Mrs. Sargeant: A Peek at the Week

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

This week, we enjoyed strawberries as our food-tasting experience. Despite the children’s familiarity with the fruit, they were in awe as we cut the strawberry to reveal the white inside. We discussed the edible seeds on the outside of the strawberry and remembered that some seeds are not edible, such as those from an apple.

We’ve noticed since our seaweed tasting a few weeks ago that a few children have brought seaweed for a snack- and it sparks conversation each time!

We had the opportunity to expend some energy in the gym this week. We worked on catching, throwing, and kicking balls. A few children did a few laps around the gym. We discussed how running and exercise change the way we breathe and make our hearts beat faster.

We’ve also enjoyed some time outdoors. There is so much to learn through the senses – especially when there is snow on the ground. We particularly enjoyed listening to the sound of the snow crunching underneath our boots with each step.

We have been talking a lot about woodland animals, such as chipmunks, skunks, raccoons, and bears. A few of us have shared stories of encounters with these backyard critters.

Happy Birthday to our friend Kai, who we celebrated in class this week.

Please note that a handful of photos in this week’s batch are from last month but never made it into the post. I will share a funny song that we discovered by accident, which the children love. If you play it at home, I hope you’ll have the chance to see their bodies move and groove to the music as they listen. (We always listen to music on a speaker using Spotify, even though I share via YouTube.)

Also, for those of you whose children will be moving into Primary next year, please consider attending the Moving Up information night on Thursday evening, February 1, at 5:30 pm. It is a great way to gain more information about your child’s year ahead.

Happy and healthy weekend!

Christine & Lizette

Mrs. Hood: Copo de Nieve!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

As we continue our winter studies this week, we delved into one of the most enchanting aspects of water: snowflakes. The timely weather has allowed us to reinforce this lesson as the children have had the opportunity to explore snow both indoors and outdoors. They’ve discovered that while snowflakes share a common symmetry and hexagonal structure, each one boasts a unique and intricate design—a concept we’ve presented, of course, in language tailored to their understanding.

I find it fascinating how the individuality of a snowflake mirrors that of each child. Just like snowflakes, every one of your children is unique and precious, and we are so grateful to witness their growth and share in their beauty.

To tie this lesson into our Spanish studies, the children have been learning the song “Copo de Nieve” (Snowflake) by Super Simple Español. Using artificial snowflakes of varying sizes, they’ve acted out the song’s movements, learning Spanish words for body parts like cabeza (head), nariz (nose), and mano (hand). As we progress, we’ll continue to incorporate more Spanish vocabulary related to the body. Feel free to practice this song with your child. Find the link to the video at the end of this note.

To further enrich our studies, we’ve used educational videos, books, songs, and animal models to embark on a journey to the Arctic and Antarctica. During these explorations, the children have learned fascinating facts about polar bears and penguins, including their physical characteristics and habitats. For example:

Polar Bears

  • Are warm-blooded
  • Have thick fur
  • Have big paws
  • Live in the Arctic
  • Baby bears are called cubs

Penguins

  • Are birds
  • Are expert divers and fast swimmers
  • Don’t have wings, but flippers
  • There are different types of penguins
  • Live in Antarctica

This week, we also celebrated two very special birthdays—those of our FIRST students who turned three years old during this school year! Woo hoo!

Lastly, we explored carrots as part of our weekly food-tasting lesson. Yummy!

Wishing you a wonderful weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Mollie

Mrs. Wilson: Boots, Prints, and Puddles

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Earlier this week, we came across some footprints in the snow and noticed that there were three different types. We followed the tracks around the playground in an attempt to identify the animal that made them. While walking, we guessed that the prints might belong to a mischievous bunny, a playful squirrel, or a feathered friend. Along the way, we also noticed our footprints in the snow, which allowed us to compare the size and pattern of our boots. Can you guess which print belongs to each child? At the end of the week, the rain had washed away the snow, but we didn’t mind. Jumping, splashing, and steering toy trucks through the muck became our newfound source of muddy delight.

Food Tasting: This week, we tasted a roasted sweet potato. We talked about the sweet potatoes being another root vegetable, just like the carrots and parsnips. The children were surprised that the inside was a beautiful bright orange color.

