Blog

Mrs. Wilson: Hello October!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

The children were greeted with numerous delightful changes as they returned to the classroom. The materials were swapped out to include lessons and items centered around pumpkins, such as pumpkin-themed materials and the color orange. Moreover, painting was introduced to the children this week, so if you see any orange stains on their clothing, rest assured that they are washable. To further enhance the children’s gross motor skills, we installed a climber and slide, which promotes the development of grace and courtesy as they patiently wait for their turn to slide up or down. We were very grateful for the beautiful weather, and we are enjoying every ounce of sunshine that we can soak up.

We celebrated our friend’s birthday with delicious ice cream bread this week. Our friend shared her favorite book, Giraffes Can’t Dance, by Giles Andreae.

Food Tasting: We tried red peppers, but I disliked them. I still smiled politely and took a small bite for the children. Shhh! They don’t know that Mrs. Wilson’s least favorite vegetable is peppers. Most of our friends seem to enjoy them. Once we concluded our food-tasting endeavor, I opted to try something new. I gathered the leftover peppers and placed them on a tray with serving tongs. Then, I positioned the tray on the food prep table alongside some dishes. Observing the children’s reactions was intriguing as they explored the setup and independently helped themselves to the peppers.

Happy Weekend,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Folder Fun Facts

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

As adults, we must remember that we want things done as quickly as possible so they are finished and out of the way. In contrast, the child is interested and content in the doing, not the done.” –Margaret Stephenson, The Art of Montessori in the Home.

Each Thursday, we send home Weekly Folders with the work the children have completed over the past week. We often receive emails asking why there was so little work inside and what exactly the children are doing.

Sometimes, it can be difficult to accept the idea of focusing on the process, not the product. What exactly does that mean? Many works in the Montessori classroom do not end with a physical product the children will bring home to share with everyone. There is often no way to visually assess what a child is learning. Overall, as a society, we are product-driven and often base our success on this factor. The experience a child has when working with the materials is truly what is most important. However, it can often be unsettling when you hear they did “nothing” day after day.

Research shows children ages three to six learn best through their hands. To truly understand a concept, they need to explore it through touch. This is why so many lessons in the Montessori environment are not based on memorization alone. Most concepts we teach involve tracing, manipulating, and exploring with their hands. Perhaps most importantly, focusing on the process protects the child’s intrinsic motivation to learn and understand. External factors such as recognition, praise, or reward do not influence it. We truly value and encourage the time and experience with the materials.

So, if your child’s folder comes home with little to no work, know that their accomplishments can’t always ‘fit’ in that folder. Maybe after weeks and weeks of trying, they learned how to zipper their coat, or perhaps they can finally carry a work without it dropping. Maybe after observing a lesson day after day, your child tried it independently for the first time. The list of skills each child can accomplish will never be fully represented in the Weekly Folder. So please enjoy the work in there, but know it will never be an accurate portrayal of all the children are learning and accomplishing.

Fall conferences are scheduled for Thursday, October 26th. In addition to this date, I am offering six slots on Friday, October 20th. Please click here to sign up and choose your time. We look forward to seeing everyone during conferences and sharing our goals for your child for the year.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love.

Marissa and Sue

Work Hard, Play Hard

Posted on by Zak Brown

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Fraser Woods Montessori School Families,

I hope this letter finds you well and that your children’s school year has started positively. As we settle into the new academic year, I wanted to take a moment to update you on our Physical Education classes and share some important announcements.

Firstly, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued partnership in supporting your child’s education. Your involvement and support play a vital role in creating a successful learning environment for our students.

Over the past couple of weeks, our Physical Education classes have focused on giving students the opportunity to explore and play a variety of sports, games, and activities. Witnessing their enthusiasm and willingness to try new activities has been a joy. Through this exposure, I have had the chance to observe each student’s unique qualities and identify areas in which they can grow and develop throughout the year.

I am pleased to share that even in these early stages, I have already seen tremendous growth in our students’ confidence. Many have stepped out of their comfort zones and embraced sports and games that they initially hesitated to try. This is a testament to their resilience and willingness to take on new challenges.

In the coming weeks, we will continue to focus on building fundamental skills, fostering teamwork, and encouraging a positive attitude towards physical activity. Our goal is to create an inclusive and supportive environment where every student feels empowered to participate and excel.

As we move forward, I assure you that I am dedicated to providing your child with the best possible learning experience. We can create a nurturing and stimulating environment that promotes physical fitness, teamwork, and personal growth.

Thank you once again for your continued support and partnership. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to a fantastic year filled with growth, achievements, and memorable experiences for our students.

Warm regards,

Zachary Brown
Physical Education Educator

An Egg-cellent Start!

Posted on by Walker Fuchs

To start this year, the middle school students took on the difficult challenge of protecting an egg from a drop off the school roof! The middle school egg drop challenge presents young minds with a thrilling opportunity to dive into the world of design. At its core, the design process for this task is all about problem-solving and creativity. It starts with understanding the challenge—protecting a fragile egg from a fall—and progresses through brainstorming, research, prototyping, and testing. Students learn to think critically, apply scientific principles, and collaborate with peers. Through a series of iterations, they develop a final design. In the end, the egg drop challenge becomes a fun and educational journey where learning and innovation go hand in hand.

