Mrs. Doyle: Gifts From The Heart

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

We hear the children speak throughout the day about what they hope to receive as a gift. Through literature, classroom conversations, and taking a peek into the different holidays celebrated by those around the world, we introduce the concept and power of giving as the best gift of all.

We asked each child what gift they could share during this holiday season.  We told them it does not need to cost anything, and it really is about helping others and our communities.  They could share their gift with a loved one or even be a secret gift giver and do something anonymously for someone in need.  The simplicity of their words is heartwarming.

The world could learn a lot by listening to these children!

Ainsley–  I can make pizza and pasta for my family.
Arya–I can help my Grandpa clean the house.
Bodie–  I can help my Nanny and Papa fix things when they are broken.
Ella–  I can plant Lilies to make the world more beautiful.  Lily is my middle name too.
EmmaJo–  I can help take care of my guinea pigs.
Hadley–I can help clean up the big triangle forts I make with my Mommy and Daddy
Hannah–  I can do the dishes to help my mom.
Harper–  I can help Spencer pick up his toys.
Isla–I can help my neighbor grow vegetables in his garden.  He shares a lot of food with us, so I should probably help him.
Jacob–I can donate stuff in my house I don’t need anymore.
Jonathan–I can help my daddy fix the engine in his broken car.
Joseph–I can share my Paw Patrol cars with my sister.
Leo–.I can teach everyone how to count by 10’s.
Maayan– I can help Mommy clean up the toys in my house.
Melina–I can teach people how to color because I am really good at it.
River–I can help my mom wash the dishes.
Ryan–I can teach Poppy how to put her coat on.
Saanvi–I can give a hug to someone who is sad.
Tommy–I can teach people all about space because I know so much about it.
Zara–I can be kind to everyone I meet.
Zion–I can read The Snowman book to people who don’t have it.

Wishing each and every one of you much peace and love during this holiday season.  Take time to enjoy the gifts that aren’t wrapped.

Warmly,

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: Gifts From the Heart

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

We hear the children speak throughout the day about what they hope to receive as a gift. Through literature, classroom conversations, and taking a peek into the different holidays celebrated by those around the world, we introduce the concept and power of giving as the best gift of all.

We asked each child what gift they could share during this holiday season.  We told them it does not need to cost anything, and it really is about helping others and our communities.  They could share their gift with a loved one or even be a secret gift giver and do something anonymously for someone in need.  The simplicity of their words is heartwarming.

The world could learn a lot by listening to these children!

Amelia– I can give my Mommy hugs to make her happy.
Annie– I can plant flowers with Mommy in the garden to make it look beautiful.
Arian— I can help clean up when I make a mess at home.
Arjuna– I can help Mommy run the dishwasher.
Ben– I can help take care of my pet rabbits.
Brisa– I can help take care of my baby brother Theo.
Casey– I can be nice to my brothers.
Daniel– I can share my toys with my sister Helena.
Elanour– I can help clean up my food.
Elizabeth– I can help my Grandma cook.
Enzo– I can bring medicine to my sister Lucia when she is sick.
Evie– I can make Ruscher happy by playing hide and seek with him.
Fiona– I can share my old toys in my playroom with kids who don’t have any.
Harlan– I can help my Mom fix my Darth Vader toy because it was broken.
Kian– I can help put together the soccer net with my Dad.
Kimberlin– I can help make the guacamole and salad with Mom and Dad for dinner.
Levi– I can help cook dinner with Mommy and Daddy.
Nicolas– I can help Mommy clean up.
Noelle– I can make my sister Marlowe happy by making her feel better when she cries.
Ryder– I can help Mom cook sweet potato casserole.

Wishing each and every one of you much peace and love during this holiday season.  Take time to enjoy the gifts that aren’t wrapped.

Warmly,

Amanda & Hema

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, along with the entire school community, we ushered in the season of gratitude. The Middle School hosted a Thanksgiving celebration, symbolizing the spirit of kindness and unity. Students from each level, Primary – Middle School, presented The Story of the Four Elements and then, a group of students, teachers, and staff, shared cultural blessings of gratitude in the native language of that culture, before sharing the bread that was baked by all the students. Our class sat quietly, completely enthralled and excited to see the familiar faces of their middle school mentors. 

Special thanks to the Huttemann and Sabath families for generously providing all the ingredients so that we could bake banana-blueberry bread to contribute to the special gathering. The children absolutely loved the entire baking process – washing hands, mashing, measuring, mixing, stirring, sniffing, bringing the bread to and from the oven, and finally tasting the bread. (The children made muffins to share as a class, but we baked bread to share at the communal feast.)

A few favorites from the week have been reading Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What do you Hear? Reading, singing, and acting out I’m Going on a Bear Hunt, and singing  Give Yourself a Bear Hug by Stephanie Leavell.

Wishing you all a perfect balance of relaxation and fun this weekend, Christine & Lizette

Mrs. Doyle: It’s Off To Work I Go!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

When a child works, he does not do so to attain some further goal.  His objective in working is the work itself. –Maria Montessori

One of Maria Montessori’s most noted quotes is “play is the child’s work.”  We’re sure by now you have heard your child talk about their work at school. Dr. Montessori preferred the word work rather than the word play to describe the learning process children are constantly undergoing. Work conveys the amount of effort that children put into their physical, social, emotional, and academic growth. As adults, our definition of work has a very different meaning.

