Blog

Mrs. Lopes: Winter Wonder

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, with winter in full swing, our classroom was filled with conversations about snow. The children eagerly shared stories of their snowy adventures—building snowmen, sledding, and catching snowflakes. We brought the winter experience indoors by reading several books about snow and adding fresh snow to our sensory bin. The children observed how the snow changed from solid to liquid as it warmed in the classroom, sparking conversations about the properties of snow and ice. This natural curiosity about winter weather provided a wonderful opportunity to explore seasonal changes and how they affect our daily lives. The children’s excitement about snow demonstrates their growing connection to the natural world around them.

Extending Learning at Home

Take advantage of winter weather by observing snow and ice with your child. Collect snow in a clear container and watch it melt together, or freeze water in different-shaped containers and observe the ice. Talk about what you wear in winter versus other seasons, and notice how animals and plants respond to the cold weather.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday–Friday
    Moving Up Classroom Observations
  • Tuesday, February 3
    Brooke’s Half Birthday Walk
  • Wednesday, February 4
    Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary students at 9 a.m.
  • Thursday, February 5
    Arhan’s Half Birthday Walk

Next Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
    Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Wednesday, February 11
    Guest Reader – Devin W.
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Our Busy Week in Lower Elementary

Posted on by Carlie Taveras

Despite the snow day and extra chilly winter weather, our classroom has been full of warmth this week. With colder temperatures keeping us indoors more than we would like and specialist teachers being engaged in supporting the Middle School Immersion week, the children have experienced quite a bit of change in their typical routine. It has been impressive to observe how flexible and adaptable the children have been, as they have embraced these shifts with maturity and grace.

In the classroom, second and third graders officially kicked off their research projects. They began with important foundational lessons on note taking, paraphrasing and writing information in their own words, deciding what information is important, identifying main ideas, and planning an outline for their research papers. These skills are essential not only for this project, but for their continued growth as independent thinkers and writers.

Our first graders are eagerly awaiting their turn to begin the research process. They have been observing their older peers with curiosity and excitement, soaking in the experience and getting a preview of what lies ahead. With the second and third year children starting first, it has allowed them the time to become confident and prepared mentors who will be able to support the first year children as they begin their own research journey.

We are looking ahead with excitement to Research Night on Thursday, February 26 at 5:30 PM. We look forward to welcoming you that evening to see the children proudly showcase the hard work they have put into their projects.

Yesterday was a highlight of the week as we enjoyed a memorable trip to the Downtown Cabaret Theater for a fun mashup of Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs. The show was interactive, lively, and all around fun! The children danced, laughed, and enjoyed their meals together as they watched the show. It was a truly special and joyful experience that we know will be remembered for a long time!

Mrs. Wilson: The Beauty of Purposeful Risks

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

In Montessori, we hold a deep respect for the child’s innate ability to know themselves. Allowing children the freedom to take appropriate risks is an essential part of honoring that trust. While our adult instincts often urge us to protect and intervene, growth happens when children are given space to explore their bodies, their limits, and their capabilities.

Through purposeful risk-taking, children develop body awareness, self-regulation, and a quiet, authentic confidence. Materials such as the Pikler triangle are intentionally designed to support this work, offering children opportunities to refine movement, build spatial awareness, and lay important foundations for later learning, including reading and writing.

Within the prepared environment, we allow children to climb, balance, and move without hovering or unnecessary assistance. We refrain from lifting, guiding, or directing, trusting each child to move at their own pace and to listen to their own body. Our language is equally intentional; we avoid phrases that project adult fear or judgment, choosing instead to observe with calm presence.

What unfolds is a beautiful process of self-construction. Day by day, children reveal an increasing sense of confidence, coordination, and awareness—not because they were told they could, but because they discovered it for themselves.

So many celebrations are happening each week. This week, we celebrated another friend’s third birthday. Happy Birthday to our friend!

Food tasting: This week, the children explored a pineapple. Through this sensorial experience, they observed its bright yellow color, felt its textured skin, noticed its sweet aroma, and tasted its juicy, tangy flavor. Pineapple for the win!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Ms. Mollie: Snowy Day!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

This was a short week in our classroom, and with some time out due to illness, there are only a few photos to capture our days. Still, one shining moment stands out so clearly.
We bundled up and stepped into the snow-covered Zen garden here at Fraser Woods, protected from the wind and wrapped in stillness. For a few peaceful minutes, the children played in the deep snow, scooping, stepping, and simply being. In the Montessori world, this is called BIG work. Playing in this type of snow engaged the children’s minds and bodies and gave a deep sensorial impression. The calm that followed was almost immediate. Our energy reset, our bodies settled, and our hearts felt lighter.
This small moment was a gentle reminder of the importance of going outside, even if only for a few minutes. Nature offers regulation, grounding, and quiet joy, sometimes exactly what we need most. ❄️🌿

With Full Hearts,

Ms. Mollie and Ms. Lizette

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, we wrapped up our arctic animals study, and the children had so much fun bringing what they learned into their movement and play. They loved sliding down the slides like penguins, laughing and pretending as they moved their bodies in new ways.

To continue our winter exploration indoors, we brought out soft play blocks and invited the children to walk and balance on “pretend ice blocks.” This was a wonderful way to practice balance, coordination, and confidence while keeping the theme playful and imaginative.

