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Lower El: Moving Up Day!

Posted on by Ashley O'Connell

This week, we celebrated Moving Up Day! Our third-year students had the opportunity to experience Upper Elementary, while our Kindergarten students joined us in Lower Elementary.

One of the key advantages of the Montessori classroom is its multi-age groupings. This structure allows children to engage in a cycle of mentorship, where they transition from being mentored to mentoring others. During Moving Up Day, our third-year students embraced their roles as mentees in Upper Elementary, while our second and some first-year students took on the role of mentors to their Kindergarten peers. Witnessing students from different levels fully engaged and joyful while collaborating with their future classmates was truly heartwarming. Additionally, our first and second-year students demonstrated exceptional skills in planning enjoyable and enriching activities for the Kindergartners.

Mrs. Hood: Exploring the world around us!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

This week, we continued on our journey into the world of birds, transforming into tiny ornithologists eager to learn about the intricate details of our feathered friends. One of the highlights was our close-up observation of female and male cardinals and a blue jay feasting on seeds from a bird feeder through an educational video. We talked about the different parts of a bird’s body, including the head, beak, feathers, wings, and legs. As the birds kept leaving and coming back quickly, we made a fun game of identifying them. The children shared some laughs and had fun through this game.

Children also engaged in an art project, painting and crafting their very own binoculars. With these homemade tools in hand, the children ventured outside, honing their observation skills as they listened for birdsongs and tried to spot our avian friends. Their perseverance and determination were truly inspiring!

But our exploration didn’t stop there. In our outdoor adventures we also got to witness the marvel of construction vehicles at work in the soccer field. Each machine had a specific role, and the children eagerly observed and learned about the different tasks they performed. It was a hands-on lesson in engineering and teamwork!

Back inside our classroom, children continue to observe the changes in our not- so-tiny-anymore caterpillars. The children have been observing their growth, marveling at the wonders of nature as they witness the miraculous transformation taking place before their eyes.

For our food-tasting lesson, we explored some delicious and fuzzy kiwis! This one was a yummy fruit for most of the children.

Finally, our week concluded with a heartwarming sharing time, where each child proudly shared a special picture or art piece from home. It was so beautiful to observe and to hear all that they have to verbally share about their special picture. Priceless!

As the weekend arrives, we encourage you to continue the exploration at home. Take time to listen for birdsongs in your backyard, bring some kiwis to your dining table and marvel at the wonders of nature unfolding around you. Together, we can nurture a sense of wonder and curiosity that will inspire a lifelong love of learning in our little ones.

Best,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Mollie

p.s. A big THANK YOU for the thoughtful cards, heartfelt messages, and beautiful gifts during teacher appreciation week. It truly warmed our hearts and uplifted our spirits. Knowing that we have your unwavering support and appreciation means more to us than words can express. Your kindness serves as a constant reminder of why we are so passionate about teaching and guiding your children each day.

As we navigate through the joys and challenges of education together, please know that your encouragement fuels our determination to provide the best possible learning experience for our students. Your partnership is invaluable, and we are endlessly grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such caring and dedicated parents.

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

It has been an exciting week as we have welcomed 5 painted lady caterpillars into the classroom. The children have been eager to check on their progress each day. Caterpillars are voracious eaters and have grown significantly since they arrived in their cup, complete with food. The caterpillars will molt several times before they’re fully grown and ready to form chrysalises. Painted lady caterpillars spin silk to help support and protect themselves. They will hang upside down in a “J” shape when they’re ready to pupate or form a chrysalis. Then, we will wait for the butterflies to emerge! We are so excited in anticipation of this incredible metamorphosis! 

We shared a familiar vegetable this week for our Food Tasting experience. It has dark green skin on the outside, it’s whitish green on the inside, and it has seeds that we can eat. We can peel this vegetable or eat it with its skin. It grows in a garden, and it’s crunchy. Did you guess cucumber? Nearly all the children enjoyed it and asked for more.

Heartfelt thanks to all of you and your children for the special drawings, cards, flowers, and treats this week. We are so grateful. Your thoughtfulness truly made us feel appreciated. Thank you!

Wishing all the moms a Happy Mother’s Day. We hope you all enjoy the weekend. 

