As we enter the first week of April, it’s hard to believe spring break is just around the corner!  March was filled with different experiences from Asia, including discovering various animals that live in that part of the world, learning about different writing styles used in China and Japan, and how other children live and go to school.

Making sushi.

We also had a great deal of excitement as we learned about dinosaurs.  Children love the idea of these often enormous animals that roamed the world millions of years ago. We had interesting discussions about the differences between herbivores (plant eating dinosaurs) and carnivores (meat eating dinosaurs).

Discussing the attributes of the dinosaur to determine if it is a carnivore or herbivore.

We are grateful to all of the families who met with us during conferences, giving us the chance to speak face to face about your child and the overall growth we have seen throughout the school year.  We know that an integral part of a Montessori education is the support that parents bring to the process. We have also observed that the most valuable Montessori experience occurs when the school environment and the home environment have symmetry, creating a true learning community for our children.

We were given a chemistry lesson from Oscar (Logan’s father) as he showed us how to create a tornado in a test tube (hint, a magnet in the water-filled test tube responded to the agitation of the magnetic hot plate).  We also saw how common household items could test positive for being an acid or a base.

UPCOMING FIELD TRIP NEWS

On Thursday, April 4,  all P1 and P2 students will be going on a field trip to Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary which is home to birds, goats, emus, and many other animals.  In 1920, a 1500-acre parcel of land was purchased by Leonard and Elda Gilcrease. Over the years they ranched the land and then eventually gave the current parcel to the city to create a sanctuary where animals can be brought and cared for.  Please have your child wear their blue/teal colored FMS shirt.

Playing “concentration” using picture cards of animals from Asia.

REMINDERS:

Friday, April 12 is half-day dismissal at 11:15.  Spring break is from April 15 – April 19. Teacher in-service is on Monday, April 22.  School resumes on Tuesday, April 23.

We will be studying South America, parts of the flower, birds, and environmental awareness during the month of April.  If you have experience with any of these subjects and would like to make a short presentation (15-20 minutes) to our class, please let us know.  The children and the teachers really enjoy these interactions.

Doing dinosaur research.

THANKS:

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

Spring has sprung!