Ms. Handibode: A Journey to South America

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Last week, our classroom turned its attention to the continent of South America — shown in pink on the Montessori map — and the children’s curiosity and wonder have been wonderful to witness. South America is the fourth largest continent in the world, made up of twelve countries, and connected to North America by the Isthmus of Panama — a landform the children have been studying. Brazil is the largest country in South America, and the major languages spoken across the continent are Spanish and Portuguese.

One area of particular fascination was the Amazon rainforest — the largest rainforest in the world. The children learned that to be called a rainforest, an area must receive more than 60 inches of rain each year, and that rainforests are home to over 40% of the world’s animal and plant species. We explored the four layers of a rainforest, each with its own climate, light conditions, and wildlife.

We were also delighted to welcome Melia’s mom as our guest reader, who shared the book From A to Z with Energy. As always, the children were fully engaged and immediately asked for more!

Extending Learning at Home

Pull up a map or globe with your child and find South America together. Ask them to point out Brazil, name the major languages, or describe what makes a rainforest special. You might also look up photos or videos of the Amazon together and explore the four layers — emergent, canopy, understory, and forest floor.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, April 6
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers; Birthday Celebration, Connor H.
  • Wednesday, April 8
    ⋅ Guest Reader, Leigh B.

Next Week

  • Monday, April 13
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers; Birthday Celebration, Zaki K.
  • Tuesday, April 14
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration, Wilder B.; Playground Volunteer, Sasha J.
  • Wednesday, April 15
    ⋅ Guest Reader, Sam R.

Mrs. Lopes: A Colorful Week of Discovery

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, the classroom was bursting with color! We introduced color mixing using the three primary colors — red, yellow, and blue — inspired by the beloved book Mouse Paint by Ellen Stoll Walsh. The children explored how combining any two primary colors creates a secondary color: red and yellow make orange, yellow and blue make green, and red and blue make purple.

To bring this concept to life on the shelves, a new color mixing work was introduced. Each child was given three dropper bottles filled with red, yellow, and blue colored water, along with three small bowls. They were encouraged to mix the colors to create orange, green, and purple. At the end, all three bowls were combined into one larger bowl — revealing what happens when all the primary colors come together! The children thoroughly enjoyed the surprise.

Extending Learning at Home

Try color mixing at home using food coloring and water, or simply with watercolor paints. Ask your child what colors they’ll need to make orange, green, or purple — and let them show you what they know!

Ms. Marissa: Bird Study Takes Flight

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week, our classroom was alive with bird activity! The children have been engaged in a rich study of birds — doing scavenger hunts to practice handwriting, creating bird badges to use outside as they look for different species, working on puzzles, matching eggs, and painting birds. We also listened to a variety of bird calls together, which sparked wonderful conversations and lots of careful listening.

A new class favorite song, “Jenny Jenkins,” has been a hit all week. It tells the story of Jenny’s friends — a cardinal, a goose, a blue jay, a crow, a hummingbird, and a mourning dove — each asking Jenny if she’d like to wear the color of their feathers. She insists no, no, no… until the very end, when we discover her eggs have hatched and she is simply too busy! The children loved the surprise ending.

We were also so fortunate to welcome Aruna’s mom to our classroom, who taught us all about Holi — the Hindu celebration of spring. To honor the vibrant colors of the season, the children threw colored powder at each other while wearing white shirts. It was joyful, colorful, and completely unforgettable.

Extending Learning at Home

Go on a bird walk in your neighborhood! See if your child can identify any birds by sight or sound using what they’ve been learning. You might even set up a simple bird feeder to bring the birds a little closer to home.

Mrs. Sargeant: Bead Chains, Books, and Springtime Joy

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

Last week, the warmer weather brought an extra spark of energy to the classroom! The bead chains — both long and short — were a favorite on the shelves all week, with children working carefully to count, skip count, and explore number patterns. It was wonderful to see such focused, purposeful engagement with this material.

The spring concert is drawing closer, and we’ve been delighted to hear the children humming their songs during work time — a sure sign the music has found its way into their hearts.

A favorite book this week was Come Over to My House, co-written by Eliza Hull and Sally Rippin. This beautifully illustrated story explores the home lives of children and parents with a variety of disabilities. It sparked thoughtful questions and rich conversation, building awareness, fostering inclusivity, and cultivating the compassion that is so central to our community here at Fraser Woods.

A warm thank you to Otto’s family for sending in lavender for the children to use with the mortar and pestle — a wonderful practical life experience that engaged the senses in the most delightful way. Thank you also to Autumn’s mom for coming in to read on Wednesday, and to Kaiya’s mom for providing the springtime egg art activities now on the art shelf.

Extending Learning at Home

Bead chain work at home is as simple as counting small objects — buttons, coins, or dry pasta — in groups. Try skip counting by 2s or 5s together! You might also visit your local library to find more books that celebrate diverse families and abilities, continuing the important conversations your child began in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, April 6
    ⋅ Daly Family — Flowers, Food & Sharing Bag
  • Wednesday, April 8
    ⋅ Gayle M., Guest Reader

Ms. Handibode: Help Me Do It Alone

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Building Independence, One Small Step at a Time

“These very children reveal to us the most vital need of their development, saying: ‘Help me to do it alone!'” — Maria Montessori

Last week, our classroom focus turned to one of the most foundational principles of Montessori education: independence. In our hurried world, it is often easier and quicker to step in and help — to zip the coat, tie the shoes, pour the drink. Dr. Montessori understood, however, that this instinct, however loving, works against a child’s deepest developmental need.