The cold temperatures and strong wind chills made outdoor play unsafe this week, so we focused on keeping our bodies moving inside. We’re hopeful that next week’s weather will allow us to get back outside and enjoy some fresh air together.

As we look ahead, we’re excited to transition into February, when our classroom will soon be filled with love, friendship, and kindness. We can’t wait to begin exploring these themes with the children next week!

Mrs. Wilson: Winter’s Peace

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

There is something truly special about this time of year. Despite the colder temperatures and fewer opportunities to get outside, we are gifted the chance to slow down and witness the beauty of growth unfolding within the classroom. Staying in the classroom without the interruption of transitions brings a unique kind of calm and focus. While we certainly experience ebbs and flows of big energy that need an outlet, once those needs are met, the children become centered and ready to return to purposeful work with renewed focus.

When the temperatures allow for winter play, we cherish every moment outdoors. This weekend’s snowfall gave us the opportunity to build a snowman with the children and even become the targets of a few flying snowballs! These playful moments strengthen our bonds and bring so much joy, as the children delight in making us laugh and having snow much fun together. We are looking forward to more snowy days and hope to create winter masterpieces that get to stay awhile—without falling victim to an enthusiastic knockover.

This week, we were excited to welcome two new classmates to the classroom. The children were incredibly nurturing and welcoming, helping to care for them and making them feel right at home.

Food Tasting:
 This week’s food tasting featured the delicious and juicy kiwi. The children explored its fuzzy skin before tasting its sweet and tart flavor—and it was a big hit!

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

The Joy of Snow Days: A Montessori Perspective

Posted on by Jill Skilton

 

While many see snow days as disruptions, we Montessori educators see them as extraordinary learning opportunities. Here’s how to embrace the joy—and the learning—in tomorrow’s winter gift:

Toddlers

  • Taste snowflakes and feel different snow textures.
  • Make footprints and handprints in the snow.
  • Fill and dump buckets with snow.
  • Paint on snow with watercolors in spray bottles.
  • Help hang wet mittens and clothes to dry.
  • Prepare simple snacks together (spreading butter, pouring milk).
  • Read winter-themed board books.
  • Dance to music and practice putting on/taking off winter gear.

Primary 

  • Catch snowflakes on dark paper and examine with a magnifying glass.
  • Measure snow depth with rulers in different locations.
  • Create snow angels and discuss symmetry.
  • Build snow sculptures and snowmen.
  • Make ice ornaments using nature items and food coloring.
  • Prepare hot cocoa together (measuring, pouring, whisking).
  • Create snowflake art using paper folding and cutting.
  • Sort and match mittens and winter accessories.
  • Start a winter nature journal with drawings.

Lower & Upper Elementary 

  • Bring snow inside and observe melting rates; make predictions about packed vs. fluffy snow.
  • Measure and graph snow depth in multiple locations.
  • Build snow forts using engineering principles and geometry.
  • Create elaborate snow sculptures with tools.
  • Paint detailed snow art with watercolors.
  • Help shovel walkways with appropriately sized tools.
  • Research snowflake formation and create scientific diagrams.
  • Cook soup or bake bread, measuring ingredients precisely.
  • Write winter poetry or stories.
  • Design and conduct snow science experiments.
  • Calculate the volume of snow collected in containers.

Middle School 

  • Design and test snow structure stability using engineering concepts.
  • Research and document snowflake crystallography.
  • Calculate snow-to-water ratios and precipitation measurements.
  • Create time-lapse photography of melting or snow accumulation.
  • Study weather patterns and forecasting methods.
  • Plan and prepare a complete meal for the family.
  • Write analytical observations in a winter science journal.
  • Design a snow removal strategy based on efficiency and effort.
  • Research climate patterns and compare historical snowfall data.
  • Create artistic snow installations with intentional design elements.
  • Explore the physics of snow (insulation, light reflection, density).

The Montessori Mindset for All Ages

Remember: Tomorrow isn’t a day off—it’s a different kind of learning day.

  • Resist the urge to over-schedule. Allow for unstructured exploration.
  • Embrace boredom. It sparks creativity and independence.
  • Let children experience the natural consequences of cold and wet.
  • Say yes more. Snow soup? Digging expeditions? Creative slides? Yes!
  • Join them. Model curiosity and wonder.

So tomorrow, we encourage you: Bundle up. Go outside. Explore. Wonder. Play. Learn.

Mother Nature just delivered the most engaging Montessori lesson of the year.

Stay warm and wonderful, Fraser Woods families! See you back in our classrooms soon.

 

Ms. Vicki’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Vicki Downs

This week, several children were absent. With a smaller class size, our days were filled with extra snuggles, reading, and lots of one-on-one time. It was a quieter week, but one that allowed for meaningful connections and calm moments together.

We continued our winter theme by rescuing penguins frozen inside ice blocks. The children were fascinated as they worked to free the penguins, observing the ice and talking about how it melts. We also built ice castles, experimenting with stacking large, slippery ice cubes and problem-solving when they slid or toppled over.

The children took great pride in helping care for our classroom. They eagerly participated in sweeping, mopping, and wiping tables, showing responsibility and independence while caring for their shared space.

Stay warm, stay safe, and try to enjoy the slower pace this snowstorm brings—sometimes being “stuck inside” gives us the gift of extra quality time with our families.

We’re looking forward to healthier days and seeing everyone back together soon! 💕