Middle School: Week in Review

Posted on by Michelle Lamb

Wow! A lot is happening! A larger communication will be coming out with details about the trip and other end-of-year events. For now, here is a snapshot of what is coming up:

  • Wednesday, 5/15 @ 2:15 – Science Fair
  • Friday, 5/17 @ 5 pm- Middle School Semiformal- Parent Assistance Sign Up
  • Wednesday, 5/22 @ 6pm – 8th Grade Expert Presentations
  • Friday, 5/24 @ 5 pm End of year picnic and Spring Concert
  • Wednesday, 5/29- @ 8:30 am-Friday, 5/31 @ 8:30 pm – Middle School Trip to Boston
  • Wednesday, 6/5 @ 5 pm  Farewell to the Class of 2024!
  • Thursday, 6/6 @ 5 pm Commencement at Newtown Meeting House
  • Friday, 6/7 – Last day of school, 11:30 am dismissal

In addition to attending the Farewell to the Class of 2024 on June 5th, please consider attending the 8th Grade Expert Presentations with your middle school student. It is important to our community that the students come together to support one another for these milestones.

On Thursday, we had an awesome day with 5th-grade students joining us! They were able to live a typical day-in-the-life of an FWM middle school student. We are looking forward to them joining us full-time in the fall.

Humanities

The 6th grade has been reading a new class novel, Shooting Kabul, by N.H. Senzai. This book follows an Afghani family fleeing the rule of the Taliban and coming to the United States shortly before 9/11. Students have been annotating the chapters and using those to guide daily book discussions. The class has been interested in the history and timeline of the Taliban’s rule in Afghanistan. We also looked at the process for refugees and asylees looking to find safety in the United States.

The 7th-grade class finished A Gift From Childhood this week. They completed the index of proverbs and metaphors from the novel and also looked at fables. They read a few of Aesop’s fables and discussed the elements of this short genre that impart wisdom through anthropomorphic characters. Then, they chose a proverb and developed their own fables. This class has been enjoying a round of the quick geography game Worldle at the start of each class.

8th grade gave their first round of Expert Presentations this week, and each received written feedback for further revisions from Mrs. Lamb. They are well on their way towards their final presentations on May 22nd! This week, on the history side of 8th-grade Humanities, the 8th graders have been studying WWII. The rise of Fascism in Europe, the expansionism policies of Japan and Germany, and the differing political ideologies are the focus as they continue this unit.

Math

This week, pretransition math students delved into Chapter 5, where they explored the world of statistics. Students started by understanding the basics of statistics and how it helps us make sense of data. Throughout the week, they learned about different ways to represent data graphically, such as stem and leaf plots, bar graphs, histograms, and circle graphs. By studying these concepts, students gained valuable skills in organizing and interpreting data, setting a strong foundation for their future mathematical endeavors.

Transition math students who have completed Chapter 10 on Linear Equations and Inequalities are now working on Chapter 11, where they will explore Geometry in Space and Shapes. In this new chapter, students began by understanding basic concepts related to planes and points of intersection. They will then progress into representing 3-dimensional shapes on a 2-dimensional surface by creating the net shape of each object. As the chapter unfolds, students will explore topics such as surface area calculations, geometric prisms, and cylinders, expanding their knowledge and skills in geometry.

In Chapter 12 of Algebra, students are continuing their work on quadratics. This week, they began being introduced to concepts such as graphing y – k = a, mastering the technique of completing the square, and exploring the intricate process of factoring the quadratic function. From factoring an unknown variable when it equals one, to handling scenarios where A  is greater than one, students are continuing to work on unraveling the complexities of quadratic equations one concept at a time.

The geometry class is learning about surface and lateral areas of prisms, cones, pyramids, and cylinders. They are distinguishing between the many different formulas to help them calculate these areas. From the pyramids in Egypt to paint cans, the eighth grade is learning how surface area is used in the real world. They have engaged in various hands-on activities to enhance their learning.

