Although it was nice to enjoy some time off with friends and family during the holiday break, there is something calming about returning to school and following the natural routines of the day with the students. We moved on to new units in both readers and writers workshops. Our readers workshops are centered around nonfiction, and informational books. As for writers workshop, we focused on research writing, specifically based on ancestry, since that is the topic for Research Night. This year students will gather information about their family history and then make a slideshow presentation. They each brought home a blue folder with helpful resources to get started. Research Night is scheduled for February 6th at 6:30. While we were discussing the annual research fair a group of FWM alumni stopped by to say hello. They recalled their time researching their ancestry and I was able to pull up some old photos from their research night 9 years ago!
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Middle School: Happy New Year!
Happy New Year, Middle School families! Mr. Brown, Ms. Sutherland, and I would like to express our utmost gratitude for your generous class holiday gifts. We hope you were able to have a peaceful time with family and friends over the past few weeks.
This week, students began their new Community Service rotation for the second trimester. We considered students’ input before placing them, and I think we are off to a great few months.
In Humanities, we are on to new projects! The 6th and 7th years have embarked on their research projects surrounding the theme, A Moment in History, which they will present on the evening of February 6th. The historical events that students have selected are incredibly interesting. Here is a preview of a few topics: Hurricane Katrina, D-Day, and the ratification of the 19th amendment (Women’s voting rights). Students have already developed thesis statements and questions to guide their research, and they are ready to go! 8th years are just about done selecting their topics for their Expert Project. More about those topics to come. 8th years are also finishing up the novel, If I Ever Get Out of Here by Eric Gansworth, and should be complete in the next week. Finally, it was a current events week for all!
6th year Earth Science students are working on their Earthquake Safe Building project. Students have a limited budget of supplies to create a 4-story building that will be able to withstand excessive shaking. 7th year Physical Science students have begun their unit on Molecules. Currently, they are learning about the similarities and differences between covalent and ionic bonding. Following this concept, we will dive deeper into the electron configuration present for each atom. 8th year Life Science students are on the unit Meiosis. We have discussed the process of cell division and genetic variation. Students have been able to discuss this in depth following a video about Dolly, the sheep which was cloned in 1996.
This week in Math, students had a smooth transition back to classes and their regular routine. Students started the week by reviewing the material that was covered back in December. They spent the first few classes refreshing their math brains before the Chapter 5 test. Each class began Chapter 6 this week and are already off to a successful start. More specifically here is what each class is learning.
Pre-Transition: Students are currently talking about multiplication properties and arrays. Arrays are a visual tool to help students better understand how multiplication of variables works. They are also practicing how to multiply fractions both numerically and pictorially.
Transition: Students are currently working to understand translations and transformation on a Cartesian plane. Students are practicing how to move linear and nonlinear functions from one place to another given the specific directions.
Algebra: Students are currently learning about rate of change, also known as slope. From given information, students are able to graph, plot and analyze information about different rates of change.
Math Joke of the Week: Why was the equal sign so humble?
Because she knew she wasn’t greater than or less than anyone else.
Mrs. Doyle’s Class: What Is Normalization?
Normalization is a buzzword often used by Montessori teachers everywhere. So what exactly does it mean and more importantly how do we achieve it? When children in a Montessori environment demonstrate deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work we describe this as a normalized classroom. Normalization is achieved by consistent and clear ground rules that everyone is familiar with. It is our job to make sure the environment is always well prepared and designed to meet the needs of the children. As Montessori teachers, we are confident that if we do our part coupled with the opportunities provided by the environment and Montessori materials, our children will thrive.
After the winter break and upon our return in January we often see noticeable growth in the children’s social and emotional development. They come back eager to learn and raring to go! The first half of the year they have become comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They have developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. It is always an exciting time and sets the groundwork for the second half of the school year.
Here’s to a wonderful remainder of the school year!
Michelle & Jeannine
Important Information & Upcoming Events
After School Enrichment Program Registration is OPEN! Please sign up at your MyFWM.org account under PROGRAMS. Programs offered: Martial Arts, Art Club: Drawing, Painting, & More! and Muddy Hands. Please see individual program descriptions on myfwm for additional information.
