Mrs. Semmah: Hidden Treasures

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

Children’s literature is a passion of mine. 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 so many 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.

  • Simone– Babar the Elephant
  • Soren–    Sneezy the Snowman         
  • Levi—       T-Rex Finds the Fish          
  • Casey–    Dinosaur Book                  
  • Savina–   The Bunny Book      
  • Ruscher– I Spy Penguin   
  • Charlotte–  Airplane Book       
  • Remi–       My Animal Book
  • Elsie–         Pepa Pig Book     
  • Ella–          Pete the Cat           
  • Lemon–    Rainbow Fish    
  • Carter—     Sleeping Tractor
  • Lucia–       The Continents Book      
  • David–      Biscuit the Dog          
  • Jonathan–The Lion Book
  • Katie–        Pepa Pig Books
  • Oliver–      Paw Patrol Books  

Wishing you a week filled with peace, love, and happy reading!

Kaoutar & Michelle

Mrs. Semmah: It All Adds Up With Montessori Math

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”~ Dr. Maria Montessori

The Montessori math materials are visual and hands-on manipulatives, aiding in the ability of a child to understand mathematical concepts concretely. After many repetitions and when the child is ready,  we introduce the more complex and abstract concepts. We teach the process first because the goal is to develop a true understanding of mathematical concepts and not simply memorization. The materials are sequenced in a way that each success a child experiences is a building block for the next concept to be introduced.

Maria Montessori believed that all children have a mathematical mind and an internal drive to understand the environment around them. We know that the Montessori math materials are exact and precise and allow the child to have positive experiences in math right from the beginning.  We also know that the Practical Life activities have helped the child to develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence.  Likewise, the Sensorial materials have allowed the children to recognize and extend patterns.  Here’s the real secret behind the success of the Montessori math materials though, the children truly enjoy them.

Wishing you a peaceful weekend,

Kaoutar and Michelle

Mrs. Doyle: It All Adds Up With Montessori Math

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”~ Dr. Maria Montessori

The Montessori math materials are visual and hands-on manipulatives, aiding in the ability of a child to understand mathematical concepts concretely. After many repetitions and when the child is ready, we introduce the more complex and abstract concepts. We teach the process first because the goal is to develop a true understanding of mathematical concepts and not simply memorization. The materials are sequenced in a way that each success a child experiences is a building block for the next concept to be introduced.

Maria Montessori believed that all children have a mathematical mind and an internal drive to understand the environment around them. We know that the Montessori math materials are exact and precise and allow the child to have positive experiences in math right from the beginning.  We also know that the Practical Life activities have helped the child to develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence.  Likewise, the Sensorial materials have allowed the children to recognize and extend patterns.  Here’s the real secret behind the success of the Montessori math materials though, the children truly enjoy them.

Hope your week adds up to one filled with peace and love.

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: It All Adds Up With Montessori Math

Posted on by Amanda Lopes


“Children display a universal love of mathematics, which is par excellence the science of precision, order, and intelligence.”~ Dr. Maria Montessori

The Montessori math materials are visual and hands-on manipulatives, aiding in the ability of a child to concretely  understand mathematical concepts. After much repetition and when the child is ready,  we introduce the more complex and abstract concepts. We teach the process first because the goal is to develop a true understanding of mathematical concepts and not simply memorization. The materials are sequenced in a way that each success a child experiences is a building block for the next concept to be introduced.

Maria Montessori believed that all children have a mathematical mind and an internal drive to understand the environment around them. We know that the Montessori math materials are exact and precise and allow the child to have positive experiences in math right from the beginning.  We also know that the Practical Life activities have helped the child to develop order, concentration, coordination, and independence.  Likewise, the Sensorial materials have allowed the children to recognize and extend patterns.  Here’s the real secret behind the success of the Montessori math materials though, the children truly enjoy them.

Hope your week adds up to one filled with peace and love,

Amanda and Hema

Mrs. Semmah: A Normalized Classroom

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

“Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.”  —Maria Montessori

Normalization is a buzzword often used by Montessori teachers everywhere. So, what exactly does it mean, and more importantly, how do we achieve it? When children in a Montessori environment demonstrate deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work, we describe this as a normalized classroom. Normalization is achieved by consistent and clear ground rules that everyone is familiar with. It is our job to ensure the environment is always well prepared and designed to meet the needs of the children. As Montessori teachers, we are confident that if we do our job well and the children are free to experience the opportunities provided by the environment and Montessori materials, they will thrive.

