Mrs. Sargeant: Cultivating Gratitude in Our Community

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, we continued our focus on practicing gratitude and exploring what it means to be grateful. Each child made a special Thanksgiving placemat and shared with us what they are grateful for. Their heartfelt responses reminded us of the simple joys that fill children’s lives—family, friends, pets, favorite foods, and the freedom to play.

Ivy’s mom came to our classroom to bake pumpkin bread with the children, which will be our contribution to next week’s school-wide Thanksgiving bread-breaking ceremony. The children took turns measuring ingredients, mixing the batter, and learning about how heat transforms ingredients. This hands-on experience beautifully connected mathematics, science, and cultural studies while fostering our classroom community. We are so grateful to Ivy’s mom for her time and generosity.

New Works and Growing Independence

Several exciting new works appeared on our shelves this week. Yoga cards with a yoga mat invited children to practice mindful movement and body awareness. Cucumber cutting provided a wonderful opportunity to develop knife skills and hand-eye coordination. Soap grating engaged the children’s senses while building fine motor strength.

A stethoscope and matching miniature human organs captured the children’s scientific curiosity. They took turns listening to their heartbeats and learning to match the miniature organs to corresponding pictures, building vocabulary and understanding of the human body.

Adventures in Reading

Our older students were thrilled when we started a new book in the Magic Treehouse series: Afternoon on the Amazon. This chapter book introduces children to the Amazon rainforest through the adventures of Jack and Annie, building their listening skills, vocabulary, and knowledge of world geography and ecology. We even listened to the sounds of the Amazon on Spotify.

Extending Learning at Home

Talk with your child about what they are grateful for. Create opportunities for them to express gratitude to family members and friends. These conversations help children develop empathy and appreciate the kindness around them.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

This Week
Monday, November 24: Rayna’s sharing bag
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal AND Shafia Playground Volunteer
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Next Week
Tuesday, December 2: Eliana Birthday Walk
Wednesday, December 3: Alex H. Guest Reader

Ms. Handibode: The Beauty of Gratitude

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

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.

Adeline
I am thankful for my family because they give me hugs.

Brooks
I am thankful for my house because it’s really beautiful.

Charlie
I am thankful for the Spiderman watch because it shows me numbers.

Charley
I am thankful for marshmallows because I like to make s’mores.

Connor
I am thankful for my scooter because they go as fast as a car.

Eloise
I am thankful for pancakes because I like to eat them for breakfast.

Hannah
I am thankful for my Mommy, my Daddy, and Luke because they give me lots of love.

Jasper
I am thankful I went to Chicago to visit my best friend, Ruby.

Jaxxon
I am thankful for my fireplace because it keeps me warm.

Johnny
I am thankful for kinetic sand because I can build a big castle with it.

Layla
I am thankful for my family because they teach me how to do everything.

Melia
I am thankful for my dog because he licks me.

Mila
I am thankful for my cats, Turbo and Diesel, because they let me pet them.

Morgan
I am thankful for blocks because I like to build towers with them.

Nitzan
I am thankful for my soft blanket because I sleep with it.

Olivia
I am thankful for my family because I eat dinner with them.

Remi
I am thankful for presents from Santa because they are so much fun to play with.

Wilder
I am thankful for my Daddy because he is so strong and he lifts me up high in the air.

Zaki
I am thankful for everything in the world.

Veda
I am thankful for my sister because I love her.

Zion
I am thankful for the playground at school because I love to play outside, but mostly I’m thankful for my family.

Maria, Marisa, and I are grateful for the time we spend with the children each day and for the relationships we develop with each of you.

Exploring the Animal Kingdom

The children were fascinated as we introduced the classification of animals as vertebrates and invertebrates. Through hands-on materials and discussions, they discovered that vertebrates have a backbone while invertebrates do not. This foundational understanding helps children organize their knowledge of the natural world and appreciate the diversity of life around them.

Extending Learning at Home

Please encourage your children to put on their own coats, hats, and gloves. We are working on buttoning and zipping in the classroom. It is so helpful if you label everything so we can ensure items make it home with the right child.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Monday, November 24: Brooks M’s birthday walk, flowers, and sharing box
Monday, November 24: Bread Baking at 8:50 with Kate B
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day with 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Next Week

Monday, December 1:  Remi L’s  flowers

Wednesday, December 3: Guest Reader—Kendall H

Friday, December 5:  Remi L’s birthday walk and sharing box

Ms. Rhodora: Discovering South America

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

The classroom was alive with cultural exploration this week as we began our study of South America, with a special focus on Colombia. The children learned about the Colombian people, their vibrant music, rich culture, and traditions. Through stories, images, and hands-on materials, the children developed an appreciation for how people live in different parts of our world.

