Ms. Handibode: From Outer Space to Our Orange Continent

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

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The last few weeks have taken us on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos. The children traveled through space, explored the eight planets, and discovered that our sun is actually a star. After rocketing back to planet Earth, we turned our focus to exploring the first of seven continents: North America. You may hear your children call it “the orange continent”—this is because on the Montessori globe and map, North America is beautifully colored in orange.

The children worked with didactic Montessori materials to familiarize themselves with the continent’s geography. We mapped North America’s countries, examined its diverse topography, and studied how a continent’s proximity to the equator impacts its climate. We also began discovering the animals native to our continent. The Montessori cultural studies curriculum provides children with an opportunity to explore the whole world, including continents, countries, people, animals, terrain, music, and arts. Through these materials, children learn about the needs of all humans for food, housing, and clothing. This early cultural awareness helps cultivate independent, joyful citizens of our world.

Our guest reader this week was Remi’s dad, who shared Road Crew, Coming Through! Everyone loved this rhyming book about construction crews building a superhighway. The children’s faces lit up with each turn of the page!

The kindergartners reached an exciting milestone this week as they started writing their three-page stories. They are brimming with enthusiasm and can’t wait to share their completed works with everyone.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Look at a world map or globe together and locate North America, then find your state and town
  • Discuss which animals might live in different parts of North America based on the climate (polar bears in the north, alligators in the south)
  • Encourage your child to tell you a story, helping them understand that stories have a beginning, middle, and end

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

The weather is getting colder and we go outside most days. Please make sure your child has gloves, hats, and winter coats for those chilly outdoor adventures. Label everything!

This Week

Monday, November 17: Veda N’s birthday walk, flowers, and sharing box
Tuesday, November 18: Playground Volunteer—Darshy N
Wednesday, November 19: Guest Reader—Tanya A

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

Mrs. Lopes: Cultivating Gratitude in Our Classroom Community

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, the classroom was filled with heartfelt conversations about gratitude. The children shared what they are thankful for, from family members and beloved pets to sunny days and special friendships. We read books that reinforced the beauty of gratefulness, exploring how expressing thanks strengthens our classroom community and spreads joy to those around us.

One of the highlights of our week was writing thank-you letters to the firefighters who visited our school last Friday. The children carefully crafted their letters, some drawing pictures of fire trucks while others practiced their emerging writing skills to express their appreciation. This practical life activity not only developed fine motor skills and early literacy but also cultivated compassion and awareness of the helpers in our community. The children’s genuine excitement about sending these letters reminded us how naturally gratitude flows when given the opportunity to express it.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Practice saying “thank you” throughout daily routines—when receiving meals, getting help with tasks, or spending time together as a family
  • Create a gratitude jar where family members can drop notes about things they’re thankful for, then read them together at dinner or bedtime
  • Talk about community helpers you encounter in your neighborhood and discuss how their work helps others

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Please continue to check your child’s folder for any upcoming school-wide events and seasonal celebrations.

This Week
Thursday, November 20: Classroom Bread Baking 9:30am with Hadley’s Mom, Petra

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

Ms. Rhodora: South American Adventures and Sensory Discoveries

Posted on by Rhodora Santayana

 

Last week opened a new window to the world as we introduced the children to South America! We explored Brazilian culture, music, and language, and began learning about how people live in different parts of this vibrant continent. This cultural exploration connects to Fraser Woods’ mission of helping children appreciate the beauty and diversity of our global community.

The children continued their exploration of the five senses through hands-on experiences. These sensorial activities help develop the children’s ability to observe, classify, and articulate their experiences—foundational skills for all future learning.

A favorite practical life activity this week was soap grating! The children carefully used graters to create soap flakes, developing their fine motor coordination and concentration while engaging multiple senses. The satisfying sound of the grater, the fresh scent of the soap, and the transformation of a solid bar into delicate flakes captivated the children. Some children grated for extended periods, demonstrating the deep concentration that emerges during purposeful work. These soap flakes will be used for future classroom activities, giving the children ownership over preparing materials for their community.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Play a “five senses game” during meals—describe food using sight, smell, taste, touch, and sound
  • Listen to music from different countries together and notice how instruments and rhythms vary across cultures
  • Let your child help with safe kitchen tasks like grating cheese or washing vegetables to build practical life skills

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

Reminder to please label all mittens and hats.

Next Week

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

Mrs. Sargeant: Exploring the Human Body and Practicing Gratitude

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

 

Last week marked the beginning of an exciting new unit of study: the human body. The children’s eyes widened with wonder as they discovered X-rays showing the human skeleton from skull to phalanges. They carefully assembled these puzzle-like X-rays, learning the names and locations of major bones while developing their fine motor skills and spatial awareness. This study connects perfectly to Fraser Woods’ mission of helping children become “the best version of themselves”—understanding our bodies helps children appreciate the amazing capabilities they possess.

