Calling all PARENTS! The first full week in May is Teacher Appreciation week! I need a committee of parents and a leader to run the committee for this event. In the past, it was just a few little things parents did for the teachers each day. We have breakfast one day, lunch cooked for us another day, some adorable picture frames with a class photo in it, and a bouquet of tissue flowers with tags on them with messages from the children. It’s the little things….so let me know if you are interested, and I will help get the committee together! Thank you!
This Week in the Oak Room
- At April 14, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Oak Room
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As you can see, we are so happy it is spring! We have been enjoying a lot of outside time; playing, having lunch, and exploring to celebrate this wonderful change of season.
Everyone returned from spring break with a renewed vigor, so we have seen a lot of work happening in the Oak room! Thanks to Mr. Adam for a fun music session with his steel drum, and to Miss Jeanie for her relaxing yoga activities.
We have begun our study of Africa and will continue to focus on this continent through the rest of this year. This is a region of our world rich with exotic animals and interesting food and music. We have begun by reading “Anansi” stories. These stories feature a tricky little spider names Anansi who learns lessons through his interactions with his friends and neighbors. Anansi is a well known character in African children’s stories. In the coming weeks we will be learning a new African children’s song as well as tasting some food from this area of the globe.
In our science area, we are studying food groups and how important good nutrition is in our lives and for our bodies. We will be introducing the children to the “two-bite” club, which is a program designed to encourage kids to try new foods.
A few items to note:
Due to recent concerns our neighbors have expressed about the safety of children in their parking lots, we are asking our parents to please use our parking lot only when dropping off or picking up your children. We understand that it is a tight area, but if we work together, we can keep everyone safe.
Earth Day is coming soon. We are planning a school-wide spring program, please look for more information from Brenda for the activities we will be doing to raise awareness of our responsibility to take care of the world in which we live.
Sunscreen: please apply sunblock at home in the morning. We are happy to do an afternoon application, but your child needs bring in their own to be kept at school, in spray form only.
Child quote of the week:
When asked what she did for spring break, Maisie responded:
“I hung out with my mom. It was a blast!”
Way to keep it real Maisie!
Book Drive
- At April 12, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In CGM BLOG
- 0
We are collecting new or gentle used books for baby, toddler, elementary and tweens starting Monday April 15th – 26th for Windrose Health Network in Trafalgar. Look for the boxes near Brenda’s desk by the front door. Please read the description below:
Windrose Health Network is a Federally Qualified health Clinic with one of its clinics located in Trafalgar. We serve an underserved and largely uninsured population. The majority of our patients are self-pay or are on Medicaid. Most of our patients’ are below the poverty line and struggle for basic necessities like food and rent. Many parents don’t have the extra money to buy books. On most days our clinic sees between 30-40 children a day. We have a bookshelf to house free books to give to the children to encourage reading. Sadly mostly it is empty. We would appreciate any used books that you could donate. The children get so excited when they get to take a book home.
Thank you!!!
This Week in the Tulip Room
- At April 01, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Tulip Room
- 0
What a short week! With a unique snow day on Monday and a half day on Thursday, I feel like I didn’t get to spend much time with my friends! Also I was out Tuesday observing a school in Ft. Wayne called Oak Farm Montessori. It is a beautiful school that houses infants through 8th grade in a farm setting. I gave a small presentation to the children about the school and encouraged them to research Montessori schools in areas they are vacationing, visiting or know people in. There is no better place for me than a Montessori place; all those I have visited have welcomed me with open arms, like a long lost relative and are always willing to share ideas and experiences. I feel blessed to be a small part of this amazing, worldwide community.
So this week we were educated about our sister Montessori schools, worked on finishing up our work plans and a group visited the refuge again. We would like to donate an item each time we visit so next month we would like to bring some macaroni. Next time you go shopping please throw an extra box of mac and cheese in your cart and send it with your child.
With this new idea and parent teacher conferences we are reminded again of the amazing people we are blessed with, both short and tall. Thank you for entrusting us with your children and for allowing us to feel like a part of your families. As a celebration of our final day together before break we had an indoor picnic, the children made a salad bar, fruit salad and grilled cheese sandwiches, it was a lovely last & half day. Have a safe and warm spring break!
WE ARE CLOSED
- At March 25, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In CGM BLOG
- 0
Due to weather, we are CLOSED MONDAY MARCH 25th. Enjoy the snow =)
This Week in the Oak Room
- At March 24, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Oak Room
- 0
Welcome Spring! Even though it doesn’t feel like it, the first day of spring was Wednesday! We all have spring fever and are going outside when the temperature crawls to higher than 32 degrees. We have enjoyed observing the children keeping track of the temperature throughout the day and making predictions about how high it will get. The children keep us well informed when it gets high enough for outdoor play. We are looking forward to warmer days and our upcoming spring planting!
