Blog

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: The Three Period Lesson

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

In a Montessori classroom teachers rely on the Three Period Lesson to introduce new vocabulary and concepts and even to highlight the purpose of a material. These lessons allow the child to absorb concepts in a concrete manner while reinforcing each component of the lesson.

The 1st Period is simply naming the concept or material and demonstrating it repeatedly. Some of the more complex materials or concepts may need to be introduced in the 1st period over the course of several lessons. So for example, using the color tablets from the Sensorial area, we introduce the child to the primary colors by saying, “This is red.”

During the 2nd Period, we ask the child to recognize and find the object. We ask the child, “Which one is red? Which one is blue? Which one is yellow?” This period is longer than the 1st Period and we keep it interesting by asking them to manipulate the object. We might say, “Hide the blue tablet behind your back. Place the red tablet on your lap.”  We are cognizant of making sure to begin each request or action with the last item we spoke about. So if we ask the child to manipulate the red, blue, and yellow color tablets in that order, the next series of directions would follow the order of yellow, blue, then red.

The last stage, or 3rd Period focuses on recall. We ask the child to identify the material or concept without any assistance. We ask the child, “What is this?”

While the intent of the Three Period Lesson is to isolate and introduce new concepts and materials, we are also helping the children to enrich and expand their vocabulary.

Have a wonderful week!

Michelle & Sonja

Releasing of the Butterflies

Posted on by Sara Kasbarian

This week we wrapped up our butterfly study by releasing our butterflies!  The children were excited  to see them fly out of their habitat and into nature.  They were able to get an up close and personal look as they gathered to witness their departure. Some were hoping a butterfly would land on them. They patiently waited, but our butterflies were too eager to be on their way!

Thursday, we were able to visit the music room where the children were introduced to some new instruments. They had a blast singing songs and using rhythm sticks!  We were impressed by their ability to respect and enjoy this new and exciting environment. The children are displaying their readiness to move to the next level!

Ms. Kayser’s Class: April Showers Bring May Flowers

Posted on by skayser

 

The quote, “April showers bring May flowers” has always been my favorite way of explaining the weather during the early stages of spring. This season it feels like we have had more rain than sunshine, but it is important to remember of the beauty that emerges after the earth drinks up all that rain! As May comes into view, so have the colorful blossoms of flowers and vibrant green buds on the trees. Without those April showers, none of these things would be here for us, which is one way of remaining positive during those dreary, rainy days.

That rain also keeps us inside the classroom longer during our morning work cycle. Sometimes it is hard for the children to sit and concentrate without releasing some energy outside but this past week has been filled with some amazing moments of focus and perseverance. Last weekend, we switched over the classroom and filled its shelves with new topics of study in science and geography. We are now on Australia, our last continent of the school year that we will be studying and in science we are looking at amphibians and reptiles! The children have been so enthralled in their work, some days they forget about going outside and lose themselves in the activities around them. Their ability to work for longer periods of time just goes to show how much they have grown over the course of the year. The children are confident in themselves and excited to continue to learn and grow as individuals.

You could say that these April showers have made our children grow, and soon bloom, as we head into our final full month of the school year, May.

We hope you have a beautiful week, with sunnier days ahead!

Ms. Kayser and Ms. Alli

Mrs. Hood’s Class: Mirror Washing

Posted on by Andrea Hood

One of the pleasures of watching a child grow is being shocked out of taking the mundane for granted. The most ordinary things that we seemingly know without thinking and can do without trying are, for the child, wondrous, new discoveries and engaging, joyous challenges. This includes the everyday routines and practices of life: preparing food, dressing oneself, cleaning, habitual courtesies, and more—these are for the child new, maybe daunting, exciting tasks that are visibly part of the human world and that are empowering to master.

This week we introduced one of these – all time favorite- practical life activities: mirror washing.

Asking a child to use a spray bottle to clean the mirrors exercises their gross motor skills; they have to rely on their sense of balance as they make big arm movements to ensure water covers the glass, using their hands to clamp down on the spraying mechanism all at the same time. Children’s faces lit up every time they were successful, seeing the water splash on the mirror! They seemed so proud of themselves! We know how much they all love working with water, so this was definitely a favorite activity in our environment.

