Mrs. Lopes: Discovering the States of Matter

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, our classroom embarked on an exciting journey into the world of science as we began our unit on the three states of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. The children were captivated as we explored how matter exists all around us in different forms.

We started by learning the unique properties of each state. Solids hold their shape because their molecules are packed tightly together. Liquids flow and take the shape of their container because their molecules move more freely. Gases spread out to fill any space because their molecules move the fastest and are far apart.

To bring these abstract concepts to life, we used Cheerios to represent molecules! The children carefully arranged the Cheerios close together for solids, spread them out a bit for liquids, and scattered them far apart for gases. This hands-on representation helped them visualize something invisible to the naked eye.

The most memorable moment came when we acted out the molecule movements ourselves. The children loved moving slowly and staying close together as “solid molecules,” then moving more freely as “liquid molecules,” and finally zooming around the classroom as “gas molecules.” The laughter and energy in the room made it clear that learning through movement creates lasting understanding.

Extending Learning at Home

Explore states of matter in your everyday life! Point out solids (furniture, books, toys), liquids (water, juice, milk), and gases (the air we breathe, steam from a pot). You can even recreate our Cheerios activity using small objects like buttons or dried beans to show how molecules behave differently in each state.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
  • Monday, January 19
    No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Next Week
  • Thursday, January 29
    Zion’s Birthday Walk
  • Friday, January 30
    Olivia’s Half Birthday Walk

Ms. Marissa: Language Play and Purposeful Care

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

 

Our classroom baby, Frances, received lots of loving attention last week! Multi-step water activities like washing the baby naturally draw interest from the children, as they practice sequencing, care of others, and develop their concentration through this meaningful, practical life work. The children carefully gather their materials, prepare the water, gently wash Frances, dry her, and clean up their workspace—all while developing independence and fine motor coordination.

Another highlight from the week was the concept of rhyming! The children have been engaged in rhyming games as we explore the musical patterns in our language. We’ve been discovering that for words to rhyme, they need to share the same middle and ending sounds—a foundational skill that supports phonemic awareness and future reading development.

The children have embraced reciting our January poem with enthusiasm:

In January, it’s so nice,
While slipping on the sliding ice,
To sip hot chicken soup with rice.
Sipping once, sipping twice,
Sipping chicken soup with rice.
–Maurice Sendak

The rhythm and repetition of this poem have captured their imaginations, and many children are beginning to recite it from memory.

Extending Learning at Home

Practice the January poem together at home! The repetition and rhyming patterns help children develop phonological awareness while having fun with language. You can also play simple rhyming games during car rides or at the dinner table—choose a word and take turns finding words that rhyme with it.

Your child can practice similar care activities at home by helping to wash dishes, wipe tables, or care for stuffed animals. These everyday tasks build the same sequencing skills and sense of responsibility we’re cultivating in the classroom.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
  • Monday, January 19
    No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please review the birthday celebration schedule, as we have many birthdays and half birthdays coming up in the next few weeks!

Ms. Handibode: Math Carnival Magic and Matter Explorations

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

What a wonderful week of discovery and excitement! We ventured to the Middle School Math Carnival and dove deeper into our science explorations.

The Math Carnival was an absolute highlight. The Middle School students created engaging games based on mathematical concepts, and our children were thrilled to participate. One excited student declared it “the best day ever!” This experience gave our Primary students a glimpse into their future at Fraser Woods—seeing the mathematical thinking and creativity they’ll develop as they continue their Montessori journey through Elementary and Middle School. Watching our younger learners engage with the work of older students reinforced the beauty of our school’s continuum and the rich learning opportunities that await them.

Back in the classroom, we launched our science unit on states of matter. Matter is everywhere—everything we can touch, taste, smell, and see is made of matter. We learned that solids have a definite shape because their molecules are tightly packed and barely move. Liquids take the shape of their container because their molecules move around more freely. Gases spread out to fill any space because their molecules are far apart and move constantly.

Our experiments brought these concepts to life in spectacular ways. In the “dancing raisins” experiment, we watched raisins bob up and down in carbonated water as gas bubbles attached to them and carried them on a buoyant dance. We also inflated a balloon using a chemical reaction—mixing vinegar and baking soda in a bottle created carbon dioxide gas that filled the balloon without us even blowing into it!

Now we’re eagerly watching the weather forecast, hoping for snow. Our plan is to build a snowman, bring him inside, and observe as he transforms from a solid to a liquid and eventually evaporates into a gas. The children can hardly wait for this real-world demonstration of state changes.

