Ms. Rhodora: Journey to the Frozen Continent

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

Last week, our classroom embarked on an exciting exploration of Antarctica! The children were captivated as we studied this unique continent, learning about its extreme weather conditions, fascinating wildlife, and the scientists who dedicate their lives to research there. We discussed the specialized clothing people wear to survive the cold, observed how animals like penguins and seals have adapted to their frozen environment, and explored how scientists study the air, water, and animals in this remarkable place.

The children showed particular interest in understanding how people hunt fish in Antarctica and the important work scientists do to protect this pristine environment. This study beautifully connected our practical life, sensorial, and cultural studies areas as the children made observations and connections about climate, adaptation, and human exploration.

New Works on Our Shelves

Several engaging materials were introduced this week to support the children’s growing independence and academic development. In practical life, the children are now working with sewing, polishing a mirror, and hammering—each activity building fine motor skills, concentration, and care of the environment. These purposeful activities help children develop the coordination and focus they need for all areas of learning.

On the language shelves, we introduced beginning sound games to support early literacy development. In mathematics, the addition strip board appeared, offering children a concrete, hands-on way to explore number combinations and build their mathematical minds.

Holiday Magic and Community Celebrations

The spirit of the season filled our classroom this week! After reading a beautiful St. Nicholas book together, the children discovered a special surprise the following morning—a boot filled with candy canes from St. Nick himself. Their faces lit up with wonder and delight at this magical tradition.

We also celebrated a friend’s birthday with a special snack that everyone enjoyed. The sense of community was further strengthened when a grandmother joined us to read a book to the class, reminding us how much our classroom benefits from family involvement.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Antarctic exploration: Look at maps together and find Antarctica. Talk about what makes it different from where we live. Watch nature documentaries about penguins or seals.
  • Practical life practice: Let your child help with real tasks like polishing shoes or mirrors at home, or simple sewing projects like sewing buttons.
  • Holiday traditions: Share your family’s special holiday traditions and the stories behind them, just as we’ve been learning about St. Nicholas in school.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

***Winter Weather Reminder: Please make sure your child has snow boots, pants, gloves, winter coat, and hat. It is so helpful if each piece of clothing is labeled! Also, please let us know if you would prefer your child’s snow gear to go home each day or stay in their locker at school.

This Week
Monday, December 8:
Tuesday, December 9:
Wednesday, December 10: 

Next Week
Tuesday, December 16: Classroom Hanukkah Celebration
Thursday, December 18: Classroom Christmas Celebration
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase (PA Breakfast 10am, Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 05 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 026

Mrs. Sargeant: Growing Confidence in Self-Care

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, the children demonstrated beautiful examples of grace and courtesy as older students naturally stepped in to help their younger classmates with zipping coats and putting on mittens. These spontaneous moments of mentorship show how our mixed-age classroom creates a caring community where children look out for one another.

The children are also showing impressive problem-solving skills during snack time. When they encounter a challenging package—whether it’s a bag of goldfish or a granola bar—they independently seek out scissors to open it rather than asking an adult for help. This simple act represents a significant step in their growing confidence and resourcefulness.

Holiday Traditions and Wonder

The children returned from Thanksgiving break eager to share stories about their family celebrations, sparking rich conversations about different traditions, customs, and holidays. We read about St. Nicholas and discussed how some cultures celebrate St. Nicholas Day on December 6th. The following morning, the children’s eyes lit up with surprise and delight when they discovered candy canes waiting in a pair of boots by the door!

The Art of Bubble Making

One of the most popular activities this week has been bubble making using soap and an egg beater. This seemingly simple work involves an impressive sequence of steps that require concentration, coordination, and care of the environment. The children put on their smocks, fill the pitcher at the sink, walk carefully back to their workspace, pour water into the bowl, and use a dropper to squeeze just the right amount of soap. Operating the egg beater takes considerable hand-eye coordination as they work to create satisfying suds.

