Mrs. Lopes Class

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, we began our unit on insects. The children learned the parts of an insect, and we sang the song “Head, Thorax, Abdomen” to reinforce what they were learning. We also learned that 90% of the animals on earth are insects and there are over 5 million different kinds of insects.

On Tuesday, we did our Annual Bug Scavenger Hunt. The children had so much fun searching outside for all kinds of bugs — looking under rocks, on the wall, and under the swings.

We also have 5 fully formed chrysalis in our classroom.  The children are anxiously awaiting the arrival of butterflies, hopefully this week!

Extending Learning at Home

Head outside and go on your own bug hunt! See how many insects your child can find and ask them to point out the head, thorax, and abdomen. A magnifying glass makes it even more fun!

Ms. Handibode’s Class

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Now that we are entomologists, we went on a bug scavenger hunt. Ask your children what insects they were looking for and which ones they found. For the sharing box this week, Mila dressed in her beekeeper suit and shared honeycomb from her beehives. It was a wonderful addition to our continued studies on insects and prompted a lot of conversations among the children.

Our author study this month is Mem Fox. Our favorite story so far is Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild. Veda’s dad read Grumpy Monkey Don’t Be Scared to the class. The children loved this book and asked me to read it to them again later that day. We love the excitement that books continue to elicit in the classroom.

Extending Learning at Home

Look for other books by Mem Fox at your local library — there are so many wonderful ones to explore together. If your child is still buzzing about bees, ask them to tell you what they learned from Mila’s visit!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week

  • Monday, May 18
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Hannah B.
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Playground Volunteer: Dhanishry N.
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Nature Center
  • Wednesday, May 20
    Guest Reader: Kay M.
  • Thursday, May 21
    Birthday Celebration: Hannah B.

Looking Ahead

  • Monday, May 25
    No School — Memorial Day
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Playground Volunteer: Jeremy H.
  • Tuesday, May 26
    Sharing Box and Flowers: Remi L.

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week in our classroom, there was a lot of curiosity and hands-on learning happening all around us. The children were fascinated watching our caterpillars transform into chrysalises, checking on them each day, and sharing their observations with excitement. We also headed outside for a fun scavenger hunt where the students searched for all kinds of insects and practiced noticing the differences between insects and spiders, especially the number of legs and body parts.

Inside the classroom, our kindergartners have been working hard on their autobiographies, drawing pictures, and writing about themselves, their families, and the things they love. Another favorite activity this week was working together in small groups to build Roman arches with blocks. The children experimented with balance, problem-solving, and teamwork as they discovered how the shape of an arch can hold weight and stay standing.

Strawberry slicing was a big hit this week. After washing the berry, they use a strawberry huller to remove the stem. Then they use an egg slicer to slice the berry and serve it to friends, followed by heading to the sink to wash and dry each item from the tray.

Please return your child’s Take Home Folder each week, otherwise they have no place to put their work during the week.

Extending Learning at Home

Invite your child to help in the kitchen — washing fruit, slicing with a child-safe knife, or setting the table are all great ways to practice the same practical life skills we work on in the classroom. You can also head outside together and see how many insects your child can spot, and ask them how they know it’s an insect and not a spider!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Next Week

  • Monday, May 18
    Rayna: Food, Flowers & Sharing Bag
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Pond Study
  • Tuesday, May 19
    Driscoll Playground Volunteer
  • Wednesday, May 20
    Ava’s Birthday Celebration

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

The children had so much fun preparing colorful fruit kabobs during food preparation this week. Carefully slicing bananas, threading blueberries and grapes onto skewers, and creating their own patterns gave everyone a chance to practice independence, coordination, and concentration while enjoying a healthy treat together. There is always such a sense of pride when the children prepare food with their own hands, and this activity was no exception. Some children have also continued working on our long cubing chains in the hallway, counting farther and farther each day as we make our way closer to 1000. The children are developing such patience and perseverance as they watch the quantities grow before their eyes.

As the school year begins to wind down, our classroom conversations naturally turn toward change and growth. Our Kindergarteners are preparing to move on to Lower Elementary, while we look ahead to welcoming new toddlers into our community next year. In many ways, it feels like our final lesson on life cycles – reflecting on how we grow, change, and make space for new beginnings. The children are beginning to recognize that just like the plants, butterflies, and animals we have studied throughout the year, classrooms also go through seasons of transformation.

Mrs. Sargeant: Sparkling Windows and New Wings

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, we were so proud to share our classroom with grandparents and special visitors.

Back in the classroom, window washing has become one of the most popular Practical Life works this week. It may seem like a simple cleaning task, but it is so much more than that. Window washing supports independence and responsibility, builds coordination and fine motor skills, demands concentration and careful sequencing, and offers the deep sensory satisfaction of a job done well. When a child surveys a streak-free window that they cleaned themselves, that quiet pride is the Montessori approach at its heart.

Our insect study is well underway, and the caterpillars have been a source of daily wonder. We said a bittersweet goodbye to our chicks this week. If you would like to visit them or pick up some eggs and other goodies — Palmieri Farm is the place to go.

The week also brought a sweet treat: watermelon and kiwi were shared in the classroom, and many of the children tried both with great enthusiasm.

