Blog

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

Welcome Back, Middle School!

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Welcome to 2026! It has been wonderful to reconnect with students and hear about their time away from FWM over our two-week break. Everyone returned feeling refreshed, and classrooms have been busy with creativity and enthusiasm. Sixth and seventh grade students also began in different classrooms during their Community Service period on Wednesday. Lastly, it’s been fun to watch the Middle Schoolers make the most of the snow all week. Fingers crossed we’ll see more of the white stuff in the months ahead!

Announcements:

  • Tuesday, 1/13 @ 2pm: Math Carnival in the gym (Parents welcome! Park at school!)
  • Monday, 1/26-Friday, 1/30: Immersion Week
  • Friday, 1/30 @ 7 pm: Middle School Play (call time and other details to come)
  • Check with your MS student(s) to make sure they have their refillable water bottle with them.
  • Please check for appropriate winter attire for the outdoors. Most students will go outside with their younger peers during Community Service each week.
  • MS Flower Schedule

Math

This week in Middle School Math, students kicked off one of their favorite projects of the year: the Math Carnival. Throughout the week, students learned about theoretical and experimental probability and then got the chance to put those concepts into action.

After building a foundation, students brainstormed ideas for their own carnival-style games. They created a game concept, wrote clear rules, made a list of needed materials, and sketched out a blueprint. Once their plans were approved, students got to work building and testing their games.

When the games were finished, students calculated the theoretical probability for each possible outcome. They are now eagerly looking ahead to Tuesday, January 13th at 2:00 PM, when families and younger students will be invited to play the games at our Math Carnival.

Not only will playing the games be fun, but it will also give students the chance to collect real data. They will use this information afterward to calculate experimental probability and compare it to their predictions. It is so exciting to see their hard work come to life and they can’t wait to welcome everyone to the carnival!

Science

Middle School students came back from the holiday break very enthusiastic and ready to learn. We continued with the curriculum using the e-book, Discovery Education. This week 6th, 7th, and 8th graders got an introductory class about scientific explanations. Scientists make explanations to communicate their findings, thoughts, and what they learned through experimentation. They also need to use evidence and reasoning to support their claim.

This week the class talked about the basics of CER framing for constructing well-supported arguments. “C” stands for claim, which is a statement or conclusion that answers the problem or question. “E” stands for evidence, which helps to answer the question or problem that students are examining. It contains numerical or observational data that is used to support the claim. “R” stands for reasoning that links the evidence with the claim.

Learning scientific explanations helps students to communicate ideas clearly, to build strong critical thinking habits, and prepare for high school science and beyond. All middle school students also were able to review some previous concepts learned so they can remember it and be ready for the assessment that is going to be on Monday. 6/7 A & B students will be taking an assessment about Unit 1: Matter/ Combining and Separating. 8th graders will be assessed on Unit 1: Cells/Cell Theory. They all have materials to review in Google Classroom.

Humanities

All MS Humanities classes continued to work on drafting the play. The plot of the play and amount of characters are proving to be a good challenge for the students writing dialogue! They are excited during class writing periods, and we look forward to finishing up soon.

The 8th grade also began to look at the Expert Project, their culminating 8th grade project. They went over the timeline and components, brainstormed ideas, and are beginning their proposals.

Mrs. Sargeant’s Class: Winter Celebrations and Growing Families

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week brought the start of Hanukkah, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore this meaningful holiday with the children. We read both fiction and non-fiction stories about Hanukkah, helping the children understand the traditions and history behind the Festival of Lights. The children were particularly fascinated by the menorah, carefully placing candles into it and learning about the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

A huge thank you to Ivy and Gabriel’s moms for coordinating a special Hanukkah treat for the children. We enjoyed latkes and challah together, and the children made the connection that latkes are fried in oil—a reminder of the miracle we’d been learning about. These hands-on experiences with cultural traditions help the children develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse celebrations in our community.

Ava’s mom visited to share another beloved classroom tradition by reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Thank you for sharing your time with us and for bringing the festive snack that made the morning even more special! These parent visits enrich our classroom community and show the children how much their families value learning together.

We had three rehearsals this week preparing for the Holiday Showcase, and the children’s excitement about sharing their songs with you was palpable. Their hard work and enthusiasm truly embodied the joy of working toward a common goal.

This week also brought special birthday celebrations. Two of our classmates turned four and a half, so we celebrated their half birthdays since we won’t be in school when they turn five in June. The Montessori birthday walk is always a meaningful way to honor each child’s journey around the sun.

We’re thrilled to share joyful news from two of our classroom families! Within the past month, Remy and Madison each welcomed baby brothers into their families. Congratulations to both families on this wonderful new chapter!

As winter settles in, the children have enjoyed a sensory experience that connects them to the season: making pomander balls with oranges and cloves. The delightful scent fills the classroom as they carefully press each clove into the orange, developing their fine motor skills while creating something beautiful to take home.

Extending Learning at Home

Encourage your child’s connection to winter traditions by:

  • Creating simple sensory experiences with seasonal scents like cinnamon sticks, pine branches, or citrus fruits
  • Practicing fine motor skills through holiday activities like threading beads, wrapping small gifts, or decorating cookies
  • Exploring winter through nature walks, observing how plants and animals prepare for cold weather

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Monday, January 5: School Resumes
  • Monday, January 5: Evie has Flowers/Food/Sharing Bag

Please send appropriate snow gear for outdoor play: hat, waterproof mittens, snow boots, and snow bibs or pants. A large open-top bag works best for storage. Thank you to Ava’s family for sending extra snow bibs and mittens to share with the classroom!

Holiday Concert 2025

Posted on by Jill Skilton

Please note, not all photos have been published due to varying photo permissions among our student population. If your child has photo permission, and you don’t see them in any pictures, it is likely they were standing near a child who does not have photo permission. .