Sibling Admissions Applications At this time of year in the Advancement Office we focus our attention on sibling applications as siblings of current students receive admissions priority. We have begun to receive new student admissions applications for the upcoming September 2019 school year. As you may know, some programs/classes have limited availability each year depending on the number of students returning back from the previous school year that are not yet eligible age wise to move up to the next program level. If you are interested in pursuing a space for a sibling of a current FWM student, please complete a sibling admissions applications online here. It is suggested that you complete this application as soon as possible. Toddler Program 2020/21 Eligibility: children:15 months and older September 2020 and Primary Program 2020/21 Eligibility: children: 3-6 years of age by December 31, 2020.
If you have any additional questions or would like to schedule a parent observation of a particular program level, please contact Alison Kistner, Director of Advancement: akistner@fraserwoods.com.
Current Toddler & Primary Families response requested
At this time of year we begin to prepare student re-enrollment contracts for the upcoming school year. Please take a minute to click on this link to complete your family’s desired program choice for the upcoming school year.
Friday, January 16th Moving Up Information Night. Learn about the curriculum and program for next year. This is especially helpful for parents whose children are transitioning to a new level (Toddler to Primary, Primary 4 year old to Kindergarten, Primary to Lower Elementary, Lower Elementary to Upper Elementary, and Upper Elementary to Middle School). Childcare is available for parents on this evening. Please RSVP with Michele Stramaglia at mstramaglia@fraserwoods.com by January 10th.
A Great Year!
2019 was a great year for Lower Elementary! We learned so much through our lessons and experiences. We had a great time performing in our school play, going on field trips, celebrating holidays, spending time in nature, learning from each other, and making new friends. Thank you for sharing your children with us this past year. Here’s to a great 2020!
We wish you the happiest of holidays and we hope you enjoy this special time with your precious children!
With love,
Karen and Ashley
Explorations in Clay
The Art Studio has been buzzing lately with lots of wonderful clay work from students Kindergarten through Upper Elementary! Students have been exploring a range of clay processes and techniques such as coil building, slab rolling, pinching, and throwing on the pottery wheel.
Working with clay has many benefits for children of all ages beyond simply providing a creative experience. It is a complex sensory experience that encourages self-expression, helps promote self-confidence, and develops problem-solving and motor skills. Because clay is highly responsive to touch and very forgiving, children become engrossed in their work: they are able to express and articulate their ideas through shaping clay and learning to repair mistakes. Clay is different from other art mediums in that it requires an understanding of the three dimensional world. While working on their projects, students must move around to see their creation from all sides. From this, they begin to understand shape, form, and perspective, and gain knowledge of planning methods and problem solving as they map out their creation.
The clay projects we explored in the Art Studio were designed to introduce new processes and techniques, as well as to encourage individual imagination. Kindergarten students explored the slab rolling technique by creating clay owls to connect with their vertebrate unit. They also created small pinch-pots that they made into candles for a holiday gift. Lower Elementary students crafted a wide range of projects from tiny tea cups to funny face jugs, and funky coil-pots to wheel-thrown cups. Upper Elementary students created a variety of pots on the pottery wheel and constructed impressive slab-built castles! Each student truly enjoyed the process of working with clay and as a result, created many wonderful finished projects.
Upper Elementary: Memorable Moments
We concluded our final week of school before holiday break with some memorable times together. It began with a sad event as we said goodbye to our beloved hamster, Chicken Little. The students decided the best way to honor Chicken Little was by saying some kind words of remembrance and then burying him next to a former Lower Elementary class pet, Yoda. The remainder of the week was more joyous as we prepared for the holiday concert, participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange, celebrated a December birthday, and wrapped gifts for children at the St. Vincent DePaul Shelter in Waterbury, CT. A few students assisted some class parents to deliver the gifts on Monday after school. Thank you for the donations of gifts for the shelter, food for our class celebration, and parent help this week! The weather was a nuisance, but we accomplished all we planned to end our school year before winter break. I want to wish you all a peaceful holiday and Happy New Year!
Ms. Hood’s Class: Season’s Greetings!
And just like that, our first trimester comes to an end, filled with great moments and stories to tell. Your children have grown a little bit more and we feel honored to be able to see them unfolding so beautifully. Thank you for all your support and trust. We love partnering with you in this adventure.
May the holiday season fill your home with joy, your heart with love, and your life with laughter.
May 2020 be a great year for all of us!
Enjoy the fun pictures from our Pajama Holiday celebration!
See you next year! 🙂