Mrs. Hood: Winter adventures!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Winter has arrived, bringing with it a flurry of new experiences for our little ones. Last weekend’s snowstorm set the stage for an exciting week of learning as the toddlers were introduced to dressing themselves for outdoor play in the snow. This may seem like a simple task, but for them, this process is not only a practical life skill but also a significant milestone in their journey toward independence and self-confidence.

In our Montessori environment, we embrace the philosophy of nurturing children’s natural inclination for independence by providing them with age-appropriate responsibilities. Dressing for winter play is a perfect example of this, empowering our toddlers to take care of themselves and prepare for the adventures that await them outdoors.

Throughout the week, the children learned to identify their individual winter bags and retrieve them from the designated area in the classroom. They then settled on the classroom rug, where they began the process of getting ready. First, they removed their indoor shoes, followed by retrieving their winter pants from their bags and laying them out on the ground. With guidance, they learned to pull up their pants while sitting down until they could see their toes, then stand up and finish putting on and zipping their snowsuit. They practiced putting on their snow boots, coats, hats, and mittens. It’s a process that requires practice, but with each opportunity, they are mastering this essential skill. The sense of joy when they realize they are capable of accomplishing this is just so great to witness.

Stepping outside, the children were greeted by a multitude of sensory experiences. The sight of snowflakes drifting from the sky, the sound of their footsteps crunching on the snow, the feel of the cold air on their cheeks, and the taste of fallen snow were sensations that contributed to a rich and meaningful learning experience. As they played and explored, they not only had fun learning to make snow angels and rolling snowballs to create a snowman with Mrs. Mollie but also developed their gross motor skills, balance, and coordination while navigating the playground.

Back inside, the children seemed to enjoy working with the nesting penguins, the winter clothes vocabulary cards. They also engaged in an object-to-picture matching activity focused on Arctic animals. They learned to recognize and observe animals like the harp seal, arctic fox, killer whale, walrus, husky, caribou, beluga whale, and polar bear and learned some fun facts about them through short educational videos, sparking their curiosity about the natural world. This was definitely one of the most popular works this week.

Our food-tasting lesson introduced the children to the vibrant flavor of mango, a surprising favorite among them. They were fascinated to discover that despite its green and red skin, the mango’s pulp is a sunny yellow.

In the world of books, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You Hear? by Bill Martin Jr. and Eric Carle, Baby Beluga by Raffi, and Potty by Leslie Patricelli captured the children’s imaginations and sparked lively discussions.

It’s been an eventful and enriching week, filled with new experiences and discoveries. We look forward to continuing this journey of learning and growth with your children.

Enjoy the long weekend,

Mrs. Hood and Mrs. Mollie

Mrs. Wilson: Finally Snow!

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

When we hear of snow in the forecast, most adults often dread it – the cold and wet feeling, driving difficulties, and the need to shovel. However, in the presence of children, a good snowfall can be truly magical. They remind us of the beauty and joy snow can bring. I am delighted that we had two wonderful days to play in the snow. The children were thrilled and had SNOW much fun! They were throwing snowballs at each other, sliding down the wet, snowy slide, and just exploring.

In our classroom, we are still exploring the winter theme. This week, we introduced a glue box for them to use. Each child will receive a lesson on this multi-step art activity. Additionally, we added a trampoline to our class. It has been amazing to see them use this equipment when they have a burst of energy and need to get some exercise. What amazes me the most is watching them know that they have to move, but once satisfied, they will focus on a lesson of their choice.

Food Tasting: The vegetable of the week was carrots. During the activity, we observed the carrots closely and described their appearance, smell, and texture. The children also tasted the carrots in both raw and cooked forms. This was a great opportunity for them to experience carrots in a new way. The cooked carrots were roasted with olive oil, salt, and pepper and were well received by the children.

Mrs. Sargeant: Let’s do it again! .. and again!

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Maria Montessori emphasized the importance of repetition in a child’s learning process. Repetition is a natural and essential part of the learning journey for children. It is through repetition that children internalize concepts and skills, building a strong foundation for future learning.

