As the school year begins to wind down, our days feel even fuller. Lessons continue to flow, routines stay steady, and the children will continue to learn and grow right up until the very end. We are focused on finishing the year with intention and making every moment count.
This time of year, despite it being what feels like the busiest time of all, invites a quiet pause to look back at the school year that is almost behind us. I consistently find myself in awe at just how fast the school year has passed and how much the children have grown and changed since the beginning of the school year. What once required sustained effort and careful guidance now unfolds with a sense of ease. There is greater independence, deeper concentration, and growing perseverance in the way the children move through their work cycles. In the midst of the daily rhythm of the school year, these moments can quietly pass by, but the end of the year creates space to pause and reflect.
Our visit to the Adventure Park this week was one of those moments where we had the opportunity to witness, outside of the classroom, how much the children have grown. The day felt like pure fun to the children, but it was full of so much meaningful learning under the surface. I chose not to participate in the climbing so I could remain available and observe the children more closely. I walked the grounds all day, and from that place, I was able to witness all of the children and their moments of pure joy, deep bravery, and the quiet ways they pushed past their limits.
The adventure course was so much more than a day of fun and an opportunity to work on balance, coordination, and strength. Each obstacle required the children to think, be patient, and persevere if something didn’t work out the first time. By the end of the day, you could see the children’s confidence grow so much. There were so many incredible acts of bravery and children confidently stepping outside of their comfort zones. By the middle of the day, many children who were initially hesitant were moving through the course with such a sense of trust in themselves and their abilities and pure excitement.
There was also a strong sense of community throughout the day. The children cheered for each other, offered encouragement, supported one another when challenges arose, and celebrated everyone’s successes. That kind of support is what we always encourage, but seeing it show up so naturally in a different setting was a beautiful reminder of how much it is part of our classroom culture.
As we keep moving through these final weeks, there will continue to be a lot of learning happening. We are finishing projects, introducing and reviewing important skills, and making sure the children are prepared for the upcoming school year. There is also so much fun ahead and time to celebrate the great year we’ve had together and all the growth and progress that has been made!
Blog
Mrs. Lopes Class
Last week, we began our unit on insects. The children learned the parts of an insect, and we sang the song “Head, Thorax, Abdomen” to reinforce what they were learning. We also learned that 90% of the animals on earth are insects and there are over 5 million different kinds of insects.
On Tuesday, we did our Annual Bug Scavenger Hunt. The children had so much fun searching outside for all kinds of bugs — looking under rocks, on the wall, and under the swings.
We also have 5 fully formed chrysalis in our classroom. The children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of butterflies, hopefully this week!
Extending Learning at Home
Head outside and go on your own bug hunt! See how many insects your child can find and ask them to point out the head, thorax, and abdomen. A magnifying glass makes it even more fun!
Magical May with Ms. Mollie
May is truly the most magical time of year in a toddler Montessori classroom. The days are filled with outdoor adventures, gardening, joyful play, and watching all of the skills we have nurtured throughout the year begin to blossom together. The children move with such confidence and purpose now — helping one another, caring for their environment, and engaging deeply in meaningful work.
As Maria Montessori once said, “Play is the work of the child.” In these beautiful spring days, we see that work unfolds effortlessly and calmly around us. From digging in the garden beds to imaginative outdoor play and collaborative friendships, the growth happening before our eyes is nothing short of amazing.
May reminds us to slow down, soak in these moments, and celebrate just how far our little learners have come.
With Full Hearts,
Ms.Mollie and Ms.Lizette
Ms. Handibode’s Class
Now that we are entomologists, we went on a bug scavenger hunt. Ask your children what insects they were looking for and which ones they found. For the sharing box this week, Mila dressed in her beekeeper suit and shared honeycomb from her beehives. It was a wonderful addition to our continued studies on insects and prompted a lot of conversations among the children.
Our author study this month is Mem Fox. Our favorite story so far is Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild. Veda’s dad read Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared to the class. The children loved this book and asked me to read it to them again later that day. We love the excitement that books continue to elicit in the classroom.
Extending Learning at Home
Look for other books by Mem Fox at your local library — there are so many wonderful ones to explore together. If your child is still buzzing about bees, ask them to tell you what they learned from Mila’s visit!
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Week
- Monday, May 18
Sharing Box and Flowers: Hannah B.- Tuesday, May 19
Playground Volunteer: Dhanishry N.- Tuesday, May 19
Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Nature Center- Wednesday, May 20
Guest Reader: Kay M.- Thursday, May 21
Birthday Celebration: Hannah B.Looking Ahead
- Monday, May 25
No School — Memorial Day- Tuesday, May 26
Playground Volunteer: Jeremy H.- Tuesday, May 26
Sharing Box and Flowers: Remi L.
Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week
This week in our classroom, there was a lot of curiosity and hands-on learning happening all around us. The children were fascinated watching our caterpillars transform into chrysalises, checking on them each day, and sharing their observations with excitement. We also headed outside for a fun scavenger hunt where the students searched for all kinds of insects and practiced noticing the differences between insects and spiders, especially the number of legs and body parts.
Inside the classroom, our kindergartners have been working hard on their autobiographies, drawing pictures, and writing about themselves, their families, and the things they love. Another favorite activity this week was working together in small groups to build Roman arches with blocks. The children experimented with balance, problem-solving, and teamwork as they discovered how the shape of an arch can hold weight and stay standing.
Strawberry slicing was a big hit this week. After washing the berry, they use a strawberry huller to remove the stem. Then they use an egg slicer to slice the berry and serve it to friends, followed by heading to the sink to wash and dry each item from the tray.
Please return your child’s Take Home Folder each week, otherwise they have no place to put their work during the week.
Extending Learning at Home
Invite your child to help in the kitchen — washing fruit, slicing with a child-safe knife, or setting the table are all great ways to practice the same practical life skills we work on in the classroom. You can also head outside together and see how many insects your child can spot, and ask them how they know it’s an insect and not a spider!
UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Next Week
- Monday, May 18
Rayna: Food, Flowers & Sharing Bag- Tuesday, May 19
Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Pond Study- Tuesday, May 19
Driscoll Playground Volunteer- Wednesday, May 20
Ava’s Birthday Celebration
Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update
The children had so much fun preparing colorful fruit kabobs during food preparation this week. Carefully slicing bananas, threading blueberries and grapes onto skewers, and creating their own patterns gave everyone a chance to practice independence, coordination, and concentration while enjoying a healthy treat together. There is always such a sense of pride when the children prepare food with their own hands, and this activity was no exception. Some children have also continued working on our long cubing chains in the hallway, counting farther and farther each day as we make our way closer to 1000. The children are developing such patience and perseverance as they watch the quantities grow before their eyes.
As the school year begins to wind down, our classroom conversations naturally turn toward change and growth. Our Kindergarteners are preparing to move on to Lower Elementary, while we look ahead to welcoming new toddlers into our community next year. In many ways, it feels like our final lesson on life cycles – reflecting on how we grow, change, and make space for new beginnings. The children are beginning to recognize that just like the plants, butterflies, and animals we have studied throughout the year, classrooms also go through seasons of transformation.
Mrs. Wilson: Magic of Metamorphosis
This week, we continued our exploration of the life cycle of a butterfly. The children are not only expanding their vocabulary, but also strengthening their sequencing skills as they learn each stage of the butterfly’s journey. Here is the sequence we have been practicing together:
The butterfly lands on a leaf and lays an egg.
Out pops a tiny caterpillar!
The caterpillar eats the leaf and grows bigger and bigger.
Once it is big enough, it hangs in a “J” shape.
Next, the caterpillar forms a chrysalis around itself.
Then the magic of metamorphosis happens! (Ask your child to say “metamorphosis” — they love this big word!)
When the transformation is complete, the butterfly emerges from the chrysalis.
Its wings are wet at first, so it must rest and dry them.
Once the wings are dry, the butterfly flies away to a leaf, and the whole cycle begins again.
We will continue retelling this story together each school day, helping the children build confidence and familiarity with the sequence. The most exciting part has been observing our real caterpillars in the classroom. The children were able to watch the tiny caterpillars grow and eventually hang in their “J” shape. Two of the caterpillars have already formed their chrysalises, although they did not attach at the top as expected. They are still alive and resting safely on a paper towel while we continue to observe and care for them.
Love and Light,
Cynthia and Sara
Middle School: Week in Review
What a busy week! In addition to daily musical rehearsals of Willy Wonka, Jr., highlights of the week included the Farewell to the Class of 2026 and Spanish Food Presentations.
The Farewell is an FWM tradition when the current 6th and 7th-grade students say their goodbyes and honor their graduating classmates. This year, a speech was given highlighting each of the graduates, superlative awards were distributed, personalized graduation caps and posters were shared, and an individualized Timegussr game was created. The celebration ended with some delicious cake and good conversation. It is clear that the class of 2026 will certainly be missed.
Coming Up:
- MS Trip: Balance and med drop off due this week. Click here for information.
- MS Musical: Willy Wonka, Jr., May 21st @ 7 pm.
- CLICK HERE TO RSVP Middle School Dance on Friday, May 22nd @ 6-8:15 pm.
