Ms. Handibode: Surviving Winter

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Over the past few weeks, we explored how animals survive the harsh conditions of winter. The children learned that animals have three strategies: hibernate, migrate, or adapt. We discovered that hibernating animals enter a deep sleep where their body temperature drops, their heartbeat and breathing slow down, and they conserve energy. The children were fascinated to learn where different animals hibernate—some above ground in caves, nests, or dens, and others below ground in burrows or deep in the mud.

We also examined migration, discussing why animals travel to warmer places where food is more plentiful and where they might go. Finally, we looked at animals that adapt by staying active in their environment, changing their behavior, and even their bodies to ensure they have enough food through winter. This naturally led to conversations about whether we would choose to hibernate or migrate during our cold Connecticut winters!

On Wednesday, we had a special visit from Francine Wheeler, a former Fraser Woods parent and teacher, who presented The Isle of Skoo. This interactive puppet-based social-emotional learning program used puppets, music, storytelling, movement, and audience participation to help the children explore feelings and behaviors such as shyness and frustration. It was a wonderful experience that connected beautifully to our classroom’s ongoing work with grace and courtesy.

Extending Learning at Home

Take nature walks to observe how local animals are surviving winter. Look for bird tracks in the snow, notice which birds are still visiting feeders (they’ve adapted!), or discuss animals you no longer see (have they hibernated?). You might also talk about how your family adapts to winter—layering clothing, eating warm foods, or staying cozy indoors.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 9
    ⋅ Sharing Box and Flowers – Morgan R.
  • Monday, February 9
    ⋅ Moving Up Day for Students (Kindergarten students visit Lower Elementary)
  • Tuesday, February 10
    ⋅ Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. (for parents of P4 students)
    ⋅ Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. (for parents of K students)
  • Wednesday, February 11
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Maycie R.
  • Thursday, February 12
    ⋅ Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    ⋅ No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Next Week

  • Monday, February 16
    ⋅ No School | President’s Day

Mrs. Lopes’ Class

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, we introduced a delightful new food preparation lesson to our shelves: juicing oranges. The children practiced cutting oranges in half, carefully using a small hand juicer to extract the juice, and pouring their fresh-squeezed creation into a cup to enjoy. This work combines precise hand movements, sequencing steps, and the wonderful reward of tasting something they made themselves. The concentration on their faces as they worked the juicer and the pride they felt sipping their fresh juice was beautiful to witness.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
    Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Wednesday, February 11
    Guest Reader – Devin W.
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Next Week

  • Monday, February 16
    No School | President’s Day
  • Wednesday, February 17
    Guest Reader – Regine H.

Mrs. Sargeant: Community and Connection

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week brought several exciting additions and experiences to our classroom. Hair styling has been a huge hit! The children have been practicing brushing, braiding, and using elastics to create ponytails on a model doll head. This work develops fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and patience while also being tremendously fun.

In the sensorial area, children have been noticing the connections between the geometric solids and metal insets, making observations about shapes, edges, and dimensions. This natural comparison demonstrates the beauty of the Montessori environment, where materials across different areas support and reinforce each other.

We’ve witnessed wonderful examples of the mixed-age dynamic supporting learning. Kindergarten students have been helping younger peers with the sometimes tricky task of putting on shoes, boots, snow pants, and gloves. With lots of practice throughout the week, we’re all getting better at remembering the order: snow pants, boots, jacket, hat, and gloves!

Last week also brought special community experiences. On Monday, we were audience members for the Middle School play, and on Wednesday, we were visited by Ben’s Lighthouse, who presented a puppet show assembly focused on kindness. It was an amazing experience that reinforced the values we practice daily.
We celebrated Thomas’s 6th birthday and Gabriel’s half birthday with beautiful Montessori birthday walks. The classroom has also been brightened by tulips in our flower arranging activity—a lovely reminder that spring is coming!

Extending Learning at Home

Practice the skills we’re building in grace and courtesy by giving your child opportunities to help younger siblings or cousins with their jackets and shoes. Even small acts of service help children recognize their own growing capabilities and build compassion for others.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 9—Thursday, February 12
    ⋅ Food/Flowers/Sharing Bag Week – Kai’s Family
  • Monday, February 9
    ⋅ Moving Up Day for Students (Kindergarten students visit Lower Elementary)
  • Tuesday, February 10
    ⋅ Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. (for parents of P4 students)
    ⋅ Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. (for parents of K students)
    ⋅ Celebrate Rayna’s Half Birthday
  • Wednesday, February 11
    ⋅ Guest Reader – Jessica O.
  • Thursday, February 12
    ⋅ Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    ⋅ No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Next Week

  • Monday, February 16
    ⋅ No School | President’s Day

Ms. Marissa: The Joy of Mathematical Discovery

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week, the math area captured so much enthusiasm in our classroom. The children have been deeply engaged with the concept of exchanging. We introduced The Exchange Game, where children roll a dice, count out unit beads, and exchange them for 10 bars. This playful work lays the foundation for dynamic addition (addition with carrying over). The children also learned The Snake Game, where they created a rainbow snake using the bead stair with addends of 10, and watched as the snake “sheds its skin” and transforms into a golden snake when we exchanged for 10 bars. The delight and excitement this work generates is wonderful to see!

