One of the authentic and beautiful aspects of our classroom community is the desire and opportunity the children have to problem solve together. The classroom is a safe space for children to share their feelings and concerns. Second and third year students called a meeting to discuss a common issue they were experiencing. They each took turns voicing their concerns and then they participated in a discussion of possible solutions to the problem. They were respectful and considerate of each other during their meeting. One of the solutions that came out of the discussion was that they want to lead by example. They then proceeded to do a fantastic job leading by example during work cycle. When children are given a voice in their problem solving, they take ownership and responsibility for the solution. As an adult in the classroom, it was a joy to watch as they demonstrated respect, cooperation, and independence.

During work cycle, students are doing a great job working independently in the different subject areas.

When the older students are ready, they start to research topics of interest independently. They begin by choosing a topic. They select a research guide, reference materials, and write answers to the questions in the guide. They are then able to take their answers and turn them into a report on the topic.

We have many different types of math going on in our classroom with multiple materials being used for the different operations. The dot game is useful for addition and multiplication. Adding, multiplying and subtracting can be done using the bead frame. The checkerboard is a favorite material used for multiplication. Once students learn about multiples and factors, the peg board is used to find the lowest common multiple and the greatest common factor. Fraction materials are used for beginning fraction lessons in the four operations.

It was great to see you on Parent Child Night! The children carefully planned what they wanted to do with you that night. They enjoyed showing you the work they have been doing in school. Thank you so much for taking the time to join us!

We have had a full and fun week! On Monday we had a visit from the Botsford Fire Department. We learned about fire safety and prevention,  how smoke moves through a house, and about all of the equipment on a fire truck. The children even got to see their teacher dressed like a firefighter.

We enjoyed hearing Sadie and O’Connor’s presentation of their squid research. Research is an important part of the elder Lower Elementary student’s experience. We were also treated to Harper’s creative and enthusiastic book talk. Some of our students started learning about multiples and factors this week. Part of this work is filling out tables of multiples for the numbers two through ten. During Writer’s Workshop, after hearing the small moments story <em>Owl Moon, </em>students discussed in small groups, details they noticed in the story. They followed up by spending their writing time focusing on adding details to their stories.

We had a great time at school on Halloween this year. Our day started with a Costume Parade with the Upper Elementary and Middle School students. We then came inside, did some cooperative group planning for our jack-o’-lanterns, enjoyed some treats, and carved the pumpkins.

Each year, Lower Elementary students work cooperatively to carve our classroom pumpkins. This year, children were organized into groups, each group led by a third year student. They discussed, planned, and agreed upon what design they would carve into their pumpkins. After planning their jack-o’-lanterns on paper, they drew their design onto their pumpkins. We moved outside and the children continued to work together in groups to cut, scoop, clean, and carve their pumpkins. We saved and roasted the seeds and enjoyed them the next day. The children enjoyed sampling three flavors: salted, garlic, and cinnamon sugar.

Each Monday we have a short morning gathering for Elementary and Middle School students in the Common Area, organized and run by the Eighth Year Students. This is a fun opportunity to come together with students from different levels to start our week.

After coming in from our Morning Exercise, we calm our bodies and center ourselves with a few minutes of mindfulness. This week the children chose the music they wanted to listen to each day during our five minute mindfulness time.

Second year students learned about divergent, parallel, and convergent lines in Geometry this week.

After working hard all morning, students love to play hard at recess. Along with make believe, swinging, and tag games, there is usually a lively game of football.

We have enjoyed many exciting book talks. The enthusiasm of the children sharing their books is remarkable. Their classmates ask thoughtful questions and make kind and respectful comments about each book talk.

 

Children are immersed in many types of language work throughout the day. The Movable Alphabet is a Montessori material that children are first introduced to in Lower School but it continues to be beneficial for both emerging and competent spellers in Lower Elementary.

Many opportunities are provided for children to practice their reading skills. They read to each other at different times throughout the week and also spend time reading silently, learning to be still and focused.

We enjoyed hearing our first book talks today as children enthusiastically shared books they read over the summer with their classmates. Listeners had the opportunity to ask questions and share positive feedback after each book talk.

We spend focused, silent time writing each week. During Writer’s Workshop, we wrote “Small Moment” stories with lots of details after hearing one read aloud. Ask your child about “Night of the Veggie Monster.”

We have had a great week. We enjoyed making and eating applesauce with the apples picked last week. Thank you to Mrs. Carroll for the apple peeler/slicer and to Mrs. Thomas for the slow cooker. Each child peeled, sliced, and added a carefully selected apple to the mix and the results were delicious!

Children take comfort in knowing what the day has in store for them. Many students start their day by checking out the schedule to see which enrichment classes they have.

Sometimes students benefit from using a timer to keep track of how long they are spending on a piece of work, and they will choose to use one on their own. They are able to choose how much time they set on the timer and they value taking this ownership.

One of the beauties of a Montessori work cycle is that different types of work go on at the same time. The small bead frame is a math material which can be used to add, multiply, and subtract. It is one of the materials students use before moving to abstraction when completing math problems. After participating in geometry lessons, children practice their lessons to mastery before moving on to the next geometrical concept. They can choose to do this practice work independently or with a friend. This is true of work in many different areas of the Montessori curriculum. Often times, children are so proud of their hard work, they will share their efforts with classmates or teachers. They have internalized that the process of doing their work to completion is a reward in itself.

We often end our work cycle with silent reading or writing. We are noticing that each time we do, the children become more focused, more settled, and more peaceful. They are learning that this silent, undistracted time each day helps them to find more focus during daily work cycles as well.

 

We had a great time on our first field trip of the year to March Farms. We started by navigating our way through the corn maze using facts that we learned about the orchard to answer questions at each turn. We then picked lots of apples, ate lunch, and visited the goats before returning to school. We will be cooking with our apples next week.

Our work cycles are a wonderful combination of individual and cooperative work and lessons. This week third year students continued their work with measuring and constructing angles, second year students began learning about advanced land and water forms, and first year students learned to classify triangles by sides and angles.

Recess is a fun combination of make believe in the “forest”, climbing trees, swinging, and football. We enjoyed watching a few minutes of our first home Middle School soccer game.

Reminder:
On Thursday, October 19th (from 1pm to 9pm) and Friday, October 20th (from 7:30am-11:30am), FWM will be holding Parent & Teacher Conferences.

This is an important time to meet with your child’s teacher about how your child is progressing at the school. Scheduling for Parent & Teacher Conferences will be done on MyFWM.org in the Parent Module. The sign up will be open Tuesday October 3rd.

Please note, conferences are typically 20 minutes long; however, each slot is 30 minutes in order for teachers to take notes and prepare for the next parent conference.

Thank you in advance for being punctual to your Parent & Teacher Conference and for adhering to the 20 minute limit.