Blog

1st Year LED Wands

Posted on by Danielle Ulacco

 

1st Year students had their first lesson on circuitry today. Together we created LED Wands, or as the students called them, light sabers, flashlights, and halloween glow sticks!

Materials used:

  • LED Diodes
  • Coin cell batteries
  • Copper tape
  • clear tape
  • craft sticks
  • binder clip

During our MakerSpace class we discussed the legs of the diode, positive versus negative, what conducts electricity, and what is conductive. I am looking forward to expanding their knowledge of circuits throughout the last few weeks of this trimester.

Important Information & Events

Posted on by Alison Kistner

Parent Communication Survey Thank you to those parents that have taken the time to complete the recent communication survey. If you have not had a chance to complete the survey, we would love to receive your feedback. The survey can be found here.

Volunteers Needed Tuesday, October 29th – 9am.-12pm. to pack up the book fair tomorrow, Tuesday, October 29th from 9-12 in the Commons.

Book Fair Thank you to those that supported this year’s book fair through purchases and volunteering! We greatly appreciate your support! While the in school book fair ends tomorrow morning at arrival only for last minute purchases, the online book fair runs until October 30th. All purchases made online will support FWM! Click here for the online bookstore, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on the button: “shop now”.

Halloween Parade on Thursday, October 31.  All parents, caregivers, and friends of FWM are invited to watch FWM’s Halloween Parade.  The parade will include students in grades 1 through 8.  Please meet in the back athletic field at 9am.

11:30am Early Dismissal on Thursday, October 31.  In order to allow time for teachers and staff to prepare for the Montessori Schools of Connecticut Annual Conference that is being held at FWM on Friday, November 1st, school will end at 11:30am on October 31st; there is also no After School Program.  There will be over 300 Montessori educators from Connecticut and surrounding states attending the conference on Friday!

Guidelines for Halloween by Level

For Toddler ONLY:

On Thursday, October 31st the toddlers will continue with their daily routine.  Children at this level won’t be wearing costumes but are invited to wear Halloween type clothing (images of Halloween or other clothing decorated with autumn themes).

For Primary ONLY:

On Thursday, October 31st Primary will be participating in autumn activities in the classroom.  Children at this level won’t be wearing costumes but are invited to wear Halloween type clothing (images of Halloween or other clothing decorated with autumn themes).

For Lower/Upper Elementary and Middle School ONLY:

On Thursday, October 31st the Lower Elementary, Upper Elementary, and Middle School children will participate in a Halloween Parade at 9am.  They will also have Halloween parties in their classrooms; each level will have their own time and method for celebrating.   Costumes are encouraged and children should wear their costumes to school.  Please make sure your child has a change of clothes so they can change into to dress down clothes after their parties.  Below are some guidelines for costumes:

  • No weapons or accessories
  • No costumes that denigrate a particular gender, culture, or religion
  • No gory masks (e.g. blood dripping down)
  • If wearing face paint, please have your child bring in wipes to help remove the make-up

Volunteer Opportunity Monday, November 4th – 4-5pm. Hosted by the FWM Parent Community Service Committee Join us after school next Monday at Silverman’s Farm in Easton to collect fallen apples for donation to various local social service organizations in town (FAITH Food Pantry, Nunnawauk Meadows, etc.). We’ll meet in front of the store at 4:00pm. Please bring your own baskets(s) to carry the apples you and your family collect. Please RSVP to Brooke Hopkins: brookepash@gmail.com so that we have an accurate headcount.

Volunteer Opportunity Saturday, November 9th – 9am.-12pm. Hosted by the FWM Parent Community Service Committee at Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary in Newtown for a morning of fun, contribution, and exploration for the whole family!

As a group, we will be:

  • Winterizing the raised beds with cover crops (hay and leaf mulch) to help protect and prepare the soil for planting next year (both pollinator plants and vegetables for donation!).
  • Assisting the meadow restoration project by mulching the garden and sanctuary pathways with wood chips.
  • Moving some of the seasonal equipment into the barn.

The CVH crew has a fun project planned for the little helpers in addition to a Kindness Rock painting station.

We are asking for donations of gardening tools and gloves to supply the Sanctuary with for their upcoming seasons.  Small shovels and hand tools to work the raised beds as well as full size pitch forks, rakes, and shovels.  Kid size tools are also welcome!  It will be a learning station for years to come.

Questions regarding this event? Please email: parentassocation@fraserwoods.com and they will direct you to the appropriate person(s).

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: To Infinity and Beyond!

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

We are beginning our study of the solar system. Bringing some of the wonders of the universe to the children is exciting and one of their favorite units that we study. By nature, children are inquisitive, observant, and eager to learn about the world around them.  A child’s concrete thinking, understanding, and desire to label and name everything they learn about makes this a wonderful unit of study.

We begin by discussing what the children think the Solar System is. We know that as we look up at the sky during the day we can see the sun and at night time we can see the moon, stars, and some planets.  We learned about the largest star, the sun.  It is made of gas and gives us light and heat. Our sun is the center of our solar system, with planets circling around it.  The children then learned the names of the planets, in order from the sun.  We also learned fun facts about each planet and will do hands-on activities to explain revolution and rotation.

Wishing everyone a wonderful week!