As part of our Thanksgiving preparation, we welcomed a parent volunteer who helped the children make bread. This experience connected beautifully to our discussion of Thanksgiving history and traditions. The children took great care in preparing bread that will be shared during our school-wide bread sharing ceremony, embodying the spirit of gratitude and community.

Practical Life Explorations

The practical life area drew considerable interest this week. Children were particularly engaged with suds whipping, an activity that develops hand strength and coordination while creating fluffy, satisfying peaks. Pumpkin washing allowed the children to care for our classroom materials while exploring the texture and weight of real pumpkins.

Flower arranging continued to captivate the children as they carefully selected stems, trimmed them to appropriate lengths, and created beautiful arrangements. The geometric cabinet also remained popular, supporting the children’s visual discrimination and preparation for geometry. Additionally, new works appeared on the shelves, including yoga cards with a yoga mat, cucumber cutting, and soap grating—all designed to support the children’s growing independence and coordination.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

As the weather grows colder, please label your child’s clothing—mittens, gloves, caps, and hats. This simple step helps us ensure everything makes it home with the right child. At home, continue encouraging your child to put on their own winter gear, building the independence and self-care skills we practice at school.

This Week
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Lopes: Journey Through the Solar System

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

 

This week, we started our exciting unit on the solar system. The children were captivated as we introduced the planets and their unique characteristics. We taught the children a special song to help them learn the names of all the planets in order from the sun. Through melody and rhythm, the children are joyfully memorizing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

We discussed what makes each planet unique—from Mercury’s proximity to the sun to Neptune’s distant, cold atmosphere. The children explored new planet lessons that appeared on our science shelf this week, allowing them to independently discover fascinating facts about our solar system. Their curiosity about space and our place in the universe continues to grow each day.

Community Connection Through Cooking

On Tuesday, Nicolas’s mom, Vanessa, came to our classroom to help us make pumpkin playdough. The children enjoyed mixing the ingredients together and then playing with the dough using rollers and cookie cutters. This sensorial experience allowed them to explore texture, develop fine motor skills, and practice following a sequence of steps.

On Thursday, Hadley’s mom, Petra, helped us make bread for next Tuesday’s Thanksgiving Ceremony. Each child took part in adding ingredients and mixing the dough for the pumpkin bread we will be sharing with the school community. Through this meaningful work, the children learned about measurements, the transformation of ingredients, and the joy of contributing to a community celebration.

Extending Learning at Home

Point out the moon and stars with your child on clear evenings. Talk about how Earth is one planet among many in our solar system. If you have the opportunity, share stories about space exploration or look at pictures of the planets together.


UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Tuesday, November 25: Playground Volunteer–Jason L.
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Ms. Handibode: From Outer Space to Our Orange Continent

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

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The last few weeks have taken us on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos. The children traveled through space, explored the eight planets, and discovered that our sun is actually a star. After rocketing back to planet Earth, we turned our focus to 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 beautifully colored in orange.

The children worked with didactic Montessori materials to familiarize themselves with the continent’s geography. We mapped North America’s countries, examined its diverse topography, and studied how a continent’s proximity to the equator impacts its climate. We also began discovering the animals native to our continent. The Montessori cultural studies curriculum provides children with an opportunity to explore the whole world, including continents, countries, people, animals, terrain, music, and arts. Through these materials, children learn about the needs of all humans for food, housing, and clothing. This early cultural awareness helps cultivate independent, joyful citizens of our world.

Our guest reader this week was Remi’s dad, who shared Road Crew, Coming Through! Everyone loved this rhyming book about construction crews building a superhighway. The children’s faces lit up with each turn of the page!

The kindergartners reached an exciting milestone this week as they started writing their three-page stories. They are brimming with enthusiasm and can’t wait to share their completed works with everyone.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Look at a world map or globe together and locate North America, then find your state and town
  • Discuss which animals might live in different parts of North America based on the climate (polar bears in the north, alligators in the south)
  • Encourage your child to tell you a story, helping them understand that stories have a beginning, middle, and end

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The weather is getting colder and we go outside most days. Please make sure your child has gloves, hats, and winter coats for those chilly outdoor adventures. Label everything!

