Last week, the warmer weather brought an extra spark of energy to the classroom! The bead chains — both long and short — were a favorite on the shelves all week, with children working carefully to count, skip count, and explore number patterns. It was wonderful to see such focused, purposeful engagement with this material.

The spring concert is drawing closer, and we’ve been delighted to hear the children humming their songs during work time — a sure sign the music has found its way into their hearts.

A favorite book this week was Come Over to My House, co-written by Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin. This beautifully illustrated story explores the home lives of children and parents with a variety of disabilities. It sparked thoughtful questions and rich conversation, building awareness, fostering inclusivity, and cultivating the compassion that is so central to our community here at Fraser Woods.

A warm thank you to Otto’s family for sending in lavender for the children to use with the mortar and pestle — a wonderful practical life experience that engaged the senses in the most delightful way. Thank you also to Autumn’s mom for coming in to read on Wednesday, and to Kaiya’s mom for providing the springtime egg art activities now on the art shelf.

Extending Learning at Home

Bead chain work at home is as simple as counting small objects — buttons, coins, or dry pasta — in groups. Try skip counting by 2s or 5s together! You might also visit your local library to find more books that celebrate diverse families and abilities, continuing the important conversations your child began in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, April 6
  ⋅ Daly Family — Flowers, Food & Sharing Bag
  

• Wednesday, April 8
  ⋅ Gayle M., Guest Reader
  

A Week Full of Special Visitors, Shared Discoveries, and Kindergarten Curiosity

Last week, the classroom was full of energy as the children settled back in, reconnected with one another, and dove straight into purposeful work across every area of the room.

One of the week’s most memorable moments came from Lucia and her brother Enzo, who brought in penguin feathers collected all the way from Argentina. They shared remarkable facts with their classmates — including the astonishing detail that penguins drink ocean water and then sneeze out the salt! The class was completely captivated, and the photos they brought in made the lesson feel wonderfully real.

Our guest reader this week was Ava’s mom, who arrived dressed as a crayon to read The Day the Crayons Came Home — and brought handmade postcards addressed to our class. It was a truly special visit that the children are still talking about.

In the practical life area, we introduced the mortar and pestle this week by crushing cloves and exploring the wonderful aroma together. This work builds hand strength, concentration, and sensory awareness all at once. If your family has something at home that would be fun for the children to grind or crush — spices, dried herbs, or similar — please feel free to send it in!

Finally, our kindergarten students have chosen the animals they will be researching for their individual projects. Flamingos, pandas, komodo dragons, salamanders, and hammerhead sharks — we cannot wait to see where their curiosity takes them!

Extending Learning at Home

Try setting up a simple grinding or crushing activity at home — dried herbs, peppercorns, or even crackers in a zip-lock bag work wonderfully. Talk with your child about what they noticed: the smell, the texture, and how the material changed. If your kindergartener has chosen their research animal, encourage them to share what they already know — and wonder together about what they might discover.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, March 30
  ⋅ Flowers & Food. Sharpe Family
  

• Wednesday, April 1
  ⋅ Guest Reader: Kochuba
• Friday, April 3
  ⋅ No School | Good Friday
  

 

Last week was filled with celebration and discovery. The children were thrilled to exchange valentines with their classmates, and the pride on their faces as they delivered a card to each friend’s mailbox bag was truly special. Every child took the time to write their own name on their cards—a meaningful moment of independence that doubles as beautiful writing practice. It was grace and courtesy in action.

We also celebrated the 100th day of school. The kindergarteners have been counting by 1s, 5s, and 10s since the very first day, and that daily practice led to a full afternoon of 100-themed activities. They drew what they would want at age 100, imagined what they would buy with $100, and listed what they would wish they had 100 of. They played Race to 100, completed 100 exercises, and tested their patience sitting quietly for 100 seconds. It was a joyful milestone, and the children rose to every challenge.

Beyond the celebrations, the children have been deeply engaged in their work on the shelves. Many have been drawn to the 100 Board, using it to reinforce their growing number sense through hands-on practice. Others have been captivated by our study of Africa, working to learn the names of African countries and creating their own maps of the continent. We also spent time discussing the Lunar New Year and the traditions associated with this celebration, connecting our classroom to the wider world.

