Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

This week has been filled with so much excitement as our classroom experienced two very special events.

First, after weeks of anticipation, our chicken eggs have hatched! The children have been observing the incubator with great care, tracking the days and learning about the life cycle of a chicken. Witnessing the tiny chicks break free from their shells brought joy and amazement to us all. It was a beautiful lesson in patience, responsibility, and the miracle of life.

Adding to the joy, we also welcomed our beloved grandparents and special friends into the classroom. Their presence brought warmth and stories that connected generations. The children were proud to share their work, from bead chains to puzzles to painting – and the grownups’ eyes lit up with curiosity and pride. It was a reminder of the powerful role family and friends play in our children’s learning journeys.

Both moments—the hatching of new life and the gathering of generations—beautifully reflect the heart of Montessori education: nurturing wonder, connection, and lifelong learning.

Have a great weekend!

Marissa & Sue


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

In addition to watching our eggs form into baby chicks, we’ve begun a study on backyard birds! This study ties together a variety of subjects, including biology, art, and geography, as the children learn to classify birds by species, understand their unique characteristics, and even compare different types of birds that can be found in our local environment.

Through this process, the children are learning about bird anatomy, habitat, and behavior. They are also beginning to understand the importance of birds in our ecosystem, their role in pollination, and how we can take care of our local wildlife. The children have been excitedly pointing out birds they see outside the classroom and sharing bird stories from home (like seeing robins hop in front yards!).

If you want to encourage some bird love at home, here are some things you can do with your child:

  • Going on nature walks: Take time to observe birds and other animals in your neighborhood. See if your child can identify the birds using their new knowledge.

  • Setting up a bird-watching station: If you have a backyard, try creating a simple bird feeder or birdhouse. This will give your child the opportunity to observe and care for the birds in their own environment.

  • Reading bird books: There are so many beautiful picture books and field guides about birds that can help reinforce what they are learning.

Have a lovely weekend!

Marissa & Sue


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Something VERY exciting happened in our classroom this week! We have baby chick eggs incubating! In April, we study birds, so this observation fits right in with our new unit.

We get to see the eggs rotate in their warm and cozy incubator, and we have a countdown calendar. It should take about 21 days for the chicks to hatch, and each day, we see a new illustration of what is happening inside the eggs.

Once the baby chicks hatch, they will go back to the farm that they came from, located in Easton. We thank Mrs Sargeant for arranging the eggs for us!

When we can bring real-life experiences into our classroom to deepen our understanding of our lessons, it is Montessori in action! Ask your child about our eggs!


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

In a Montessori classroom, learning is often a hands-on experience that invites curiosity and fosters a sense of wonder. One of the most captivating subjects for young learners is the world of colors. A study of rainbows and the science of color mixing is an exciting way to engage children in discovering the beauty and magic of the world around them. Recently, our classroom embarked on an exploration of rainbows, primary colors, and the fascinating process of color mixing!

Once the students were familiar with the idea of a rainbow and the variety of colors it holds, we delved into the core concept of color theory—the primary colors: red, blue, and yellow. We used Montessori color materials like the color tablets to visually explore and differentiate between these hues. The tactile nature of the materials, paired with the children’s natural inclination to touch and explore, made this lesson particularly engaging.

Through sorting activities, students were able to identify and arrange primary colors, gaining an understanding that these colors cannot be created by mixing other colors. This revelation led to our next exciting step—color mixing!

With the foundational understanding of primary colors, it was time for the children to explore the art and science of mixing colors. The children were free to use red, yellow, and blue in any combination they wished to see what would happen. It’s been an exciting week!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Marissa & Sue


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

As we continue our study of rainbows (a very popular topic every year!), we are also dipping our toes into the water cycle! We have learned big words like evaporation, condensation and precipitation. The kindergarten students have set up an experiment to see if we can see condensation happen. We drew a lake, clouds, and a sun on a gallon-sized Ziploc bag and hung it up in a window. The heat from the sun will heat the water, and we will see little droplets of water start to rise!

The children were very excited to get back to the classroom after our Spring Break. They were very focused, happy to see their friends, and enjoyed so much beautiful weather this week. It is so rewarding to see your children grow as the year goes on. Our littlest friends are involved in more and more challenging activities, starting to learn their letter sounds and even lending helping hands to others. We love seeing the growth!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Marissa & Sue

Read the March 8 blog post here.


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

The month of March brings our study of rainbows! We all are anxiously waiting for Spring weather, so why not bring it into the classroom?! We will be learning all about rainbows, weather, and the water cycle with some fun hands-on experiments upon our return from break. This week, the children have been having fun learning the order of all the colors in the rainbow. We have also been practicing a fun poem; ask your child if they can recite it with you!

Rainbow, rainbow in the sky,
Peeping out as clouds go by.
Red, orange, yellow, green and blue,
There is purple in there, too!

Have a wonderful Spring Break, and hopefully, the weather cooperates for some fun outside time!


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Read Across America is a national event celebrated on March 2nd, the birthday of Dr. Seuss. This initiative was created by the National Education Association and implemented to encourage a love of reading in children. At FWM, we also turn that day into Pajama Day, and the children bring their favorite book to share. We hope you enjoy the pictures.

An online article from nationaldaycalendar.com has some beautiful ideas on how to motivate children to read wherever they are.

  • Keep books everywhere you spend time. Put them in the car, in every room of the house, and tuck them in backpacks and purses. Make them easily accessible.
  • Visit the library often. Knowing how to use the library and learning the benefits of a library fosters a love of reading as well as genuine respect for the services libraries provide.
  • Get caught reading. Children imitate what they see the adults around them do. Whether they see you read a magazine, newspaper, or novel, let them know reading is the cool thing to do.
  • Read to your children. No matter their age, reading aloud strengthens their vocabulary and language skills. It also opens up opportunities for discussion.
  • Have your children read to you, too. You never know what you might learn!

Reading is an integral part of each school day. I hope that Ms. Sue and I can pass on our passion for literature to your children.

Happy Reading!

Marissa & Sue


Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

This Thursday was our 100th day of school! In the afternoon, we celebrated this momentous occasion with our Kindergarten crew.

Students counted and brought in 100 items from home; we had a 100-item snack, played many games, and did crafts.

My favorite game is “Race to 100!” In it, children play side by side, rolling a die and continually adding a number to their last until they reach 100!

Kindergarteners are experts on our beloved 100 Board in the classroom, and this tradition is such a fun way to celebrate their hard work!