Mrs. Lopes: Happy Holiday Wishes

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

“The best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart” -Helen Keller

We cannot believe how quickly the month of December has passed and winter break is upon us!  This month the children have enjoyed learning about all the special holidays that are celebrated in December. Learning about the holidays of different cultures embraces the Montessori principals of inclusion and peace and helps students understand that celebrations have had a great significance to people throughout time and across all cultures. Rituals and celebrations are a large part of human history. They have to do with your culture, as well as your time and place in history. As we celebrate the holiday season we encourage you to create your own rituals as a family and celebrate this season of togetherness.

The children thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas celebration this week.  We read the book ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas and then each child decorated cookies with their choice of frosting and sprinkles.  Thank you to all the families who donated supplies for this event, it is truly appreciated!

May your holidays be merry and filled with moments you’ll always remember.  See you in the new year!

Love,

Amanda and Heather

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!

Anchor–I can teach kids how to do multiplication if they don’t know how to do it.

Bodie–I can help my dad fix things with his tools.

Emma Jo–I’m really good at gymnastics, so I can teach everyone that.

Emma–I can sing songs for the whole world.

Everly–I can share my stuffed dog Striper with children who are scared or sad.

Greyson–I can teach people how to paint pictures.

Isla–I can help my mom clean the floors, do her work and do just about anything for her because I love her that much.

Landon–I can help Daddy fix the wall in my living room.

Lily–I can make Christmas decorations and share them with people.

Luca–I can give scooter rides to anyone who needs to go somewhere.

Marin–I’m really good at drawing so I could teach people how to do that.

Micaela–I can help my mom make pancakes and clean up the kitchen.

Olivia–I can pick up garbage whenever I see it.

Saanvi–I can send toys to people who are sad.

Stephen–I can help my mom and dad decorate the whole house for Christmas.

Theo–I can teach people how to do the number roll work.

Virginia–I can help Georgie when he cries and needs to find his pacifier.

Wilder–I can share my toys with people who don’t have any.

Zara–I can make breakfast with my sister Mya for my Daddy.

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

Warmly,

Michelle & Liset

Mrs Semmah: Christmas Celebration

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

 

“Christmas, my child, is love in action. Every time we love, every time we give, it’s Christmas.” Dale Evans

The twinkling lights, a warm feeling of love, and acts of kindness create the spirit of Christmas around us. It is the most wonderful time of the year! The excitement of the approaching winter break can be felt in every classroom. What better way to celebrate than with some fun activities and decorating cookies?

The children had fun choosing the color of their frosting, and it was a joy watching them sprinkle the colorful sprinkles with their tiny fingers on their sugar cookies. Feeling each sprinkle and sneaking a nibble from time to time. We also read the book “Twas the Night Before Christmas”. We did a Christmas tree craft that they liked to create, in addition to the Christmas sensory bin.  

Many thanks to the parents and to all the families who donated supplies for this Christmas Celebration, your generosity is very appreciated!

Merry Christmas and Happy New year!

Kaoutar and Sara

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: 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 to find age-appropriate ways to introduce to 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.

Last week, 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.  This week we 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.

Next week, we will read Twas The Night Before Christmas and decorate Christmas cookies to bring home. We learn through stories the importance of Christmas for those who celebrate.  We also learn 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.  We will read stories and share the traditions of Kwanzaa.

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 week filled with peace and love.

Michelle & Liset

Mrs. Lopes Class: Welcome December!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

With the holidays approaching and the start of a new month, the children came back into an environment full of new lessons and materials to explore. This month we will be learning about the continent of Antarctica, food groups, and we’ll be discussing the various holidays celebrated around the world in December. One such holiday we talked about this week is St. Nicholas Day, which is celebrated on December 6.  St. Nicholas was a bishop in Europe. He was born into a wealthy family and at a young age made the choice to give away all his possessions to those with none. He is known for his kindness, generosity, and taking care of the young and in need. We learned that St. Nicholas would leave small gifts or treats during the night for the less fortunate in his community. St. Nicholas has evolved over the years into the Santa Claus we recognize today. Many people around the world celebrate St. Nicholas day by leaving a pair of boots outside their door. So in the spirit of the season, we decided to leave a pair of boots outside our classroom door. To our surprise, the boots were decorated and filled with candy canes the next morning!

Wishing you a peaceful week,

Amanda & Heather

Mrs. Semmah Hanukkah Celebration

Posted on by Kaoutar Semmah

Teaching children about the diversity of the world starts with learning about other people from different cultures. The holiday season is an opportunity for the children to know about the different holidays around the world that focus on loved ones. Hanukkah  is one of the holidays that provides a time for people to focus on their loved ones, share good foods, and participate in family traditions.

Last week we celebrated Hanukkah, the festival of lights, in our classroom. After reading the book My First Menorah, the children had a chance to know what a Menorah is.

I also showed them a menorah that holds eight candles,plus a very special one called a shamash in the center and is used to light a new candle every night to celebrate Hanukkah. All the children joined the big table to share the delicious potato latkes, sour cream, and apple sauce.  It was very nice to see the children celebrating and having fun, they also decorated some dreidel art projects. The Hanukkah sensory bin was popular among the children. It includes black beans, blue feathers, blue beads, blue pom–poms, and blue and white dreidels. During the holiday season, we celebrate many holidays, including Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, and Christmas. It is a cultural lesson about different celebrations of different people and sharing the joy and happy moments of the holidays.

A big thank you to Kenyon and Lidia for organizing this Hanukkah celebration. We also appreciated all the parents who have devoted their time and generosity in bringing in the delicious latkes, sour cream, and making the apple sauce from scratch. Children enjoyed every bit of the food.

Lots of love and peace.

Kaoutar and Sara 

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 more well known 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 & Liset

Mrs. Lopes: Our Human Body

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Do you remember wondering as a child how things worked in your body? Where does our food go? Why do we blink or sneeze? How do we get the hiccups? The human body is truly a mystery to the child’s mind and having an in-depth human anatomy lesson is a great way to explore these topics. Using Montessori materials is a wonderful tool for reinforcing the learning and expanding on a normally very difficult subject for children to grasp. Providing lessons like these to children is what sows the seeds for future scientists, doctors, and teachers!

This week your children were introduced to the wonders of our human body. We first introduced and named the parts of our body we can see from the outside. We then began to discuss how there are many parts of our body we cannot see from the outside. Your children were introduced to several of the major organs in our body and their purpose. The children enjoyed exploring and engaging in all the human body works on the shelf.  We have also started our unit on nutrition and the food groups.

On Wednesday, December 1, we celebrated Hanukkah in our classroom.  The children listened to the book Hanukkah Haiku and then shared a snack of latkes, applesauce, sour cream, and apple cider.  Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to contribute to this fun activity, the children really enjoyed it!

Lots of love and peace,

Amanda and Heather