Mrs. Hood’s Class: Slow and Steady!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Your children have started to settle in little by little. There are less tears everyday at drop off time and more dancing and giggles throughout the morning. As your children’s confidence and trust have increased, they have started to explore the environment more intentionally. They have even started to socialize with some of their peers. Those that are able to say a few words have started to recognize and call their friends by their names. Your children have also been socializing with different adults from our staff team, so they can feel more confident and safe when these adults enter and visit us in our classroom.

As the children continue to use their freedom of movement and freedom of choice, some ground rules have been introduced. One of those rules is: Respect for other’s work. In traditional school settings children this age are encouraged and even expected to share. Sharing is a very important concept, but for children of this age it’s a task that they are not developmentally ready for. In our environment we encourage the concept of taking turns instead. This encourages patience, mindfulness, independence, order, and concentration. Children don’t feel threatened by the idea that another child will take their material away, instead they can peacefully work with the material until they are done. When children want to work independently we encourage them to say: “This is my work. Please don’t touch.” We also encourage the children to observe quietly how other children are working with a material. It’s so fun to see that even at this young age children are able to work on mastering these skills! They just need the encouragement to do so.

Another rule we introduced this week is: We Respect our Materials.  As guides, we model slowly and consistently throughout the morning the importance of carrying and handling our materials in a gentle way. If one of our students decides to throw a piece of material across the room, we encourage him/her to use one of the balls instead and we verbalize to them in a few words how we should use the materials.  “We throw the ball.” “We are gentle with our materials.”

On another note, the children’s favorite book this week was: “Brown Bear, Brown Bear What do You See?” By Eric Carle. “We are the Dinosaurs” by Laurie Berkner continues to be the number one hit on our music list this week!

We are excited for a new month and all the fun we are about to have! Stay tuned and enjoy the pictures of your beautiful children!

Off to a Wonderful Beginning!

Posted on by Stephanie Thomas

Wow! What a wonderful week-and-a-half we’ve all had! Thank you all for your positive support and trust throughout this Phase-In process. This is a special time, carefully designed and implemented to consider the very varied developmental stages of children in this age group. It allows us to cautiously and prudently help each child acclimate to our environment, setting the tone of the classroom by respecting and caring for each other and the environment. It sets the stage for a successful year of independent learning.

We are continuing to make connections with your children and they are beginning to learn our routines. We are looking forward to a terrific year of working with you and your children!

Mrs. Hood’s class: Let the adventure begin!

Posted on by Andrea Hood

Welcome Families!
These last 2 weeks you and your children have done a remarkable job during the process of Phase-in.
It has been a special time of striving to create a peaceful and welcoming environment for your child. This is an important stabilizing period where the children and guides get to know one another.
Children have been exploring the learning environment and getting familiar with the physical space. Our environment is a place where independence, freedom and choice of materials are the rule. The children will gradually learn how to handle this choice and freedom while respecting and caring for each other, the materials, and the classroom!
Seeing as Phase-in sets the stage for a successful year of learning, we want to thank you all for your support and for helping us create an atmosphere of security and emotional comfort for each child.
Enjoy the pictures!

Celebrations and Work

Posted on by Stephanie Thomas

We recently celebrated a few birthdays in class. Silas, Lucca, and Callen brought in yummy treats for all to enjoy. Thank you to the Vachons, Allegrettos, and Mahoneys for spending time with us.

The rocks that the children washed were painted with yellow and blue. These special rocks will be making an appearance in your homes soon. 🙂

Mrs.Wilson – Our Cecropia Moth

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

 

Hope you all enjoyed your Memorial Day weekend!

Jayne Bidaut a parent of an Upper Elementary student gifted us with a cocoon. Inside the cocoon a Cecropia Moth was going through the process of metamorphosis. When we returned on Tuesday our moth has emerged. Jayne stopped in to check in on the moth and we found out the moth is a female. She has around 100 eggs in her abdomen. She showed the children all the different parts of the moth and the difference between the moth and butterfly. Jayne also dissected the cocoon for the children and we explored what was inside. Inside was some silk and the chrysalis. Thank you Jayne for bringing in this beautiful insect.

This week we also celebrated Maren’s and Hudson’s birthday!

Mrs. Wilson and Miss Sharlene

Mrs. Wilson- Fun Filled Week

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

Being a teacher is one of the most rewarding jobs out there. It was an honor to have been entrusted in the care of your child/children. I will miss their laughter, silliness and the unexpected hugs. Sharlene and I want to give a heart felt thank you to you all for the generous gifts you gave.

Lots of end of the year memories were made this last week. We had a blast using the parachute and doing the egg on a spoon race during field day! The crossing the bridge ceremony was beautiful and enjoying some time together on the playground was wonderful!

We hope you all enjoy your summer!

Cynthia and Sharlene

Mrs. Wilson – Give Them Freedom

Posted on by Cynthia Wilson

“Let the children be free; encourage them; let them run outside when it is raining; let them remove their shoes when they find a puddle of water; and, when the grass of the meadows is damp with dew, let them run on it and trample it with their bare feet…let them shout and laugh when the sun wakes them in the morning.” Maria Montessori

On Tuesday, the children watch as we released all five Painted Lady Butterflies back into nature.

As the school year is coming to an end the two toddler classrooms have began merging together in the playground. This has been a beautiful experience for the toddlers to begin interacting and forming bonds beyond their own classroom.

When the weather is warm we will spend much more time exploring the outdoors. This will provide them with opportunity that the inside classroom cannot provide. For example when your children climb the tree they are given the opportunity to use their whole body, to problem solve (How high is too high? How can I get down?) and to learn patience as they wait for their turn.  When your children dig in the sandbox it is not just for digging but they are using their imaginations, creating stories and lots of chocolate cake.

Miss Sharlene and I would like to thank everyone for the beautiful birthday flowers, cards, special treat, and gifts! You all made us feel very special and loved! What a very sweet surprise!

“Look deep into nature and you will understand everything better.” – Albert Einstein

Mrs. Wilson and Miss Sharlene

Mrs. Thomas: Rock Washing…and Making More Friends!

Posted on by Stephanie Thomas

You may be wondering, “Why is my child washing rocks?” There are several answers to this question, but let’s begin with the Montessori purpose. The dishwashing table in the photos can and should be used for more than just dirty dishes. Children love the feel of cool water, slippery soap, and the rough bristles of a nail brush on their hands. But we must keep them interested and challenged, and smooth, dusty rocks the size of their hands are a fun change from dishes. These rocks will also be used for a project next week (it’s a surprise!) and that is the other reason they are being washed.

Lately the two Toddler classes have been having outdoor time together. We have been slowly transitioning to a joint recess so our students who are moving up to the next level will be more familiar with their peers in these new environments in the fall. This week continued to be a huge success as they are sitting on the bench together, drawing with chalk on the large rock, and chasing each other through the tunnel.