Science

Both the 6th-grade Earth Science and 7th-grade Physical Science students have been diligently working on their science fair projects this week. They will put their hard work on display next Thursday, May 15th, from 2:15 to 3:00. They have been researching, gathering data, formulating hypotheses, drawing conclusions, and organizing their poster boards with precision. Each project aligns with the student’s current Earth or Physical Science curriculum, showcasing their dedication and passion for science.

This week in Life Science, 8th-grade students have continued working on the unit The Nervous System, with a special focus on the intricate workings of the brain. Throughout this week, students have immersed themselves in a variety of articles, honed their presentation skills through oral reports, and are currently engaging in creative ways to visually represent the distinct functions associated with each part of the brain. This hands-on approach not only enhances their understanding of neurobiology but also allows them to showcase their artistic talents.

This Week in Upper El

Posted on by Karen Sankey

There was a lot of excitement this week as our fourth graders hosted third-grade friends for a day, and fifth graders visited the middle school. Fifth graders returned from their visit enthusiastic and looking forward to moving to middle school in the fall. They attended math class, study hall, robotics, science, Spanish, and humanities with their middle school peers. Before the visit, some students felt a bit nervous about going to middle school, but by the end of the day, all those nerves transformed into eagerness and anticipation for next year. Our two fourth graders had a busy morning hosting third graders. They were excellent hosts and enjoyed their time with next year’s classmates.

In geometry this week, fourths learned to find the area of an acute triangle, and fifths completed their study of the apothem by measuring the apothem, radius, and base of each of eight figures.

Our geography lesson focused on working with scale on shaded relief and road maps. Students learned to find the distance between two points with a ruler and with the scale provided on the maps.

In chemistry, we learned how energy is produced in the Sun and about nuclear fusion, in which atomic nuclei combine to produce energy.

Thank you for your generosity and kindness during Teacher Appreciation Week. I feel adored and appreciated and am very grateful for you and your children. I have the best job in the world!

We now have the bus company’s total for our trip to Nature’s Classroom. The total cost this year is $500, including the bus. Please send your remaining balance at your earliest convenience. 

Happy Mother’s Day to all moms! I hope you have a delightful day filled with love.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead,
Karen

Mrs. Wilson: There is a Season, Turn! Turn! Turn!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

I wanted to share something with you. Have you ever listened to the song ‘Turn! Turn! Turn!’ by The Byrds? It’s a beautiful song, but I adore another version even more. It’s by Dan Zanes and Elizabeth Mitchell, and it always reminds me of the children under our care. As the year is coming to a close and some children prepare to move up, I can’t help but reflect on all the wonderful growth that has happened in our classroom. It’s truly miraculous, with every season, turn, turn, turn.

Speaking of growth, we recently included tadpoles in our life cycle study. This is a great addition to our observation of caterpillars, ladybug larvae, and root vegetables, and it offers a wonderful opportunity for children to witness and learn about the changes that occur in these creatures. The children are really fascinated with the learning experience and are absorbing all the knowledge they can.

The children’s play has shifted towards a more imaginative and cooperative style. Ms. Sara and I observe as stories unfold on the playground. It is delightful to witness their conversations and storytelling. Some children are creating birthday parties in the sandbox and inviting others to join, while others are playing hairdresser and using a rake to comb hair. A few are pretending to fight fires. Whatever adventure the morning takes them, there is so much joy in watching the children play together.

As the weather continues to get warmer, we are making the most of our time outside. This week, we took the children to our grassy lawn and enjoyed a picnic lunch. We plan to continue having our lunchtime outside as much as possible.

This week’s food tasting featured an English cucumber. Although some children may have already tried this, it was a great chance to encourage those who may have refused it previously to give it another try.

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

Mrs. Doyle: The Future Is So Bright You Need To Wear Shades

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

It’s always a little startling to realize that the end of the school year is quickly approaching. May is an amazing month because we look back to see all we have accomplished and take stock of what we have left to do. Each child’s learning at this point is very much cumulative and continues to build upon all of the skills that have been mastered since August. A perfect example of this is the kindergarten animal research project the children have been working on for several weeks. We start this project in late spring because we need a foundation of reading, writing, geography, science, and even math to be successful. I was ‘interviewing’ the kindergartners for the About The Author section of their books, and, as typically happens, several other children quickly wanted to be interviewed and share their future career aspirations. Their answers are sure to brighten everyone’s day.

