Blog

Grace and Courtesy in Ms. Mollie’s Class

Posted on by Mollie Smith

This week in our classroom, we focused on the beautiful themes of love, kindness, and respect for all living things. In the Montessori environment, these ideas are not just things we talk about—they are things we practice every day through our actions.

The children have been working hard on practice and repetition, returning again and again to the materials that call to them. Repetition builds confidence and independence, and it is such a joy to watch their concentration deepen each time they try again.

We also spent time learning how to respect one another’s work. When a friend is working, we practice giving them space and waiting patiently for our turn. These small moments are powerful lessons in grace, courtesy, and empathy.

Kindness shows up in many ways in our classroom—helping a friend carry a tray, gently caring for our plants, using soft hands with classroom materials, and speaking to one another with warm voices. Through these everyday experiences, the children are learning that love and respect extend not only to our friends, but to all living things around us.

It is in these quiet, repeated moments that the children are building the foundations of compassion, patience, and community. Watching them grow into thoughtful and caring little humans is truly a gift. 💛

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Rain kept middle school students inside for a few days this week, but their energy was surely high! With more snow on our heels, it looks like it will be a bit longer before we see the turf on the field. As we enter our final two weeks of the trimester (and before spring break), there is a palpable sense of imminent change.

Announcements:

  • 6th & 7th Grade Research Presentations Thursday, February 26th @ 5:30 pm. 
  • Please check for appropriate winter attire for the outdoors. Most students will go outside with their younger peers during Community Service each week.
  • MS ARRIVAL BEGINS AT 8 am
  • MS Flower Schedule

 

Humanities

All Humanities classes continued to learn about trailblazing and innovative Black Americans at the start of Humanities classes.

6th and 7th grade Humanities classes completed their 3-5 page research essays this week by writing their conclusions, looking at transitions, and incorporating citations. They also used a self-edit checklist to help them complete this part of the writing process. Now, Mrs. Lamb will read and give feedback to the completed draft before final revisions are done. Students also began the final stage of the research project: presentations! Students are working on a slide deck and notes for their 5-minute presentations that families and friends will see on Thursday at 5:30 pm!

8th-grade Humanities students worked more on their expert projects this week, with the goal of organizing interviews with experts and writing questions for them to answer. They are getting close to the March 6th deadline for their research and interviews. Students also spent time discussing the poem, “The Center” by Ha Jin, during our weekly poetry analysis. This group has profound discussions surrounding poetry and can comfortably attempt to find meaning, identify elements of pieces that are interesting, and ask questions when they seek more information. Finally, students looked at the colonization of the 13 colonies by date of establishment and colonizing country.

 

Math

Pre-Transition: This week in Pre-Transition, students wrapped up Chapter 4 with an end-of-chapter quiz to show what they’ve learned over the past few weeks. They did a great job pulling together all of the concepts they’ve been working on! Then, they jumped right into Chapter 6, “Using Multiplication.” Students began by exploring the array model to build a stronger visual understanding of multiplication. From there, they applied that understanding to multiplying fractions and mixed numbers.

Transition: This week, students continued working through Chapter 6, where they have been diving into some important geometry concepts. So far, they have learned how to translate and reflect figures on a coordinate plane, reflect figures over a given line, and identify both reflection and rotation symmetry. They can also draw the rotated image of a point or an entire figure, which has been a great way to strengthen their understanding of how shapes move on the coordinate plane. Students wrapped up the week with a study guide to review all of these concepts and help students feel confident and prepared. They will take the Chapter 6 Quiz on Monday, February 23.
Algebra: This week, students continued working in Chapter 5, which focuses on division and proportions. They strengthened their skills in multiplying and simplifying algebraic fractions and then smoothly transitioned into dividing algebraic fractions. Students were also introduced to rates and practiced using them in real-world situations. The week wrapped up with the Chapter 5 quiz, and students absolutely nailed it!
Geometry: This week, Geometry students wrapped up Chapter 4 and officially became transformation pros! They’ve been working hard on reflections, translations, and rotations, and they can now confidently reflect points and figures, compose reflections over parallel and intersecting lines, and draw translation and glide reflection images. They’ve also learned how to apply the Two-Reflection Theorems to show how reflections can create translations and rotations. They spent time reviewing all of the Chapter 4 concepts and took their Chapter 4 test on Friday. Next week, they will jump into Chapter 5 and start exploring proofs!
Algebra II: This week, students continued building their understanding of matrices. They have been practicing how to add, subtract, and multiply matrices as well as how to find scalar multiples. Students also began identifying and applying the properties of matrix operations, helping them see the structure behind the math instead of just following steps. They will wrap up this portion of the chapter with the Chapter 4 quiz on Monday, February 23.

