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Physical Education Monthly Update

Posted on by Dylan Fisher

“The Woods Wall” was introduced to all PE classes last month. At the end of each class, students who exhibited good sportsmanship toward their peers are given the opportunity to toss a tennis ball into a vertical tube from a predetermined distance. Making the shot earns students their picture on “The Woods Wall.” Students from kindergarten through middle school have been enthusiastically trying to make the shot, and I look forward to “The Woods Wall” welcoming new members soon.

Middle school and upper elementary students are in the middle of a handball unit. In addition to learning the rules and strategy of handball, emphasis has been placed on teamwork, communication, and sportsmanship. The warm weather has allowed the students to play the fast-paced game both inside and outside on the turf.

A recent highlight for the lower elementary students was “Pool Noodle Relays.” Each leg of the relay requires teams to add an additional student to their noodle until all team members are holding the noodle for the final leg. Watching the students communicate and effectively work together with their teammates was awesome to see. Hearing them cheer on their peers is as good as it gets.

The kindergartners all loved playing “Take a Chance.” Each student is given a bowling pin to protect and a foam ball to throw and try to knock down their classmate’s pins. After throwing their ball, students have the option to leave their pin to retrieve another ball or continue to stand guard. When a student’s pin is knocked over, they perform a physical activity (jumping jacks, bear crawls, etc.) before standing their pin up and returning to the game.

Ms. Mollie: Spring Work and Play!

Posted on by Mollie Smith

Spring Work and Play!

Springtime is such a special time; it reminds us to get out and explore! We have been exploring many new classroom works, and outside, we have been enjoying our beautiful campus at Fraser Woods. The yellow blooms have the children exploring our playground, making pretend soups, and gifting tiny little yellow blooms to their friends. Many children love to sit or run through the tunnel of flowers, simply taking in nature. While this week has been short, it has been filled with laughter, kindness, and lots of big energy!

With Full Hearts,

Ms.Mollie, Ms.Lizette and Ms. Anabelle

Music That Focuses the Brain

Posted on by Gina Tryforos

In today’s fast-paced world, our brains are constantly exposed to a flood of information and sensory input. Whether it’s the steady buzz of notifications, the nonstop flow of online content, or the noise and activity of busy environments, we are rarely without some form of mental stimulation. Bright screens, social media updates, and the pressure to keep up with everything happening around us can make it difficult to slow down and concentrate. For adults and children alike, this relentless stream of input can make it challenging to focus, process information effectively, and maintain a sense of calm and clarity.

In a recent article, Sharlene Habermeyer, M.A., the author of Good Music, Brighter Children, discussed how research suggests that 21 songs are proven to change the electromagnetic frequency of brain waves for optimal focus and should be the “soundtrack to your child’s homework.” 

Studies have shown that music can enhance brain function by stimulating areas responsible for language, memory, problem-solving, and overall cognitive organization. Specifically, classical music has been found to activate the auditory, visual/spatial, and motor regions of the brain—areas that support skills critical for academic success, such as reading comprehension, math reasoning, and concentration.

However, not all music has the same impact. 

Research by Donald Shetler of the Eastman School of Music revealed that students who listened to classical music for just 20 minutes a day experienced notable improvements in language development and memory. Similarly, psychiatrist and educator Dr. Georgi Lozanov found that certain classical pieces can shift the brain into a more focused and receptive state known as Alpha Mode, ideal for studying and completing assignments efficiently.

Dr. Georgi Lozanov conducted scientific studies on specific musical compositions and found that they can enhance concentration and focus in both children and adults. Listening for 15 to 20 minutes can help shift the brain’s electromagnetic activity into a state that supports effective learning. For best results, these pieces should be played softly in the background while studying or working.

Here is the list of the 21 songs Habermeyer calls Music to Learn By:

Johann Sebastian Bach
 Brandenburg Concertos
 Fantasia for Organ in G Major
 Fantasia in C Minor
 Prelude and Fugue in G Major

Ludwig van Beethoven
 “Emperor” Concerto for Piano, No. 5

Antonio Vivaldi
 The Four Seasons

Johannes Brahms
 Concerto for Violin, D Major, Op. 77

Arcangelo Corelli
 Concerto Grossi, Op.6, Nos. 2, 4, 5, 8, 11, and 12

George Frideric Handel
 Water Music
 Concerto for Organ in B Flat Major, Op. 6, 7

Joseph Haydn
 Concerto No. 1 for Violin
 Concerto No. 2 for Violin
 Symphony No. 101 (The Clock)
 Symphony No. 94 in G Major

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
 Concerto for Violin No. 5 in A Major
 Symphony No. 29 in A Major
 Symphony No. 40 in G Minor
 Symphony No. 35 in D Major
 A Little Night Music

Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
 Concerto for Violin, Op. 35
 Concerto for Piano, No. 1

Mrs. Wilson: A Spontaneous Spring Surprise!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

This week began like any other, with the children continuing their exploration of spring and birds. But Thursday brought a delightful surprise during our time on the playground—a visit from a special spring bunny!

Mr. Bunny came by to greet the children and hand out sweet treats. The little ones welcomed him with high fives and hugs. Even those who were a bit hesitant at first couldn’t help but be drawn into the excitement—it was a joyful moment for everyone!