Extending Learning at Home

To extend our Africa study, find the continent together on a map or globe and see if your child can name any of the countries or share a fact that surprised them. For Lunar New Year, look up images of the celebrations together and talk about how different cultures around the world mark the new year. And if your child has been working with numbers at home, try counting collections of small objects by 5s or 10s—it reinforces exactly the kind of mathematical thinking we are building in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, February 23
  ⋅ Guest Reader – Hennessey
• Tuesday, February 24
  ⋅ Celebrate Violet’s Half Birthday
• Wednesday, February 25
  ⋅ Guest Reader – Forgione
  

Next Week

• Tuesday, March 3
  ⋅ Read Across America Day and Pajama Day
  Bring your favorite book and wear your pajamas to school
• Thursday, March 5
  ⋅ Taekwondo Demonstration at 9:30 a.m.
  

Looking Ahead

• March 9—March 20
  ⋅ No School | March Break
    As a reminder, the Bridge to Spring program is available during March Break. Click here to register.
  

Last week, we began our study of Africa, the second largest continent. The children gathered around our continent map with great interest as we discussed the remarkable features of this diverse landmass. We learned that Africa is home to 54 countries and that over one thousand languages are spoken by the people who live there. The children were fascinated to discover that the Nile, the longest river in the world, flows through Africa, and that the Sahara, the world’s largest desert, is located on this continent. We discussed Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain, and the children were amazed to learn that glaciers can be found at its summit even though the base is near the equator. We also talked about the incredible animals found in Africa, including the world’s tallest animal, the giraffe, and the largest land animal, the African elephant. Alongside our Africa study, the children have been exploring rocks and minerals. They’ve been using magnifying glasses to examine the specimens closely, studying their colors, textures, and unique characteristics.

There has been enthusiastic discussion about birthstones, with children looking through our reference book to find their own birthstones and those of their classmates. We’ve also witnessed beautiful connections across the curriculum this week. One child noticed that the squares from the bead cabinet are similar to the pink tower, demonstrating an understanding of geometric relationships. Another child enthusiastically interrupted a geometric solid lesson to point out that the knobless cylinders are cylinders as well—showing the joy of making mathematical discoveries! The orange juicing work has been particularly popular on our practical life shelves this week, with children developing their coordination and independence through this purposeful activity.

Extending Learning at Home

Take a nature walk with your child and look for interesting rocks and stones. Examine them together, noticing their colors, textures, and patterns. You might start a small rock collection at home, or use a magnifying glass to look at specimens more closely. If your family is traveling, please consider picking up a postcard for our classroom—we would love to build our geography collection with photos from around the world!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Kindergarten parents please look for a letter in Thursday’s take home folder, explaining the 100th day of School celebration.We will be celebrating this big day on Tuesday, February 17th.

This Week

• • Monday, February 16
    ⋅ No School | President’s Day
    
• • Tuesday, February 17⋅
  • Sharing Bag, Flowers/Food – Arsalan
    ⋅ Kindergarten 100th Day celebration
• • Wednesday, February 18
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Dan D.
    
• • Thursday, February 19
    ⋅ Celebrate Rayna’s Half Birthday
    

Last week brought several exciting additions and experiences to our classroom. Hair styling has been a huge hit! The children have been practicing brushing, braiding, and using elastics to create ponytails on a model doll head. This work develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience while also being tremendously fun.

In the sensorial area, children have been noticing the connections between the geometric solids and metal insets, making observations about shapes, edges, and dimensions. This natural comparison demonstrates the beauty of the Montessori environment, where materials across different areas support and reinforce each other.

We’ve witnessed wonderful examples of the mixed-age dynamic supporting learning. Kindergarten students have been helping younger peers with the sometimes tricky task of putting on shoes, boots, snow pants, and gloves. With lots of practice throughout the week, we’re all getting better at remembering the order: snow pants, boots, jacket, hat, and gloves!

Last week also brought special community experiences. On Monday, we were audience members for the Middle School play, and on Wednesday, we were visited by Ben’s Lighthouse, who presented a puppet show assembly focused on kindness. It was an amazing experience that reinforced the values we practice daily.
We celebrated Thomas’s 6th birthday and Gabriel’s half birthday with beautiful Montessori birthday walks. The classroom has also been brightened by tulips in our flower arranging activity—a lovely reminder that spring is coming!

Extending Learning at Home

Practice the skills we’re building in grace and courtesy by giving your child opportunities to help younger siblings or cousins with their jackets and shoes. Even small acts of service help children recognize their own growing capabilities and build compassion for others.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday, February 9—Thursday, February 12
  ⋅ Food/Flowers/Sharing Bag Week – Kai’s Family
• Monday, February 9
  ⋅ Moving Up Day for Students (Kindergarten students visit Lower Elementary)
• Tuesday, February 10
  ⋅ Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. (for parents of P4 students)
  ⋅ Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. (for parents of K students)
  ⋅ Celebrate Rayna’s Half Birthday
• Wednesday, February 11
  ⋅ Guest Reader – Jessica O.
  
