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Ms. Mollie: Hello January!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

Welcome Back After Winter Break

It has been such a joy to welcome the children back after our winter break. The classroom is once again filled with familiar faces, soft greetings, and the calm rhythm that comes from being together again. We’ve spent time reconnecting, reestablishing routines, and offering extra support as the children settle back into our days.

Winter Explorations

Our winter work has been centered around curiosity and sensory exploration. The children have been experimenting with watercolor paints, carefully brushing color onto paper and watching shades blend and flow. This work encourages creativity, concentration, and a sense of calm as children explore at their own pace.

We’ve also been learning about Arctic animals and talking about snow and winter weather. Through books, conversations, and simple activities, the children are building vocabulary and understanding while connecting the changes they see outdoors to what we discuss inside the classroom.

Movement and Regulation

Whenever possible, we’ve been taking long walks together. These walks give the children time to move their bodies, observe nature, and help regulate their nervous systems after the excitement of the holidays. Walking together offers moments of connection, conversation, and quiet observation.

Baking Together

Practical life continues to be a favorite part of our week. This week, we baked our forever favorite chocolate chip banana bread, allowing the children to participate in measuring, pouring, mixing, and waiting. Baking supports independence, coordination, and patience, and of course, it’s always rewarding to enjoy something we made together.

As we begin this new season, we are grateful to be back in community with your children. Thank you for your continued partnership and trust as we move gently through winter together.

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms.Lizette

Ms. Marissa: Picking Up Right Where We Left Off

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

 

What a warm welcome back I received! The children and I picked up right where we left off, and it has been such a joy to see how the returning students have grown and matured during my absence. The new students have settled into our routines beautifully, and I am enjoying the opportunity to bond with each of them and learn about their unique interests and strengths.

This week, we focused intensively on phonological awareness activities—the foundation for reading and writing. The children are learning about compound words, syllables, and breaking words into individual phonemes (sounds). We practice these skills in various settings: small-group lessons where children learn from one another, large-group activities that build community, and one-on-one work that allows me to meet each child exactly where they are in their development. The children are having fun manipulating words, discovering how language works, and building the confidence that comes from mastering new skills.

Our art area received an exciting refresh this week with several new activities. We added watercolor painting, which allows children to experiment with color mixing and brush control. A tracing projector has captured significant interest—children can project images and trace them, developing hand strength and control while exploring their creativity. The new pin-punching work has also been popular, as children use small pins to punch designs into paper, refining the pincer grip needed for writing while creating beautiful artwork.

The weather has provided us with daily opportunities for outdoor exploration. We have been adventuring into the snow every day, and sometimes twice! The children absolutely love this time outside, and the fresh air and physical activity support their ability to concentrate deeply when we return to the classroom. To make the most of these snowy days, please send waterproof boots and gloves with your child each day. We will keep this gear at school all week and send it home on Fridays.

Extending Learning at Home

Try clapping out the syllables of people’s names in your family. You can turn this into a fun game at dinner or in the car. Say each family member’s name slowly and clap once for each syllable: Mar-i-a (three claps), Dad (one clap), E-li-jah (four claps). This playful activity strengthens your child’s phonological awareness and helps them understand how words are constructed from smaller parts.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day

Ms. Handibode: Returning with Purpose

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Growth After the Winter Break

After our return from winter break in January, the classroom has been filled with renewed energy and remarkable growth. The children came back eager to learn and ready to dive into their work with deeper concentration than we saw before the holidays. In these first weeks back, we have witnessed what Montessori teachers often describe as normalization—children demonstrating deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work.

One child perfectly captured the joy of our classroom when they shared, “I wish I was a teacher because then I could do the bagel work 100 times.” This simple statement reflects the authentic enthusiasm children feel when given meaningful, purposeful activities that connect to real life.

This week, we began our study of Asia, the largest continent in our world. The children are learning about the incredible diversity of this vast landmass—the animals that inhabit its varied landscapes, the different climates from tropical rainforests to frozen tundra, and the rich cultures that call Asia home. One fun fact that sparked much discussion: both the highest and lowest places on Earth are found in Asia. The children loved imagining standing on the tallest mountain peak and then descending to the lowest valley.

In the first half of the year, the children became comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. Now, as we move into the second half of the school year, this foundation allows them to take on more challenging work and support one another with growing grace and compassion.

Maria Montessori once said, “Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.” We see this truth unfolding daily in our classroom as the children work alongside one another with respect, kindness, and genuine care for their community.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monday, January 11: Sharing Box and Flowers—Charlie D.
Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day

Mrs. Lopes: Journey to the Frozen Continent

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

 

Discovering Antarctica

This week, our classroom embarked on an exciting study of Antarctica, the frozen continent at the bottom of our world. The children gathered around the globe as we located Antarctica on the map, their eyes widening with curiosity about this remote and mysterious place.

We shared fascinating facts that captured their imagination: the sun rises and sets only once per year in Antarctica, creating six months of continuous daylight followed by six months of darkness. The children were amazed to learn that Antarctica is the only continent without human inhabitants. We discussed the hardy animals that make this icy landscape their home, including penguins, seals, and whales, and the children have enjoyed learning how these creatures survive in such extreme conditions.

