Mrs. Lopes’s Class: Classroom News

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Our Kindergarten children took a trip to Warrup’s Farm in Redding, CT to learn all about the maple sugaring process.  We are so grateful the weather cooperated with us.  On the farm, Farmer Bill showed us how to tap a maple tree and how to make maple syrup in the sugaring house.  We also got to plant bean sprouts to take home as well as a piece of homemade maple sugar candy.

Our Kindergarten students welcomed the upcoming toddler children for a brief introduction to the Primary environment.  They were so excited to share!

Wishing you all a healthy, restful spring break!

Best,

Amanda & Deanna

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Classroom News

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

Our Kindergarten children took a trip to Warrup’s Farm in Redding, CT to learn all about the maple sugaring process.  We are so grateful the weather cooperated with us. On the farm, Farmer Bill showed us how to tap a maple tree and how to make maple syrup in the sugaring house. We also got to plant bean sprouts to take home as well as a piece of homemade maple sugar candy.

Our Kindergarten students welcomed the upcoming toddler children for a brief introduction to the Primary environment.  They were so excited to share!

Wishing you all a healthy, restful spring break!

Best,

Michelle & Jeannine

Mrs. Lopes’s Class: Oh the Places You’ll Go…

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

“You can find magic wherever you look.  Sit back and relax all you need is a book.”-Dr. Seuss

On Tuesday, March 3rd we had a blast celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday! Each year schools across the country celebrate Read Across America Day also known as Dr. Seuss Day.  This holiday occurs on or near March 2, Dr. Seuss’s birthday, with a focus on motivating children to read books. Dr. Seuss is a beloved author in our classroom so the children were more than happy to spend a whole morning reading his books. As a group, the children listened to one of our favorite Dr. Seuss books, Green Eggs and Ham. After reading the story the children were invited to try some green eggs and ham for snack. We were surprised how many of the children really enjoyed this snack and were asking for second and third helpings!  The children also had the opportunity to create their own Thing 1 by using a straw to blow blue watercolor paint across the paper for the Thing’s crazy hair. Thank you to all the parents who helped make this day so special. We really appreciate all the donated supplies and those who donated time to help out in the classroom!

Another exciting event this week was Ms. Benoit coming to our classroom to do a demonstration on proper hand washing. To prevent the spread of germs, the children will be asked to wash their hands as soon as they enter our classroom environment in the morning as well as at several other points throughout the day. She walked the children through each step of the hand washing process. We talked about how washing our hands for 20 seconds can be a long time, but if we sing a song to help pass the time it makes it easier. So if you hear your child singing “Happy Birthday” and the “ABC song” while washing their hands at home you can thank Ms. Benoit for that little trick!

Have a great weekend,

Amanda & Deanna

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: A Person’s a Person, No Matter How Small

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

Grab your green eggs and ham and get ready to play, because we are celebrating Dr. Seuss Day!

Each year, schools, libraries, and other organizations prepare for Dr. Seuss’s Birthday on March 2. Millions of teachers and students Read Across America with their friends, family, and peers as a celebration of one of our favorite children’s authors, Theodore Seuss Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate Seuss’s birthday and advocate his goal of promoting and motivating reading.

Our Seusstastic celebration included wearing pajamas to school and bringing in prized stuffed animals to read to and snuggle with. We read several Dr. Seuss books including Green Eggs and Ham and then actually sampled the colorful treat for a snack. We do like them, Sam I Am. We will eat them once again!  Thank you Michelle Lamb and Christi Orlowski for joining the fun and helping with the crafts.

Please remember that “You’re never too old, too wacky, too wild, to pick up a book and read to a child!”-Dr. Seuss

Happy reading,

Cindy & Sharlene

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Today Is Your Day!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss

On Tuesday, we had fun celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday. Schools and libraries across the United States enjoy taking part in a nationwide reading celebration called Read Across America. This fun tradition is an exciting way to bring together children and books and is celebrated on Dr. Seuss’s birthday, March 2nd.