Extending Learning at Home

Ask your child to show you how molecules move in each state of matter—they’ll love demonstrating their “solid,” “liquid,” and “gas” movements! You can also explore states of matter in your kitchen by observing ice cubes melting (solid to liquid) or watching steam rise from hot soup (liquid to gas).

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
  • Monday, January 19
    No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Tuesday, January 20
    Sharing Box and Flowers—Jaxxon S.

 

Mrs. Sargeant: Settling Into New Routines and Frozen Discoveries

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Our classroom continued to bloom with independence and curiosity last week as the children settled into their beautiful new lockers and explored fascinating new materials.

The children are adjusting wonderfully to their new lockers, taking pride in organizing their belongings and developing important self-care skills. We’re watching them grow more confident each day as they independently hang their coats, store their shoes, and manage their personal items. This growing independence is central to the Montessori philosophy of helping children become capable and self-reliant.

New materials appeared on our shelves this week, sparking curiosity and engagement. A flashlight with batteries invited the children to practice fine motor skills as they carefully assembled and disassembled it, learning how simple tools work. A matching game featuring flags from around the world opened conversations about different countries and cultures, expanding the children’s global awareness.

Our science explorations continued as we prepared for upcoming experiments with solids, liquids, and gases. The most popular work this week was our sensory bin filled with arctic animals and different types of penguins frozen inside ice. The children used pipettes to drip warm water onto the ice, carefully observing how much water it took to free each animal. The concentration on their faces as they worked to melt the ice and “rescue” the penguins was a beautiful example of purposeful, engaged learning.

Flower arranging made a delightful comeback in our classroom. By simply changing its location and adding a new dish to hold the vases, we reignited the children’s interest in this practical life work. They practiced careful cutting, arranging, and caring for living things—all while creating beauty in our shared space.

Our Kindergarten students embarked on a new writing project, creating “How-to” books. They’re learning to break down everyday tasks into clear, sequential steps—an important skill that combines literacy with logical thinking.

Extending Learning at Home

Support your child’s growing independence by creating a designated spot at home for their belongings. Have them practice hanging their own coat and placing shoes, hats, and backpacks in consistent locations. Involving children in these daily routines builds responsibility and self-confidence. You can also explore states of matter together—freeze small toys in ice cube trays or containers, then let your child work to melt the ice using warm water, just like our penguin rescue activity!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
  • Monday, January 19
    No School, Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • Tuesday, January 20
    Remy’s Birthday Celebration

Mrs. Sargeant: Exploring States of Matter

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Welcome Back to Winter Wonder

It was wonderful to welcome the children back this week and hear about their winter breaks—the books they read, the movies they saw, and the special time they enjoyed with their families. The children brought back stories and experiences that enriched our classroom conversations and helped us reconnect as a community.

The snowy weather provided perfect opportunities for outdoor exploration. The children had tremendous fun playing in the snow this week, and we could see the pure joy on their faces as they experienced the winter landscape firsthand. These outdoor experiences naturally led us into our new study of solids, liquids, and gases. We began discussing the differences between these states of matter, and the children were fascinated to observe how the same substance—water—can exist in different forms depending on temperature.

Our practical life and art areas were hubs of purposeful activity this week. The pouring work, where children carefully transfer liquid from one vessel into three separate containers using a funnel, attracted sustained concentration. This work refines hand-eye coordination while building the control and precision needed for many daily tasks. In the art area, children created beautiful snowflakes using Q-tips as painting tools, exploring color mixing and pattern-making while celebrating the winter season around us.

The bagel spreading work has been particularly popular. Children practice the real-life skill of spreading cream cheese on bagels, developing their fine motor control and independence. Watching them carefully hold the bagel steady while using just the right amount of pressure with the spreading knife demonstrates the growing coordination that comes from repeated, purposeful practice.

January is proving to be a busy birthday month in our classroom—we have five birthdays to celebrate! This week, we gathered for our first Montessori birthday walk of the month to honor Ellis turning four years old. The children loved seeing the candle representing the sun as Ellis walked around it four times, once for each year of life. These celebrations help children understand the passage of time and their place in the world while building our classroom community.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

If you have not sent spare clothes to school recently, please send a full outfit to keep in your child’s locker. With all the outdoor play and hands-on work, having a fresh change of clothes available gives children the confidence to fully engage in their activities.

This Week
Wednesday, January 14: Birthday Walk for Hayes
Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.

Next Week
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day
Tuesday, January 20: Birthday Walk for Remy

Ms. Marissa: Picking Up Right Where We Left Off

Posted on by Marissa Frisk

 

What a warm welcome back I received! The children and I picked up right where we left off, and it has been such a joy to see how the returning students have grown and matured during my absence. The new students have settled into our routines beautifully, and I am enjoying the opportunity to bond with each of them and learn about their unique interests and strengths.

