Mrs. Sargeant’s Classroom – Week of June 5, 2026

“Within the child lies the fate of the future.” — Maria Montessori

As we wrap up another wonderful school year, we wanted to share a little peek into our final week together. The children spent their days revisiting favorite works, spending time with friends, and reflecting on all they have learned and accomplished throughout the year. One of the highlights of the week was Field Day! The children had a wonderful time participating in fun games and activities outside on the field, enjoying friendly competition, teamwork, and lots of laughter. Ms. Hailey, Mrs. Kinney and I were so touched that you all celebrated our summer birthdays. We enjoyed the special snack, cards, gifts, and singing with the children. It was a fantastic way to celebrate the end of a successful school year together. Thank you all!

Looking back, it is amazing to see how much each child has grown academically, socially, and emotionally. Their curiosity, independence, kindness, and love of learning have made this year incredibly rewarding.

As summer begins, we hope your family enjoys a perfect balance of relaxation and fun.

To our returning students and families, we are already looking forward to welcoming you back after the summer break and continuing our learning journey together. We can’t wait to see all the ways you will continue to grow and thrive.

To those students who are moving on to new adventures, please know that you will always hold a special place in our hearts. We will miss you dearly and are so proud of all you have accomplished. We wish you every success and happiness as you begin the next chapter of your educational journey.

Thank you for your support, partnership, and trust throughout the year. It has been a privilege to work with your children each day and to witness their growth firsthand.

Have a wonderful summer!

Last week we were lucky to be part of the audience for two amazing shows, and the students were engaged, excited, and full of smiles throughout both performances.

One of the highlights of the week was releasing our butterflies. We ended up with four beautiful ones, which was a wonderful surprise! One took a little longer than the others to emerge, which made the experience even more special as we patiently waited and watched together.

We also had our very last Sharing Bag of the year. It has been such a meaningful experience; sharing, telling stories, and listening to one another has helped build confidence, friendships, and a strong classroom community throughout the year.

Our Kindergarten students have been learning about money, practicing how to recognize coins and understand their values through hands-on activities. We also introduced new work on the Practical Life shelf: locks and keys! The students have been enjoying the challenge, building fine motor skills and problem-solving as they explore each one.

What a joyful and busy week we had together!

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, June 1
  Field Day (T-shirts will be distributed on Monday)
• Friday, June 5
  Moving Up Ceremony for Kindergartners, 10:00 a.m.
  Half Day Dismissal for All

What a week! We had three butterflies emerge from their chrysalises, and the children were right there to watch it happen. They offered slices of orange to help the butterflies build up energy before their first flight — a small act of care that meant a lot to all of us.

On Tuesday, our Kindergarteners went to Flanders Nature Center in Woodbury for a pond study. The children used nets to collect water samples and found all kinds of creatures — tadpoles, newts, insects, and more. It was a hands-on morning of real science, and the children loved every minute of it.

Extending Learning at Home

Ask your child what they found at Flanders — they’ll have plenty to say! On your next walk outside, take a few minutes to look closely at what’s living around you. You don’t need to go far to find something worth noticing.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, May 25
  No School
• Tuesday, May 26
  Sharing Bag and Flowers — Kaiya
• Tuesday, May 26
  Arsalan’s Birthday
• Tuesday, May 26
  Gayle M. — Recess

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

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.

Having an incubator in the classroom has been such an exciting and meaningful experience—watching the chicks hatch has been amazing, and it’s taught the kids so much about patience, responsibility, and the cycle of life. There’s nothing quite like seeing that moment when a chick finally breaks through its shell. Soon they’ll be heading back to Palmieri Farm, where we originally got the eggs, which makes the whole experience feel full circle. As if that wasn’t enough, we’ve also just received caterpillars to observe, and everyone is really looking forward to watching them grow and transform next.

Invite your child to look for signs of life cycles in your own backyard or neighborhood. Watch for butterflies, caterpillars, birds building nests, or seeds sprouting. Ask your child to tell you what they know about how a caterpillar becomes a butterfly — you may be amazed at what they can explain!

Our practical life work this week centered on carrot peeling and chopping — a purposeful, hands-on activity that builds fine motor skills, focus, and independence while connecting children to real food preparation.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, May 4 — Corbett Flowers, Food & Sharing Bag
• Tuesday, May 5 — Lacy Playground

Looking Ahead

• Monday, May 19 — Kindergarten Field Trip to Flanders

Independence is built in small moments, and last week our classroom was full of them. Most of the children have now mastered opening their own snack bags—Pirate’s Booty, Goldfish, chips—using a technique we practice together: pinch, pinch, pull. It sounds simple, but watching a child succeed at something that once required adult help is a meaningful milestone. That quiet confidence carries into everything else they do.

In the kitchen last week, the children made ants on a log—spreading cream cheese onto celery and dotting raisins along the top. This kind of practical life work is purposeful on every level: it builds fine motor control, sequencing, and the deep satisfaction of preparing something real to eat and share.

We are also so excited to share that nine chicken eggs are now incubating in our classroom! Last week, the children began learning about the development happening inside the eggs, and the countdown to hatching—21 days—has been a wonderful anchor for daily observation and conversation about the life cycle of a chicken.

Extending Learning at Home

Invite your child to make their own snack at home using the pinch-pull technique, or try making ants on a log together. Let them spread, place, and prepare as independently as possible—resist the urge to step in! You might also ask your child what they observed about the eggs last week and what they are looking forward to seeing as the days count down.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, April 13
  ⋅ Lucia — Flowers, Food, and Sharing Bag
  

• Tuesday, April 14
  ⋅ Ortner — Recess Volunteer
  

• Wednesday, April 15
  ⋅ Sasha J. — Guest Reader
  

Looking Ahead

• Friday, April 24
  ⋅ Parent/Teacher Conferences. Time slots are available throughout the week — please sign up if you have not yet done so.