 

Science

Middle School students kept working on their weekly science articles. This week 6th and 7th graders learned about Physical and Chemical properties of matter. They were able to understand the differences between them and classify them. They supported their learning with handout classwork where they identified the most common physical properties, such as color, odor, luster, magnetism, electrical conductivity, mass, volume, density, malleability, ductility, boiling point, and melting point. Students from 6th and 7th grade also learned about the chemical properties of matter, such as reactivity, flammability, combustibility, toxicity, and corrosion.

8th graders continued working on their laboratory report, where they were able to see the visual difference between a specimen with dye (Methylene Blue) and another specimen without dye. Their laboratory report was written using the Scientific method, so later on, they can analyze their results and come out with a conclusion. 8th-grade students feel very confident and familiar with using microscopes and staining slides with real specimens. Every new concept learned by middle schoolers was supported by videos and classwork.

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey
“The longer I live, the more deeply I learn that love- whether we call it friendship or family or romance- is the work of mirroring and magnifying each other’s light.” -James Baldwin, Nothing Personal
This past week, our Upper El classroom was buzzing with energy as we dove into our autobiography project. The kids have been working hard, and I’m so proud of how thoughtfully they’ve reflected on their lives and shared stories from their families. This project is always one of my favorites because I get to learn so much about each child and their unique backgrounds. I also love how it brings the group together. There have been so many moments of laughter and connection as the children realize how much they have in common, or discover something surprising about a classmate! Watching them take pride in their stories and get excited about sharing them has truly been a highlight of our week.
Most students have now finished writing their autobiographies and are working on captions for their family photos. This week is all about getting creative—students will be putting together their presentation boards and practicing the passages from their autobiographies that they want to share with you on Research Night.
We’re all looking forward to Research Night this Thursday at 5:30! This year, we’re doing a fair-style setup: each student will have a space to display their board, answer questions, and chat with parents who stop by. It’s such a meaningful experience for the children to share their journeys and talk about what makes their families special. I can’t wait for you to see everything they’ve accomplished!

Upcoming Dates and Important Events

  • Wednesday, February 25 @ 8:30: February Birthday Breakfast
  • Thursday, February 26 @ 5:30: Research Night
  • Thursday, March 5 @ 9:30: Sandwich Making Community Service

Ms. Handibode: One Hundred Days Strong

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Last week was a big one! We celebrated the 100th day of school—a milestone the kindergarteners have been working toward since the very first day. From day one, they have been practicing counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s, and this week, all of that daily effort paid off in a big way. The children rotated through stations where they drew pictures of what they would want when they turn 100, imagined how they would spend $100, and dreamed up what they would wish for if they had 100 of something. They made 100th-day headbands, played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and challenged themselves to sit quietly for 100 full seconds. They even enjoyed a special 100th-day snack. It was a joyful, memorable afternoon, and none of it would have come together without the generous behind-the-scenes support of our parent volunteers—thank you!

We were also delighted to welcome Zion’s mom as a guest reader. She shared a wonderful book called Looking for Smile, and the children loved having a special visitor join us for story time. This tradition of parents and family members reading aloud to the class is one we treasure.