When I am older, I want to be…….

  • Ainsley–       a ballerina who opens her own dance studio called “Ainsley’s Dance.”
  • Arya–            a doctor who helps people to feel better.
  • Bodie—          a veterinarian with his sister so they can both help animals.
  • Ella—               a teacher who helps little kids learn lots of stuff.
  • EmmaJo–    an artist who uses colored bubbles to make art.
  • Hadley–       a fort builder who makes fun forts from couch cushions for everyone.
  • Hannah–     a mother who makes sure all of her children are safe.
  • Harper-        a mom who loves her kids so much and takes them to the park whenever they want to go.
  • Isla–              a professional basketball player or maybe a professional field hockey player.
  • Jacob—          a race car driver.
  • Jonathan–  a house builder who builds really big houses.
  • Joseph–       a baseball player.
  • Leo–               a scientist who studies liquids and gases.
  • Maayan–      a teacher who helps everyone learn how to read.
  • Melina–        a doctor who helps people get better.
  • Oliver–          a police officer who saves people.
  • River–           a veterinarian who helps all animals.
  • Ryan–            a doctor who helps kids feel better.
  • Saanvi–         a gardener who plants all different kinds of plants and trees.
  • Tommy-         a skyscraper builder
  • Zara–             a singer, an artist, a soccer player, a dance competition teacher and a mother.
  • Zion–              a firefighter who drives the firetruck.

“Thank you” seems so little to say for the outpouring of love and kindness during Teacher Appreciation Week. We felt the love all week long and count ourselves truly blessed to have the relationships we do with each of you.

Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love!

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: The Future Is So Bright You Need To Wear Shades

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

It’s always a little startling to realize that the end of the school year is quickly approaching. May is an amazing month because we look back to see all that we have accomplished and take stock of what we have left to do. Each child’s learning at this point is very much cumulative and continues to build upon all of the skills that have been mastered since August. A perfect example of this is the kindergarten animal research project the children have been working on for several weeks. We start this project in late spring because we need a foundation of reading, writing, geography, science, and even math in order to be successful. I was ‘interviewing’ the kindergartners for the About The Author section of their books, and, as typically happens, several other children quickly wanted to be interviewed and share their future career aspirations. Their answers are sure to brighten everyone’s day.

  • Ben:  Wants to be an astronaut and go up in space to see Neptune.
  • Kian: Wants to work with Lionel Messi and be an engineer so he can build bridges and buildings all over the world.
  • Arjuna: Wants to be Wolverine and fight bad guys with his claws.
  • Levi:  Wants to move trucks and take them to different schools.
  • Brisa:  Wants to be a witch so then she can turn people into whatever they want.
  • David: Wants to drive horses all around the country because that’s what his Dad does and he really wants to do that too.
  • Daniel: Wants to be a police officer and catch bad guys.
  • Sunny:  Wants to be an astronaut so he can travel in a rocket ship to Mars.
  • Elizabeth: Wants to be a superhero so she can save the world!
  • Evie: Wants to be a princess and live in a castle.
  • Fiona: Wants to be a doctor so she can help people when their leg is hurt or their ankle is hurt.
  • Nicolas:  Wants to be a construction worker so he can use the machines to dig in the dirt.
  • Elanour: Wants to be a princess and look beautiful all the time.
  • Casey: Wants to be a veterinarian because he knows so much about animals.
  • Enzo: Wants to be a soccer player for the Argentina national team and play in the World Cup.
  • Noelle:  Wants to be a dolphin trainer so she can play and swim with dolphins all day.
  • Annie: Wants to be a vet so she can fix the animals.
  • Parker:  Wants to be a doctor so she can help people all over the world.
  • Amelia: Wants to be a Mommy and have 2 babies
  • Ryder: Wants to be a construction worker so he can operate the machines and an astronaut so he can go up in space.
  • Harlan: Wants to build a rocket ship with Magna tiles
  • Kimberlin: Wants to be Spidergirl so she can shoot webs and swing around.

A special thank you for all the beautiful flowers and thoughtful notes sent in this week.  We felt very loved!

Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love!

Amanda & Hema