This week, we focused intensively on phonological awareness activities—the foundation for reading and writing. The children are learning about compound words, syllables, and breaking words into individual phonemes (sounds). We practice these skills in various settings: small-group lessons where children learn from one another, large-group activities that build community, and one-on-one work that allows me to meet each child exactly where they are in their development. The children are having fun manipulating words, discovering how language works, and building the confidence that comes from mastering new skills.

Our art area received an exciting refresh this week with several new activities. We added watercolor painting, which allows children to experiment with color mixing and brush control. A tracing projector has captured significant interest—children can project images and trace them, developing hand strength and control while exploring their creativity. The new pin-punching work has also been popular, as children use small pins to punch designs into paper, refining the pincer grip needed for writing while creating beautiful artwork.

The weather has provided us with daily opportunities for outdoor exploration. We have been adventuring into the snow every day, and sometimes twice! The children absolutely love this time outside, and the fresh air and physical activity support their ability to concentrate deeply when we return to the classroom. To make the most of these snowy days, please send waterproof boots and gloves with your child each day. We will keep this gear at school all week and send it home on Fridays.

Extending Learning at Home

Try clapping out the syllables of people’s names in your family. You can turn this into a fun game at dinner or in the car. Say each family member’s name slowly and clap once for each syllable: Mar-i-a (three claps), Dad (one clap), E-li-jah (four claps). This playful activity strengthens your child’s phonological awareness and helps them understand how words are constructed from smaller parts.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day

Ms. Handibode: Returning with Purpose

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Growth After the Winter Break

After our return from winter break in January, the classroom has been filled with renewed energy and remarkable growth. The children came back eager to learn and ready to dive into their work with deeper concentration than we saw before the holidays. In these first weeks back, we have witnessed what Montessori teachers often describe as normalization—children demonstrating deep concentration, self-discipline, social skills, and a true love of work.

One child perfectly captured the joy of our classroom when they shared, “I wish I was a teacher because then I could do the bagel work 100 times.” This simple statement reflects the authentic enthusiasm children feel when given meaningful, purposeful activities that connect to real life.

This week, we began our study of Asia, the largest continent in our world. The children are learning about the incredible diversity of this vast landmass—the animals that inhabit its varied landscapes, the different climates from tropical rainforests to frozen tundra, and the rich cultures that call Asia home. One fun fact that sparked much discussion: both the highest and lowest places on Earth are found in Asia. The children loved imagining standing on the tallest mountain peak and then descending to the lowest valley.

In the first half of the year, the children became comfortable and confident with our classroom routines and expectations. They developed deeper relationships with their peers and teachers. Now, as we move into the second half of the school year, this foundation allows them to take on more challenging work and support one another with growing grace and compassion.

Maria Montessori once said, “Social grace, inner discipline, and joy. These are the birthright of the human being who has been allowed to develop essential human qualities.” We see this truth unfolding daily in our classroom as the children work alongside one another with respect, kindness, and genuine care for their community.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Monday, January 11: Sharing Box and Flowers—Charlie D.
Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day

Mrs. Lopes: Journey to the Frozen Continent

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

 

Discovering Antarctica

This week, our classroom embarked on an exciting study of Antarctica, the frozen continent at the bottom of our world. The children gathered around the globe as we located Antarctica on the map, their eyes widening with curiosity about this remote and mysterious place.

We shared fascinating facts that captured their imagination: the sun rises and sets only once per year in Antarctica, creating six months of continuous daylight followed by six months of darkness. The children were amazed to learn that Antarctica is the only continent without human inhabitants. We discussed the hardy animals that make this icy landscape their home, including penguins, seals, and whales, and the children have enjoyed learning how these creatures survive in such extreme conditions.

The sensory bin has become a hub of concentrated activity this week with our arctic animal rescue work. Small arctic animals were frozen in blocks of ice, and the children used pipettes filled with water to carefully melt the ice and “rescue” their frozen friends. This work beautifully combines practical life skills with scientific exploration, as the children observed how water temperature affects ice and practiced the fine motor control needed to operate the pipettes with precision.

The level of focus and determination the children showed during this rescue work was remarkable. Some children spent entire work periods patiently dripping warm water onto the ice, problem-solving when their first attempts didn’t work as quickly as expected, and celebrating with pure joy when their animals were finally freed.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Friday, January 16: Sadie Half Birthday Walk
Friday, January 16: All School Early Dismissal. Primary pick-up at 11:30 a.m.

Next Week
Monday, January 19: No School, MLK Jr. Day