Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Living, Loving, and Learning

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

The first week of school is always filled with many emotions for children, parents, and teachers. It takes time for the new rhythms of scheduled days to become familiar. So, while we are taking one step at a time, it definitely feels like we hit the ground running!

It just a few short days we as a class are learning:

  • how to navigate our way around the environment
  • how to wait for a lesson
  • the routines of our school day
  • how to prepare for snack and lunch independently
  • being part of a large group meeting by listening and sharing
  • care of self and care of the environment

Our returning friends have been role models for our new friends.  It’s a wonderful opportunity for them to be a leader. It wasn’t so very long ago they were new to the classroom themselves and they accept this responsibility with excitement and confidence.

Here’s to new beginnings and a peaceful, fun school year for everyone!

Mrs. Doyle & Miss Jeannine

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: Let the Montessori Journey Begin!

Posted on by Cindy Carroll

 

The beginning of school is a time of excitement! With that excitement comes anxiety and nervousness for many children. Planning, patience, and nurturing ensures that each child starts the year feeling loved, respected and safe. Respect and courtesy in our Montessori school is the foundation for everything we do and each child has already begun to learn the following important skills:

  • how to put their work away where they found it
  • how to tidy up after themselves
  • the importance of helping a friend in need
  • the importance of respecting the materials, the teachers and each other
  • how to tuck in their chair when they leave the table
  • how to walk in the classroom
  • how to be self directed and find their own ‘work’ and most importantly
  • how to be independent

         ( NAMC, 2010)

We are thrilled to be starting the new school year with your children and look forward to nurturing their independence, respect, and courtesy.

Let the Montessori journey begin!

Mrs. Carroll and Mrs. Sharlene

 

 

Ms. Kayser’s Class: How Time Flies…

Posted on by skayser

Can anyone believe that it is the last day of school? I feel like it was just yesterday that the students were walking into the classroom for the very first time. I spent some time looking back at all the pictures from the first few weeks of school, and couldn’t help but smile. I wanted to share some of my favorite photos with you so you could also take a trip down memory lane. I also added the pictures from field day this week; to see the difference in the children is breath-taking. Even in pictures, you can see how much they have changed. The students have all grown both physically and emotionally. Each one has a new found confidence in themselves and their abilities that I hope will follow them throughout their whole life. Although some of them may not be returning to the class next year, we are blessed to have been apart of their lives. We have no doubt they will continue on and make their mark on the world.

I want to thank everyone for such an unforgettable year. The memories we have made will surely be in our hearts for years to come. We hope everyone has a safe and fun summer! Please keep in touch and let us know how everyone is doing on their new adventures outside of Fraser Woods.

Love,

Ms. Kayser and Ms. Alli

Ms. Kayser’s Class: “Stand Tall, Shine Bright”

Posted on by skayser

 

This week the primary level got to witness and be a part of a beautiful program called Isle of Skoo, from Ben’s Lighthouse. The director, Francine Wheeler, took our children on a journey to teach them kindness, compassion, and how to be beacons of hope and change.

Isle of Skoo is a beautifully choreographed puppet show that was both heart warming and interactive for the children and enforced the core principles that our children live by each and every day in the classroom.

Thank you Francine and the rest of your team for coming and giving us the opportunity to learn, grow, and shine bright.

It is hard to believe that we are heading into our last week of school. We are looking forward to the time we have left together this year and the exciting events we have to share as a community.

Ms. Kayser and Ms. Alli

Mrs. Carroll’s Class: A Beacon of Light

Posted on by Cindy Carroll
Friends are like lighthouses, with the source of light coming from their hearts.–Tom Baker

This past Tuesday your children were invited to adventure on the imaginary Isle of Skoo-Ben’s Lighthouse. Our very own Francine Wheeler provided the children with an opportunity to build social and emotional connections through her music and endearing puppet friends. Skoo, Shelly, and Sir Radio playfully exposed feelings, modeled compassion, and encouraged each child to “find and share their own light-to stand tall and shine bright.”  Thank you, Francine, for your bright light and this beautiful, extremely well received journey!

The end of the year is fast approaching. Please be sure to reference myFwm for upcoming events.

Until next week!

Cindy & Sharlene

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Creating Harmony!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

 

 

On Tuesday, all the Primary children came together to travel to the imaginary Isle of Skoo-Ben’s Lighthouse. Francine Wheeler provided the children with an opportunity to build social and emotional connections through her music and endearing puppet friends. Skoo, Shelly, and Sir Radio playfully exposed feelings, modeled compassion, and encouraged each child to “find and share their own light-to stand tall and shine bright.”  Thank you, Francine, for your bright light and this beautiful, extremely well received journey!

Our Kindergarten children began working on their number rolls early in the school year. Number rolls are a tradition in a Montessori classroom. The children love being given the opportunity to make their number rolls as long as they want. The basic concept of the number roll is the child writing the  numbers in order, keeping place value as units, tens, hundreds, and thousands.  Typically we go outside to unroll them but this year the wind just would not cooperate.  After several failed attempts to unroll them in the back parking lot we decided to head inside and unroll them in the gym. It is always exciting to see how far each number roll stretches out.

Enjoy the week!

Michelle & Sonja

Mrs. Doyle’s Class: Making Memories!

Posted on by Michelle Handibode

A Grandparent is a little bit parent, a little bit teacher and a little bit best friend.   –Unknown

Relationships with grandparents and special friends all have a profound impact on the development of our children.  The bond between different generations is powerful and beneficial for everyone.

Last Friday, we celebrated Grandparents/Special Friends Day and the children were so excited to welcome their special guests into the classroom. This is a time that the teachers step back and let the children lead. They are so enthusiastic to share the materials and lessons with their grandparent/special friend. We love to observe how much they have grown since the beginning of the school year and the pride they take in their accomplishments. The very best part is seeing the pure joy on everyone’s faces. It is always a special day at school. If a picture speaks a thousand words, there are many stories in the pictures here and they all have a common thread–love.

Have a wonderful week!

Michelle & Sonja

Ms. Kayser’s Class: Spring Cleaning

Posted on by skayser

““The greatest sign of success for a teacher is to be able to say, “The children are now working as if I did not exist.” – Maria Montessori

The end of the school year is right around the corner and the maturity and independence of the children proves it. They continue to amaze us with their ability to work and act so responsibly with little to no need for intervention on our part. We remember the first few weeks of school, the hectic transition period where new and returning students came together for the first time trying to navigate the new year. It was not always easy, but every day was a new learning experience that they have kept with them all year long.

Now that we only have a few weeks left, the children act as if we did not exist; they are able to independently navigate the environment, make peace with their peers when conflict arises, and know the standards we must uphold in our classroom. With the season for “spring cleaning” upon us, there has been an even greater drive in the children to maintain our environment. The children have spent an entire year learning the daily chores that need to be done in the classroom, such as window washing, table scrubbing, dusting, and even flower arranging. What once was a “lesson” on the shelf, is now a daily activity for the children in our room that they truly enjoy.

All the best,

Ms. Kayser and Ms. Alli