Blog

Mrs. Hood’s Class: Building Trust

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Dear families,

Welcome to FWM 2019-2020 school year!

As we end our second week of the phase-in period, I couldn’t be happier with the progress observed in each of our students! This has been a special time of striving to create a peaceful and welcoming environment for your child as this is an important stabilizing period where the children and guides get to know one another. Children have been exploring the learning environment and getting familiar with the physical space. Our environment is a place where independence, freedom, and choice of materials are the rule. The children will gradually learn how to handle this choice and freedom while respecting and caring for each other, the materials, and the classroom!

During this time, we have also had a great opportunity to join in community gathering together, present and practice some children’s names, learn new fingerplays, model some lessons, enjoy story time and dance to music to the beat of “Drive My Car” (which is the new favorite) and “My Energy” by Laurie Berkner, as well as other songs.

Phase-in sets the stage for a successful year of learning, and so we want to thank you all for your support and for helping us create an atmosphere of security and emotional comfort for each child.

Enjoy some of the moments we were able to capture this week!

Our Youngest Makers

Posted on by Danielle Ulacco

The MakerSpace started the 2019-2020 school year with our youngest makers- the kindergarten class!

After discussing class expectations, safety, and MakerSpace rules, we headed right into programming and coding concepts. We do this through our BeeBots- a programmable robot that understands basic commands: forward, backwards, turn right, and turn left. Students worked together to navigate the BeeBot from one side of the maze to the other. We practiced taking turns, cheering on our peer, and helping only when our peer requested assistance.

Simultaneously, students are also given the option for choice. This trimester’s choice will be all about building and creating collaboratively with the use of our Keva Planks and Brackitz. The student imaginations truly blossom through the use of this tactile art. In pictures you will “see” an airplane, an island, a magnetic force field, and “a crazy upside maze”.

 

BUT WAIT… a few kindergarteners decided to make a Keva Plank track for the BeeBot. This took my breath away because the goal of my classroom is to become an innovator and to find your passion through play.

 

Happenings & Events

Posted on by Alison Kistner

New After School  Programs at FWM! –   Sign-up today for Martial Arts (kindergarten through 4th grade) and/or Culinary Club (2nd grade through 5th grade).  For more information, click here.  Spots are limited and registration closes on September 27.  FYI – you need to be signed into your MyFWM.org to access the link.

Peace Day Ceremony is Friday, Sept. 20 – 9:25am-9:40am.  Children from across the planet will come together to sing for peace on Friday, September 20th, 2019 to celebrate International Day of Peace. FWM is registered to participate in this meaningful event at 9:30 (zone 34). We will gather on the soccer field and will sing “Light a Candle for Peace“.

Oktoberfest! is Saturday, Oct. 5 – 4:00pm – 8:00pm.   All FWM families are encouraged to invite family,  friends, or neighbors to this special community, fund-raising event.   There will be : beer and liquor tasting from local businesses; food trucks; class baskets raffles; bidding on Class Plates created by the students; opportunities to purchase FWM Merchandise; and live entertainment.  There will also be a student talent show!  Purchase tickets here.

Reminder –  No school on Wednesday, October 9th which is Yom Kippur, the holiest day for the Jewish people.

Mrs. Hood’s class: See you Later, Alligator!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Looking through this school year’s pictures I cannot stop the overwhelming feeling of thankfulness!  I know I have said it before, but I need to say it one more time: Thank you for entrusting us with your little ones and walking next to us to give them the best experience each day!
We give them back to you pounds heavier, inches taller, months wiser, more independent, confident and mature than they were back in September. They did themselves a great job unfolding and growing each day and we feel honored to have witnessed it. They, for sure, will continue to be part of our lives. Even though some of them will be moving up a level, remember that we will always be interested in your children and their destiny-wherever they go, whatever they do and whoever they become.

They are truly precious to us!

We hope you all have a wonderful summer! See you in the Fall!

Enjoy the contrast pictures of the first weeks and the last weeks of school!