After the winter break and upon our return in January, we often see noticeable growth in the children’s social and emotional development. They come back eager to learn and raring to go! The first half of the year, they have become comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They have developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. It is always an exciting time and sets the groundwork for the second half of the school year.

It was so wonderful to welcome the children back to class and observe all of their growth.  While nothing may seem normal as of late, our classroom was definitely normalized and brought us great joy and hope!

Wishing everyone a 2023 filled with much peace and love.

Kaoutar & Michelle

Mrs. Doyle: A Normalized Classroom

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

“Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.”  —Maria Montessori

Normalization is a buzzword often used by Montessori teachers everywhere. So, what exactly does it mean, and more importantly, how do we achieve it? When children in a Montessori environment demonstrate deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work, we describe this as a normalized classroom. Normalization is achieved by consistent and clear ground rules that everyone is familiar with. It is our job to ensure the environment is always well prepared and designed to meet the needs of the children. As Montessori teachers, we are confident that if we do our job well and the children are free to experience the opportunities provided by the environment and Montessori materials, they will thrive.

After the winter break and upon our return in January, we often see noticeable growth in the children’s social and emotional development. They come back eager to learn and raring to go! The first half of the year, they have become comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They have developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. It is always an exciting time and sets the groundwork for the second half of the school year.

It was so wonderful to welcome the children back to class and observe all of their growth.  While nothing may seem normal as of late, our classroom was definitely normalized and brought us great joy and hope!

Wishing everyone a 2023 filled with much peace and love.

Michelle & Maria

Mrs. Lopes: A Normalized Classroom

Posted on by Amanda Lopes


“Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.”  —Maria Montessori

Normalization is a buzzword often used by Montessori teachers everywhere. So, what exactly does it mean, and more importantly, how do we achieve it? When children in a Montessori environment demonstrate deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work, we describe this as a normalized classroom. Normalization is achieved by consistent and clear ground rules that everyone is familiar with. It is our job to ensure the environment is always well prepared and designed to meet the needs of the children. As Montessori teachers, we are confident that if we do our job well and the children are free to experience the opportunities provided by the environment and Montessori materials, they will thrive.

After the winter break and upon our return in January, we often see noticeable growth in the children’s social and emotional development. They come back eager to learn and raring to go! The first half of the year, they have become comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They have developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. It is always an exciting time and sets the groundwork for the second half of the school year.

It was so wonderful to welcome the children back to class and observe all of their growth.  While nothing may seem normal as of late, our classroom was definitely normalized and brought us great joy and hope!

Wishing everyone a 2023 filled with much peace and love.

Amanda & Hema

Mrs. Doyle: Celebrations Around The World

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

As Montessori teachers, we embrace the knowledge that one way we can promote peace and understanding of cultures around the world is to find age-appropriate ways to introduce the children to different traditions and celebrations.  While doing so in a very introductory way, it still allows us to highlight the similarities and differences of people everywhere.  These past few weeks have provided the opportunity to talk about Hanukkah, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas and Kwanzaa.

We learned about Hanukkah by reading stories, learning about a menorah, how to play the dreidel game and even had the opportunity to taste some delicious potato latkes.  We also learned about St. Nicholas. St. Nicholas was a Bishop who inherited a lot of money from his family. He was also a very gentle, kind man who lived by the virtues of personal generosity, charity towards those in need, and taking care of the young and the most vulnerable. We learned that St. Nicholas loved to perform random acts of kindness for those in need. Many people around the world celebrate St. Nicholas Day by leaving a pair of boots outside their door. So, we left boots outside our classroom door, and to our amazement, the boots were beautifully decorated and filled with candy canes the next morning.

Using age-appropriate literature, we introduced the importance of Christmas and Kwanzaa for those who celebrate. ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas was enjoyed by all and then we decorated Christmas cookies to bring home.  We also learned about Kwanzaa which was created in 1966 and is based on the elements of African heritage. It is a celebration lasting seven days, from December 26th to January 1st.  Each day a candle is lit to represent a different principle: unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.

A huge shout-out to parents who always help in any way they can.  I know there is a lot that goes on behind the scenes to afford us these opportunities.  It is so very much appreciated.  As always, if there is anyone who may have different traditions or customs to share with us, please reach out.

Wishing you a holiday season filled with much peace, love and simplicity.

Michelle & Maria