These last few weeks have been a particularly busy and exciting time with your children. We have traveled through space, explored the eight planets, discovered that the sun is a star, and rocketed back to planet Earth. We are now exploring the first of seven continents, North America.  You may hear your children call it the orange continent. This is because, on the Montessori globe and map, North America is indeed orange. We will continue to explore the animals native to our continent, map North America’s countries, examine topography, and study how a continent’s proximity to the equator impacts its climate.

The Montessori cultural studies curriculum provides children with an opportunity to explore the whole world, including the continents, countries, people, animals, terrain, music, and arts. Children use didactic Montessori materials to familiarize themselves with the needs of all humans for such things as food, housing, and clothing. This early cultural awareness helps cultivate independent, joyful citizens of our world.

We were so excited to have the Botsford Fire Department return to FWM to teach us all about fire safety.  The firefighter demonstrated to the children what to do in a fire, showed them the equipment the firefighters use, and each child had the opportunity to spend some time in the fire truck. The children (4 to 6 year olds) wrote thank you notes to the Fire Department, which Ms. Ildi hand-delivered.

We’re also very grateful to Ivy’s Mom for coming in to bake a gluten-free pumpkin bread, which was quite tasty. The children enjoyed the experience and were thrilled to share our bread with the entire FWM community at the Thanksgiving ceremony. Even though Thanksgiving has passed, we will continue to foster a sense of gratitude all year long.

Wishing your families a wonderful week,

Christine & Fatima

The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life. -Maria Montessori

For many, the holiday season is a time for giving. Perhaps more than ever, it is so important for our children to understand that giving does not have to be a materialistic gift. Simple and heartfelt words of love and friendship will last much longer than most anything that can be bought from a shelf. It can be an amazing and powerful gift to our children if, in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we take time to slow down and model being grateful.

This week, we asked each child to share what they are thankful for. While their messages will make you smile and warm your heart, there is beauty in their simplicity.

• Olive- my family, friends, teachers, Thanksgiving, and the Earth
• Katie- my cat, my Mama and Daddy, my dog and Sofia
• Ethan- playing outside with my brother and my dog, my family, and running in the snow
• Ava- my Mom, Dad, brother and sisters
• Otto- leaves and jumping into a leaf pile, and my baby, my Mommy and Daddy – fruit snacks, too!
• William- Halloween and Mommy, Cooper, and my cat, too
• Olson- my parents, my school, grapes and skyscrapers
• Ivy- Magna tiles, Mom, Dad, my dog, and vanilla with cherry ice cream
• Arsalan- my family, my Grandma and Grandpa, my teachers and police officers
• Emma- my sister, and my Mom and Dad because they make me breakfast
• Eliot- my lovely school and teachers, my friends, my parents, and my baby sister and brothers
• Hayes- my Mom and my Dad and the whole city – also my brothers because I like to play with them
• Rayna- my family
• Cameron-my Mommy’s kisses and ice cream from Daddy, the beach, and playing Roblox with my brother
• Aira- toys, my Mommy and Daddy, my dog, Saltines and dessert, and flowers in the summer
• Divya- my cousins because they do make-up for me, my dollies, my family because they love me so much, and my neighbor
• Matteo-my six dogs, my parents, Didi and Woowoo, also for my microscope so I can be a scientist
• Luke- my Mom and my Dad and my dog and all my family, and for chocolate ice cream with sprinkles
• Anaya-Christmas and Halloween and all the holidays, and for my Mom and Daddy, my sister and my friends
• Eliana- my family and for happy birthdays
• Oscar- Halloween and Christmas, because I love them! Also, for my Mama and Dad because I like to do puzzles with them

We are grateful for all of you and for the relationships we have built with your children.

Wishing you all a peaceful week. Happy Thanksgiving to all who celebrate! Enjoy listening to ‘Shoo Turkey’ which has been a recent classroom favorite.

Christine & Fatima