Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

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

Mrs. Sargeant’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week was full of excitement, hands-on learning, and joyful moments. Here are some of the highlights:

Bug Hunt Adventure
 We kicked off the week with a bug hunt, sparking curiosity and enthusiasm as the children explored the outdoors and discovered tiny creatures in their natural habitats.

Tasty Activities
 The children practiced their fine motor skills by slicing strawberries and spreading butter or cream cheese on bagels—delicious and fun!

A Trip to the “Theater”
 We had the pleasure of attending the Upper School’s truly phenomenal production of Finding Nemo. The children were an amazing audience and all enjoyed the performance.

Chick Hatching News!
 Our much-anticipated chicks have finally hatched! We welcomed five fluffy friends—one more than we expected after candling. Next week, they’ll be heading to Palmieri Farm in Easton, where their journey began.

Grandparents & Special Visitors Day
 To finish the week on a high note, the children proudly welcomed their grandparents and special visitors into our classroom. Thank you to everyone who came to visit with us!

Enjoy the week, Happy May!

Christine & Hailey

Ms. Handibode: Nature’s Classroom

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Spring is the perfect time to go for a nature walk and bug hunt, and that’s exactly what we did this week. Going on a nature walk is a simple, fun, and meaningful way to spend time outdoors. A bug hunt is a really fun way to help incorporate what we are learning about insects inside the classroom and what we observe outside in nature. The best thing about a bug hunt? Once the children get in the habit of learning, observing, and studying insects, their reaction is less likely to be, “Aarrghhhh, a bug!”

We are so excited to welcome six baby chicks to our classroom. Four chicks hatched overnight on Wednesday and were peeping away when we arrived at school Thursday morning. The fifth and sixth chicks hatched later that afternoon. The chicks will spend some time in the incubator and then be moved to a large crate outside the zen garden. On Monday, they will be delivered to the farmer who gave us the eggs. We voted as a class on what to name our six chicks, and the winning names were Fluffy, Marshmallow, Nugget, Peach, Lovey, and Raven Hawk. It was a wonderful experience for everyone, and we all learned so much about the life cycle of a chick.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love,

Michelle and Maria

Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Spring is the perfect time to go for a nature walk and bug hunt, and that’s exactly what we did this week. Going on a nature walk is a simple, fun, and meaningful way to spend time outdoors. A bug hunt is a really fun way to help incorporate what we are learning about insects inside the classroom and what we observe outside in nature. The best thing about a bug hunt? Once the children get in the habit of learning, observing, and studying insects, their reaction is less likely to be, “Aarrghhhh, a bug!”

We were so excited to welcome three baby chicks to our classroom last week.  They spent a week in our classroom and then went home with the Neugolds to live on their family farm.  It was a wonderful experience for everyone, and we all learned so much about the life cycle of a chick.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love,

Amanda and Hema

Ms. Handibode: Head, Thorax, Abdomen…Abdomen!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

We are hard at work becoming entomologists. This is always a favorite unit of study for the children. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. We began our unit by discussing what we already know about insects, what they are, and what they can do. We discovered that insects are slimy, little, gross, soft, and hard. Insects can crawl, sting, bite, eat, fly, walk upside down, and jump. We learned that insects lay eggs and have antennae and three main body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen, eyes, and six legs. Insects are also cold-blooded, have an exoskeleton, and many have wings. Finally, we found out why a spider is not an insect. Ask your child to see if they know why.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love!

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: A Look at Our Week

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

We are hard at work becoming entomologists. This is always a favorite unit of study for the children. An entomologist is a scientist who studies insects. We begin our unit by discussing what we already know about insects, what they are, and what they can do. We discover that insects are slimy, little, gross, soft, and hard. Insects can crawl, sting, bite, eat, fly, walk upside down, and jump. We learn that insects lay eggs and have antennae and three main body parts: a head, thorax, and abdomen, eyes, and six legs. Insects are also cold-blooded, have an exoskeleton, and many have wings. Finally, we will find out why a spider is not an insect.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love!

Amanda & Hema

Mrs. Sargeant’s Weekly Update

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

It was an exciting week in the classroom. We explored different types of insects and flowers, discovering some of their unique characteristics. We’ve been keeping track of the days until our chicks hatch and looking at pictures of the development that is happening inside the eggs. We added to our Spanish vocabulary by practicing how to name different items of clothing. Each student had the opportunity to make their creative mark on our auction item, a gorgeous vase that was painted collaboratively by each of the students in our classroom. Big thanks to Ms. Sara for organizing this project and visiting us with a beautiful array of paint options. The children have been enjoying learning new yoga poses and the game of Charades. To end the week, we participated in a fire drill and practiced staying safe and calm when necessary. The children truly did an amazing job following directions, and we all gave ourselves a pat on the back!

Enjoy the long weekend with your families. Happy holidays to those who will be celebrating Easter or wrapping up the celebration of Passover.

Christine & Hailey

Ms. Marissa: Weekly Update

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

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