Cindy & Sharlene

Mrs. Wilson’s Class: An Insight to Your Child’s School Life

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

We really enjoyed our time spent during conferences with you. It was a nice way to tell the story of your child’s life here at school and to hear what your child’s life is like at home. I loved hearing all the fun experiences they bring home to you. It is a beautiful validation of their learning.

Last Friday we juiced apples. The children each took a turn adding an apple to the juicer. The all seemed to be amazed watching the apple juice come out. They each were able to taste the fresh juice afterwards. It was really delicious! I would like to do this activity again through the year. I think it would be a fun way to sneak extra fruits and vegetables into their diet.

This week for food tasting the children enjoyed red peppers. There were only a couple of children who tasted them and decided a red pepper was not for them.

I hope you enjoy all the photos from our short week.
Mrs. Wilson, Miss Heather, and Miss Sara

Hammer Time!

Posted on by Jen Reid

  

In the Art Studio, second year students have been exploring the Art element of line in various ways. After working on a few projects using materials such as paint, markers, and collage on paper, students were asked to apply what they had learned about line so far to create a 3D project. 

Students were presented with the task of creating a sculpture that explored line in three-dimensional form using wooden blocks, wire, pipe cleaners, strips of paper, beads, buttons, and foam pieces. The only tools they could use to attach their materials to the wood block was a hammer and nails. After a demonstration and safety discussion about how to appropriately use and respect the tools, each young artist got to work. Some students began by coloring their block with paint markers, others bent pipe cleaners and paper strips in to zig-zaggy or wavy lines, and soon enough the classroom began to sound and look like a woodworking shop! 

The task of hammering nails into the wood to attach each part required increasing amounts of dexterity and coordination, yet it was so fun and rewarding that each child wanted to do it over and over! Some students made multiple sculptures while others worked diligently on one. Students who were timid toward these tools and materials at first, quickly turned the corner and gained a newfound confidence after some practice and focus. Their fine motor skills and problem solving abilities truly improved with each swing of the hammer. This kind of open-ended, process-oriented art is an endless opportunity for making choices, coming to conclusions, and evaluating results. Throughout the making of this project, each child became more comfortable with uncertainty and remained flexible thinkers, which is key for creativity and confidence!

Middle School: High Hopes

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

On Monday, October 21st, the entire middle school community traveled an hour on the bus to Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, New York to enjoy a full day exploring the high-ropes obstacle courses and beautiful grounds. This was an opportunity for students to challenge themselves and work together as team members in difficult situations.

We were able to participate in three different, high-ropes courses. After learning how to properly wear a harness and call the appropriate commands, students were energetic and excited to try their best. One student said, “Playing games and having fun outside with our friends was the best way to start the year off.”

Aside from the ropes, this trip was a great chance for students to continue building relationships with others and get out of their comfort zone. We look forward to this trip again next year!

Mrs. Hood’s Class: A Mushy Experience!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Maria Montessori believed that nothing comes into the mind except through the senses. During the early years, as children develop their senses, their attention is directed toward the environment. The purpose of the Sensorial activities is to help the child in their efforts to sort out the many varied impressions given by the senses. These activities are specifically planned to help the child develop discrimination, order, and to broaden and refine the senses. These experiences also help prepare them to be a logical, aware, and perceptive person.

As we started our pumpkin unit this week, children had the opportunity to explore the outside and inside of a pumpkin! Skin, pulp, strands, and seeds were new vocabulary words used to describe the parts of a pumpkin. They were so curious and amazed to find out what it was inside! Some of them expressed wonder and some of them didn’t know how to react. Some were so excited to explore by placing their hand all the way inside. Others touched the skin and seeds carefully and were quite skeptical. It was a mushy experience!

Another highlight of this short week was our new pumpkin art work. Children love to draw designs on a pumpkin but the most fun part of it all was using the wet microfiber towel to erase and clean the pumpkin. It seemed that children really enjoyed seeing the pumpkin shining at the end of their work!

The favorite book this week was Itsy Bitsy Pumpkin by Sonali Fry and the favorite song was Waiting For the Elevator by Laurie Berkner.

Thank you so much for taking the time to meet with us during our Parent- Teacher Conferences! It was a great experience to share the notes of progress, areas of growth, and the fun stories that make us love our job even more! Your children are precious to us!

We are excited to welcome a new student and family to our class. We hope you have the opportunity to meet them and welcome them to our FWM family very soon.

See you next week!

Motivated Learners

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

 

One of the beautiful parts of a Montessori work cycle is the autonomy and independence that happen so naturally. The different types of work that go on in the classroom simultaneously are an example of this. How wonderful is it that the children have freedom and responsibility to plan their work day and work together with their peers? One of my favorite parts about an Elementary Montessori classroom is that you see children constantly collaboratively learning with and from one another on a daily basis. There are many benefits to this work. Working with a friend teaches children patience, respect for another’s strengths and challenges, and the give and take while compromising while collaborating.

The small bead frame is a current classroom favorite! It is a math material which can be used to add, multiply, and subtract. Students use this before moving to abstraction when completing math problems for most operations. Another loved math material is test tube division. This material helps clarify the analytic procedure of the operation. Here, the result is not simply to find the answer, but also to find out the hierarchical value of the beads (the dividend) given to each single unit of the divisor.