“Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.”  —Maria Montessori

Normalization is a buzzword often used by Montessori teachers everywhere. So, what exactly does it mean, and more importantly, how do we achieve it? When children in a Montessori environment demonstrate deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work, we describe this as a normalized classroom. Normalization is achieved by consistent and clear ground rules that everyone is familiar with. It is our job to ensure the environment is always well-prepared and designed to meet the needs of the children. As Montessori teachers, we are confident that if we do our job well and the children are free to experience the opportunities provided by the environment and Montessori materials, they will thrive.

After the winter break and upon our return in January, we often see noticeable growth in the children’s social and emotional development. They come back eager to learn and raring to go! In the first half of the year, they have become comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They have developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. It is always an exciting time and sets the groundwork for the second half of the school year.

It was an exciting week back as we welcomed a new friend into our class. We also enjoyed listening to Aira’s dad read about Hanukkah, in addition to another fun book he brought. Finally, we celebrated a friend’s 4th birthday – and especially loved seeing his baby pictures!

Wishing everyone a 2025 filled with peace and love.

Christine & Fatima

“The Montessori approach to celebrating special days is a gift to children as it expands their minds, their hearts, and their worlds.”—Alex Chiu, Montessori Musings

As Montessori teachers, we embrace the knowledge that one way we can promote peace and understanding of cultures around the world is to find age-appropriate ways to introduce the children to different traditions and celebrations. While doing so in a very introductory way, it still allows us to highlight the similarities and differences of people everywhere.  These past few weeks have provided the opportunity to talk about Hanukkah, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Winter Solstice/Yule.  We do this by engaging the children through literature, sharing artifacts, and class discussions.

A huge shout-out to parents who always help in any way they can.  I know there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to afford us these opportunities.  It is so very much appreciated.  As always, if there is anyone who may have different traditions or customs to share with us, please reach out at any time during the school year.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with much peace, love, and simplicity.

Christine & Fatima

We hear the children speak throughout the day about what they hope to receive as a gift. Through literature, classroom conversations, and taking a peek into the different holidays celebrated by those around the world, we introduce the concept and power of giving as the best gift of all. We have discussed how fortunate all of our families are to have a warm house to live in and food to eat. We have continued to name some of the many things that we are grateful for. We talked about there being many families who live in our communities who do not have enough money to afford many things. Since our Middle School has been collecting food and gifts for a local family, together we wrapped a gift of cat food for the family’s pet and some of the children brought gifts and food to donate as well. Thank you for your generosity and for helping to instill a sense of gratitude and giving.

We asked each child what gift they could share during this holiday season.  We told them it does not need to cost anything, and it really is about helping others and our communities.  They could share their gift with a loved one or even be a secret gift giver and do something anonymously for someone in need.  The simplicity of their words is heartwarming.

The world could learn a lot by listening to these children!

• Aira- I would give a bouquet of flowers to Olive.
• Anaya- I would give a toy like a bubble machine because it’s a nice gift for someone.      
• Arsalan- I would give a Christmas tree to my friend Matteo.         
• Cameron- I’d like to give a sparkly shirt to my Mom and my Dad.
• Divya- A teddy bear to my cousin because she loves me, is thankful for me, and is really sparkly.
• Eliot- I can give my Mom a hug because I love her, and we can make food for people because my parents are really good at it.
• Eliana- I want to get a big teddy bear for Mommy and a big, big one for Daddy.       
• Emma- I can give a teddy bear dog for my Grandma.
• Ethan- Make a card for my Dad and my Mom. 
• Hayes- I would give a toy to a baby.
• Ivy- I’d give my Mom my snow monster because she actually likes it when it dances and plays music.
• Katie- I will give Mommy and Daddy kisses.
• Luke- I’ll give my Mom and Dad a kiss.      
• Matteo- I’ll make a plan to save the day around my house or school so nobody has any problems.     
• Olive- I’d give a kitty toy to Aira. 
• Olson- I could give a hug to my Mom and Dad and also to my sister.
• Oscar- I already bought some presents and I want to give some to my Mom, my Dad, and to my dogs.
• Otto- I will give a heart to my Mommy.
• Rayna- My love to Mommy and Daddy.
• William- I love Mommy, so I’ll give her kisses and run fast with Daddy.    

Wishing each and every one of you much peace and love during this holiday season.  Take time to enjoy the gifts that aren’t wrapped.

