Mrs. Doyle: Gifts From The Heart

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

As the Holidays are quickly approaching, we often hear the children speak throughout the day, of 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!

Alex–        I can help my Mommy bake banana bread for my whole family to eat.

Angie–      I can help keep my cars clean and also bake brownies with my mom.

Bodie–     I can help my Mommy and Daddy wrap all the presents.

Ella–          I can help take care of my baby sister and make funny faces so she laughs.

EmmaJo–  I can teach people how to do cartwheels.

Greyson–  I can bring toys to animal shelters for the animals to play with.

Harper–    I can read Llama, Llama, Red Pajama to my brother, Spencer.

Isla–            I can help decorate the house for Christmas so it looks really pretty.

Jonathan–   I can help Daddy fix his cars.

Landon–      I can teach everyone how to play basketball.

Livie–           I can help take care of my cats and give them treats.

Leo–              I can teach everyone how to build things with Legos.

Melina–      I can play with my dogs and make them happy.

River–         I can help my sister get up on things she is to small to climb.

Saanvi–       I can give some of my toys to children who don’t have any.

Stephen–    I can teach everyone how to do Taekwondo because it’s really hard.

Tommy–     I can make everyone really happy because I am so nice.

Zara–            I can help pick up people when they fall down and I can give them lots of hugs and kisses.

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. Semmah: It’s Off To Work I Go!

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

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!

Kaoutar & Michelle

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

Mrs. Semmah: Giving Thanks

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

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.

Søren– I am thankful  to go to New York city and seeing the pictures.

Carter– I am thankful when Daddy makes tents with me at home..

Jonathan– I am thankful to go to Disney World and to go to Lego World..

Lucia— I am thankful to go to Mexico with my family.

Ruscher– I am  also thankful for my dogs and my goats. 

Ella– I am thankful for my Mommy and Daddy. My Grandpa too. 

Simone– I am thankful for my Mommy and Daddy because they hug me..

Oliver– I am thankful for my sister because she hugs me. I like it when she walks with me to my class.

Remington– I am thankful for my Daddy and my Mommy. She is so beautiful,

David– I love when my Mommy comes to school and lets me go on the playground.

Elsie– I am thankful for my daddy because he plays with me when he comes home.   

Casey–  I am thankful for my Mom and Dad. My Mommy reads me books at night time.

Savina– I am thankful for bunny cat. She sleeps with me every night. 

Lemon– I am thankful for my Mom making breakfast for me.

Charlotte — I am thankful for my Mommy  and my Daddy. My Daddy flies planes

Katie– I am thankful for my Mommy and Daddy. They give me big  hugs.     

Levi– I am thankful for taking care of my cat pumpkin.      

Michelle 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.

Kaoutar & Michelle

Just a reminder, Tuesday, November 22nd is a half-day for all students with an early dismissal at 11:30 am.

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving Break!

Mrs. Doyle: Giving Thanks

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

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.

Alex–              Painting because I love to make pictures.

Angie–           My dog Sidney because I like petting him.

Bodie—           My mom because she always makes me dinner.

Ella–               Playing Candy Land with Livie.

EmmaJo–     My cat because she loves me.

Greyson–      My pets because I like to play and snuggle with them.

Harper–        BunBun my rabbit because I bring her everywhere.

Isla–               My Mommy because I spent all my time with her when I was a baby.

Jonathan–    My Mommy and Daddy because they play go-fish with me.

Landon–       My bed because it is so comfortable.

Leo–               My Mommy and Daddy because they let me play sometimes on the tablet.

Melina–         Going outside with my dog.

Olivia–           Leaves because you can make leaf piles and jump in them.

River–            Singing with my Mommy and Daddy.

Saanvi–         Simmi because she snuggles with me.

Stephen–      My dog Asher because he really likes to play with me.

Zara–             Mrs. Doyle because I like to have lessons and learn things.

Maria 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.

Michelle & Maria

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.

 

Kian–       My Mommy because she makes me smoothies.

Advay–    School because I get to play with my friends.

Rowan–   My Mommy and Daddy’s hugs and snuggles because it makes me warm.

Annie—     Valentine’s Day because it’s my favorite holiday.

Sara–        My guinea pigs Nibbles, Kit Kat, and Lola because they snuggle with me.

Desi–        The treasure I found in the dig kit.

Daniel–    Christmas because I like to play in the snow.

Izzy–           I am thankful for my friends because they take care of me.

Arjuna–    My baby pig that I sleep with.

Owen–       Going to the farm with my family.   

Eleanor–   Playing fetch outside with my dog, Dublin.

Nava–         My Mom and Dad because they help me clean up.

Jack–          Numbers because I like to trace them in the sand.

Sullivan–   School because I like to learn.

Noelle–      When my baby sister gives me hugs.

Ayan–         My Dad because he fixes my toys.

Evie–           My brother, Ruscher because he plays with me very much.

Carmen–   My sister because she lets me go in her room and eat candy.

Parker–     My Hot Wheels because they are fast.

Brisa–        Laying under my cherry tree top.

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

Just a reminder, Tuesday, November 22nd is a half-day for all students with an early dismissal at 11:30 am.

We want to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving Break!

Mrs. Semmah: First Stop, North America!

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

 

These last few weeks have been a particularly busy and exciting time with your children. We have traveled through space, explored the eight planets, discovered that the sun is a star, and rocketed back to planet Earth. We are now exploring the first of seven continents, North America.  You may hear your children call it the orange continent. This is because on the Montessori globe and map, North America is indeed orange. We will continue to explore the animals native to our continent, map North America’s countries, examine topography, and study how a continent’s proximity to the equator impacts its climate.

The Montessori cultural studies curriculum provides children with an opportunity to explore the whole world, including the continents, countries, people, animals, terrain, music, and arts. Children use didactic Montessori materials to familiarize themselves with the needs of all humans for such things as food, housing, and clothing. This early cultural awareness helps cultivate independent, joyful citizens of our world.

In addition, meet Jack, our veggie skeleton prepared by the kindergarten students last week on Halloween.  It is always so wonderful to hear the children say they don’t like this vegetable or that one and then devour all of it!  On Tuesday, November 8th, we were treated with a special presentation about Diwali organized by Ms. Paromita, Ms. Hema, and a few of the parents. We had so much fun learning about this holiday, as well as the dancing, food, and crafts.

Wishing everyone a week filled with peace and love!

Kaoutar & Michelle