The greater lessons of this exercise are those of self-control and self-discipline. While spraying water can be a thrilling sensory experience, the child has an opportunity to understand the responsibility of the chore they are there to perform … for example, the spray bottle is not for use on the floor, on their faces (or peer faces) but rather, to clean the mirror.

We encourage you to add this exercise to your list of chores your child can do! They will be happy to help you by cleaning windows and mirrors all around the house.

Happy Spring cleaning!

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Moving On and Moving Up

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Transitions, while often exciting, can also be a time of uncertainty and sometimes even nervousness of what is to come. This includes the transition for our children moving from Toddler to Primary and from Primary to Lower Elementary. We are very cognizant of this and put in place small steps to help ensure a sense of continuity and calmness for everyone.

On of those steps, is inviting the children moving up to spend a short time in the environments they will be transitioning to. Our Toddler friends spent some time with the Kindergarten children in a Primary classroom. The older children showed showed them around the room and gave a few small lessons. The environment they visited is not in any way an indication of class placement for next year. Each Primary environment, although different in small ways has the same materials and is a true Montessori classroom. Likewise, our Kindergarten students will be going to spend some time in Lower Elementary. These visits are a quick peek into the new environment, to meet new friends and teachers and to even see  some familiar materials.

It is always heartwarming to see how excited the Kindergarten children are to welcome our Toddler friends. One child said today, “Don’t worry, I was as small as you once and I dropped everything!”

Much to the delight of the children, the butterflies emerged from their chrysalises and we released them into the Zen garden.

Have a peaceful week!

Michelle & Sonja

Upper Elementary: Rewarding Week

Posted on by Brian Comstock

 

This week the students completed their science fair display boards in class. They took pride in their design, layout, and choice of coordinating color schemes to produce a pleasing display. As some students finished their boards they became helpers and supporters to their classmates and worked as a team so that everyone was prepared for Thursday. After the morning presentations the students had a brief break and then returned to their work cycle. Choices included literature study, reading responses, and geometry. After lunch they enjoyed a Popsicle treat for all of the hard work over the past month. Our goal is to teach the students that the process is more important than the final product. Thanks for the home support throughout the science fair project! We concluded our week with a Disney Nature movie titled, “Penguins.” It was a beautiful movie centered around the life of penguins in the Antarctic.

After School: Amazing April

Posted on by Rebecca Faust

April has been full of fun and exciting times together. We have enjoyed time inside and outside. With the weather getting warmer we are looking forward to many more days with our friends playing gaga, swinging on the swings, and riding the zip line! Please enjoy all of the pictures from April.

We are looking forward to see what fun we will have in May!

Best,
Mrs. Rebecca Faust
rfaust@fraserwoods.com
Director of After School

Kindergarten Cardboard Begins

Posted on by Danielle Ulacco

Cardboard is an essential ingredient to our MakerSpace. It begins the prototyping process and allows our youngest students to create anything and everything without limitations. In 1st year, students start using a variety of scissors and plastic cardboard “knives” to create designs and prototypes. These tools also provides practice of their motor skills and hand-eye coordination which are two important skills needed in my classroom (and in life!).

This week our Kindergarten students were introduced to 3Dux/Design Sets during as a station. What is this design set? They say, “3Dux/design Architectural modeling sets integrate math and engineering concepts with art, design and open-ended imaginative play. Using 3D printed connectors and geometric forms, children will imagine, design, build and then rethink their creations.”

3Dux is Located in Bridgeport, CT, and I made the easy decision to support this local business by purchasing their product. I did this for two reasons:

  1.  I thought it was great product that would create the pathway to put cardboard in the hands of my youngest makers
  2. It’s literally cardboard and 3D printed pieces – both of which we have here at FWM for a minimal cost! This means that students can make their own connectors, or replace ones if needed.

I also love being able to put a product in my students’ hands and say “YOU COULD MAKE THIS!” and “People are making money selling this!”  We have also been graciously gifted tons of cardboard cut out shapes from an FWM family- Thank you!