During one lesson on four-digit addition with the golden beads, a child declared at the end that she wanted to do this work every day—a perfect example of the pure joy that comes from mathematical discovery and mastery.

With all the practice putting on snow gear, we’re all getting better at the routine! We’ve been repeating the order together: snow pants, boots, jacket, hat, and gloves. The growing independence and confidence in this practical life skill have been remarkable.

Our zoology shelf is currently featuring dinosaurs, and the children have been exploring this work with great interest. Next week, we’ll begin reading more scientific books on the topic and start our Black History Month lessons, focusing on celebrating the great accomplishments of Black Americans.

Extending Learning at Home

Practice counting and exchanging with everyday objects. Count out 10 pennies and exchange them for a dime, or count 10 dimes and exchange them for a dollar. Even organizing small objects like buttons or pasta pieces into groups of 10 reinforces the mathematical mind’s natural attraction to order and pattern.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, February 9
    ⋅ Moving Up Day for Students (Kindergarten students visit Lower Elementary)
  • Tuesday, February 10
    ⋅ Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. (for parents of P4 students)
    ⋅ Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. (for parents of K students)
  • Thursday, February 12
    ⋅ Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    ⋅ No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Next Week

  • Monday, February 16
    ⋅ No School | President’s Day

Ms. Marissa: Building Community

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

Last week, frigid temperatures kept us indoors, but we made the most of our indoor spaces! The children got excellent exercise in the gym and our Primary Open Space, using wobble boards, stationary bikes, climbing cubes, and more. This indoor time also provided wonderful opportunities for the children to strengthen their classroom community. One of the most beautiful developments we observed was how naturally the children are supporting one another. We always suggest to the children to “ask three friends before you ask a teacher” for help with work. This has been working beautifully, as we are seeing our little classroom community working together and collaborating. Watching older children guide younger friends through work and seeing peers problem-solve together demonstrates the power of our mixed-age environment. The children have easily adjusted to having me back from maternity leave, and I have really been enjoying getting to know all my “new” students! Their warmth and adaptability continue to impress me daily.

In mathematics, we were busy practicing skip counting by 10’s, working on The Snake Game, exploring addends of 10, and building numbers with The Golden Beads. These foundational math materials support the children’s development of their “mathematical mind” and help them understand abstract concepts through concrete, hands-on experiences. Looking ahead, we are excited about Valentine’s Day! February also brings us Black History Month, and we will be celebrating Black Americans throughout history.

Extending Learning at Home

Practice skip counting during everyday activities—count by 10’s while putting away toys or going up stairs. Look for groups of 10 items around the house (silverware, toys, books) to reinforce this concept. Encourage your child to help siblings or friends with tasks, reinforcing the “ask three friends” approach we use in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday–Friday
    – Book Loan Month: Quinn & Leo
    – Moving Up Classroom Observations
    – Food & Flowers: Eowyn
  • Monday, February 2
    James’ Birthday Walk
  • Wednesday, February 4
    Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary students at 9 a.m.

Next Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
    Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Mrs. Sargeant: Exploring Dimensions and Classic Tales

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week brought exciting new materials to our practical life and sensorial areas. The children discovered cucumber slicing and spooning split peas with a new wooden spoon. Many children were fascinated by the split peas, which sparked conversations about the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. We explored several versions of this classic tale using finger puppets and different picture books, allowing the children to compare and contrast how the same story can be told in various ways.

The children showed great interest in learning the names of the geometric solids. We discussed the difference between two-dimensional shapes—such as those included in the metal insets and geometry cabinet—and three-dimensional shapes. They enjoyed playing games with their eyes closed to feel which geometric solid they were holding, engaging their tactile sense to distinguish between spheres, cubes, cylinders, and cones. Next week we will add a blindfold to focus specifically on their stereognostic sense, helping them refine their ability to identify objects through touch alone.

The cold weather meant we spent considerable time indoors, though we were fortunate to use the gym where children enjoyed balls, hula hoops, and playing duck, duck, goose—a game that was new for many of the children. Throughout the week, we witnessed older children helping younger friends perfect their mat rolling skills and assisting them with sharpening pencils when needed. These moments of grace and courtesy demonstrate the compassion and community care growing within our classroom.

