This week, we introduced some exciting new work to the classroom! The children have been exploring a beautiful basket filled with all types of gourds, each one unique in shape, size, color, and texture. This activity expands their descriptive vocabulary as they observe and compare. It’s a wonderful way to encourage early science and language development, as they classify and describe what they see.

We also added a favorite seasonal activity—pumpkin hammering! Using a small mallet and golf tees, the children strengthen their fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and focus. Activities like this prepare the hand for future writing and build confidence through purposeful work.

Another highlight of our week was taking our first rainy day walk. We believe that outdoor time is valuable in all types of weather. As the saying goes, “There’s no bad weather, only unsuitable clothing.” Well, besides tornadoes and lightning. Of course, we stay indoors during storms or unsafe conditions, but whenever it’s safe, we go outside to breathe fresh air and connect with nature. The children absolutely loved splashing in puddles, feeling the raindrops, and giggling as they tried to catch the rain on their tongues.

Moments like these remind us of the joy and learning that come from simple experiences—observing nature, using our senses, and discovering the world firsthand.

Food Tasting:

This week’s food-tasting experience featured a carrot, complete with its stalks and leafy greens still attached. The children examined the carrot closely, noticing its bright color, crisp texture, and earthy scent. We discussed how the carrot is a root vegetable, with the orange part growing underground and the green leaves reaching up toward the sun. After exploring, the children tasted a slightly cooked baby carrot, discovering its natural sweetness. Food-tasting lessons like this foster curiosity, promote healthy eating habits, and instill early awareness of botany as children learn where their food comes from.

Love and light,

Cynthia and Sara

It’s hard to believe we are already one month into the school year. In just these few short weeks, we have witnessed so much growth and change in the children. Their transition into the classroom has been a beautiful one. What has stood out most to me this year is how quickly the children have begun forming bonds with one another. In fact, this is the first time in my career that I have seen such strong connections develop so early in the year. The kindness and compassion they show each other daily is truly heartwarming—I wish I could capture it all for you to see.

On Wednesday, October 1st, we tucked away our apple activities and welcomed a new focus: pumpkins and gourds! Since the children are still captivated by our farm animal work, we decided to keep those materials available and build upon their interest. In art, the color orange is our theme for the month, showing up in chalk, crayons, playdough, and other creative explorations. We’re looking forward to all the joyful learning and discoveries pumpkins will bring in the weeks ahead.

Food Tasting

This week, our food tasting item was a banana. We began by presenting the banana whole, with the peel on, so the children could explore its shape, texture, and color. After a short demonstration on how to peel, the children had the opportunity to try for themselves. Some were so eager to taste it that they wanted to eat it right away! With gentle encouragement, they practiced peeling before enjoying the fruit. These small moments—of curiosity, independence, and delight—are at the heart of what makes food tasting such a favorite part of our week.

Community Connection

One of our Upper Elementary students is collecting old T-shirts to make dog toys for the Senior Paw Project and the Catherine Hubbard Foundation. This is such a wonderful opportunity for our school community to support both animals and a student-led project. If you have any old T-shirts you’re ready to part with, please send them in by November 7th.

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara

As I mentioned in last week’s blog, we plan our monthly themes around the seasons and experiences that connect to the children’s world. This month, our focus on farm life has been a wonderful way to spark curiosity and language development. Many of the children have visited a farm, which makes the theme both relatable and exciting.

Did you know that farm animals are a fantastic way to build early language skills? Think of the sounds animals make—baaa, mooo, maaa. These playful sounds strengthen phonemic awareness, the foundation for future reading. The children are also practicing vocal imitation (an important step in speech development) and expanding their vocabulary by learning animal names, their sounds, and even their actions.

In the classroom, we’ve been using materials such as object-to-picture matching and picture-to-picture matching. These activities not only support language but also lay a strong foundation for early literacy.

We also introduced a new book to the environment that has quickly become a favorite (for me, too!). It’s called Morning on the Farm. This sweet story is sung aloud, filled with animal sounds, and gives the children a glimpse into farm life and the role of a farmer.

Food Tasting:
This week, the children explored peppers! First, they passed around a green bell pepper, noticing its feel, weight, and smell. Then, we had a tasting of green, red, yellow, and orange pepper strips. It was a colorful—and tasty—experience!

Finally, I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to those who were able to join us for Curriculum Night on Thursday evening. It was a joy to connect with you, share insights about our Montessori environment, and celebrate the beautiful work your children are doing each day.

Love and Light,

Cynthia and Sara