Later, we also participated in a fire drill. The children were happily playing outside when the alarm sounded. They quickly gathered at the walk rope and calmly made their way to the field, where we joined the rest of the school. After the drill, we stayed a bit longer to enjoy the sunshine and chase bubbles across the turf.

To those who celebrate, we wish you a joyful and peaceful Easter and Chag Pesach Sameach!

Love and light,
Cynthia and Sara

Birds and Pines: A Springtime Study in Lower Elementary

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

This week, our Montessori students began new studies that connect beautifully to the season.

Our first-year students are exploring the external parts of birds, identifying features like wings, beaks, and feathers. They’re observing real-life examples and sharing connections to birds they’ve seen in their everyday lives.

Second-year students are diving deeper into bird body functions, learning how birds breathe, digest, and fly. They’re fascinated by how a bird’s body works so efficiently in the air.

At the same time, our third-year students have turned their attention to pine trees, studying both the external parts—like needles and cones—and the internal systems that help these trees grow and thrive.

It’s inspiring to see each age group engage with nature through a Montessori lens, deepening their understanding at just the right level.

A quick reminder: Parent-teacher conferences are coming up on Friday, April 25th. You can sign up by visiting the Parent SignUps module at myfwm.org and clicking on the appropriate field. I’m looking forward to connecting with you all and sharing more about your children’s progress and achievements!

Mrs. Sargeant’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

It was an exciting week in the classroom. We explored different types of insects and flowers, discovering some of their unique characteristics. We’ve been keeping track of the days until our chicks hatch and looking at pictures of the development that is happening inside the eggs. We added to our Spanish vocabulary by practicing how to name different items of clothing. Each student had the opportunity to make their creative mark on our auction item, a gorgeous vase that was painted collaboratively by each of the students in our classroom. Big thanks to Ms. Sara for organizing this project and visiting us with a beautiful array of paint options. The children have been enjoying learning new yoga poses and the game of Charades. To end the week, we participated in a fire drill and practiced staying safe and calm when necessary. The children truly did an amazing job following directions, and we all gave ourselves a pat on the back!

Enjoy the long weekend with your families. Happy holidays to those who will be celebrating Easter or wrapping up the celebration of Passover.

Christine & Hailey

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

In addition to watching our eggs form into baby chicks, we’ve begun a study on backyard birds! This study ties together a variety of subjects, including biology, art, and geography, as the children learn to classify birds by species, understand their unique characteristics, and even compare different types of birds that can be found in our local environment.

Through this process, the children are learning about bird anatomy, habitat, and behavior. They are also beginning to understand the importance of birds in our ecosystem, their role in pollination, and how we can take care of our local wildlife. The children have been excitedly pointing out birds they see outside the classroom and sharing bird stories from home (like seeing robins hop in front yards!).

If you want to encourage some bird love at home, here are some things you can do with your child:

  • Going on nature walks: Take time to observe birds and other animals in your neighborhood. See if your child can identify the birds using their new knowledge.

  • Setting up a bird-watching station: If you have a backyard, try creating a simple bird feeder or birdhouse. This will give your child the opportunity to observe and care for the birds in their own environment.

  • Reading bird books: There are so many beautiful picture books and field guides about birds that can help reinforce what they are learning.

Have a lovely weekend!

Marissa & Sue

Mrs. Hood: Clucking, Cackling and Crowing!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Even with a short week, our toddlers had a wonderful time exploring, learning, and connecting with the world around them in so many meaningful ways.

Our chicken study continued to spark curiosity and conversation. This week, the children observed and compared the differences between a hen and a rooster. They noticed that roosters are often bigger, with more colorful feathers and a tall, bright red comb, while hens are usually smaller and more subtly colored. Using pictures and vocabulary cards, we talked about the different parts of a chicken, like the beak, comb, wattle, feathers, and feet, and we also practiced the sounds hens and roosters make—they seemed to really enjoy this!

As part of our study, we also introduced one of a chicken’s favorite foods: worms! The children were fascinated to learn about how chickens love to peck around for worms, and we brought that idea into the classroom with a sensory bin full of realistic, wiggly worm replicas. There was lots of laughter and pretend play as little hands explored the squishy “worms” in the soil.

Another hands-on activity this week involved learning to use a mortar and pestle to crush clean, dried eggshells. The children took turns gently grinding the shells into smaller pieces, then helped sprinkle them into the soil of our classroom plants. We talked about how eggshells give the plants nutrients, especially calcium, to help them grow strong. This was a beautiful example of caring for our environment and connecting life cycles—chickens, eggs, and growing plants—all in one meaningful activity.

For our weekly food tasting, we explored snap peas! Some children dove right in, enjoying the satisfying crunch and slightly sweet flavor, while others watched curiously before taking a brave bite.

We also celebrated a birthday this week! As always, a favorite activity in our environment, as it gives the birthday child a moment to feel seen and special. The class always enjoys singing together and hearing a few sweet moments shared about the birthday child’s journey around the sun.

As we wrap up the week, we want to wish a very Happy Easter to those who celebrate. May your weekend be filled with peace, joy, and time with loved ones.

Warmly,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Patty