We are closing out the first month of the new year, and the students have embraced our solar system, space, and constellation studies with gusto.  Kindergartners methodically created their own paper version of the solar system after hearing lessons from Ms. Melissa and Ms. Diana about each planet.

Creating planet books.

Keeping with Montessori practices of presenting material in a concrete way, the children were taught about our solar system through songs and movement.  During whole group instruction, one child was chosen to be the sun, another the earth, and the third child represented the moon. The proper rotation times were then recited. For instance, “it takes 365 days for the earth to go around the sun” and “it takes 28 days for the moon to go around the earth.”  An ample supply of planet books in our science area gave even our students the chance to learn about our solar system.

Learning about “magnetic and non-magnetic” objects.

Exploring Arctic animals.

On to a more earthly subject, considerable effort is used to teach and reinforce grace and courtesy in the classroom.  Every Wednesday morning, Ms. Melissa gives a whole group peace lesson. At times she had talked about what makes someone a good friend (a good friend is kind, a good friend is helpful, and a good friend listens to your words).

Playing Spanish bingo.

It has been wonderful to watch our students employ these guidelines in some of their social relationships! Ms. Melissa routinely emphasizes the importance of using good manners.   It has a profound effect on the room when students are using their good manners.

Practicing grading colors from dark to light.

As their interactions are respectful of each other, the room is more peaceful and deeper levels of concentration and learning are experienced in the space.  Let’s keep this process going both at home and at school. We find that the more children use “please and thank you” in their daily interactions, the more natural and unprompted their responses become.

THANK YOU

Thank you to Evangelina (Roman’s mom) and Heidi (Carl’s mom) for orchestrating the cooking project this month.

REMINDERS

Wednesday, 1/30 is kindergarten re-enrollment information night at 5:00 pm for the 2019-2020 school year.  All families who have currently enrolled pre-K children are encouraged to attend.

Writing in Spanish.

Thursday, 1/31 is 1st grade re-enrollment information night at 5:00 pm for the 2019-2020 school year.  All families who have currently enrolled kindergarten children are encouraged to attend.

Friday, 2/1 is the PTO Family Bollywood Dance from 5:00 pm-9:00 pm, see you all there!

A Kindergartner giving a “touch tablet” lesson to a younger student.

Tuesday,2/5 is Parent/Child night where your child demonstrates favorite works in the classroom. Families whose last names begin with A-M are invited to the classroom from 4:15 pm-5:00 pm. Families whose last names begin with N-Z are invited to the classroom from 5:00 pm-5:45 pm.

SNACK AND FLOWER THANKS

A great big thanks to Noel, Simon, and their families for providing delicious snacks and beautiful flowers for our classroom.

Happy new year to all of our families!  We have gotten off to a great start this year, as each of the children returned to school eager and ready to meet the challenges of being in a Montessori classroom.  A quiet, engaged hum has descended upon the room as we see the children working with purpose, concentration, and looks of deep satisfaction.

Learning about islands and lakes.

We are focused on learning about the solar system, space, and the constellations during the month of January.  Learning about our solar system is always fun as we begin to explore amazing concepts like how big the sun really is in relation to the planets, and getting a sense of the vastness of space.  We sing a planet song that describes the order of the planets and the fact that they all rotate around the sun. Language acquisition in a Montessori classroom is a continuous process where real terminology is introduced and practiced regularly.

Feeling an iceberg and using a polar bear model.

Now would be a good time to watch a sunset with your child and experience the transition from day to night (the rotation of Earth on its axis).  Although it appears like Earth is stationary in space, our planet is actually moving 67,000 miles per hour around the sun. It takes 365 days for Earth to make a full rotation around the sun. You also may want to point out the moon and explain that it orbits our Earth in a 28 day cycle.  Looking up at the night sky can also fuel wonder in your child as they begin to tune into the natural environment around them.

Exploring pine cones with a magnifying glass.

Completing the decimal layout.

REMINDERS

Kindergarten enrollment information night is on Wednesday, 1/30 at 5:00.  A great opportunity to learn about what makes the FMS Montessori Kindergarten program so special.  

First grade enrollment information night is on Thursday, 1/31 at 5:00.  Enjoy a thorough description of making a smooth transition from our primary to our lower elementary grade level, including the diverse and rich curriculum.

Friday, 2/1 is our PTO Family Dance from 5:30-9:00 at the Henderson Convention Center.  You may purchase tickets for this school-wide event in the courtyard starting on Monday 1/14.

Tuesday, 2/5 is our second Parent/Child Night: Students whose last names begins with  A-M (4:15-5:00) and students whose last name begins with N-Z (5:00-5:45)

Celebrating a chapter book party in Kindergarten:

THANKS:

Thanks to Ben, Penelope, Carl and their families for supplying healthy and beautiful snacks, in addition to flowers for our classroom.

Constructing an igloo.