We are deeply grateful for the heartfelt cards, gifts, and delicious treats that made Teacher Appreciation Week so special. Thank you, sincerely, for your generosity and kindness.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Invite your child to wash a low window or mirror at home — give them a spray bottle with water and a cloth, and watch their focus and pride in action.
  • Look for insects together on a walk or in your backyard. Ask your child to describe what they notice about each creature’s body, movement, or habitat.
  • If you visit Palmieri Farm, let your child lead the way — they may have more to share about life cycles than you expect!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, May 11 — Eliana: Flowers, Food, and Sharing Bag
  • Tuesday, May 12 — Jeannine: Recess Volunteer
  • Wednesday, May 13 — Lacy: Guest Reader

Looking Ahead

  • Tuesday, May 19 — Flanders Farm Kindergarten Field Trip. All children need a parent driver and chaperone — please respond to the earlier email regarding this.

Ms. Handibode: The Future is So Bright You Have to Wear Shades

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Last week brought a bittersweet milestone: our chicks have left Fraser Woods and are on their way to a farm. But the life cycle study is far from over! We welcomed five caterpillars into the classroom, and the children have been watching them with the same intense fascination they brought to the eggs and chicks. In just a short time, the caterpillars have grown noticeably, and the anticipation of witnessing metamorphosis is palpable every morning.

May always carries a particular kind of magic in the classroom. It is the month when we look back at how far each child has come since August and also look forward to what remains. Learning at this stage is deeply cumulative — every skill builds on what came before. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the kindergarten animal research project, which has been underway for several weeks. This project draws on reading, writing, geography, science, and mathematics all at once, which is exactly why it lives at the end of the year.

As part of the project, each kindergartner was asked what they hope to be when they grow up — for the “About the Author” section of their books. Word spread quickly, and soon the whole class wanted in on the interview. Their answers speak for themselves:

  • Adeline: An artist who makes the most beautiful art that can be framed.
  • Brooks: A UPS driver who delivers packages to houses and stores.
  • Charlie D.: A builder who builds really tall castles.
  • Charley W.: An eye doctor because she likes to check people’s eyes and make sure they are working.
  • Connor: A scientist who makes potions.
  • Eloise: A ballerina who dances everywhere and a mom who has six children.
  • Hannah: An artist who draws hearts, stars, rainbows, and unicorns.
  • Jasper: A police officer who catches robbers.
  • Johnny: A movie maker who makes movies about dinosaurs or robots.
  • Layla: A make-up artist who makes people look beautiful for their weddings.
  • Melia: A dancer who likes to dance to Peppa Pig music.
  • Mila: An artist who makes tie-dye shirts for people.
  • Morgan: A construction worker who builds houses, schools, and bridges.
  • Nitzan: A basket maker who sells them to people who need to put stuff in them.
  • Olivia: A mommy who makes breakfast and dinner for everyone.
  • Remi: A construction worker who builds houses made out of plastic Legos.
  • Veda: A teacher who teaches little children how to read.
  • Wilder: A scientist who studies moonstones or an astronaut who travels to space.
  • Zaki: A doctor who helps people who are sick.
  • Zion: A prophet of God.

We are so proud of each one of them — and we have no doubt this group will do all of it and more.

Finally, “thank you” feels like far too small a phrase for the kindness shown during Teacher Appreciation Week. We felt the love every single day and are truly grateful for the relationships we have built with each child and with all of you.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, May 11 — Sharing Box and Flowers: Mila M.
  • Tuesday, May 12 — Playground Volunteer: Casey W.
  • Wednesday, May 13 — Guest Reader: Nick L.
  • Friday, May 15 — Birthday Celebration: Mila M.

Next Week

  • Monday, May 18 — Sharing Box and Flowers: Adeline G.
  • Tuesday, May 19 — Playground Volunteer: Dhanishry N.
  • Tuesday, May 19 — Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders Nature Center
  • Thursday, May 21 — Birthday Celebration: Hannah B.

Mrs. Lopes: Exploring South America

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

 

Last week, we embarked on a journey to a new continent! Our unit on South America began with the children gathering around the map to locate this vast and vibrant landmass. From there, we explored the animals that call South America home and dove into the layers of the rain forest, from the forest floor all the way up to the emergent canopy.

Geography studies like this one connect beautifully to the children’s natural sense of wonder about the wider world. Discovering that jaguars, toucans, and poison dart frogs all share the same forest—just at different heights—sparked rich conversations and plenty of enthusiastic questions. The rain forest, with its layered complexity, offers a wonderful entry point into ecological thinking at the primary level.

A Friendly Reminder

As the weather continues to warm, please remember to swap out your child’s spare change of clothing in their cubby. Summer-weight layers will serve them much better as we head into the warmer weeks ahead—and, as always, comfortable clothes that can handle some outdoor exploration are best.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Pull up a map or globe together and find South America. Ask your child to point out where the rainforest is and share what they know about it.
  • Look up photos or a short video of rainforest layers — the forest floor, understory, canopy, and emergent layer — and see if your child can name the animals found at each level.
  • Visit your local library for picture books about South American animals or the Amazon rainforest. Your child may surprise you with how much they already know!

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

This week, the children have been very excited to watch our caterpillars continue their transformation into butterflies. Each day, they check on them, make observations, and talk about the changes they notice. It has been a great hands-on way for the children to learn about life cycles and practice patience while waiting for the butterflies to emerge.

We also introduced a new food prep activity: ants-on-a-log with sunflower butter. The children had fun spreading the sunflower butter, adding raisins, and trying a new snack. It was a big hit in the classroom. Our kindergarteners are also finishing up their animal research books and are very proud of their hard work. They have enjoyed learning facts about their animals and putting together their final pages and illustrations.