Lower Elementary has begun research projects and has been immersed in research all week! Each child has been given categories to choose from, and everyone has made their choice. The students have been fully engaged in their chosen categories, fostering a sense of shared focus within the class. Each child has selected a topic, and this collective endeavor provides an excellent opportunity for older students to assume mentoring roles, supporting their younger peers who are new to the world of research. To initiate the projects, the students began by brainstorming what they already knew about their chosen topics and formulated questions to guide their exploration. This collaborative effort has sparked genuine excitement about their upcoming projects.

First-year students will make posters with information about their topics, second-year students will make posters and write research papers, and third-year students will make presentation boards, write papers, and give oral presentations. All of this work will be done at school.

More information will come about our upcoming Research Night on March 7th!

In honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Lower Elementary students celebrated his good work. We read the powerful story, Martin’s Dream Day, which facilitated a great conversation about segregation, equal rights, and the power of using our words. Afterward, we talked about Martin’s Dream: equality, love, peace, and inclusion. As a follow-up activity, we collectively brainstormed adjectives to describe Martin and explored our own aspirations for a better world and personal growth.

Alongside our exploration of Martin Luther King Jr. this week, the children enthusiastically embraced our new unit on measurement. The students found joy in closely observing rulers and discovering the numerical increments up to 12. Our discussions focused on the understanding that each number corresponds to an inch, emphasizing this as a fundamental unit for measuring various objects. To start, students are acquiring the skill of measuring lines of varying sizes, with the intention of progressing to more intricate objects as they advance in their learning.

This week has been an exciting and educational journey for our elementary students as they delve deep into the world of biology.

The first grader’s young minds are captivated by the world of amphibians, particularly the intriguing frog. The focus is on understanding the external parts of these fascinating creatures. From the sleek skin to the webbed feet, our first graders are gaining a comprehensive understanding of the external features that make amphibians unique.

Second graders are taking their studies a step further by exploring the internal functions of a frog’s body. From support and protection to movement, circulation, reproduction, respiration, and digestion, these budding scientists are unraveling the mysteries of how these remarkable creatures operate on the inside. It’s a journey into the intricate mechanisms that keep amphibians thriving in their environments.

Meanwhile, the third grade is immersing themselves in the world of botany. Their focus this week was on the external parts of moss. With curiosity in their eyes, students are not just learning from classroom materials but also getting hands-on experience. One highlight of the week was the opportunity to study moss under microscopes, guided by the expertise of Mr. Brown, the middle school science teacher. This firsthand experience has ignited a passion for discovery and understanding the intricate details of plant life.

A Montessori classroom is a sanctuary dedicated to the well-being and development of children. Our primary focus, as adults within this space, is on what serves the best interests of the children. Consequently, we approach them with the utmost respect, safeguarding their right to concentrate on their work without disruptions from peers, entering adults, or even ourselves.

Maria Montessori’s wisdom guides our approach: “To assist a child, we must provide him with an environment that will enable him to develop freely.” In alignment with this philosophy, we recognize that children, as leaders in this environment, should not be hindered by unnecessary distractions from adults. Each child in the Montessori classroom is on a journey toward independence, and our role is to facilitate this process.

Success in fostering independence hinges on empowering the children to solve their own problems, establishing a consistent and predictable routine, and creating opportunities for independent work. Within our Montessori community, we prioritize the growth of independence in every child. Our goal is to cultivate an environment where they feel both comfortable and confident, trusting that adults will respect their surroundings. This commitment fosters independence, contributing to the children’s development and shaping their character as they progress.

Wishing you a joyous New Year filled with laughter, love, and exciting adventures!

It’ was heartwarming to hear the children’s enthusiasm and to watch their hard work in preparing their personal narratives. The publishing party  was such a special occasion for both the young writers and their loved ones. Your support undoubtedly made a significant impact on their confidence and sense of accomplishment. Encouraging and celebrating children’s creative efforts fosters a positive learning environment. Kudos to everyone involved in making this event a success!

The children have been working SO hard the past few weeks in preparation for the holiday concert. Many had pre-concert nerves and jitters but once they got up there, everybody performed liked the stars that they are. It was so nice to see so many of your faces in the crowd cheering on your kiddos!

Mary, Angie and I wish you all a healthy and happy holiday break! Enjoy this special time with your kiddos. See you in 2024!

The Lower Elementary had a busy week completing their work. The highlight of the week was attending the middle school play, “Chef Showdown.” Their support for one another truly embodies our school’s wonderful sense of community. After the play, they engaged with the middle school students for a Q & A session, asking insightful questions about the production and eagerly listening to the creative process behind it. One Lower Elementary student shared with the middle school, “You inspired Lower EL!”

In preparation for the upcoming holiday concert on December 14th, the students had a full school dress rehearsal on Thursday. Their hard work and dedication are evident, and we hope to see everyone there to support them!

The children have been working diligently preparing for our upcoming Publishing Party next Wednesday, the 13th. We hope to see all of you there!

Lower Elementary students participate in weekly class meetings. The purpose of class meetings is to identify problems brought up by the children and brainstorm solutions as a community to fix the issue moving forward. When children feel involved in brainstorming and creating solutions, they are more likely to follow them. For example, this week, the problem we discussed was that people were writing on materials in the class. After a discussion, the children voted that they would erase writing that does not belong on materials as well as give friendly reminders if they see a friend doing so. Class meetings allow students to learn valuable social and life skills, build good character, and develop a sense of community.

Below, I listed some more details.

• Our class meetings will take place 2-3 times per week.
• There are jobs during Class Meetings:
  • Facilitator (I do this): Keeps the meeting on track, moves the meeting along, facilitates respectful sharing
  • Time Keeper (child’s job): Keeps track of the timing of each meeting segment and lets us know when the time is up
  • Scribe (I do this): Records the brainstormed suggestions of the class on chart paper
  • Secretary (child’s job): Records the problem and solutions in a notebook, which is a permanent record of the meetings and is accessible to all students anytime
• There are four sections to the Class Meeting:
  • Compliments and Appreciations: This is a five to eight-minute opening where each person can give and receive a compliment or a thank you.
  • Review of a past agenda item: The secretary reads one problem and solution from a previous meeting with a quick discussion to review how it’s going.
  • Brainstorming: The person who added the agenda item being discussed shares it, and we take turns brainstorming solutions. After the brainstorming, we vote (if it’s a class problem), or the person who shared the item chooses a solution (if it’s not a whole-class issue).
  • Connection Activity: This is a fun closing where we share jokes, riddles, or two-minute mysteries.

To deepen the students’ understanding of Diwali, our school organized a special presentation led by enthusiastic staff members and parents from the community. One highlight of the presentation was the dance performances. The students couldn’t resist joining in, their laughter and dance moves reflecting the sheer joy of the occasion. No celebration is complete without some food, and our Diwali festivities were no exception. Parents and community members generously contributed some delicious treats, allowing the children to get a taste of different cuisines.

Another highlight of the week was our class field trip to the CT Science Center. This place proved to be a treasure trove of knowledge and excitement for all ages. From interactive exhibits showcasing the wonders of space to demonstrations on the laws of physics, every corner of the center seemed to spark curiosity and amazement. The children, in particular, were captivated by the engaging displays and the chance to conduct their own experiments. Some other exhibits we explored were the Engineering Lab, Forces in Motion, Sight/Sound, and many more! Thank you again to the parent volunteers who came with us.