This Week

Monday, November 17: Veda N’s birthday walk, flowers, and sharing box
Tuesday, November 18: Playground Volunteer—Darshy N
Wednesday, November 19: Guest Reader—Tanya A

Next Week
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Lopes: Cultivating Gratitude in Our Classroom Community

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, the classroom was filled with heartfelt conversations about gratitude. The children shared what they are thankful for, from family members and beloved pets to sunny days and special friendships. We read books that reinforced the beauty of gratefulness, exploring how expressing thanks strengthens our classroom community and spreads joy to those around us.

One of the highlights of our week was writing thank-you letters to the firefighters who visited our school last Friday. The children carefully crafted their letters, some drawing pictures of fire trucks while others practiced their emerging writing skills to express their appreciation. This practical life activity not only developed fine motor skills and early literacy but also cultivated compassion and awareness of the helpers in our community. The children’s genuine excitement about sending these letters reminded us how naturally gratitude flows when given the opportunity to express it.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Practice saying “thank you” throughout daily routines—when receiving meals, getting help with tasks, or spending time together as a family
  • Create a gratitude jar where family members can drop notes about things they’re thankful for, then read them together at dinner or bedtime
  • Talk about community helpers you encounter in your neighborhood and discuss how their work helps others

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please continue to check your child’s folder for any upcoming school-wide events and seasonal celebrations.

This Week
Thursday, November 20: Classroom Bread Baking 9:30am with Hadley’s Mom, Petra

Next Week
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Ms. Rhodora: South American Adventures and Sensory Discoveries

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

Last week opened a new window to the world as we introduced the children to South America! We explored Brazilian culture, music, and language, and began learning about how people live in different parts of this vibrant continent. This cultural exploration connects to Fraser Woods’ mission of helping children appreciate the beauty and diversity of our global community.

The children continued their exploration of the five senses through hands-on experiences. These sensorial activities help develop the children’s ability to observe, classify, and articulate their experiences—foundational skills for all future learning.

A favorite practical life activity this week was soap grating! The children carefully used graters to create soap flakes, developing their fine motor coordination and concentration while engaging multiple senses. The satisfying sound of the grater, the fresh scent of the soap, and the transformation of a solid bar into delicate flakes captivated the children. Some children grated for extended periods, demonstrating the deep concentration that emerges during purposeful work. These soap flakes will be used for future classroom activities, giving the children ownership over preparing materials for their community.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Play a “five senses game” during meals—describe food using sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound
  • Listen to music from different countries together and notice how instruments and rhythms vary across cultures
  • Let your child help with safe kitchen tasks like grating cheese or washing vegetables to build practical life skills

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminder to please label all mittens and hats.

Next Week

  • Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
  • Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Sargeant: Exploring the Human Body and Practicing Gratitude

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

Last week marked the beginning of an exciting new unit of study: the human body. The children’s eyes widened with wonder as they discovered X-rays showing the human skeleton from skull to phalanges. They carefully assembled these puzzle-like X-rays, learning the names and locations of major bones while developing their fine motor skills and spatial awareness. This study connects perfectly to Fraser Woods’ mission of helping children become “the best version of themselves”—understanding our bodies helps children appreciate the amazing capabilities they possess.

The sensorial area drew significant interest this week. Children gravitated toward the triangle box, knobbed and knobless cylinders, binomial and trinomial cubes, and geometric solids. These self-correcting materials allow children to refine their visual discrimination and develop their mathematical minds while building confidence through independent problem-solving.

Grace and courtesy flourished during our food preparation activities. This week, children carefully cut clementines, apples, and pears, then walked around the classroom offering the fresh fruit to their peers. These moments beautifully demonstrate compassion in action—children taking care to prepare something special and generously sharing with their classroom community.

We welcomed two middle school visitors this week who helped our children complete their work. The children loved receiving guidance from these older students, and our visitors were impressed by the focus and capability of our young learners. 

The children continued building their understanding of North American geography, learning the names and locations of countries while working with the map. We’ve also been reading books and having rich discussions about gratitude and the things we’re thankful for, perfect for this season of appreciation.

A bit of excitement arrived on Tuesday afternoon when a very quick snow shower blew through! The children rushed to the windows to watch the flurries dance through the air.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Talk about body parts and their functions during bath time or bedtime routines
  • Practice gratitude by sharing one thing you’re each thankful for at dinner
  • Let your child help prepare snacks for the family, emphasizing the joy of serving others

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, November 17: Ellie’s flowers, food, and sharing bag
  • Thursday, November 20: Bread baking

Next Week

  • Monday, November 24: Rayna’s flowers, food, and sharing bag AND Shafia Playground Volunteer
  • Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
  • Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

It’s starting to get chilly, so please make sure your child has a warm coat to wear outdoors!