Once complete, the children pour the soapy water into a bucket, carry it carefully to the sink to discard, then use a sponge and towel to ensure the work is clean and dry for the next friend. This multi-step activity beautifully integrates practical life skills with sensorial exploration and grace and courtesy.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Building independence with outerwear: Leave extra time in the morning for your child to practice putting on their jacket independently without feeling rushed. We always tell the children to leave the gloves until last, as this helps them manage the process more successfully.
  • Holiday traditions: Talk with your child about your family’s special holiday customs and traditions. Ask them what they’ve been learning about different celebrations at school.
  • Multi-step activities: Encourage your child to help with tasks that have several steps, like setting the table or helping prepare simple snacks. These activities build executive function and independence.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

***Winter Weather Reminder: Please make sure your child has snow boots, pants, gloves, winter coat, and hat. It is so helpful if each piece of clothing is labeled! Also, please let us know if you would prefer your child’s snow gear to go home each day or stay in their locker at school.

This Week
Tuesday, December 9: Junia Playground volunteer
Friday, December 12: Marissa guest reader

Next Week
Tuesday, December 16: Celebrate Kaiya’s Half Birthday
Thursday, December 18: Liz A. reading
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase (PA Breakfast 10am, Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 05 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 026

Ms. Handibode: Discovering Diversity Through Holiday Celebrations

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Last week, we embarked on a journey through different cultural celebrations happening around the world during this special season. As Montessori teachers, we embrace the knowledge that promoting peace and understanding begins with introducing children to the rich tapestry of traditions celebrated by people everywhere. Over the next few weeks, we will be learning about Hanukkah, St. Nicholas Day, Christmas, and Kwanzaa through literature, artifacts, and thoughtful conversations that highlight both the similarities and differences in how families celebrate.

Our introduction to St. Nicholas Day brought pure delight to the children. We learned about the tradition and left a pair of boots outside our classroom door. The next morning, the children discovered those boots filled with candy canes—a magical moment that captured their imagination and sparked wonderful discussions about traditions and surprises.

Scientific Exploration: The Animal Kingdom

The children have been deeply engaged in classification work, building their understanding of the natural world. We began by distinguishing between living and non-living things, then explored what makes an animal a vertebrate or invertebrate. Now we are learning the specific characteristics that classify an animal as a mammal. Ask your children if they are mammals—they may surprise you with their confident answers!

Our geography work has taken us to the continent of Antarctica, where we are discovering this unique and remote part of our world.

Special Guest

We had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Connor’s grandmother as our guest reader this week. She captivated the children by reading Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood and No Roses for Harry!  by Gene Zion. These special moments when family members join our classroom community are treasured by both the children and teachers.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Observe and classify animals you encounter together—at the park, in books, or even pets at home. Can your child identify which are mammals and explain why?
  • Share your own family’s holiday traditions with your child. Talk about special foods, decorations, or activities that are meaningful to your family.
  • Look at a globe or map together and find Antarctica. Discuss what makes this continent special and different from where we live.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

***Winter Weather Reminder: Please make sure your child has snow boots, pants, gloves, winter coat, and hat. It is so helpful if each piece of clothing is labeled! Also, please let us know if you would prefer your child’s snow gear to go home each day or stay in their locker at school.

This Week
Monday, December 8: Sharing Box and flowers—Olivia S.
Tuesday, December 9: Playground Volunteer—Bradley S.
Wednesday, December 10: Guest Reader—Katie D.

Next Week
Tuesday, December 16: Classroom Hanukkah Celebration
Thursday, December 18: Classroom Christmas Celebration
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase (PA Breakfast 10am, Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 05 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 026

Mrs. Lopes: Exploring the Human Body

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

We began our study of the human body last week. The children learned about their skeletons and why our bodies need bones to stand tall, move, and protect our important organs. Through hands-on exploration and group discussions, they discovered the functions of different organs in our bodies.

Our practical life area welcomed new seasonal work for December, giving the children fresh opportunities to practice fine motor skills and independence as we move into the winter season. The children have been deeply engaged in these new materials, taking great care as they practice coordination and concentration.

Extending Learning at Home

You can continue exploring the human body at home with simple activities:

  • Play “Simon Says” focusing on body parts and movements to help your child connect with their own body awareness
  • Look at books together about how our bodies work—many wonderful picture books explain bones, organs, and body systems in child-friendly ways
  • During bath time or getting dressed, talk about bones you can feel and muscles that help us move

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

***As the weather turns colder, please send in a full set of snow gear to keep at school. This includes snow pants, boots, gloves, and a hat. Please make sure all articles of clothing are labeled with your child’s name.

***In addition, remember to switch out your child’s extra clothing in their locker with long sleeve shirts, long pants, and socks. Children often need extra clothes to change after playing in the snow.