The sensory bin has become a hub of concentrated activity this week with our arctic animal rescue work. Small arctic animals were frozen in blocks of ice, and the children used pipettes filled with water to carefully melt the ice and “rescue” their frozen friends. This work beautifully combines practical life skills with scientific exploration, as the children observed how water temperature affects ice and practiced the fine motor control needed to operate the pipettes with precision.

The level of focus and determination the children showed during this rescue work was remarkable. Some children spent entire work periods patiently dripping warm water onto the ice, problem-solving when their first attempts didn’t work as quickly as expected, and celebrating with pure joy when their animals were finally freed.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Friday, January 16: Sadie Half Birthday Walk
Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.

Next Week
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day

This Week in Ms. Vicki’s Class

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, we began learning about arctic animals and explored what snow is and what happens when it melts. The children were curious and engaged as we talked about winter weather in simple, hands-on ways. We even brought snow in from outside and watched it melt!

We introduced several new puzzles and color-matching activities. These works encouraged problem-solving, focus, and visual discrimination, and it was wonderful to see the children concentrating and celebrating their successes.

A new practical life activity this week focused on putting on and taking off mittens and gloves. This work supports independence and builds the fine motor skills needed for winter dressing. We are also practicing independently getting dressed in snow pants, jackets, and boots each time we go outside. The children are working so hard and growing more confident every day.

We’ve also been enjoying cooperative play using soft wool “snowballs.” The children worked together to roll them back and forth with friends, practicing turn-taking, coordination, and social skills, all while having lots of fun.

It’s been a wonderful week of winter learning, independence-building, and teamwork. We love seeing the children take pride in what they can do and support one another as they grow!

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey
We had a fantastic first week back after the holiday break! I hope everyone had a joyful and relaxing time with family. It was so nice to see all the smiling faces back in our classroom, ready to dive back into learning.
The highlight of our first week back was welcoming a new member to our classroom: our adorable little guinea pig! After a class vote, we decided to keep his original name – Porky. Everyone is excited to help take care of him and see how he settles into his new home with us. Early next week, we will officially introduce him to his new big brother, Teddy.
One of the exciting things on the horizon is our autobiography projects! This special assignment will take the place of our usual literature circle work for a bit since it needs some extra time and support from families at home. Students will be gathering their stories, photos, and memories with help from parents and family members. Once everyone has their information collected, we’ll have plenty of time at school to draft and edit our work. We can’t wait to share these finished autobiographies with everyone at a special presentation at the end of February!
Next week, we have some fun activities lined up. We will make some tasty sandwiches together and attend the middle school math carnival!
Upcoming Important Dates:
  • Tuesday, January 13 @ 2:00: MS Math Carnival
  • Thursday, January 15 @ 9:30: UE Community Service – Sandwich Making
  • Friday, January 16: Early Dismissal – Professional Development
  • Monday, January 19: No School – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
  • Friday, January 30 @ 2:15 – UE Performing Arts Presentation

Reconnecting Before Rushing in Lower Elementary

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

Coming back from a holiday break is more than just reopening the classroom door, it’s about helping children find their footing again.

When we returned, we didn’t jump straight into expectations, outcomes, or academic goals. First, children need to feel safe, seen, and grounded. After time away, routines feel fuzzy, relationships need tending, and the rhythm of the classroom has to be remembered, not enforced. So we slowed down.

We focused on reconnecting and revisiting familiar routines. We shared stories, returned to known language, and leaned into the comforting rhythms of our days. These moments help children remember who they are in our classroom and how we care for one another here.

This time spent reconnecting isn’t lost learning, it’s the foundation for it. Once connection is restored, learning flows faster, deeper, and with far more joy because when children feel secure and connected, everything else follows.

And the response from the children said it all. They were genuinely happy to be back, eager to reconnect with one another and quick to settle back into familiar routines. With relationships restored and a strong sense of belonging, we’re starting 2026 grounded, connected, and ready for a year of joyful learning.

Mrs. Wilson: Welcoming Winter!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Happy New Year to you all! The children returned from break beautifully—settled, ready to work, and happy to be back with their peers. They warmly welcomed our new friend, Miss Alex, and have been proudly teaching her about our classroom routines and expectations. We also celebrated our first birthday of the new year—Happy Birthday to our friend! The children enjoyed honoring this special day together with joy and a special sweet treat!

This week, we began a gentle transition to winter-themed lessons in the classroom. Throughout the room, the children can find materials that reflect the winter season, such as snowflakes, snowmen, and cooler colors like blues and silvers. Materials that reflect light—such as metal, mirrors, and silver—help bring the symbolism of winter into our environment. The children are also learning about animals that live in the Arctic. While they may not see these animals in the wild, many recognize them from visits to the zoo or aquarium.

Food Tasting:
 This week, we continued exploring fruits from the citrus family with grapefruit. This tasting was not a big hit with the children—in fact, it may have been the first food tasting where no one seemed to enjoy it! Usually, one or two children may dislike a new food, but this was a first for our group. Even so, the children showed curiosity and were willing to try, which is always something to celebrate.

Love and Light,
Cynthia and Sara