Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Nature’s Classroom

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Continuing with our study of insects, we are thrilled to welcome five caterpillars to our classroom. It is so exciting to observe each step of the fascinating life cycle of the Painted Lady Butterfly. Right now our caterpillars are busy eating and growing bigger every day. During this incredible period of growth, they will shed their exoskeletons four times and grow more than ten times their original size! When they have finished growing, the caterpillars will climb to the top of the cup. Once there, they will hang from the paper disk in a “j” shape under the lid. They will shed their exoskeletons one last time before they pupate and form a chrysalis.  Ask your children to update you on what is happening each day with our caterpillars. The discussions taking place among the children about the caterpillars are amazing.

Spring is the perfect time to go for a nature walk and bug hunt and that’s exactly what we did this week. Going on a nature walk is a simple, fun, and meaningful way to spend time outdoors.  A bug hunt is a really fun way to help incorporate what we are learning about insects inside the classroom and what we observe outside, in nature.  The best thing about a bug hunt? Once the children get in the habit of learning, observing and studying insects, their reaction is less likely to be, “aarrghhhh a bug!”

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love.

Michelle & Lizette

Mrs. Lopes’s Class: The Magic of Metamorphosis

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

“Growth is not merely a harmonious increase in size, but a transformation” -Maria Montessori

This week we have been learning all about the life cycle of a butterfly.  We had five caterpillars join our classroom last week and the children have been captivated by the rate of change we observe each day.  The caterpillars arrived very tiny and over the last week have grown and shed their exoskeleton several times.  This week our caterpillars have entered into the final stages before emerging as a butterfly, the chrysalises.  The children have spent many days learning about the magic of this transformation called metamorphosis, and are eager to see when our butterflies will join us!

We also had so much fun going on a nature scavenger hunt outside this week.  With the warm weather finally arriving , we were all excited to do some outdoor learning.  Children were given a checklist to search for natural objects on the playground – rocks, leaves, soil, and of course some bugs.  We collected as many as we could find and the children were thrilled to share all the objects they were able to collect!

Have a wonderful week,

Amanda & Sharlene

Mrs. Lopes’s Class: Celebrating Earth Day!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Maria Montessori believed in giving children experiences in nature.  In Montessori education, Earth Day principles are a natural part of everyday learning.  Children are encouraged to think about the Earth and how they can take care of the world we all share.  This week we celebrated Earth Day in our classroom as an extra way to show respect for the Earth and to build community.  Our class discussed what it means to reduce, reuse, and recycle.  We made a list of things they can do to help the environment, such as turning off the water while brushing their teeth or turning off lights while playing outside.  The children also planted marigold seeds in a pot we made from recycled newspaper.  By celebrating Earth Day and encouraging children’s participation at a young age, we contribute to cultivating lifelong caretakers of this planet we call home.

We also had an exciting addition to our classroom this week – baby caterpillars!  The children are excited to watch the caterpillars grow and we will be going into more detail about the life cycle of a butterfly next week!

Have a wonderful weekend,

Amanda & Sharlene

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: We’ve Got the Whole World In Our Hands!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Each year on April 22nd we celebrate Earth Day.  The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970 and the goal is promote awareness and appreciation for the our planet’s environment. Throughout the world, there are over 175 countries that celebrate this special day.  Over the course of the last two weeks, we have been reading books and having whole class discussions about the wonderful planet we live on. The children also recycled old newspapers to make a flower pot.  They added soil and seeds and will be taking them home this week.  The entire pot can be planted as the newspaper is biodegradable.

We asked the children how they could help keep the Earth a wonderful place to live.  Below are their answers.

Anchor: We can pick up garbage when we see it.

Carmen:  We can plant apple trees and strawberry plants.

Elliot: We can water the plants and trees.

Gregory G:  We can turn off the T.V. when no one is watching it.

Gregory L: We can grow more trees.

Greyson: We can give people stuff if they need it.

Harper: We can try to make paper out of bamboo trees because they grow so much faster.

Julianna: We can recycle and throw trash in the garbage can.

Landon:  We can grow our own food like watermelons and cucumbers.

Lily: We can plant a garden with purple carrots.

Luca: We can not waste water.

Marin: We can turn off the lights when we leave the room.

Mya: We can plant seeds everywhere.

Olivia: We can clean up all the garbage on the roads.

Simrin:  We can recycle all the garbage and put things back in the right place.

Wilder: We can make sure there are no forest fires.

Xander: We can share our things with everyone.

Virginia:  We can feed all the animals that are hungry.

Wishing you a week filled with peace and love.

Michelle & Lizette

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Really Cool Reptiles

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

We are now ready to move from our study of mammals to reptiles. Building on the knowledge that each class of animals has different characteristics to help us distinguish which class they belong to, we introduce these unique characteristics and learn how to correctly classify animals.

We learned that reptiles:

  • Are cold-blooded.  Therefore, a reptile’s body reacts to the temperature of its surrounding.
  • They are covered in scales.  Reptiles do not have hair or fur.  Their scales help to protect their body.
  • They are vertebrates so they have a backbone.
  • Most of them lay eggs on land.  They also have very strong instincts, so from birth they need to be able to survive independently.
  • They breathe air and have lungs.

Some animals that belong to the reptile class are snakes, alligators, crocodiles, turtles, and lizards.

As we introduce a different science concept, we also gently weave the topic into the other areas of the classroom.  For example, we introduced turtle scrubbing in the classroom.  In math, the  counters and manipulative used will be reptiles.  This is a great springboard for discussions to take part in all day long.

Have a wonderful week!

Michelle & Sonja

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Heigh-Ho, It’s Off to Work We 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. Maria 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.

Please be on the lookout for information regarding our Valentine’s Day celebration in your Friday folder.

Have a wonderful week!

Michelle & Sonja

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Colorful Hearts

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

 

This week we celebrate the vibrant spirit and colorful heart of Martin Luther King Jr. Though the details of his message remain abstract, children can and do understand components of his dream. Our classroom focus on peaceful problem solving, lively discussions, and stories have ignited an understanding that actions can affect people’s feelings and that all feelings are okay, but not all actions are. We will continue to provide the tools to foster peaceful problem solving and acknowledge Dr. King’s dream throughout the school year.

Our dream is that one day your children may grow up to be world changers who will work together in challenging situations to establish creative solutions and make critical connections to others.

We appreciate you returning emptied Friday Folders each Wednesday so that we can fill and return them to you with the current week’s work.

Dare to dream,

Cindy & Sharlene

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Love is in the Air!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

On February 13th, we will be celebrating Valentine’s Day in our classroom.

Giving and receiving valentines is a special part of a child’s school experience and one of their favorites!  There are 23 students in our class. Please have your child sign (alone or with your help) each valentine. Leave the envelope blank (with no specific name on it). This enables your child to distribute their valentines without having to read each classmate’s name.  If your child is able to independently read the names of the children, then they may choose to write the names on the outside of the envelopes.  Please allow time for the name writing process. It’s a lot to write for small hands!   This is a great activity for them to practice writing their name, so remember to use upper case only for the first letter of their name.  We will begin distributing valentines on Wednesday, February 13th.

We are looking forward to our upcoming conferences on Thursday, February 14th.  When you arrive for conferences be sure to take a moment to read the poster in front of our room.  We asked the children what love is or who they loved.  Their answers are all very sincere and heartfelt and will make you feel so loved!

This week the Kindergarten students wrote valentine cards for soldiers.  They are being sent to the Marine barracks at Parris Island.  It was also a great opportunity to learn how to write a letter and address a postcard.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and have a wonderful week!

Michelle & Sonja