This Week
Tuesday, December 9: Playground Volunteer–Katie R.
Wednesday, December 10: Guest Reader–Raia Family

Next Week
Tuesday, December 16: Classroom Hanukkah Celebration
Thursday, December 18: Classroom Christmas Celebration
Friday, December 19: Winter Showcase (PA Breakfast 10am, Concert begins 10:30am), Half-Day Dismissal for All Students 11:30am

Winter Break
Monday, December 22, 05 – Friday, January 2, 2026
School resumes on Monday, January 5, 026

Mrs. Sargeant: Cultivating Gratitude in Our Community

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, we continued our focus on practicing gratitude and exploring what it means to be grateful. Each child made a special Thanksgiving placemat and shared with us what they are grateful for. Their heartfelt responses reminded us of the simple joys that fill children’s lives—family, friends, pets, favorite foods, and the freedom to play.

Ivy’s mom came to our classroom to bake pumpkin bread with the children, which will be our contribution to next week’s school-wide Thanksgiving bread-breaking ceremony. The children took turns measuring ingredients, mixing the batter, and learning about how heat transforms ingredients. This hands-on experience beautifully connected mathematics, science, and cultural studies while fostering our classroom community. We are so grateful to Ivy’s mom for her time and generosity.

New Works and Growing Independence

Several exciting new works appeared on our shelves this week. Yoga cards with a yoga mat invited children to practice mindful movement and body awareness. Cucumber cutting provided a wonderful opportunity to develop knife skills and hand-eye coordination. Soap grating engaged the children’s senses while building fine motor strength.

A stethoscope and matching miniature human organs captured the children’s scientific curiosity. They took turns listening to their heartbeats and learning to match the miniature organs to corresponding pictures, building vocabulary and understanding of the human body.

Adventures in Reading

Our older students were thrilled when we started a new book in the Magic Treehouse series: Afternoon on the Amazon. This chapter book introduces children to the Amazon rainforest through the adventures of Jack and Annie, building their listening skills, vocabulary, and knowledge of world geography and ecology. We even listened to the sounds of the Amazon on Spotify.

Extending Learning at Home

Talk with your child about what they are grateful for. Create opportunities for them to express gratitude to family members and friends. These conversations help children develop empathy and appreciate the kindness around them.

Upcoming Events & Announcements

This Week
Monday, November 24: Rayna’s sharing bag
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal AND Shafia Playground Volunteer
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Next Week
Tuesday, December 2: Eliana Birthday Walk
Wednesday, December 3: Alex H. Guest Reader

Ms. Handibode: The Beauty of Gratitude

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

The education of even a small child, therefore, does not aim at preparing him for school, but for life. -Maria Montessori

For many, the holiday season is a time for giving. Perhaps more than ever, it is so important for our children to understand that giving does not have to be a materialistic gift. Simple and heartfelt words of love and friendship will last much longer than most anything that can be bought from a shelf. It can be an amazing and powerful gift to our children if, in all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we take time to slow down and model being grateful.

This week, we asked each child to share what they are thankful for. While their messages will make you smile and warm your heart, there is beauty in their simplicity.

Adeline
I am thankful for my family because they give me hugs.

Brooks
I am thankful for my house because it’s really beautiful.

Charlie
I am thankful for the Spiderman watch because it shows me numbers.

Charley
I am thankful for marshmallows because I like to make s’mores.

Connor
I am thankful for my scooter because they go as fast as a car.

Eloise
I am thankful for pancakes because I like to eat them for breakfast.

Hannah
I am thankful for my Mommy, my Daddy, and Luke because they give me lots of love.

Jasper
I am thankful I went to Chicago to visit my best friend, Ruby.

Jaxxon
I am thankful for my fireplace because it keeps me warm.

Johnny
I am thankful for kinetic sand because I can build a big castle with it.

Layla
I am thankful for my family because they teach me how to do everything.

Melia
I am thankful for my dog because he licks me.

Mila
I am thankful for my cats, Turbo and Diesel, because they let me pet them.

Morgan
I am thankful for blocks because I like to build towers with them.

Nitzan
I am thankful for my soft blanket because I sleep with it.

Olivia
I am thankful for my family because I eat dinner with them.

Remi
I am thankful for presents from Santa because they are so much fun to play with.