A Year of Changes and Growth

Posted on by Sara Kasbarian

 

Where to begin!  This week was fast and furious (kinda like a toddler)!  We started off with Field Day, which the children truly enjoyed.  Celebrated a friends birthday, finalized a special gift, and ended our week with our toddlers crossing the bridge ceremony.  What a special day it was!  As you could tell, the children were so excited for this moment.  They had the opportunity to practice, but it wasn’t the same without all of your presence.  That is what brought true joy to that moment!  Thank you for being there to celebrate the children.  See you in the fall!!!

As we all know our toddlers grow leaps and bounds in short amounts of time.  Sometimes it is subtle and goes unnoticed and other times you catch yourself admiring the changes you see before you.  Drink it all in, enjoy the moments no matter how big or small.  I know I can speak for all the teachers that had the joy and pleasure of guiding your children through this year of growth by saying it was a complete honor and privilege! Thank you for entrusting us with your most precious gifts.  Enjoy your summer and we look forward to seeing more changes when you return in the fall!

Happy Father’s Day to all our Dads!  Hope you have a special day and enjoy your small token of love.

 

Over the Summer

Continue to encourage independence at home:

  •         Offer your child opportunities to make choices. For example, when wanting to play, give your child two materials or activities to choose from.
  •         Encourage your child to continue pouring water and serving food.
  •         Allow your child to continue practicing putting shoes on and taking them off.
  •         Model how to make the bed, fold laundry, sweep the floor, and wash the dishes so your child learns how to do these things.
  •         When working/playing, please limit interruptions so your child can concentrate.
  •         When your child is learning something new, remember to allow lots of time to practice and allow her to do it her way as long as it is safe and within your rules.

 

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Living, Loving, and Learning

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

The first week of school is always filled with many emotions for children, parents, and teachers. It takes time for the new rhythms of scheduled days to become familiar. So, while we are taking one step at a time, it definitely feels like we hit the ground running!

It just a few short days we as a class are learning:

  • how to navigate our way around the environment
  • how to wait for a lesson
  • the routines of our school day
  • how to prepare for snack and lunch independently
  • being part of a large group meeting by listening and sharing
  • care of self and care of the environment

Our returning friends have been role models for our new friends.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to be a leader. It wasn’t so very long ago they were new to the classroom themselves and they accept this responsibility with excitement and confidence.

Here’s to new beginnings and a peaceful, fun school year for everyone!

Mrs. Doyle & Miss Jeannine

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Let the Montessori Journey Begin!

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

 

The beginning of school is a time of excitement! With that excitement comes anxiety and nervousness for many children. Planning, patience, and nurturing ensures that each child starts the year feeling loved, respected and safe. Respect and courtesy in our Montessori school is the foundation for everything we do and each child has already begun to learn the following important skills:

  • how to put their work away where they found it
  • how to tidy up after themselves
  • the importance of helping a friend in need
  • the importance of respecting the materials, the teachers and each other
  • how to tuck in their chair when they leave the table
  • how to walk in the classroom
  • how to be self directed and find their own ‘work’ and most importantly
  • how to be independent

         ( NAMC, 2010)

We are thrilled to be starting the new school year with your children and look forward to nurturing their independence, respect, and courtesy.

Let the Montessori journey begin!

Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Sharlene

 

 

Ms. Kayser’s Class: How Time Flies…

Posted on by skayser

Can anyone believe that it is the last day of school? I feel like it was just yesterday that the students were walking into the classroom for the very first time. I spent some time looking back at all the pictures from the first few weeks of school, and couldn’t help but smile. I wanted to share some of my favorite photos with you so you could also take a trip down memory lane. I also added the pictures from field day this week; to see the difference in the children is breath-taking. Even in pictures, you can see how much they have changed. The students have all grown both physically and emotionally. Each one has a new found confidence in themselves and their abilities that I hope will follow them throughout their whole life. Although some of them may not be returning to the class next year, we are blessed to have been apart of their lives. We have no doubt they will continue on and make their mark on the world.

I want to thank everyone for such an unforgettable year. The memories we have made will surely be in our hearts for years to come. We hope everyone has a safe and fun summer! Please keep in touch and let us know how everyone is doing on their new adventures outside of Fraser Woods.

Love,

Ms. Kayser and Ms. Alli