- MS ARRIVAL BEGINS AT 8 am
Spanish
This week in Spanish class, our middle school students presented their hard work in their Spanish Food Presentation. After researching the history and background of each dish from across Spain and Latin America, students did their slide and video presentation. They also included in their presentation a lot of information about culture and flavors. It is fantastic to blend cultural learning with hands-on experience, turning the classroom into a vibrant celebration of Spanish culinary traditions. Students enjoyed every aspect of this project, from making slides to recording and editing a video, and obviously, the cooking and tasting part. All of them waited eagerly for this time of the year. Every presentation was great, showing a lot of work in research, confidence in public speaking, and culinary skills. Great job!
The following dishes were presented:
Arepas con queso, horchata, nachos, flan de caramelo, dulce de leche cake, ensaimadas, tres leches horchata cake, tortilla de patatas, quipes, quesadillas, churros, gallo pinto, patatas bravas, pan con tomate, piña colada, ceviche de camarones, tres leches cake, arroz con pollo guisado, chivo guisado, empanadas de carne, torrijas, y tarta de Santiago.
Humanities
6th and 7th-grade Humanities classes continued learning about the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism prior to WWII. They also began their final novel, which is a memoir by Marion Blumenthal Lazan called Four Perfect Pebbles. This book gives Marion’s account of her experience during the Holocaust when her family was sent to Bergen-Belsen, a concentration camp in Germany. Additionally, students worked on preparations for the Farewell celebration.
The 8th-grade Humanities class has almost completed their final book, She Came to Slay. Reading this biography about Harriet Tubman allowed 8th-grade students to annotate and lead discussions surrounding the life and legacy of Tubman. Conversations about her achievements, struggles, and ability to persevere made the class realize what a heroine she truly was. Next, the 8th-grade students began writing the final piece of their Fraser Woods career: their graduation speech. It is hard to believe they will be wrapping up their time and memories at FWM.
Math
Pre-Transition: This week, students wrapped up Chapter 7 and have shown so much growth in their division skills. They can find quotients of positive and negative numbers as well as solve multiplication and division problems using fact triangles and related facts. Students are also becoming experts with both the short and long division algorithms. They wrapped up the week with a review of Chapter 7 concepts and took the Chapter 7 test.
Transition: This week, students wrapped up Chapter 8 and practiced several important algebra skills. They learned how to solve and check equations in the form ax+b=c, use inverse operations to solve for variables, graph equations in the form y = mx + b, and solve linear inequalities. Students finished the week with a full Chapter 8 review and will take the Chapter 8 test on Monday, May 18.
Algebra: This week, students continued learning and applying exponent rules in Chapter 8. They can now simplify products, quotients, and powers of powers, as well as rewrite powers of products and quotients. After taking the Chapter 8 quiz, students were introduced to simplifying square roots and cube roots, and they began practicing how to simplify radical expressions.
Geometry: This week, students wrapped up Chapter 6 with the chapter test before jumping into Chapter 7, Applications of Congruent Triangles. Students learned the different triangle congruence theorems and how to apply them to prove whether or not triangles are congruent. They also practiced constructing triangles that satisfy given conditions, as well as determining whether all triangles meeting those conditions would be congruent.
Algebra II: This week, students began their study of quadratic equations and explored how quadratic functions differ from linear functions. They learned how to identify key features of quadratic equations, graph parabolas, and recognize how the coefficients affect the shape and direction of the graph. Students also practiced solving quadratic equations using a variety of methods.
Science
Middle School students continued working on lessons from the Discovery Education e-book. This week, 6th and 7th-graders continued learning about atoms, elements, molecules, and compounds. They learned that there could be two types of molecules: elemental molecules (O2) and compound molecules (H2O). Students also learned that compounds could be made of two or more different elements that are chemically combined. The atoms in a compound are bonded together by strong chemical bonds, such as ionic and covalent bonds. An ionic bond is the chemical bond that happens between a metal and a non-metal element and is formed when one atom donates electrons to another to become a positively charged ion. The other type of chemical bond is the covalent bond; this happens when atoms, typically non-metals, share the valence electrons, so each atom attains a full outer shell for stability, like water (H2O).
Eighth graders continued learning about cell division. Living organisms constantly make new cells to replace old or dead cells. The new cells can replace old ones and repair damaged cells. Students learned that there are three main types of cellular division: mitosis, meiosis, and binary fission. Binary fission is an asexual reproduction that occurs in prokaryotes, where a single parent cell divides to produce two genetically identical daughter cells. They also learned that mitosis occurs in complex eukaryotes, and it is the process of cell division that produces two genetically identical cells. In addition, students learned that mitosis has different phases, such as interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase, telophase, and cytokinesis. Classwork supported these lessons, and at this point, students can recognize each of the phases of Mitosis. All these science lessons and new concepts are supported by classwork, videos, readings, and explanations in class, followed by weekly science articles where students can practice their critical thinking to answer the questions.