Wilder
I am thankful for my Daddy because he is so strong and he lifts me up high in the air.

Zaki
I am thankful for everything in the world.

Veda
I am thankful for my sister because I love her.

Zion
I am thankful for the playground at school because I love to play outside, but mostly I’m thankful for my family.

Maria, Marisa, and I are grateful for the time we spend with the children each day and for the relationships we develop with each of you.

Exploring the Animal Kingdom

The children were fascinated as we introduced the classification of animals as vertebrates and invertebrates. Through hands-on materials and discussions, they discovered that vertebrates have a backbone while invertebrates do not. This foundational understanding helps children organize their knowledge of the natural world and appreciate the diversity of life around them.

Extending Learning at Home

Please encourage your children to put on their own coats, hats, and gloves. We are working on buttoning and zipping in the classroom. It is so helpful if you label everything so we can ensure items make it home with the right child.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Monday, November 24: Brooks M’s birthday walk, flowers, and sharing box
Monday, November 24: Bread Baking at 8:50 with Kate B
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day with 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Next Week

Monday, December 1:  Remi L’s  flowers

Wednesday, December 3: Guest Reader—Kendall H

Friday, December 5:  Remi L’s birthday walk and sharing box

Ms. Rhodora: Discovering South America

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

The classroom was alive with cultural exploration this week as we began our study of South America, with a special focus on Colombia. The children learned about the Colombian people, their vibrant music, rich culture, and traditions. Through stories, images, and hands-on materials, the children developed an appreciation for how people live in different parts of our world.

As part of our Thanksgiving preparation, we welcomed a parent volunteer who helped the children make bread. This experience connected beautifully to our discussion of Thanksgiving history and traditions. The children took great care in preparing bread that will be shared during our school-wide bread sharing ceremony, embodying the spirit of gratitude and community.

Practical Life Explorations

The practical life area drew considerable interest this week. Children were particularly engaged with suds whipping, an activity that develops hand strength and coordination while creating fluffy, satisfying peaks. Pumpkin washing allowed the children to care for our classroom materials while exploring the texture and weight of real pumpkins.

Flower arranging continued to captivate the children as they carefully selected stems, trimmed them to appropriate lengths, and created beautiful arrangements. The geometric cabinet also remained popular, supporting the children’s visual discrimination and preparation for geometry. Additionally, new works appeared on the shelves, including yoga cards with a yoga mat, cucumber cutting, and soap grating—all designed to support the children’s growing independence and coordination.

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

As the weather grows colder, please label your child’s clothing—mittens, gloves, caps, and hats. This simple step helps us ensure everything makes it home with the right child. At home, continue encouraging your child to put on their own winter gear, building the independence and self-care skills we practice at school.

This Week
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break

Mrs. Lopes: Journey Through the Solar System

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

 

This week, we started our exciting unit on the solar system. The children were captivated as we introduced the planets and their unique characteristics. We taught the children a special song to help them learn the names of all the planets in order from the sun. Through melody and rhythm, the children are joyfully memorizing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune.

We discussed what makes each planet unique—from Mercury’s proximity to the sun to Neptune’s distant, cold atmosphere. The children explored new planet lessons that appeared on our science shelf this week, allowing them to independently discover fascinating facts about our solar system. Their curiosity about space and our place in the universe continues to grow each day.

Community Connection Through Cooking

On Tuesday, Nicolas’s mom, Vanessa, came to our classroom to help us make pumpkin playdough. The children enjoyed mixing the ingredients together and then playing with the dough using rollers and cookie cutters. This sensorial experience allowed them to explore texture, develop fine motor skills, and practice following a sequence of steps.

On Thursday, Hadley’s mom, Petra, helped us make bread for next Tuesday’s Thanksgiving Ceremony. Each child took part in adding ingredients and mixing the dough for the pumpkin bread we will be sharing with the school community. Through this meaningful work, the children learned about measurements, the transformation of ingredients, and the joy of contributing to a community celebration.

Extending Learning at Home

Point out the moon and stars with your child on clear evenings. Talk about how Earth is one planet among many in our solar system. If you have the opportunity, share stories about space exploration or look at pictures of the planets together.


UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Tuesday, November 25: Playground Volunteer–Jason L.
Tuesday, November 25: Half-day, 11:30 dismissal
Wednesday, November 26 through Friday, November 28: No School—Thanksgiving Break