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

Mrs. Sargeant’s Class: Winter Celebrations and Growing Families

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week brought the start of Hanukkah, offering a wonderful opportunity to explore this meaningful holiday with the children. We read both fiction and non-fiction stories about Hanukkah, helping the children understand the traditions and history behind the Festival of Lights. The children were particularly fascinated by the menorah, carefully placing candles into it and learning about the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days.

A huge thank you to Ivy and Gabriel’s moms for coordinating a special Hanukkah treat for the children. We enjoyed latkes and challah together, and the children made the connection that latkes are fried in oil—a reminder of the miracle we’d been learning about. These hands-on experiences with cultural traditions help the children develop a deeper appreciation for the diverse celebrations in our community.

Ava’s mom visited to share another beloved classroom tradition by reading “T’was the Night Before Christmas.” Thank you for sharing your time with us and for bringing the festive snack that made the morning even more special! These parent visits enrich our classroom community and show the children how much their families value learning together.

We had three rehearsals this week preparing for the Holiday Showcase, and the children’s excitement about sharing their songs with you was palpable. Their hard work and enthusiasm truly embodied the joy of working toward a common goal.

This week also brought special birthday celebrations. Two of our classmates turned four and a half, so we celebrated their half birthdays since we won’t be in school when they turn five in June. The Montessori birthday walk is always a meaningful way to honor each child’s journey around the sun.

We’re thrilled to share joyful news from two of our classroom families! Within the past month, Remy and Madison each welcomed baby brothers into their families. Congratulations to both families on this wonderful new chapter!

As winter settles in, the children have enjoyed a sensory experience that connects them to the season: making pomander balls with oranges and cloves. The delightful scent fills the classroom as they carefully press each clove into the orange, developing their fine motor skills while creating something beautiful to take home.

Extending Learning at Home

Encourage your child’s connection to winter traditions by:

  • Creating simple sensory experiences with seasonal scents like cinnamon sticks, pine branches, or citrus fruits
  • Practicing fine motor skills through holiday activities like threading beads, wrapping small gifts, or decorating cookies
  • Exploring winter through nature walks, observing how plants and animals prepare for cold weather

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Monday, January 5: School Resumes
  • Monday, January 5: Evie has Flowers/Food/Sharing Bag

Please send appropriate snow gear for outdoor play: hat, waterproof mittens, snow boots, and snow bibs or pants. A large open-top bag works best for storage. Thank you to Ava’s family for sending extra snow bibs and mittens to share with the classroom!

Ms. Rhodora: Winter Holidays

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

Last week brought beautiful opportunities to celebrate the diversity of traditions within our classroom community. We explored both Hanukkah and Christmas through stories, conversations, and shared experiences that helped the children appreciate the different ways families celebrate this special time of year.

These celebrations were made possible by the generous participation of our parent community. Thank you to all the parents who contributed their time, energy, and resources to make our holiday celebrations meaningful and fun. Your involvement enriches our classroom in countless ways and shows the children the importance of community and working together.

The joy on the children’s faces during these celebrations reminded us of the true spirit of the season—coming together, sharing with one another, and appreciating our diverse traditions.

Wishing you and your families a wonderful holiday season filled with warmth and togetherness.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you in advance for continuing to send snow gear—hat, waterproof mittens, snow boots, and snow pants—so the children can enjoy winter play comfortably throughout the season.

Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
Monday, January 5: School Resumes

 

Ms. Handibode: Learning to Give

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

“The Montessori approach to celebrating special days is a gift to children as it expands their minds, their hearts, and their worlds.”—Alex Chiu, Montessori Musings

We hear the children speak throughout the day about 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!

Adeline–I can help take care of my pets.
Brooks–I can make pancakes with my Mommy and Daddy.
Charlie D.–I can teach people how to ice skate because I’m pretty good at it.
Charley W. –I can help Mommy and Daddy vacuum and help animals to get food when they’re hungry.
Connor–I can teach my family how to count numbers.
Eloise– I can clean my toys up when I’m done making a mess.
Hannah–I can help people reach things that are too high for them because I am a really good climber.
Jasper–I can help my Mommy make stew.
Jaxxon–I can help Mommy clean her car.
Johnny–I can help Daddy shovel the snow.
Layla–I can help Mommy do the dishes.
Melia–I can play puppy with my little brother.
Mila–I can pet my kitties, Turbo and Diesel so they know I love them.
Morgan–I can help Daddy make cake because I am so good at it.  The best one I make is strawberry cake.
Nitzan–I can be a nice friend to everyone so they have someone to play with.
Olivia–I can help Mommy with cooking in the kitchen.
Remi  I can help Mommy clean the house and help Daddy fix the cars when they break down.
Wilder–I can help Mommy do the dishes and help Daddy vacuum up my messes.
Zaki–I can help turn the car on in the morning before school so it gets warm.
Veda–I can share my toys with my friends.
Zion–I can teach people about Jesus because he loves everyone.

As Montessori teachers, we embrace the knowledge that one way we can promote peace and understanding of cultures around the world is to find age-appropriate ways to introduce 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.  We do this by engaging the children through literature, sharing artifacts, and conversations.

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 holiday season filled with much peace, love, and simplicity. We are truly grateful for the relationships with each of our families.

 

Mrs. Lopes’: Celebrating Winter and the Holidays

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

The children had so much fun playing in the snow this week! There’s something magical about watching them discover the crunch of fresh snow beneath their boots and the joy of catching snowflakes. We’re grateful for your support in sending snow pants, boots, and waterproof mittens so the children can enjoy the winter weather comfortably.

This week was filled with special celebrations that brought our classroom community closer together. On Tuesday, Ben’s mom, Carina, joined us to share the story of Hanukkah through a wonderful book reading. The children were captivated as they learned about the Festival of Lights and its meaning. Following the story, we enjoyed latkes and applesauce provided by Evie’s mom, Katie. The children absolutely loved this traditional Hanukkah treat—many asked for second and even third helpings!

On Thursday, Scotlyn’s mom, Courtney, visited to read “T’was the Night Before Christmas,” which has become a cherished tradition in our classroom. After the story, we shared a festive snack of snowman cheese sticks and grapes, generously provided by Ben’s mom, Carina. These special moments of families sharing their traditions with our classroom community truly embody the spirit of grace and courtesy that we practice daily.

The week concluded with our holiday concert, where the children showcased the songs they’ve been preparing all school year. Their hard work and dedication truly shone through in their performance. It was a beautiful way to celebrate all we’ve learned and grown together this year.

Wishing you all peace and joy this holiday season and into the new year!

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Thank you in advance for continuing to send snow gear—hat, waterproof mittens, snow boots, and snow pants—so the children can enjoy winter play comfortably throughout the season.

Monday, December 22, 2025 – Friday, January 2, 2026
Monday, January 5: School Resumes