Children are driven by a strong, unconscious internal growth process to seek out experiences that will meet their needs. Our role as Montessori teachers is to provide a well-prepared environment that encourages children to be independent and learn at their own pace. The children are free to choose their work and to use it repeatedly. So, while they are ‘working’ each child is also building independence, coordination, self-discipline, and concentration.

Enjoy your work!

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: It’s Off to Work I Go!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes


When a child works, he does not do so to attain some further goal.  His objective in working is the work itself. –Maria Montessori

One of Maria Montessori’s most noted quotes is “play is the child’s work.”  We’re sure by now you have heard your child talk about their work at school. Dr. Montessori preferred the word work rather than the word play to describe the learning process children are constantly undergoing. Work conveys the amount of effort that children put into their physical, social, emotional, and academic growth. As adults, our definition of work has a very different meaning.

Children are driven by a strong, unconscious internal growth process to seek out experiences that will meet their needs. Our role as Montessori teachers is to provide a well-prepared environment that encourages children to be independent and learn at their own pace. The children are free to choose their work and to use it repeatedly. So, while they are ‘working’ each child is also building independence, coordination, self-discipline, and concentration.

Enjoy your work!

Amanda & Hema

Ms. Marissa: It’s Off to Work I Go!

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

When a child works, he does not do so to attain some further goal.  His objective in working is the work itself. –Maria Montessori

One of Maria Montessori’s most noted quotes is “play is the child’s work.”  We’re sure by now you have heard your child talk about their work at school. Dr. Montessori preferred the word work rather than the word play to describe the learning process children are constantly undergoing. Work conveys the amount of effort that children put into their physical, social, emotional, and academic growth. As adults, our definition of work has a very different meaning.

Children are driven by a strong, unconscious internal growth process to seek out experiences that will meet their needs. Our role as Montessori teachers is to provide a well-prepared environment that encourages children to be independent and learn at their own pace. The children are free to choose their work and to use it repeatedly. So, while they are ‘working’ each child is also building independence, coordination, self-discipline, and concentration.

Enjoy your work!

Marissa & Sue

Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Our class gathered with the other toddler classes this week for a Diwali celebration. Diwali is a five-day festival that is observed around the world, and its rituals vary by region. Diwali represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil. It is the triumph of righteousness, knowledge in place of ignorance. Homes are brightly illuminated with diyas (candles) and oil lamps, and people decorate their homes with rangoli. People also often wear new fine clothes and jewelry and celebrate with family and friends.

Ms. Paromita, along with a couple of toddler parents, including Arhan’s mom, Supreeti, were dressed in traditional Indian attire and provided our children with a wonderful opportunity to experience the beauty of Indian culture. Our children were mesmerized by the sights and sounds! Ms. Paromita danced to Indian music in her gorgeous attire while the hallway was decorated with beautiful and meaningful items related to Diwali. 

Next, the children were able to taste homemade laddu (thank you, Supreeti!) and decorate paper diyas. We are so grateful to all who shared their culture!

The children tasted pomegranate at the end of last week, which most found to be a delicious treat. This week, we tasted both raw cranberries (a huge hit!) and homemade cranberry sauce (thanks to Jaxxon’s family!) The children were fascinated when we cut both of these fruits open. 

Wishing all of your families a healthy, restful weekend!

Christine & Lizette

 

Mrs. Lopes: Giving Thanks

Posted on by Amanda Lopes


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.

Amelia–   is thankful for her pig stuffy because it’s so cute.

Annie– is thankful for her family because they love her and take care of her.

Arian— is thankful for pasta because it is his favorite food.

Arjuna– is thankful for flowers because they smell good and are pretty.

Ben– is thankful for his bunnies because they are soft.

Brisa– is thankful for her Mom and Dad because they give her hugs and kisses.

Casey–is thankful for Long Island because he loves to go there.

Daniel– is thankful for his friends because he likes to play with them.

David–is thankful for his dogs because they lick him when he wakes up in the morning.

Elanour– is thankful for her Ariel stuffy because she likes to sleep with it at night.

Elizabeth– is thankful for her dog, Bell Bell, because she is a good pillow.

Enzo– is thankful for his Mom and Dad because they always help him.

Evie– is thankful for her brothers, Ruscher and Rory, because she likes to play with them.

Fiona– is thankful for her Gigi and Pop Pop because they love her a lot.

Harlan–is thankful for his iPad because he likes to play Lego Star Wars on it.

Kian– is thankful for hiking with his family.

Kimberlin– is thankful for her brother and sister because they make her laugh.

Levi– is thankful for his Mommy and Daddy because they play cars with him.

Nicolas–is thankful for apples and the animal work at school.

Noelle–  is thankful for the ice cream place because she loves the chocolate and vanilla ice cream.

Parker– is thankful for her Nintendo Switch because she loves playing games.

Ryder–  is thankful for the claw machine at Bill’s Drive-In because he likes to try to get a stuffy from the machine.

On Wednesday, the children were treated to a presentation honoring the meaning of Diwali.  Diwali represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil.  This five-day festival is observed around the world, and its rituals vary by region. Homes are brightly illuminated with diyas (candles) and oil lamps, and people decorate their homes with rangoli.  While gathering with family and friends, people often wear fine clothes and jewelry.  We are grateful for the time and effort that Paromita Dutt Kunzweiler, Punam Patel, Supreeti Saika, Mithu Talukdar, Chamaini Niyangoda, Radha Priya Gupta, and Hema Ganesan volunteered in order to share with the children this beautiful and meaningful tradition.

Hema and I are grateful for the time we spend with the children each day, and for the relationships we develop with each of you.  Wishing you all a week filled with peace and love.

Amanda & Hema