Concentration is one of the four cornerstones of the primary aged, Montessori philosophy.  The other three are order, coordination and independence.  Ms. Melissa demonstrated the concept of concentration to the students last week, first by using the yellow, knob less cylinders in a distracted manner where her eyes were wandering and her hands knocked over her work.

Then, by using concentration and her imagination, Ms. Melissa was careful to put each cylinder in order from largest to smallest. 

Once she accomplished this, Ms. Melissa was  easily able to build the tower in a vertical manner.

This ability to focus on a task, and be willing to have the patience to methodically interact with the materials in a manner that is orderly and with purpose, is a hallmark of a Montessori education.

Completing the 100 Board

Concentration is a life skill that takes time to grow and, by practicing the skill over and over, the ease and power of its effect begins to take root in the student and eventually they experience clarity of thought in the execution of the job at hand.

With enough practice, the desire to approach a task from a place of concentration begins to feel like second nature to the student and they begin to internalize the positive feeling of using their powers of concentration.

Our classroom “fish wall” has expanded:

A Spanish lesson.

Thank you to all of the families who attended the Parent/Child night.  It is one of those special nights where the child is truly leading the adults around in their world; and with an open, watchful eye, a parent can learn much from their child.  We appreciate your participation in this important night.

A special thanks to Ms. Nancy, Paxton’s mother for bringing the Chinese New Year to life in our classroom today.

REMINDERS

Celebration of Dr. Seuss is on Monday, 3/2.  Please help your child dress up as their favorite Dr. Seuss character.

Celebrating “100 Days of Kindergarten.”

Ready for P.E. with Coach Bob.

Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled for Thursday 3/5 (half day dismissal) and all day on Friday 3/6 (no school for students). Thanks to Grace (and her family) for providing great snacks and beautiful flowers for our classroom. Spring break begins Friday, 3/27 (half day dismissal) and school resumes Tuesday, 4/7.

During February, P1 is exploring the oceans of our Earth.  Although we live in the desert and have little natural exposure to oceans, it brings out the natural curiosity about the oceans, as the children have been eager to learn all they can about this abundant ecosystem.

We are looking at the fish, mammals and reptiles who make the oceans their homes.

One wall of our classroom has been transformed into the ocean where the kindergarten students have painted fish, seaweed and sea anemones. Last week we made a trip to Mandalay Bay’s Shark Reef Aquarium.

Sharks in the desert?  Who ever heard of such a thing?…We did!  The FMS primary classes stepped into the aquatic world found at Mandalay Bay, better known as the Shark Reef Aquarium.  

We started our trip walking into a rain forest where we were met by the world’s largest lizard, the Komodo Dragon.  Then our eyes fell upon a boa constrictor curled up on a ledge with fish and sea turtles swimming below him. We learned that catfish taste food with their whiskers and fish like to eat lettuce!

Moving into the area of hammer head and leopard sharks, we felt how graceful the fish world is where their swimming and movement is like one continuous dance.  Our fingers gently touched the back of the horseshoe crabs and sting rays.

Then we set our eyes on the luminescent bodies of the jellyfish as they swayed gently in their tank.  The children were captivated by the power and grace of the animals around them.

This week our Kindergarteners visited a local marine lab at Estes McDoniel Elementary School where they saw fish, sea stars and  sea anemones.

As we study the oceans this month, the understanding of the aquatic world is now more tangible and realistic for the students after making field trips to the Shark Reef Aquarium and to the Estes McDoniel marine lab.

Ms. Nancy sharing some of her sea shells with the students.

Happy Valentine’s day, and thank you for making our celebration sweet and memorable.

Reminders

No school on Friday 2/13 due to teacher in-service

No school on Monday 2/16 in celebration of President’s Day

Friday 2/20:  PTO Family Dance at DragonRidge Country Club

Thursday 2/26:  Parent-child night.  Families with the last name starting with A-L are invited to attend from 4:30pm-5:15pm and families with a last name starting with M-Z are invited to attend from 5:30pm-6:15pm. Join us with your child as they show you their favorite Montessori works.

Thank you to Chloe and Zoey, and their families, for bringing in delicious snacks and beautiful flowers!!