Independence isn’t just a practical skill — it is the engine behind intellectual and physical growth. Our classrooms are intentionally designed to offer children “real work” that allows them to meet this need every day. When a child says “I can’t do it” before even trying, we gently encourage them to try three times before asking for help. More often than not, they succeed before that third attempt is even finished.

If you find your child struggling with something at home — putting on shoes, setting the table, carrying their own bag — try taking a small step back. That moment of patient waiting is a powerful gift. The pride on a child’s face when they do it themselves is worth every extra minute.

We are also sending home everyone’s snow gear this week — fingers crossed we won’t need it again until next year! This is also a wonderful time to check that the spare set of clothes in your child’s locker is still a good fit for the spring season. If your family has outgrown any winter items (coats, boots, snow pants), we would be grateful for any donations.

Extending Learning at Home

Look for moments in your daily routine where your child can practice independence — getting dressed, unpacking their own bag, helping prepare a simple snack, or watering a plant. Resist the urge to step in right away. Offer encouragement, give plenty of time, and celebrate the effort as much as the outcome.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, March 30
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers; Birthday Celebration, Eloise C
  • Tuesday, March 31
    ⋅ Birthday Celebration, Wilder B.
  • Friday, April 3
    ⋅ No School | Good Friday

Next Week

  • Monday, April 6
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers; Birthday Celebration, Connor H.
  • Wednesday, April 8
    ⋅ Guest Reader, Leigh B.

Mrs. Lopes: Discovering Africa

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Exploring the World Through Maps, Stories, and Wonder

Last week, the classroom came alive with the sights, sounds, and stories of Africa. We began our continent study by locating Africa on the puzzle map, tracing its shape, and discussing where it sits in relation to the other continents. From there, we explored its remarkable diversity — the animals that roam its vast landscapes, its varied topography, its rich cultures, and its iconic landmarks.

Picture books played a central role in bringing Africa to life. Through stories set across the continent, the children connected geography with narrative in a meaningful way — a beautiful example of how language, culture, and sensorial learning weave together in the Montessori environment.

This is just the beginning of our African adventure!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, March 30
    • Ryder’s Birthday Walk
  • Tuesday, March 31
    • Helena’s Birthday Walk
  • Wednesday, April 1
    • Guest Reader: Katie R.
  • Friday, April 3
    • No School | Good Friday

Ms. Marissa: Rainbows, Robins, and Ramadan

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Welcoming Spring Through Science, Song, and Cultural Celebration

Last week, our classroom was buzzing with curiosity about the world around us — both near and far. We continued our study of rainbows and the water cycle, and the children have been eagerly tracking whether the old saying holds true: Does March really come in like a lion and go out like a lamb? We have been watching closely!

The beautiful weather has brought some wonderful observations about the early signs of spring. One of the most exciting? The return of the robin! We have been singing “The Red Red Robin” together and keeping our eyes peeled for those bright orange-red chests out on the campus.

One of the most memorable moments of the week was a special lesson on Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, generously shared by Norah’s mom. We lit lanterns to represent the meal eaten at sundown — a beautiful, hands-on way to bring this meaningful cultural celebration into our classroom. Lessons like this one remind us that learning about the world’s traditions fosters empathy, curiosity, and a deep respect for one another — core to Fraser Woods’ mission of cultivating compassion.

Extending Learning at Home

Keep the conversation going at home! Ask your child what signs of spring they have spotted, and see if March did indeed go out like a lamb. Look for robins together on your next walk, or try singing “The Red Red Robin.” If your family celebrates any cultural traditions or holidays, we would love for you to share them with our classroom community.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Friday, April 3
    ⋅ No School | Good Friday

Mrs. Sargeant: Penguins, Crayons, and Big Research

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

A Week Full of Special Visitors, Shared Discoveries, and Kindergarten Curiosity

Last week, the classroom was full of energy as the children settled back in, reconnected with one another, and dove straight into purposeful work across every area of the room.

One of the week’s most memorable moments came from Lucia and her brother Enzo, who brought in penguin feathers collected all the way from Argentina. They shared remarkable facts with their classmates — including the astonishing detail that penguins drink ocean water and then sneeze out the salt! The class was completely captivated, and the photos they brought in made the lesson feel wonderfully real.

Our guest reader this week was Ava’s mom, who arrived dressed as a crayon to read The Day the Crayons Came Home — and brought handmade postcards addressed to our class. It was a truly special visit that the children are still talking about.

In the practical life area, we introduced the mortar and pestle this week by crushing cloves and exploring the wonderful aroma together. This work builds hand strength, concentration, and sensory awareness all at once. If your family has something at home that would be fun for the children to grind or crush — spices, dried herbs, or similar — please feel free to send it in!

Finally, our kindergarten students have chosen the animals they will be researching for their individual projects. Flamingos, pandas, komodo dragons, salamanders, and hammerhead sharks — we cannot wait to see where their curiosity takes them!

Extending Learning at Home

Try setting up a simple grinding or crushing activity at home — dried herbs, peppercorns, or even crackers in a zip-lock bag work wonderfully. Talk with your child about what they noticed: the smell, the texture, and how the material changed. If your kindergartener has chosen their research animal, encourage them to share what they already know — and wonder together about what they might discover.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, March 30
    ⋅ Flowers & Food. Sharpe Family
  • Wednesday, April 1
    ⋅ Guest Reader: Kochuba
  • Friday, April 3
    ⋅ No School | Good Friday