The sensorial area drew significant interest this week. Children gravitated toward the triangle box, knobbed and knobless cylinders, binomial and trinomial cubes, and geometric solids. These self-correcting materials allow children to refine their visual discrimination and develop their mathematical minds while building confidence through independent problem-solving.

Grace and courtesy flourished during our food preparation activities. This week, children carefully cut clementines, apples, and pears, then walked around the classroom offering the fresh fruit to their peers. These moments beautifully demonstrate compassion in action—children taking care to prepare something special and generously sharing with their classroom community.

We welcomed two middle school visitors this week who helped our children complete their work. The children loved receiving guidance from these older students, and our visitors were impressed by the focus and capability of our young learners. 

The children continued building their understanding of North American geography, learning the names and locations of countries while working with the map. We’ve also been reading books and having rich discussions about gratitude and the things we’re thankful for, perfect for this season of appreciation.

A bit of excitement arrived on Tuesday afternoon when a very quick snow shower blew through! The children rushed to the windows to watch the flurries dance through the air.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Talk about body parts and their functions during bath time or bedtime routines
  • Practice gratitude by sharing one thing you’re each thankful for at dinner
  • Let your child help prepare snacks for the family, emphasizing the joy of serving others

 

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week

  • Monday, November 17: Ellie’s flowers, food, and sharing bag
  • Thursday, November 20: Bread baking

Next Week

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

It’s starting to get chilly, so please make sure your child has a warm coat to wear outdoors!

Mrs. Lopes: Exploring Our Continent

Posted on by Amanda Lopes

Last week, the classroom was filled with discovery as we began our study of North America. The children gathered eagerly as we introduced The Continent Song and learned that North America is the continent we all live on.

We explored this vast continent through multiple lenses. The children learned that the land we call home was first inhabited by Native Americans, and they were fascinated to discover the diverse animals that share our continent—from grizzly bears to bald eagles. The North America puzzle map became one of the most popular works on our cultural shelves, with the Kindergarten children tracing the outlines of the countries in North America.

The pumpkin hammering work in the sensory bin provided a perfect seasonal connection to our study. Children practiced hand-eye coordination and built strength in their hands, while making designs in the pumpkin.  They created the designs by hammering golf tees into the pumpkins.

The mixed-age community truly shone this week, with older children helping younger friends locate North America on the globe and teaching them the continent names.

On Thursday, we were treated to a Diwali presentation organized by our Admissions Director, Ms. Paromita.  The children were read to story of Diwali, watched a traditional dance, and had the opportunity to try some traditional Indian foods.  This program was thoroughly enjoyed by all!

Extending Learning at Home

  • Take nature walks and look for animals native to North America—squirrels, robins, deer, or chipmunks
  • Find North America on a globe or map at home and talk about how far family members might live from you
  • Share family stories about where your ancestors came from and how they arrived in North America
  • Look at the shapes of states when traveling and see if your child can identify familiar ones

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Tuesday, November 11: Playground Volunteer– Devin Wallace
Wednesday, November 12: Guest Reader–Katie Barron
Thursday, November 13: Kindergarten Vision Screening

Next Week
Thursday, November 20: Classroom Bread Baking 9:30 a.m.

Ms. Handibode: Light, Learning, and Community

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

Last week, our classroom community experienced the beauty of cultural celebration as the entire Primary level gathered in the gymnasium for a Diwali celebration. The children learned that this five-day festival represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil—the triumph of righteousness and knowledge over ignorance.

Ms. Paromita, along with several parents and students from our community, wore traditional Indian attire and shared the richness of Indian culture with us. A few students from Primary, Lower Elementary, and Middle School read a book about Diwali, and then Ms. Paromita and the students danced to Indian music. The gymnasium was decorated with beautiful and meaningful items, and the children were mesmerized by the sights and sounds! They tasted traditional Indian food and experienced how families around the world celebrate with light, joy, and togetherness. We are deeply grateful to all who shared their culture!

In science, we launched our study of vertebrates and invertebrates. The children are beginning to classify animals based on whether they have a backbone, developing their powers of observation and scientific thinking.

Melia’s mom, Megan, was our guest reader this week and shared the beautiful story My Tree and Me. The children loved hearing about the special connection between a child and nature.

The Botsford Fire Department returned to Fraser Woods to teach us about fire safety. The children asked thoughtful and intelligent questions and learned what to do in a fire, explored the equipment firefighters use, and even spent time on a fire truck!

