Blog

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.

Lower Elementary: Celebrating Earth

Posted on by Karen Sankey

There is no description, no image in any book that is capable of replacing the sight of real trees, and all of the life to be found around them in a real forest. -Dr. Maria Montessori

This week we celebrated Earth Day by spending some quality time outdoors. The weather was beautiful and we were able to eat lunch outside and visit our outdoor classroom. It is wonderful to see all of the children being creative in the woods. Some enjoy building with the sticks they find there, while others explore and look for insects or use their imagination with their friends.

The children had biology lessons this week. All of the lessons started outside. First and second year students spent time bird watching before learning about the parts of and body functions of birds. Third years investigated the evergreen trees we have on our property and shared observations with each other about the similarities and differences between the different types.

We wrapped up our week with a visit to the Upper Elementary and Middle School Science Fair. Lower Elementary students enjoyed learning about the UE inventions and the MS research on the Global Goals. They were very engaged and asked great questions of their older peers.

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!

Happenings & Events

Posted on by Alison Kistner

FWM Summer Camp is OPEN for REGISTRATION!  Weekly sessions for summer program offerings for Toddler, Primary, and Elementary age children.  Register online at MyFWM.org under PROGRAMS. Deadline to register is May 13th.

Elementary Play is Thursday, May 9th – 7:00pm. Seussical performed by Lower & Upper Elementary students. Exciting musical for children of all ages! Tickets can be purchased here!

8th Year Expert Projects are Wednesday, May 15th & Thursday, May 16th – 6:00pm. 8th Year students culminating projects. This year’s topics include: White Collar Crime, Microsoft, Cognitive Psychology, Criminal Psychology, Nutrition, Tourette’s, Trauma Surgery, Racial Diversity in America, Racial and Gender Bias in the Criminal Justice System, Air Pollution, Child Education in Developing Countries and Major League Soccer. Each night will have different presentations.

Grandparents Day is Friday, May 17th – 8:30-10:30am. Invitations have been mailed to all grandparents with an RSVP date of Friday, May 3rd. The morning includes a light breakfast, concert and visit to the classrooms.

The Metamorphosis in the Toddler Classroom

Posted on by Sara Kasbarian

It has been a very busy week in our toddler room!  We are patiently awaiting the arrival of our butterflies. While we wait we have we have been learning about the life cycle of a butterfly, cut butterfly strips, and did some butterfly stamp art! We have also been talking about the spring season and have created some blooming trees which focused on gluing and improving fine motor skills. The children have been exploring new works in our environment related to the spring season and even did some flower arranging!  We were lucky enough to visit the Upper Elementary and Middle School Science Fair. The children demonstrated their curiosity, attention span, and respectfulness towards the researchers presenting their work to us. We are so proud of how the children we able to listen and observe their Upper Elementary and Middle School friends!

Thank you to the McGoldrick family for providing us with our snack and food tasting this week!  The children enjoyed eating the sweet and juicy pineapple!

World Language: Mrs. Carroll’s class having fun in French!

Posted on by Francoise Cutrone

The students in Mrs. Carroll’s class are enjoying a pinwheel of colors in French class. We reviewed most of the colors we have learned this year. The trick was to turn the wheel softly (doucement!) Everyone wanted to have a turn and we also  worked with animals (l’éléphant, le crocodile, le chat, le chien, la poule, etc…) trying to put a tail on each of them! When we had the correct tail, the students would say:”c’est juste!” (it’s right!) and when the tail was wrong, these children would scream: “c’est pas juste!” (it’s not right!) As usual, teaching these younger children is always done in the form of a game to keep their interests alive. This is always a challenge and I enjoy playing these games learning  with all of them.