Our cultural study has taken us to Africa, the second-largest continent in the world. As we do with each continent, we first found Africa on the globe, then located it on the world map, and now we are diving into its geography, culture, weather, animals, and people. The children have been learning some truly remarkable facts: Africa is home to 54 countries and more than one thousand languages. The Nile, the world’s longest river, flows through it. The Sahara, the world’s largest desert, stretches across its northern region. Mount Kilimanjaro rises so high that glaciers form at its summit—even near the equator. Africa is also the only continent through which both the prime meridian and the equator pass. And of course, it is home to the world’s tallest animal, the giraffe, and the largest land animal, the African elephant.

Extending Learning at Home

Pull up a map or globe with your child and find Africa together. Ask them to point out the Nile River or the Sahara Desert, or see if they can tell you something that surprised them about the continent. You might also visit your local library for picture books about African animals, geography, or cultures—there is so much richness to explore.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 23
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Charley W.
  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Katie D.
  • Thursday, February 26
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration – Charley W.

Next Week

  • Monday, March 2
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Olivia S.
  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Wednesday, March 4
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Kate B.
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration, Olivia S.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Individual Passions, One Community Project in Lower Elementary

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

This is such an exciting season in our Lower Elementary classroom as students finalize their research posters and presentation boards.

Our third-year students have officially completed their research papers, which is a major accomplishment after weeks of reading, note-taking, drafting, revising, and getting to type up their final draft. Now, they are eagerly practicing reading and presenting their work to classmates, building confidence as they prepare for their first formal oral presentation on Research Night. After families explore the fair portion in the gym, our third years will proudly share their research with third-grade families in the classroom— a meaningful milestone in their Montessori journey.

Our second-year students have also worked hard to write their own research papers, carefully handwritten from start to finish. The dedication it takes to organize their thoughts, draft, edit, and neatly publish an entire paper by hand is no small task. They have shown wonderful perseverance and pride as they prepare both their written work and their poster boards.

Meanwhile, our first-year students have been diligently assembling their poster boards, thoughtfully organizing their research into polished displays. For many, this is their first experience presenting research in this way, and their excitement is evident.

What makes this time especially meaningful in a Montessori classroom is the shared sense of purpose. Each child has chosen their own topic, yet the entire class is engaged in a collective endeavor. The room is filled with collaboration, encouragement, and curiosity as students learn from one another, offer support, and celebrate each other’s progress. It is a beautiful example of community in action, individual passions coming together in one shared, inspiring experience.

Below is the schedule for the evening:

5:30–6:15 PM | Research Fair Style
During this time, the gym will be set up as a fair-style event. Children will stand at their individual stations and share their research findings with visiting families. This is a wonderful opportunity to see their hard work and hear the children share their research findings.

6:15–6:45 PM | Third-Year Oral Presentations
From 6:15–6:45, our third-year students will present their oral presentations in the classroom. These presentations will be shared only with their own families. We have intentionally limited the audience to help ease the children into public speaking in a way that feels supportive, developmentally appropriate, and not overwhelming for our presenters.

Mrs. Lopes: Our Journey Through Asia Continues

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, our study of Asia came alive as we focused on China and discovered something fascinating: not every language is written the same way. While we use letters to represent sounds, Chinese uses symbols—characters—where each symbol represents an entire word or idea. The children were captivated by this concept, and it opened a wonderful conversation about how many different ways people communicate across the world.

To bring this discovery to life, we introduced a new work to our shelves: the Buddha Board. Children can practice writing Chinese characters using only water and a special brush—the marks appear as they write and then slowly fade, inviting them to try again and again. It is a beautiful exercise in focus, patience, and fine motor control, and the children have been drawn to it throughout the week.

We also explored the celebration of the Chinese New Year—its traditions, its colors, and its vibrant imagery. The children were then invited to channel their creativity by making dragon masks or lion dancer puppets. Both the dragon and the lion are symbols of good luck and strength in Chinese culture, and the children brought real care and artistry to their creations.

