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March 2008
Elementary Enjoys the Warm Weather
The warmer weather was not lost by any of the students at Peaceful Pathways! The elementary heard the birds as they filled our trees and spent one afternoon watching and drawing the birds they saw.
The elementary students also looked for fossils and life in the creek - and then built a small dam as they sorted the rocks!
Look at the Concentration
There is so much happening in the classrooms at this time of year. The children are immersed in the works or projects they have selected. It is so fun to see them working and not even noticing as I take photos. When I get to see the smiles of satisfaction as they complete the task that they have selected it warms my heart. Below I am posting just a few of the photos that have been taken in the last couple weeks in our primary classrooms..
Cultural Area
Above: The first photo shows a child matching the continent puzzle pieces to the globe to see where each continent is located on the sphere.
The second photo shows two children putting the countries into the Africa continent map.
Here s a photo of a student painting a map of the continents and the finished project.
Sensorial Area
Stacking the knobless cylinders takes concentration and slow movement.
The pink tower is used to teach the language used for size gradation as well as stacking the cubes from largest to smallest.
Learning how shapes go together begins an interest in geometry.
Practical Life
These children are all working with activities that foster independence, as well as build concentration, fine and large motor skills.
Children are allowed to pour both dry and wet materials, use tools, tie and snap using the dressing frames, and practice putting a coat on hanger.
Children also participate in the care of the classroom by sharing in folding the laundry. Pictured above are two children folding table linens that are used at lunch.
Language
Metal Insets help a child gain control of the pencil and prepare for writing.
Children begin to use the moveable alphabet as they begin to understand letter sounds. The child delights in learning how letter sounds go together to make words. As a child first begins writing, spelling will be phonetic.
Math
An initial presentation on how to write numbers is made to the child using sandpaper numbers to trace. The child is then left to practice writing the numbers on his own. He delights in how the numbers look!
The child then gets out another number to try on his own.
An older student come to help form the numbers properly. Learning the strokes needed to write the number is important.
The children continue to work because it brings them joy and satisfaction.
The children above are learning about place value in a very concrete way. This will help them when they enter elementary school.
Counting beads brings great joy to this student!
Montessori in the Home
Montessori is not only an educational approach, it is essentially a philosophy of life. During the evening of April 7 at 7 p.m. we will offer an introduction to the practical translation of Montessori insights into our family life. Topics will include how to organize our homes to facilitate the growth of our children's independence and growing sense of kindness, responsibility and compassion. We will look at specific strategies for setting a tone of warmth and respect, establishing positive expectations and limits and organizing the physical environment at home to include children into our lives. Please call or email the school office to reserve your spot so that we may have a chair available for you.
Teach Peace Conference
Several staff members attended the Teach Peace conference in Janesville, Wisconsin at Rock Prairie Montessori on Saturday, March 1. Ideas for bringing peace and gratitude into our daily lives and classrooms were discussed. There were hands on ideas and discussion throughout the day. There was also a workshop on planning natural playgrounds based on the book "Last Child in the Woods." It was a great day for staff community building and gaining new insights for our classrooms.
Laptop Lunches
If you are interested in purchasing a Bento Box for your child's lunch box please be sure to let the office know. Information about these boxes can be found at www.laptoplunches.com or the February 28 School Newsletter. Those that are interested should let the office know by March 13.
Easter Break
Easter break will begin on Good Friday, March 21 and continue through Sunday, March 30. Our office will re-open Monday, March 31. Have a blessed Easter!