One of the underlying themes in the Montessori classroom, is the teachings of “grace and courtesy.” This plays out in many ways in the classroom, from rolling up a mat so the next student can use it easily, to saying “excuse me” when bodies accidently bump into each other.
At lunch time, after hands are washed and lunches are laid out, we sing a song together called “The Earth Is Good to Me.” The teacher then says, “Bon appetit, now you may eat.” 
This is a daily reminder for the students to wait for the children around them to set out their lunches; instead of devouring their food as soon as they get it out of their lunchboxes.
It also directs the children to think about how everything we need to survive comes directly from the Earth, and it allows them to experience gratefulness.
Here is the song in English:
The earth is good to me.
So, I thank the earth
for giving me, the things I need
the sun, the rain and the apple seed.
The earth is good to me.
Bon appetit, now you may eat. (spoken)
When Ms. Diana is managing lunch, we sing the song in Spanish.
Here is the song in Spanish:
La tierra es muy buena.
Asi, que le agradezco
por darme a mi, lo que necesito
el sol, la lluvia y la semilla.
La tierra es muy buena.
Buen provecho, puede comer. (spoken)
Please encourage your child to sing this with you, especially the Spanish version, as it will reinforce our efforts in the classroom. Thank you!
Thank you to Karri (Gabrielle’s mom), Dana (Enaara’s mom), Janell (Sydney’s mom), and Ashley (Carsyn’s mom) for helping us with our Valentine Day celebration and to the families who donated supplies. You made it very sweet for all of us!
February 16-26
(boxes will be located outside each primary classroom for your donations)
Help us support the Boulder City Senior Center!
Food drive for the Boulder City Senior Center’s Food Pantry!
One of the many services the Boulder City Senior Center provides for local senior citizens is a food pantry. Each week senior citizens are given the opportunity to receive a free bag of food to help supplement their fixed incomes. This service allows for senior citizens to feel empowered and remain independent in their own homes. Unfortunately, the food pantry is on the verge of being shut down due to the lack of funds and food available. Help us make a mark in our community by donating food to their food pantry!
Ideas of food to donate:
*Any non-perishable food items
*Cereals *Soups *Peanut Butter
*Tuna Fish *Noodles *Spaghetti Sauce
Kindergartners cutting out fish to go on our “ocean wall.”
cutting out fish for our “ocean wall.”
REMINDERS
No school on Friday, 2/12 due to teacher in service.
rainforest cockroaches.
No school on Monday, 2/15 in celebration of President’s Day.
PTO family dance is on 2/19 starting at 5pm to 8pm at the Dragon Ridge Country Club.
Egyption animal assembly on Monday, 2/22 at 10am.
Trabajo de Espanol (Spanish work).
A big thank you to Steven and Alexander (and their families) for providing delicious snacks and beautiful flowers for our room.