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, St. Lucia’s Day and Christmas.

We learned about Hanukkah by reading stories, learning about a menorah, the importance of the Shamash (the helper candle) and how to play the dreidel game (which is now a work on our math shelf!).  We even got to make our own dreidels.

We also learned about St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who inherited a lot of money from his family. He was also a very gentle, kind man who lived by the virtues of personal generosity, charity towards those in need, and taking care of the young and the most vulnerable. We learned that St. Nicholas loved to perform random acts of kindness for those in need. Many people around the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day by leaving a pair of boots outside their door. So, we left boots outside our classroom door, and to our amazement, the boots were beautifully decorated and filled with candy canes the next morning.

We read ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas and then made “reindeer food” to bring home and feed Santa’s reindeers.

We have our very own Lucia in our classroom and learned about St. Lucia’s Day, a Swedish tradition about finding light in the darkness.

We always try to respectfully learn about many different cultures and traditions. We noticed that the thread that connects all of these traditions is light, and we try to harness that connection.

A huge shout-out to parents who always help in any way they can.  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.

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

Marissa & Sue

This past week we tried to have as many calm moments as possible with all the excitement happening next week! We really dug into our Montessori roots by creating new activities in the classroom that have extra points of interest and call for concentration from the children.

We have three new sewing works out in Practical Life. We have had many “sewing circles” this week around our large community tables. Even our youngest students have joined in on the fun! We have learned how to embroider, sew a button onto fabric, and make button-closed bracelets. All these activities include cutting, threading needles, and tying knots! Although many children will not master all of these skills, we create as many opportunities for everyone to complete at least part of the work. You may start getting many button bracelets at home this week!

We also enjoyed “apple juice spritzers” as our Food Preparation this week. If you ever want to get a child to focus on their work, include making their own snack as part of it! Our Food Prep table was ALWAYS busy, and the children really enjoyed mixing apple juice and seltzer water for a nice refreshing drink.

We also starting one of three books focusing on “social thinking” or social/emotional learning. This week’s book is titled “Thoughts and Feelings,” where we learned that we all have brains (our thought makers) that are connected to our hearts (our feelings keepers). We learned that the thoughts inside of our brains affect the feelings inside of our hearts. This helps children realize how their actions can affect others.

Next week we have such a fun-filled and busy week with Christmas reading and crafts, Hanukkah reading and crafts, our bi-weekly parent reader, our holiday concert, and a birthday celebration!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Marissa & Sue

When a child works, he does not do so to attain some further goal.  His objective in working is the work itself. –Maria Montessori

One of Maria Montessori’s most noted quotes is “play is the child’s work.”  We’re sure by now you have heard your child talk about their work at school. Dr. Montessori preferred the word work rather than the word play to describe the learning process children are constantly undergoing. Work conveys the amount of effort that children put into their physical, social, emotional, and academic growth. As adults, our definition of work has a very different meaning.

Children are driven by a strong, unconscious internal growth process to seek out experiences that will meet their needs. Our role as Montessori teachers is to provide a well-prepared environment that encourages children to be independent and learn at their own pace. The children are free to choose their work and to use it repeatedly. So, while they are ‘working’ each child is also building independence, coordination, self-discipline, and concentration.

Enjoy your work!

Marissa & Sue

You may have heard your child recite one of our silly monthly poems at home! This month we are practicing our November Poem from Maurice Sendak’s book Chicken Soup with Rice.

“In November’s
gusty gale
I will flop
my flippy tail
and spout hot soup.
I’ll be a whale!
Spouting once
spouting twice
spouting chicken soup
with rice.”

The children enjoy learning poems from this book in particular. This month’s has a tricky tempo, and we are learning how to read poetry in different ways. As we get through the month, volunteers recite the poem for the class. It is challenging to remember all the words! We usually practice as a group each morning after we sing our morning song, the days of the week and months of the year, and do our calendar.

Circle time is a wonderful part of our day. It brings the class together; we sing, practice different movements, open up with questions and comments, and have a group lesson. Integrating poetry into circle time brings so many benefits like public speaking, rhyming, storytelling, comprehension, and of course – silliness! We reinforce the poem each month with paper booklets – maybe you’ve seen them come home in Friday folders! Try asking your child if they remember their chicken soup poem for November.

On Wednesday, the children were treated to a presentation honoring the meaning of Diwali.  Diwali represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.  This five-day festival is observed around the world, and its rituals vary by region. Homes are brightly illuminated with diyas (candles) and oil lamps, and people decorate their homes with rangoli.  While gathering with family and friends, people often wear fine clothes and jewelry.  We are grateful for the time and effort that Paromita Dutt Kunzweiler, Punam Patel, Supreeti Saika, Mithu Talukdar, Chamaini Niyangoda, Radha Priya Gupta, and Hema Ganesan volunteered in order to share with the children this beautiful and meaningful tradition.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Warmly,

Marissa & Sue

These last couple of months have been a 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, South America.  You may hear your children call it the pink continent. This is because, on the Montessori globe and map, South America is indeed pink. We will continue to explore the animals native to South America, map South 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.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love!

Marissa & Sue

 

When we introduce new concepts or materials to the children, we often do so using a three-period lesson. This is an important tenet of Montessori education and it helps to move the child from basic understanding of a concept to mastery.

Period One is the introduction stage. In this stage we are isolating new vocabulary to the children. For example, if we are introducing the color tablets, we say, “This is blue.”  Repeating that statement and allowing the child to manipulate the blue color tablet are crucial during this stage.

Period Two is all about association and recognition. It is often a separate lesson. We do not ask the children to remember the vocabulary or recall the concept.  We are simply reinforcing the concept taught in Period One. We use words such as “Show me the blue tablet,” or “Can you place the blue tablet on your lap?”

Period Three is the recall stage and the first time we ask the child to remember the concept independently. We ask them, “What is this?” when showing them the blue color tablet. We are careful not to begin Period Three until we know they are ready for success.

Every time a child masters a new concept it builds the foundation for the next lesson or concept to be taught.

On Monday, the Kindergarten children had the opportunity to visit New Pond Farm in Redding.  We had a wonderful time walking around and learning about the different animals that live on the farm. The highlight of our field trip was when the children used previously shorn fleece, washed and combed it and then made a bracelet to keep.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Marissa & Sue

The Montessori approach to teaching Geography is unique and comprises two components: physical and political geography, also known as Culture. From the beginning of the school year, we weave Geography lessons and terminology into our day as we learn about our physical world. The Geography materials are always fascinating to the children and are a springboard for wonderful discussions.

We start the school year by zooming way out from ourselves and studying the Solar System (we end the year by studying the human body and ourselves). This month, we are moving on to our own planet, Earth. We categorize the planet Earth into air, land, and water. We sort what we would find in each of these different components of our world. Next, we introduce the geometric solid known as a sphere to the children and compared it to the shape of the globe. We start with a sandpaper globe that helps to distinguish land and water. The colored globe comes next, and we begin to teach the continent names (we start that towards the end of the month!). We make a sphere out of play dough and cut it in half to help them visualize the concept of a hemisphere. Simultaneously, the children are learning about landforms that introduce the concept of lake, island, bay, cape, peninsula, gulf, isthmus, strait, archipelago, and a system of lakes. These sensory experiences help the children learn about their physical world.

Our goal is to encourage the children to appreciate the beauty and wonder found in the similarities and differences around the world. Our classroom has a cultural shelf with artifacts from each continent.

I look forward to seeing some of you this week for our conferences!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Marissa & Sue