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October 2008 News and Photos
Intelligence and the Hand
Montessori students do not produce a lot of paperwork. Maria Montessori observed children learning more when they use their hands and manipulate the work at hand. This allows the child to internalize and picture the lessons in their mind.
The child's intelligence can develop to a certain level without the help of his hand. But if it develops with his hand, then the level it reaches is higher and the child's character is stronger . . . If his hand wishes to work we must provide him with things on which he can exercise an intelligent activity. - Maria Montessori The Absorbent Mind
The children above are using materials in the classroom to understand shapes in a sensorial and practical way.
This child is experiencing the smells that different spices have. Some smells are appealing while others are not.
Sorting the sizes of corks allows this child to feel size differences.
Scrubbing a pumpkin involves strength coordination and concentration.
Spending time outdoors observing and taking care of the environment by composting makes conservation a tangible lesson.
Learning numbers in a concrete way allows children to visualize math concepts as they grow older.
Poem and Song Lyrics
At our Community Meetings parents asked about getting the lyrics to songs or words to poems that the children are learning at school. Here are a couple of the fall favorites:
Apple Tree Poem
Way up high in the apple tree,
Two little apples looked down on me.
I shook that tree as hard as I could.
Down came the apples, mmmmm were they good.
Autumn Leaves Song sung to "London Bridge"
Autumn leaves are falling down, falling down, falling down
Autumn leaves are falling down, all around us
Red and yellow, orange and brown, orange and brown, orange and brown
Red and yellow, orange and brown, all around us
Pumpkin Song sung to "Twinkle Twinkle"
First a seed and then a sprout,
Yellow flowers coming out.
Little pumpkins start out green
Get big and fat for Halloween.
First a seed and then a sprout,
Yellow flowers coming out.
NO SCHOOL
Remember there is no school Friday, October 10 and Monday, October 13.
Montessori at Home
Wednesday, October 15 - 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. at the Children's House Campus
Creating a bond between school and home is essential. This evening will offer parents 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 daily lives.
During the evening we will also be looking at the items in the Small Hands catalog that may be useful to your family. You may find it helpful to bring this catalog along.
Coffee and Chat - Thursday, October 16 at 9 a.m.
Check the "Weekly News" for details of the location.
Small Hands Catalog Orders - These orders were due Friday, October 17.