Grab your green eggs and ham and get ready to play, because we are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day!

Each year, schools, libraries, and other organizations prepare for Dr. Seuss’s Birthday on March 2. Millions of teachers and students Read Across America with their friends, family, and peers as a celebration of one of our favorite children’s authors, Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Seuss’s birthday and advocate his goal of promoting and motivating reading.

Our Seusstastic celebration included wearing pajamas to school and bringing in prized stuffed animals to read to and snuggle with. We read several Dr. Seuss books including Green Eggs and Ham and then actually sampled the colorful treat for a snack. We do like them, Sam I Am. We will eat them once again!  Of course, we ate our delicious green eggs and ham on our special placemats!

There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.

-Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis

Until next week,

Cindy  & Samantha

 

The children loved preparing and eating cucumber slices this week. Of course, serving the food to their friends was an important aspect and one which they enjoyed too. When children cook in a Montessori class they are participating in many developmental activities. Cooking exposes children to math, language, and science while helping develop concentration, motor skills, and delayed gratification.

March came in like a lion, and continues to roar! Please make sure your child comes to school prepared to enjoy outside activities. Boots, hats, mittens, and a warm winter coat will ensure their comfort.

Cindy & Samantha

We are continuing our studies on the different classes of animals. So far, we have learned about mammals and reptiles. Currently, we are studying amphibians.

We are learning that:

• The word amphibian means two-lives. This makes sense because amphibians spend part of part of their lives in the water and part of their lives on land. Most amphibians begin their life in water with gills and tails. As they grow, they develop lungs and legs for their life on land.
• Amphibians are cold-blooded, which means that they are the same temperature as the air or water around them.
• There are more than 4,000 different kinds of amphibians. Members of this animal class are frogs, toads, salamanders, and newts.
• Most amphibians have thin, moist skin that helps them to breathe.
• Amphibians have a backbone so they are vertebrates.

We have also been talking about the life cycle of a frog and what happens at each stage of development.

To answer the question, “What exactly is the difference between reptiles and amphibians?” you need to look at their skin. Reptiles have dry, scaly skin and amphibians have moist skin that can be smooth or rough. There are other differences between reptiles and amphibians but that is the biggest difference we learn about at this age.

Have a peaceful and relaxing break!

Michelle & Sonja

 

We thoroughly enjoyed conferences and the opportunity they provide to strengthen our relationship with each of you.

Although a short week, our classroom was buzzing with lots of happy children and exciting learning all around.

On Wednesday, the Extended Day children spent the day in Mrs. Sankey’s class and were able  to experience a true Lower Elementary work cycle, eat lunch, have recess, and even take part in P.E. with their older friends. This is a great opportunity for the children to become comfortable and familiar with Lower Elementary as well as meet some of their peers for next year.

Please read the following message about ticks.

With last week’s warm temperatures, ticks that were dormant have become active. Therefore, it is essential that parents begin checking their children for ticks at the end of the day. Please read the following important information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively.

Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, which even includes your back yard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

 

Welcome back! Our classroom is once again full of laughter and light. We are in the last month of winter and on the uphill climb to summer.

This week our Extended Day friends enjoyed spending the day in Lower Elementary with Mrs. Sankey’s class. The children all enjoyed experiencing a true Lower Elementary work cycle with their older peers.

Please read the following message about ticks.

With last week’s warm temperatures, ticks that were dormant have become active. Therefore, it is essential that parents begin checking their children for ticks at the end of the day. Please read the following important information from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

Check your clothing for ticks. Ticks may be carried into the house on clothing. Any ticks that are found should be removed. Tumble dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks on dry clothing after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, additional time may be needed. If the clothes require washing first, hot water is recommended. Cold and medium temperature water will not kill ticks effectively.

Shower soon after being outdoors. Showering within two hours of coming indoors has been shown to reduce your risk of getting Lyme disease. Showering may help wash off unattached ticks and it is a good opportunity to do a tick check.

Check your body for ticks after being outdoors. Conduct a full body check upon return from potentially tick-infested areas, which even includes your back yard. Use a hand-held or full-length mirror to view all parts of your body. Check these parts of your body and your child’s body for ticks:

• Under the arms
• In and around the ears
• Inside belly button
• Back of the knees
• In and around the hair
• Between the legs
• Around the waist

Enjoy Your Week!

Cindy & Samantha

 

There exists in the small child an unconscious mental state which is of a creative nature.
We have called it the “Absorbent Mind.”
The tiny child’s absorbent mind finds all its nutriment in its surroundings…Especially at the beginning of life. We must, therefore, make the environment as interesting and attractive as we can.
-Maria Montessori

Montessori method is based on self-motivation to learn. Children are considered to be at work during the day, but they have fun doing it. They do go beyond life skills, learning geometry, geography, phonics, and much more. Young children have the capacity to absorb, learn, and do so much. They just need a controlled, creative environment to allow them to pursue their interests.

Enjoy these images of your children at “work”!

Have a wonderful week.

Cindy & Samantha