Montessori observed that young children have a natural inclination to repeat activities that interest them. She saw this repetition as a way for children to master new skills, gain confidence, and refine their understanding of the world around them. Each time a child repeats a skill, brain connections are being strengthened. Skills can only be perfected through repeated practice. Our classroom environments are set up to allow for repetition, providing children with the opportunity to revisit activities and materials at their own pace. Repetition refines the senses, encourages focus, fosters independence, and develops confidence. In addition, when a child repeats an activity, they learn how to fix errors and will make small changes in their task to get closer to success each time. 

A few tidbits about our week:

We tasted a rainbow of carrots – orange, white, and purple! I wonder which color your child liked best.

We found shadows in the classroom and on the playground. Some of the children played in the snow and discovered ice in the buckets. We’ve learned a few Spanish songs and some new words. It was another fun, productive week! We look forward to seeing everyone again on Tuesday. Warmly, Christine & Lizette

Mrs. Sargeant: Happy New Year!

Posted on by Christine Sargeant

Happy New Year! We were all thrilled to see each other again,  relishing the return to school after a rejuvenating break spent with our families during the holiday celebrations at home. 

The children seamlessly re-acclimated to their routines, displaying a keen enthusiasm for their independence. Alongside honing their fine and gross motor skills, they eagerly engaged in learning activities encompassing colors, shapes, counting, the concept of opposites, and the Spanish language.

We spent the week revisiting their favorite songs and books, as they’d make requests for their favorites each day.

Ms. Lizette brought one of her favorite snacks to share with the class – dried seaweed! The children were eager to taste it. The majority could not get enough of the salty, thin, green, crunchy snack. Food tasting is a fun way to encourage the children to try new foods, in addition to enriching their vocabulary.  

We sincerely hope you enjoy the weekend. Stay warm and healthy! -Christine & Lizette

Mrs. Hood: Welcome Back and Welcome Winter!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Happy New Year, families! We trust you had a fantastic holiday break filled with relaxation and cherished moments with your loved ones. It’s been a joy to welcome your children back after the break. They’ve transitioned seamlessly and arrived full of enthusiasm, ready to explore the environment and the new activities awaiting them on our shelves.

With the arrival of winter, our focus is turning to the great outdoors. We’re excited to immerse ourselves in the unique experiences this season offers. The crisp winter air has started to transform our surroundings into a wonderland, and we’re eager to embrace it fully as the snow arrives! This month, we’ll be delving into the fascinating topic of water and its various forms, offering plenty of opportunities for hands-on learning and sensory exploration.

This week, we’ve been busy learning about the signs of winter and expanding our vocabulary with engaging materials and books. It’s been wonderful to see how the children have embraced these new concepts with such enthusiasm.

In other exciting news, we’ve introduced a beloved new addition to our classroom: a baby doll named Rosie. This has been a popular activity, allowing the children to practice grace, courtesy, and patience as they care for their new friend. It’s heartwarming to witness their tender interactions with Rosie as they read, sing, and cuddle her. Their nurturing instincts have truly shone through, and they’ve worked together to ensure Rosie feels loved and cared for.

In Practical Life, we introduced a lesson on how to clean a dry spill on a tabletop. As the children get more practice with this work, the crumber will be added as a tool for our snack and lunch procedures.

In the art area, the children were introduced to a new skill: using scissors. This activity requires a lot of concentration and dexterity, but your children seem to enjoy challenging themselves, and the pride they feel when they are successful and able to cut the card stock strips is obvious.

As a food-tasting lesson, we explored kale this week. Despite initial reservations, the children were pleasantly surprised to discover how much they enjoyed kale chips! If you’re interested in trying this at home, please feel free to reach out for the recipe.

Our favorite books this week have included The Itsy Bitsy Snowman by Jeffrey Burton, Winter is Here by Kevin Henkes, and What Can You See in Winter by Sian Smith.

Reminder:  Please provide a labeled tote bag with your child’s name and ensure that all winter gear, including snow pants, a winter jacket, snow mittens with clips, and a hat, are labeled and placed inside the bag.

We hope you stay safe and enjoy the first snowstorm of the season!

Warm regards,

Mrs. Hood and Ms. Mollie