Here are few fun facts about Dr. Seuss:

  • Dr. Seuss’ real name was Theodore Seuss Geisel.
  • He has written and illustrated over 60  children’s books.
  • The book Green Eggs and Ham is made up of 50 sight words. Dr. Seuss’s editor bet him that he could not write a book using fewer words than The Cat in the Hat which had 225 words. Clearly, Dr. Seuss won that bet!

Here at FWM, the children enjoyed wearing their pajamas to school and bringing in a favorite stuffed animal. We read Green Eggs and Ham and then actually got to experience eating those two foods for snacks. We asked the children what their favorite Dr. Seuss book was and it was exciting to see their knowledge and love for his work. It was a close vote between Green Eggs and Ham and How The Grinch Stole Christmas.

We can’t say it enough but we are truly grateful for all the ‘behind the scenes’ help and support from all of you.  Some parents provide ingredients for cooking or crafts, some parents provide their time and some keep us all organized!!!! It truly takes a village and we are blessed to be part of an amazing one!

Enjoy the week!

Michelle & Jeannine

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: In the Service of a United Whole

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

So in the child, besides the vital impulse to create himself, and to become perfect, there must yet be another purpose, a duty to fulfill in harmony, something he has to do in the service of a united whole. ~ Maria Montessori, The Absorbent Mind

Maria Montessori believed that children are the key to peace and empathy among humanity. This important belief is a foundation in our Montessori classrooms beginning with practical life lessons and continuing throughout childhood and beyond. I’d like to share how a “simple” lesson can provide the mechanism from which children in the classroom learn, practice, and express their empathy and love for their community.

Flower arranging work has a more important indirect aim than simply admiring nature’s work of art. It is an opportunity for little hands to contribute to the beautification of the environment. It is a tender moment when a young heart lays down a symbol of friendship, love, and peace on a table for someone else to enjoy. It is a brief yet integral step outside of oneself and one’s own needs. -The CHILD centered Blog

Flower arranging is only one of many classrooms works and activities sewing the seeds of compassion and empathy in your children.  Please remember compassion in your homes help your children do the same.

Just a reminder, next Tuesday, March 3rd we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday!  On this day children are invited to wear their pajamas to school and bring a favorite stuffed animal to cuddle. We will celebrate with some fun activities and a snack of green eggs and ham!

Enjoy the week!

Cindy & Sharlene

 

Mrs. Lopes’s Class: Our Class Rocks!

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

“The land is where our roots are. The children must be taught to feel and live in harmony with the Earth.” -Maria Montessori

Have you ever noticed your child’s fascination with rocks found outside on the ground?  We have observed after playing outside on the playground some of the children will return to the classroom with pockets full of rocks as if they are treasures. You can imagine the children’s excitement when they learned that our new science unit for this week was the study of rocks!  We discussed the three main types of rocks – igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, as well as how these rocks are formed on Earth. We added several new rock lessons to our environment, but the group favorite was a basket full of rocks with a magnifying glass.  The children enjoyed examining and classifying each of the rocks in this lesson.

Just a reminder, next Tuesday, March 3rd we will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’s birthday! On this day children are invited to wear their pajamas to school and bring their favorite Dr. Seuss book. We will celebrate with some fun activities and a snack of green eggs and ham!

Enjoy the weekend,

Amanda

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Montessori Math…It All Adds Up!

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 always begin with concrete, simple materials and lessons. When the child is ready, they are introduced to 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. Here’s the real secret behind the success of the Montessori math materials though: the children truly enjoy them.

We have a busy week ahead. On Tuesday, March 3rd, each Primary class will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’ birthday. The children are invited to come to school in their pajamas accompanied by a favorite stuffed friend. Morning snack that day will be green eggs and ham! It promises to be a fun morning.

On Friday, March 6th, the Kindergarten children will be taking an afternoon field trip to Warrup’s farm in Redding. They will be exploring the process of making maple syrup.

Enjoy the week!

Michelle & Jeannine