(630)553-4263
February 2009 News and Photos
Circulatory System Study
Several of the older students in the elementary classroom have been doing research on the circulatory system over the past several months. A couple of the students wrote a letter to Dr. Davis and asked if she would come and tell them more about the circulatory system and its functions. They were very excited that she agreed to visit. Here are some photos of the students as they dissected hearts to see the chambers and veins.
Work in a Montessori Classroom
The child in a Montessori classroom spends his or her day "working" and "constructing" him or herself. During the first few years in the classroom very little paperwork is produced by the child. Instead, the child is manipulating the materials or works in the classroom. The child is gaining a concrete understanding of concepts. This allows the child to have a deeper understanding of work that will be introduced during the elementary years.
Children choose the work they will experience each day.
A child may choose to build numbers from 1 to 9999 using the bead materials.
Addition and multiplication are learned in a concrete way.
Learning the names of shapes and how shapes work together to form new shapes is a sensorial activity.
Exploring with specially sized blocks allow the children to experiment with the many ways to construct.
Working with letter sounds can be done in several ways. These children are working with language cards and the moveable alphabet in the classroom. They may choose to write down what they do or simply put the work back on the shelf after it is complete.
Cracking peanuts is a task that helps the child with concentration, strengthen the fingers for writing, and provide a healthy snack.
Learning to cut vegetables and prepare snack for the classroom allows the child to feel like a contributing member of the classroom. It is also a practical food preparation activity.
Learning the parts of flowers and flower arranging help the children with nomenclature and recognizing beauty.
Coffee and Chat
Our next Coffee and Chat will be Tuesday, February 10 at 9 a.m. Please ask your child's teacher for location details. There is no agenda at coffee times - it is just an informal time to visit with other parents and Ms. Shawna.
Parent Teacher Conferences
Parent Teacher Conferences are Wednesday through Friday (February 11 -13). Please remember there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, February 13.
President's Day - NO SCHOOL
There is NO SCHOOL Monday, February 16 in honor of President's Day.
Scholastic Book Orders
Scholastic orders are due Tuesday, February 17. You may check out the available catalogs at the scholastic website by clicking this link.. Classroom orders are welcome, but you will find more to choose from online. Thanks for supporting your school! The children are enjoying the new books that you help us earn each month..
Upper Elementary Recommendations: Twenty and Ten; Women's History Books; Sherlock Holmes; Award Winners (Shiloh, Holes, The Giver, Number the Stars); Lincoln Biography with Photos
Lower Elementary/Primary Recommendations: Starter Chapter Books (Amanda Pig and Oliver Pig; Cowgirl Kate and Cocoa; Cam Jansen Mysteries; (Beginner Chapter Books) Horrible Harry
Class User Name: ppmma Password: PATHWAYS