Christine & Fatima

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

On Tuesday, the entire Primary level gathered in the gymnasium for a Diwali celebration. Diwali is a five-day festival that is observed around the world, and its rituals vary by region. Diwali represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. It is the triumph of righteousness, knowledge in place of ignorance. Homes are brightly illuminated with diyas (candles) and oil lamps, and people decorate their homes with rangoli. People also often wear new fine clothes and jewelry and celebrate with family and friends.

Ms. Paromita and Ms. Hema, along with several parents from our community – including some of our very own students’ Moms -were dressed in traditional Indian attire and provided our children with a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of Indian culture. A few students from lower and upper elementary read a book about Diwali.  Our children were mesmerized by the sights and sounds! Ms. Paromita danced to Indian music in her gorgeous attire, and the gymnasium was decorated with beautiful and meaningful items related to Diwali.  The children were able to taste traditional Indian food and decorate diyas to take home. We are so grateful to all who shared their culture!

Earlier in the week, we celebrated Ms. Tima’s birthday. She was delighted to receive so many wishes, flowers, and cards. Hayes’ Mom even baked a delicious coffee cake, which we shared as a group, as Ms. Tima blew out a candle and made a wish. We had a lovely week in the classroom.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love. -Christine & Fatima

The children were thrilled to return this week to kick off a brand-new month. Every day upon arrival, the children come inside to see who the “Helping Hand” is for the day. The “Helping Hand” is the child who will ring the chime to let the class know that it is time to “clean up their work and join us at the Circle.” This helper is also responsible for the calendar, and they are the “line leader” for the day.  

This week, Emma’s mom joined us to read The Gruffalo, captivating everyone. Plus, Katie’s mom recorded a reading of Never Let a Dinosaur Scribble, which the children have loved listening to on the Yoto player.

We’ve spoken a lot about Hawaii, inspired by a friend’s beautiful Sharing Bag photos of his family trip there. 

In the afternoon, we’ve been reading Kate DiCamillo’s Mercy Watson series. This week, we started book number 6. I have never seen a group of children more excited to gather each day, so eager to find out what will happen next!

The kindergarten students each sewed their own finger puppets, of which they were all so proud. 

We’ve been making the most of the unseasonably warm weather, making it a point to get outdoors as soon as possible. The children love to hunt for acorns and leaves. This week, a group of us was surprised and excited to get a peek at a low-flying red-tailed hawk!

I’ll include a link to a song that has been a favorite all month: Stephanie Leavell’s Bitty Bat –  I’m sure the children would love to share it with you at home!

Looking forward to the week ahead, Christine & Fatima

What the hand does, the mind remembers. —Maria Montessori

Every Montessori classroom has a Sensorial area, and it is filled with materials that help the child study their environment through their five senses. Maria Montessori believed that sensorial experiences begin at birth for every child, and by refining these skills, they begin to understand their surroundings. The sensorial materials allow the child to acquire concise information and classify things around them. They use their senses not only to create their own experiences and knowledge but also to help them figure out different impressions each sense receives. The child is, therefore, a natural “sensorial explorer.”

Each material in this area has a built-in control of error so that after an initial lesson, little teacher direction is needed. This control of error helps a child determine what needs to happen to complete the lesson successfully. The children can distinguish, categorize, and relate new information to what they already know. Each sensorial material isolates one specific quality, such as color, weight, shape, texture, size, sound, or smell. These materials emphasize this particular quality by eliminating or minimizing other differences. Many of the sensorial materials are also the basis of future mathematical concepts the children will learn.

Heartfelt thanks to all the parents who helped in some way this week. The children have loved having our Guest Readers join us on Mondays. They have also been enjoying our new Yoto player and listening to Hayes’ Mom read The Little Engine That Could.

Emma’s Mom brought pumpkins and a huge variety of shapes for the children to choose from, along with mallets for them to use to hammer the shapes into the pumpkins. Many of the children took turns helping us to scoop the pulp and seeds. We enjoyed our fun jack-o-lanterns all week!

The kindergarten students went on a field trip to New Pond Farm in Redding, where they learned about chickens, wool, goats, and cows. They even had the opportunity to brush a cow, meet a calf, and practice milking a “cow”.  Later in the week, they worked together to prepare vegetables and made a “veggie skeleton”.

The whole class enjoyed visiting the playground to choose their very own pumpkins – and wow, did they also love the amazing, festive snack that Eliot’s family created for snack on Halloween. Thank you all for making it a fun week for our class.

Wishing you all a peaceful week, Christine & Fatima