• Thursday, February 12
  ⋅ Classroom Valentine Exchange
  
• Friday, February 13
  ⋅ No School | Teacher Professional Development Day
  

Next Week

• Monday, February 16
  ⋅ No School | President’s Day
  

Last week brought exciting new materials to our practical life and sensorial areas. The children discovered cucumber slicing and spooning split peas with a new wooden spoon. Many children were fascinated by the split peas, which sparked conversations about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We explored several versions of this classic tale using finger puppets and different picture books, allowing the children to compare and contrast how the same story can be told in various ways.

The children showed great interest in learning the names of the geometric solids. We discussed the difference between two-dimensional shapes—such as those included in the metal insets and geometry cabinet—and three-dimensional shapes. They enjoyed playing games with their eyes closed to feel which geometric solid they were holding, engaging their tactile sense to distinguish between spheres, cubes, cylinders, and cones. Next week we will add a blindfold to focus specifically on their stereognostic sense, helping them refine their ability to identify objects through touch alone.

The cold weather meant we spent considerable time indoors, though we were fortunate to use the gym where children enjoyed balls, hula hoops, and playing duck, duck, goose—a game that was new for many of the children. Throughout the week, we witnessed older children helping younger friends perfect their mat rolling skills and assisting them with sharpening pencils when needed. These moments of grace and courtesy demonstrate the compassion and community care growing within our classroom.

Extending Learning at Home

Look for three-dimensional shapes around your home—cans (cylinders), balls (spheres), boxes (rectangular prisms). Let your child hold these objects with eyes closed and describe what they feel. Practice the Goldilocks story together, encouraging your child to retell it in their own words. Simple practical life activities like slicing soft fruits with a butter knife or transferring dried beans between containers support their developing coordination and independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

• Monday–Friday
  – Moving Up Classroom Observations
• Wednesday, February 4
  Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary students at 9 a.m.

Next Week

• Tuesday, February 10
  Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
  Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
• Thursday, February 12
  Classroom Valentine Exchange
• Friday, February 13
  No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

As the cold weather and snow continue, please be sure to send boots, snow pants, and waterproof mittens with your child. Open-top bags, such as the large reusable ones from stores like Marshalls or canvas tote bags, work best, as the bag remains open and children can put their things away with ease. Please LABEL everything so items make their way back home.

Last week, the children became scientists as we conducted an experiment using vinegar and baking soda to blow up a balloon. The children loved this demonstration and cannot wait to do it again. We talked about what it means to be a scientist and the importance of careful observation—a skill that serves children well across all areas of learning.

New Works and Growing Independence

The classroom welcomed exciting new materials last week. We added a Button Sewing work to our Practical Life shelves, which has been drawing great interest from the children as they develop their fine motor skills and concentration. We also introduced a garlic press to the fresh homemade colorful play dough activity, which has been a big hit. The children have enjoyed exploring how the play dough transforms as it passes through the press, creating new shapes and textures.

Celebrating Our Community

We celebrated our friend Remy’s 4th birthday last week. The Montessori birthday walk reminded us all of the sun’s journey around Earth and helped Remy reflect on the special moments from each year of life.

Extending Learning at Home

Practice button sewing at home using old shirts or fabric scraps and large buttons. This practical life skill builds concentration, fine motor skills, and independence. For science exploration, try simple kitchen experiments together—mix baking soda with vinegar, watch ice melt, or observe what happens when you mix colors. These hands-on experiences foster scientific thinking and curiosity.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

This Week

• Tuesday, January 27
  Kai’s Birthday Celebration
• Friday, January 30
  Thomas’ Birthday Celebration

Next Week

• Wednesday, February 4
  Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary at 9 a.m.

Looking Ahead

Thursday, February 12
Valentine’s Day Exchange is a cherished friendship celebration in our Primary classrooms! On Thursday, February 12, the children will exchange valentines with their classmates, marking a special part of their school experience that emphasizes expressing love and gratitude for one another.

We encourage you to involve your child in preparing their Valentine’s Day cards. Please have your child sign their own name on each card—whether that’s their full name, just one letter, or their own special mark, every effort is meaningful and developmentally appropriate! Please allow ample time for this name-writing process, which serves as wonderful practice. (If writing their full name, remember to use uppercase only for the first letter.)

Important! Please leave the “To:” area blank. Do not address envelopes or cards with specific names. This allows children to distribute valentines independently without needing to read each classmate’s name, supporting their sense of capability and confidence. Note: If your child is able to read their classmates’ names, they may write names on the envelopes as additional reading practice—but this is entirely optional.