Extending Learning at Home

  • Look for vertebrates and invertebrates on nature walks—does it have a backbone? (Dogs and birds have backbones; insects and worms don’t!)
  • Practice your family’s fire safety plan—where would you meet outside if there were a fire?
  • Notice trees in your neighborhood and talk about how they change through the seasons

UPCOMING EVENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

This Week
Monday, November 10: Jasper T. Flowers and Sharing Box
Tuesday, November 11: Playground Volunteer–Allissa S.
Wednesday, November 12: Guest Reader–Rob L.
Thursday, November 13: Kindergarten Vision Screening

Mrs. Sargeant: Celebrating Light and Learning

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Last week, our classroom community gathered with all the Primary classes for a beautiful Diwali celebration in the gym. The children listened intently to a story about this five-day festival observed around the world. They learned that Diwali represents new beginnings and the victory of light over darkness, good over evil—the triumph of righteousness and knowledge over ignorance.

The experience came alive through the sights, sounds, and colors of Indian culture. Ms. Paromita, along with several parents and students, wore traditional Indian attire, and the children were mesmerized by the beauty of what they witnessed. They tasted traditional foods—rice pilaf and gajar ka halwa—and each child decorated their own rangoli design to take home. We are deeply grateful to all the families who shared their culture with us!

Our kindergarten students continued their impressive work with Number Rolls, practicing linear counting, place value, and proper numeral writing formation. The anticipation is building—in June, we’ll take these down to the gym, unroll them, and see just how long they’ve become! This work beautifully demonstrates the mathematical mind at work, as children make abstract numbers concrete and visible.

Magnets joined our shelves this week, sparking curiosity and scientific exploration. The children discovered which objects attract and which don’t, developing early hypotheses about the properties of different materials.

We also welcomed the Botsford Fire Department, who taught us valuable lessons about fire prevention. The children asked thoughtful questions and learned important safety practices they can use at home.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Celebrate light in your own way—light candles at dinner and talk about how light helps us see and feel safe
  • Practice counting by ones, fives, or tens during everyday activities like setting the table or climbing stairs
  • Explore magnetism using a refrigerator magnet—see what it sticks to around your home and what it doesn’t

Ms. Rhodora: A Week of Cultural Joy and Community Learning

Posted on by Jill Skilton

Last week, the classroom was filled with light, color, and celebration as we explored Diwali, the Festival of Lights. The children engaged in this cultural study with beautiful mandala coloring activities that combined art, concentration, and fine motor development. Each child selected their own mandala design and carefully chose colors to create their unique patterns. The room was peaceful as children worked independently and alongside friends, some decorating their mandalas with jewel-like stickers that sparkled like the diyas that light homes during Diwali.

This celebration provided a meaningful opportunity to discuss how different cultures mark important occasions and the universal themes of light overcoming darkness, hope, and new beginnings. The children were curious about how families celebrate Diwali and made connections to their own family traditions and celebrations.

Community Helpers Visit Our Campus

We welcomed special visitors from the local fire department who shared important fire safety information with the children. The firefighters demonstrated their equipment and allowed the children to see the fire truck up close. The children’s faces showed wonder and excitement as they learned about fire safety, stop-drop-and-roll, and how firefighters help our community. This hands-on experience brought our community helpers curriculum to life in a memorable way.

Mathematical Minds at Work

The mathematics area continued to draw sustained concentration as children explored the Teen Board and Hundred Board. These materials help children understand place value and number sequencing in a concrete, hands-on way. One child spent considerable time arranging the Hundred Board tiles, building understanding of numerical order and patterns within our base-ten system. Another child worked carefully with the Teen Board, discovering how the teen numbers are formed by combining ten with the unit numbers.

The beauty of these self-correcting materials is that children can work at their own pace, building confidence as they recognize and correct their own errors. This independent work fosters the mathematical mind while developing problem-solving skills and patience.

Geography and Practical Life Discoveries

Children explored the continent puzzle map, identifying and placing each continent while discussing where different animals and people live around the world. This geographic work connects beautifully to our cultural studies and helps children understand their place in the wider world.

In practical life, children continued to refine their fine motor skills through activities like carrot peeling and other food preparation work. These activities build independence, coordination, and concentration while preparing children for real-world tasks.

Extending Learning at Home

  • Celebrate diversity by exploring your own family traditions and celebrations. Share stories about holidays or special occasions your family observes and what makes them meaningful to you.
  • Practice counting and number recognition during everyday activities. Count steps as you walk, items as you put away groceries, or objects you see on nature walks.
  • Encourage independence by involving your child in meal preparation. Simple tasks like washing vegetables, tearing lettuce, or stirring ingredients build confidence and practical skills.