In the Trees With Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

“Only through freedom and environmental experience is it practically possible for human development to occur.” -Dr. Maria Montessori

We enjoyed our trip to The Adventure Park this week. This is such a wonderful first field trip of the year. It provides real opportunities for the children to bond with, encourage, and support each other outside the classroom. Helping each other at a high ropes course is necessary and creates natural opportunities for teamwork. I saw children challenging themselves to try courses with intimidating and challenging elements.

In general, going out on field trips is beneficial for children. They can practice grace and courtesy with each other and people outside Fraser Woods we encounter on the trip. Taking trips develops children’s resilience, courage, and independence and teaches them about our interconnectedness with nature and the world. Field trips also provide opportunities to apply their knowledge in real-world settings and help children develop responsibility, manners, and cooperation.

Upon returning from our field trip, the children seemed more bonded, with new friendships and connections formed during our experiences in the trees.

“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.” -John Muir

Have a fabulous weekend,
Karen and Deb

Mrs. Sargeant: Help me to do it myself!

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

 

“Help me to do it myself” is the core of the Montessori classroom. Maria Montessori said that these words reveal the inner needs of the child.

Maria Montessori once recounted an incident where she had given a nose-blowing lesson in front of a group of children at the Casa de Bambini. She observed that the children were fascinated by the lesson and expressed gratitude by clapping and thanking her afterward. This experience led her to realize the significance of teaching self-care to children. Dr. Montessori recognized that children have a natural inclination to learn and practice self-care tasks. She understood these skills are essential for preserving a child’s dignity and building self-esteem.

We encourage children to do things for themselves each day: hanging their backpacks, removing their shoes, washing their hands, dressing themselves, and even wiping or blowing their noses. Of course, jumping in and doing these tasks for the children is easier and quicker. However, the time spent teaching the children to do something independently will not only build their self-confidence and concentration but will eventually save time and increase your family’s happiness!

Since entering the season of colds and runny noses, we have been focused on showing the children how to use a tissue independently. If you’d like to encourage this at home, it is helpful to have an accessible tissue box and mirror. We have shown the children to pick one tissue from the box, look in the mirror, deliberately pinch their nostrils, and then pull it away. Next, they throw the tissue in the trash and wash their hands. It is truly heartwarming to see the pride in their smiles as they look back into the mirror and see a clean nose! These little people are remarkably capable.

Fostering independence in young children is a gradual process that evolves as they grow. It is essential to find a balance between providing support and allowing them to take on more responsibility as they become more capable. This approach helps them to develop the skills and confidence they need to become self-sufficient individuals.

Lower Elementary Week 4

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

Autumn is here! The crispness in the air infuses us with a sense of seasonal joy. As a part of our daily routine, weather permitting, we commence our mornings with recess out on the field. The children eagerly partake in a range of activities during this morning movement session, including soccer matches, leisurely walks around the field, and imaginative adventures. This physical activity serves as a crucial foundation for our busy day ahead, ensuring that our bodies are primed and ready to tackle the tasks that lie ahead. With the weather getting cooler, please make sure your child is equipped with appropriate fall gear. With the field often wet with morning dew, it’s important that each child has a pair of indoor and outdoor shoes, in addition to spare socks, to be kept in their locker. Thank you for helping with this transition!

This week, we embarked on our journey to explore the creation story through a series of captivating science demonstrations. These engaging experiments serve the purpose of illustrating the concepts intertwined with the tale of the universe’s formation. The creation narrative offers a glimpse into the very origins of life itself. Its overarching goal is to evoke a sense of wonder, nurture an appreciation for the intricate tapestry of events that have unfolded, and ignite a genuine curiosity for scientific inquiry.

Ms. Marissa: One Step at a Time!

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

We know it takes time for the new rhythm of school days to become familiar. So, while taking one step at a time, we are slowly building the foundations for a smooth, exciting school year.

In just a few short days, we as a class are learning:

  • how to navigate our way around the environment
  • how to wait for a lesson
  • the routines of our school day
  • how to prepare for snack and lunch independently
  • about being part of a large group meeting by listening and sharing
  • care of self and care of the environment

Our returning friends have been role models for our new friends. It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to be a leader. It wasn’t so long ago that they were new to the classroom themselves, and they accepted this new responsibility with excitement and confidence.

A question we frequently hear from parents is, “What can I do at home to help my child be successful at school?” One way to do so is to guide your child to become as independent as possible. Your child’s age and ability guide this independence. So there are no hard and fast rules to follow. A few important areas to focus on are setting up and cleaning up their lunch, putting on and taking off coats and boots, toileting themselves, packing and unpacking their backpacks, and carefully putting their toys away when they are done. This process is also one step at a time.

Here’s to new beginnings and a peaceful, fun school year for everyone!

Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love!

Marissa and Sue