Extending Learning at Home

Look for three-dimensional shapes around your home—cans (cylinders), balls (spheres), boxes (rectangular prisms). Let your child hold these objects with eyes closed and describe what they feel. Practice the Goldilocks story together, encouraging your child to retell it in their own words. Simple practical life activities like slicing soft fruits with a butter knife or transferring dried beans between containers support their developing coordination and independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday–Friday
    – Moving Up Classroom Observations
  • Wednesday, February 4
    Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary students at 9 a.m.

Next Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
    Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Ms. Handibode: Literary Treasures & the Joy of Reading

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Children’s literature is a passion of mine, and I truly hope that each child who spends time in our classroom will quickly absorb not only how important literature is but also how much enjoyment it brings. Books are everywhere in our classroom, and we read throughout the day. We have a book corner in our classroom, a wonderful spot for a “brain break’ or to spend quiet time with a beautiful story. We read a chapter (or two or three) each afternoon from a chapter book. Our older friends have both private reading and partner reading built into their day. When a child says, “I don’t know what to do,” I just give them that well-practiced teacher look, and usually they say, “I know, I know, I can read!” In our classroom, we call books “treasures” and speak about how important it is to take care of our books. The children love to hear how many of the books I bring to class are the same ones from my childhood. It is an absolute joy to witness the impact of literature on every child.

We asked the children to share the title of one of their favorite books:

Adeline: Those Darn Squirrels
Brooks: The Unicorn Book
Charlie D: Astronauts
Charley W: Santa Cat
Connor: The Grinch
Eloise: Ariel
Forrest: Rudolph, The Red Nosed Reindeer
Hannah: The Three Super Pigs
Jasper: Minecraft
Jaxxon: The Grumpy Monkey
Johnny: How Do Dinosaurs Show Good Manners
Layla: The Hungry, Hungry Hippo
Melia: Peppa Pig
Mila: Daniel Tiger
Morgan: Dragons Love Tacos
Nitzan: I Really Want the Cake
Olivia: My Princess books
Remi: Zzzzzz, A Book of Sleep
Veda: The Lion King
Wilder: The Princess Book
Zaki: Cars and Trucks and Things That Go
Zion: The Lion King
Ms. Maria: We All Sing The Same Song
Miss Marisa: Goodnight Moon & Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Ms. Handibode: Jonathan Livingston Seagull and The Little Prince

We had a different kind of treasure last week in our class. Connor’s grandmother returned to delight the children with three different stories. Using props and many different voices, she entertained and enthralled everyone!

Extending Learning at Home

Create special reading moments at home by designating a cozy reading corner with pillows and good lighting. Visit your local library together and let your child choose books that interest them. Read aloud together each day, and encourage your child to “read” to you by describing the pictures in their favorite books. Model the joy of reading by letting your child see you reading your own books.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

This Week

  • Monday-Friday
    Moving Up Classroom Observations
  • Wednesday, February 4
    Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary-Upper Elementary students at 9 am

Next Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
     – Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    –     Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day

Mrs. Lopes: Winter Wonder

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, with winter in full swing, our classroom was filled with conversations about snow. The children eagerly shared stories of their snowy adventures—building snowmen, sledding, and catching snowflakes. We brought the winter experience indoors by reading several books about snow and adding fresh snow to our sensory bin. The children observed how the snow changed from solid to liquid as it warmed in the classroom, sparking conversations about the properties of snow and ice. This natural curiosity about winter weather provided a wonderful opportunity to explore seasonal changes and how they affect our daily lives. The children’s excitement about snow demonstrates their growing connection to the natural world around them.

Extending Learning at Home

Take advantage of winter weather by observing snow and ice with your child. Collect snow in a clear container and watch it melt together, or freeze water in different-shaped containers and observe the ice. Talk about what you wear in winter versus other seasons, and notice how animals and plants respond to the cold weather.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday–Friday
    Moving Up Classroom Observations
  • Tuesday, February 3
    Brooke’s Half Birthday Walk
  • Wednesday, February 4
    Isle of Skoo Assembly for Primary–Upper Elementary students at 9 a.m.
  • Thursday, February 5
    Arhan’s Half Birthday Walk

Next Week

  • Tuesday, February 10
    Welcome to Kindergarten! Talk at 8:45 a.m. for parents of P4 students
    Moving Up Night at 5:30 p.m. for parents of K students
  • Wednesday, February 11
    Guest Reader – Devin W.
  • Thursday, February 12
    Classroom Valentine Exchange
  • Friday, February 13
    No School | Teacher Professional Development Day