Last Tuesday, we celebrated the 100th day of school—a milestone the kindergarteners have been working toward since the very first day. From day one, they have been practicing counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s, and this week, all of that daily effort paid off in a big way. The children rotated through stations where they drew pictures of what they would want when they turn 100, imagined how they would spend $100, and dreamed up what they would wish for if they had 100 of something. They made 100th-day headbands, played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and challenged themselves to sit quietly for 100 full seconds. They even enjoyed a special 100th-day snack. It was a joyful, memorable afternoon, and none of it would have come together without the generous behind-the-scenes support of our parent volunteers—thank you!

Extending Learning at Home

Look up a few simple Chinese characters together with your child—start with ones that are meaningful to them, like the symbols for “sun,” “moon,” or “tree.” You might also explore images of Chinese New Year celebrations online and ask your child to share what they know about the dragon or lion dance. Even a short conversation about how other cultures celebrate the new year can deepen and extend what they are discovering in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Petra H.
  • Friday, February 27
    ⋅ Love’s Half Birthday Celebration

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Wednesday, March 4
    ⋅ Hadley’s Half Birthday Celebration
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Mrs. Sargeant: A World of Learning

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

Last week was filled with celebration and discovery. The children were thrilled to exchange valentines with their classmates, and the pride on their faces as they delivered a card to each friend’s mailbox bag was truly special. Every child took the time to write their own name on their cards—a meaningful moment of independence that doubles as beautiful writing practice. It was grace and courtesy in action.

We also celebrated the 100th day of school. The kindergarteners have been counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s since the very first day, and that daily practice led to a full afternoon of 100-themed activities. They drew what they would want at age 100, imagined what they would buy with $100, and listed what they would wish they had 100 of. They played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and tested their patience sitting quietly for 100 seconds. It was a joyful milestone, and the children rose to every challenge.

Beyond the celebrations, the children have been deeply engaged in their work on the shelves. Many have been drawn to the 100 Board, using it to reinforce their growing number sense through hands-on practice. Others have been captivated by our study of Africa, working to learn the names of African countries and creating their own maps of the continent. We also spent time discussing the Lunar New Year and the traditions associated with this celebration, connecting our classroom to the wider world.

Extending Learning at Home

To extend our Africa study, find the continent together on a map or globe and see if your child can name any of the countries or share a fact that surprised them. For Lunar New Year, look up images of the celebrations together and talk about how different cultures around the world mark the new year. And if your child has been working with numbers at home, try counting collections of small objects by 5s or 10s—it reinforces exactly the kind of mathematical thinking we are building in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 23
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Hennessey
  • Tuesday, February 24
    ⋅ Celebrate Violet’s Half Birthday
  • Wednesday, February 25
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Forgione

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.

Ms. Marissa: Sink or Float?

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week was full of discovery! We kicked things off with a beloved classroom experiment: sink or float. The children were genuinely surprised by just how many objects sank and how few they could find that floated. What makes this experiment so special is that it isn’t just a quick demonstration — it requires the children to follow many steps from start to finish, building concentration, patience, and careful observation along the way.

The rainy weather kept us indoors more than usual, but that didn’t slow us down. When we couldn’t head outside, we made our way to the gym for movement time with hula hoops and balls. We also took full advantage of our Primary Open Space, which has quickly become a favorite. This space is rich with sensorial activities, gross motor opportunities, and even fort building with the nugget foam pieces. It has been a wonderful setting for practicing turn-taking and building community.
We were also happy to celebrate a half-birthday this week! If your child has a summer birthday, a half-birthday walk at school is a beautiful way to mark the occasion.

Extending Learning at Home

Try a sink or float experiment at your kitchen sink! Gather a mix of small household items — a coin, a sponge, a grape, a plastic spoon — and ask your child to predict before dropping each one in. Talk about what the items that float have in common. You may be just as surprised as we were!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

Next Week

  • Tuesday, March 3
    ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
    Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
  • Thursday, March 5
    ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.

Looking Ahead

  • March 9—March 20
    ⋅ No School | March Break
      As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.