Your children continue diligently completing so many jobs in the classroom. Please remember that your children are particularly sensitive to language development at this age range. A change of seasons is an ideal time to keep giving them new vocabulary and talk about the changing environment around them. We all lead such busy lives, but it’s important to model for our children the ability to slow down and notice details around them and assign words to what they see.
After we return from spring break we will be traveling to Africa in our geography area of our classroom. If any families have any items or artifacts to share or display, they would be greatly appreciated.
A reminder: conferences are next week. Thank you to all of the families that have already signed up. We look forward to discussing all of the children’s progress with you.
Child quote of the week:
“You can remember a turtle is a reptile cause it will rip your head off.” – Luke
“Only through freedom and environmental experience is it practically possible for human development to occur.”
Maria Montessori
This Week in the Tulip Room
- At March 24, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Tulip Room
- 0
Fun Time Friday took on a new twist this week, with partner work! Ask your child about Fun Time Friday, we look forward to it all week!
We are really starting to see the results of the Rocket math (timed memorization testing)! We’ve had 4 students move levels this last month. When a student passes a level they have the option of researching a science based rocket experiment. Both Grant and Caden researched experiments and have been waiting for a decent day to set them off. Mr. Johnny came in to build Caden’s rocket with him Friday and we set them off in the afternoon. The Mentos/soda fountain was beautiful and the Air/Soda bottle rocket was such a thrill that we did it three times! Can’t wait for our other two friends to research their experiments!
Every other Wednesday we are sending two children from our classroom to the Refuge food pantry, and the children are immensely enjoying it. All children will get a chance to go before the end of the school year.
Reminder that this Thursday (28th), we have a ½ day and will dismiss at 11:30 a.m., before we dismiss we plan to have a small “Welcome Spring” picnic, with provolone/pesto grilled cheese, fruit and veggies. Then we are out Friday and the next week for Spring Break.
Summer Camp & Elementary Encore
Both of these fun, summertime adventures are open for registration and have must have a minimum number of child registered to occur, please if you are planning on registering for these do so soon!
We are so thrilled! At this point our ENTIRE classroom is returning next year and we have three coming from the primary room! We are so excited and only have a few spots still available.
This Week in the Oak Room
- At March 12, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Oak Room
- 0
Yet another fun week in the Oak room! These students maintain a level of enthusiasm for their work that is truly fascinating to watch!
We are continuing our study of snakes. We discovered this week that the shortest snake is called a “thread” snake (4” long) and the longest is called a “reticulated python” (20’ long). We measured these two lengths with string during circle and were surprised by the difference.
We also saw several slithery artistic creations…
Very nice Collin and Emery!
Some of our older students started their “number rolls” this week. I’m sure some of our parents have heard a lot about them; they are very popular. This is a reinforcement exercise for practice writing numbers and place value.
Child quote of the week:
Ava Katona: “But that’s not real. It’s make pretend.”
“ The child’s progress does not depend only on his age, but also on being free to look around him.”
Maria Montessori
This week in the Tulip Room
- At March 11, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Tulip Room
- 0
We have been aMAZEingly busy these past few weeks!
We had an aMAZEing time learning about labyrinths, through stories, building crafts and activities! We had a Fun Gi party! The children “became” fungus, by making their own costomes, we had everything from the Morel to penicillin to yeast and much more. We played Fungus bingo, made fungus Alfredo & mushroom bread, played fun-tionary (pictionary with fungus) and started some fungus observations and experiments! It was a super FUN(GI) time!
It’s been so long since I’ve blogged that we have had big work Thursday as well! Check Facebook for pictures. Soon we will begin a Unit on Personal Hygiene. If you are interested in seeing my lesson plans for this let me know, especially if your family has any personal preferences about soaps, lotions, etc.
Open enrollment has began and our class space is filling up quickly! We are happy to have so many of our friends back next year as well as to be welcoming a few from the primary classrooms! If you know of any families who are interested encourage them to sign up soon!
Also just around the corner is Spring Break and Parent Teacher conferences. We will be having conferences on the 28th (this will be a half day for students) and our first full day out for Spring Break will be the 29th. Come on warm weather, we are ready for you!
This Week in the Oak Room
- At March 04, 2013
- By CGMontessori
- In Oak Room
- 0
We were all so busy in our classroom this week! The children are showing so much interest in all areas of the classroom and completing so much impressive work!
We took a trip to “Suessville” this week to recognize and celebrate the impact Dr. Suess has had on children’s lives and learning with his exquisite rhyming books. We completed several Suess related crafts and had a fun birthday party in his honor on Friday.
Young children love the illustrations and occasional silly words in these books and really respond to the cadence of his written word. Rhyming is an essential skill in language development and word building, so cuddle up with your little one and read some Suess together!
Child quote of the week:
Brady: “Grandma and Grandpa took me to school today.”
Darci: “Why?”
Brady: “Mom and Dad are going on vacation.”
Darci: “Where are they going?”
Brady: “To the airport.”
“The child, in fact, once he feels sure of himself, will no longer seek the approval of authority after every step.”
Maria Montessori