ceremony and signing
Mission Statement Creation (15 minutes)
- Small groups create personal mission statements
- Share and post in learning space
Session B: Understanding "The Littles" (90 minutes)
Child Development Basics (30 minutes)
- Age-appropriate expectations for K-2 students
- Learning differences and strengths
- Attention spans and engagement strategies
Building Relationships (45 minutes)
- Ice-breaker activities suitable for mixed ages
- Practice using encouraging language
- Role-play: First meeting with your Littles
Reflection and Goal Setting (15 minutes)
- Personal reflection: What kind of Junior Guide do I want to be?
- Set three goals for the program
Workshop 2: Montessori Math Materials Mastery (6 hours total)
Session A: Golden Bead System Deep Dive (2 hours)
Material Introduction (30 minutes)
- History and philosophy of golden beads
- Proper handling and care of materials
- Language: unit, ten, hundred, thousand
Quantity Recognition (45 minutes)
- Hands-on practice: building quantities
- Games: "Bring me..." and quantity matching
- Teaching technique: Show, don't tell
Operations Introduction (45 minutes)
- Static addition and subtraction demonstrations
- Practice teaching script: "This is..."
- Common mistakes and how to address them
Session B: Stamp Game and Number Lines (2 hours)
Stamp Game Fundamentals (60 minutes)
- Introduction to abstract representation
- Static and dynamic operations
- Exchange games and regrouping concepts
- Teaching sequence and error correction
Number Lines and Patterns (60 minutes)
- Beta number line activities
- Skip counting with hundred and thousand chains
- Pattern recognition games
- Connecting concrete to abstract thinking
Session C: Counting Frames and Assessment (2 hours)
Large Counting Frame (45 minutes)
- Place value reinforcement
- Hierarchical thinking development
- Practice problems and teaching techniques
Abacus Work (45 minutes)
- Introduction to the golden bead abacus
- Simple calculations and demonstrations
- Troubleshooting common difficulties
Assessment and Practice Teaching (30 minutes)
- Junior Guides practice with each other
- Feedback and refinement
- Create personal teaching reference cards
Workshop 3: Orton-Gillingham Foundations (4 hours total)
Session A: Phonemic Awareness and Letter Formation (2 hours)
Multisensory Learning Principles (30 minutes)
- Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learning
- Why multisensory approaches work
- Adapting for different learning styles
Letter Recognition Games (45 minutes)
- Sandpaper letters and tracing techniques
- Sound-symbol correspondence activities
- Memory games and matching exercises
- Songs and movement for letter sounds
Blending Practice (45 minutes)
- CVC word building with manipulatives
- Sound boxes and segmentation
- Teaching the blending gesture
- Common blending difficulties and solutions
Session B: Reading Instruction and Games (2 hours)
Structured Reading Approach (60 minutes)
- Decodable text selection and use
- Guided reading techniques for small groups
- Error correction that builds confidence
- Tracking progress and celebrating growth
Literacy Games Workshop (60 minutes)
- Sound matching and memory games
- Word family activities
- Spelling with magnetic letters
- Making reading fun while maintaining structure
Workshop 4: Soft Skills and Classroom Management (3 hours total)
Session A: Communication and Encouragement (90 minutes)
Positive Language Techniques (45 minutes)
- Growth mindset language modeling
- Specific vs. general praise
- Role-play: Encouraging struggling learners
- Cultural sensitivity and inclusion
Active Listening and Questioning (45 minutes)
- How to ask questions that promote thinking
- Wait time and processing support
- Non-verbal communication awareness
- Practice sessions with peer feedback
Session B: Managing Challenges (90 minutes)
Behavioral Guidance (45 minutes)
- Understanding behavior as communication
- Redirection techniques that preserve dignity
- When and how to ask for adult help
- Creating calm, focused learning environments
Differentiation Basics (45 minutes)
- Adapting activities for different skill levels
- Supporting both advanced and struggling learners
- Making materials accessible
- Patience and persistence strategies
Detailed Session Structure Template
Pre-Session Preparation (10 minutes)
- Materials check and setup
- Review lesson objectives
- Mental preparation and positive mindset
Opening Ritual (5 minutes)
- Greeting and connection
- Brief review of previous learning
- Preview of today's activities
Main Learning Activity (40-50 minutes)
- Hands-on exploration with materials
- Guided practice with Junior Guide support
- Independent or paired work time
- Error correction and encouragement
Reflection and Closure (10 minutes)
- "What did we learn today?"
- Celebration of efforts and progress
- Preview of next session
- Caring goodbye
Junior Guide Debrief (5 minutes)
- Quick reflection on the session
- Questions or concerns for mentor teacher
- Notes for next time
Assessment and Recognition System
Junior Guide Progress Tracking
- Weekly Reflection Journals: What went well? What was challenging?
- Peer Observation Forms: Junior Guides observe each other teaching
- Mentor Teacher Check-ins: Regular one-on-one support meetings
- Self-Assessment Rubrics: Growth in teaching skills and confidence
Recognition and Celebration
- Monthly Recognition Ceremony: Highlighting growth and service
- Leadership Certificates: Formal acknowledgment of completion
- Portfolio Development: Documentation of learning and teaching journey
- Community Presentation: Sharing program impact with school community
Little Ones Progress Celebration
- Growth Portfolios: Academic and social-emotional development
- Family Sharing Sessions: Celebrating learning with parents
- Peer Recognition: Littles acknowledge their Junior Guide mentors
- Skills Celebration: Demonstrating new math and reading abilities
Program Expansion Ideas
Advanced Junior Guide Roles
- Head Junior Guides: Senior students who mentor new Junior Guides
- Specialist Guides: Focus on specific skills or materials
- Family Liaison Guides: Connect with families of Littles
- Materials Managers: Care for and organize learning resources
Community Connections
- Sister Cyril Study Groups: Learn more about her methodology
- Cultural Exchange: Connect with schools using similar approaches
- Service Extension: Apply Junior Guide skills in community settings
- Alumni Mentorship: Former Junior Guides support current participants
This expanded program honors Sister Cyril Mooney's legacy while creating meaningful learning experiences for both Junior Guides and Littles, fostering academic growth, character development, and the joy of service.
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