“Normalization” is a Montessori concept that describes a time when the students are truly engaged in the work of the classroom.  It is best experienced as a quiet, focused hum in the room.

If a person were to walk in at that moment, it might take them a while to spot the teachers, as they are giving lessons on the floor and it is obvious that every student is engaged in meaningful activity.  How does that happen?

It all begins with the prepared environment.  P1 is organized into areas.  

There is language (including Spanish), math, sensorial, practical life, science, cultural, and art.  Each one of these areas is defined by the shelves holding specific materials. Work is placed on the shelf in a manner that is useful and interesting.

A math shelf.

The introductory (easiest) work is on the top of the shelf going from left to right, with the most challenging work positioned on the bottom of the shelf.

The children are given specific lessons from the work on the shelves, and they are also taught to return the work to the exact place they found it.  

This system allows the students to move independently around the classroom working with a large variety of materials.  Since the primary classroom is multi aged (3-6 years old), materials are visible and available for the range of ages and ability levels of the students.

Completing the “1,000 Chain”.

It is common to watch younger students observing larger works being done by their older peers.

Dr. Montessori observed in her classrooms (over 100 years ago) :

“Normalization comes about through “concentration” on a piece of work.  For this we must provide “motives for activity” so well adapted to the child’s interest that they provoke his deep attention.  Their success in this is dependent on the use of the objects for the purposes they are designed to serve, a thing which is also conducive to the child’s “mental order.”  If they are used with care and precision, this leads the child to the “co-ordination of his movements.”

~ The Absorbent Mind, Dr. Maria Montessori, pg.206

MONTHLY COOKING PROJECT:

Thanks to Celeste (Cora’s Mom) and Laura (Skye’s Mom) we conducted our first cooking project.  We will do this on a monthly basis and will select a food item in concert with our monthly theme. September is a time we study apples, so today our students were given apple slices, cinnamon and a pinch of salt and a small plastic bag. After shaking up the bag, the students were able to eat the apple slices….yum yum.

REMINDERS:

The annual book fair starts on Monday, 9/18 and runs through Friday, 9/22. The fair will be hosted in the multi-purpose room.

Parent teacher conferences are scheduled for the afternoon of Thursday, 9/21 and all day on Friday, 9/22.  No school for students on 9/22.

THANKS:

Thanks to Camila, Hayden, and their families for supplying healthy and beautiful snacks, as well as flowers for our classroom.

Welcome to our 2017-2018 school year.  We are off to a great start!  We are so happy to see many returning students this year.  This has made transitions and procedures much smoother during the first days of school.

And just like Dr. Montessori intended, our seasoned students are able to guide our new students in the process of moving purposefully through the classroom.  Our new students have quickly grasped our grace and courtesy expectations, and are acclimating to our routine.

We were very pleased with the turnout of our families at Parent Orientation night and hope that the information conveyed was useful.  

Just like the shape of the triangle is made using three angles, we know that when you, your child and teachers create a bond that is strong and clear, it sets us up to communicate effectively thereby leading to the best outcome for your child.

We will be communicating with you on a regular basis through a bi-monthly blog (like this one) and a monthly paper calendar.

 Please review the calendar as we often put important reminders on it and it features an original piece of art that your child has made.

We match the artwork with the monthly theme, so that it can easily be a talking point for you to engage your child with.  Also, the blog is a great way for you to see your child interacting with materials and other children in the class.  It’s a way for you to become familiar with their friends and to discover what they are learning inside the classroom.

Working with the 100 board.

If you haven’t had a chance to check out the PTO’s information, it can be found on the school website.  We are so fortunate to have an active and creative PTO board that we encourage you to find out more about their activities.  The first general meeting is on 9/7 at 8:30 am and the first “Fun Friday” after school activity will take place on Friday, 9/29.

Working with the short, bead chains.

Please take a few minutes to review our snack and flower request list.  We greatly appreciate the generous and well thought out contributions from our families for this important task.  In the orientation packet, you will discover a recommended snack list.

Please plan for approximately 30 children, for a 5 day span.  Families are welcome to drop off snack and flowers on Monday for the week, or bring a smaller supply each day.  With snack in mind, we are grateful to Vivian, Vanessa Guillermo, and their families for bringing in healthy and beautiful snacks and flowers to our room.

Working with the brown stairs and the pink tower.

As the end of our 2016-2017 school year is drawing near, we reflect upon the time we have shared together.  

It was a year filled with new discoveries such as children reading for the first time to students who found their own voice when writing picture stories.  

Some children, brand new to FMS, learned about walking independently up to the P1 door and successfully saying “goodbye” to a parent for the day.

Our efforts are always directed to helping our students to grow as people, to walk the path of peace, and to stir the fire of curiosity from within themselves.  

Exploring the Great Barrier Reef of Australia.

Every day brought opportunities to practice grace and courtesy, and to extend acts of kindness.  We were amazed by the abilities of our students to implement these basic, important social skills.

Practicing grace and courtesy, by serving banana slices to friends.

As we go into the summer months, we encourage you to take advantage of this precious time and enjoy the magical moments that arise when quiet, easy moments are spent together.  

Summertime reading is always high on our list of recommendations, both reading to your child, and having them read to you (if they are able).  

Please encourage grace and courtesy from your child and if you are inclined, make a way for them to participate in taking care of your shared space.

Let them do for themselves what they are able to do, such as putting toys away, making their bed, or emptying the silverware from the dishwasher.

Small chores can have a big impact on young children, as they see themselves as active and engaged participants in your family.  Most of all, have fun, be safe and stay cool!

The end of the school year was marked by a  Spanish Fiesta, followed by Field Day.

The Spanish Fiesta was extra special this year, as we had Coronado High School Spanish students help run the craft and activity stations.

Watching the older students speaking so sweetly and clearly with our children was inspiring.

Several of the Coronado students were FMS alumni which added an extra special layer of community to our event.

Field Day was also enjoyed by all as the children ran around doing obstacle courses, wet sponge relays, and then eating delicious popsicles in the outdoor classroom.

A special thanks to Coach Bob for organizing the event and for all of our parent volunteers who helped make it happen (especially Diana, Evan and Sophia). We are grateful to our PTO for providing fruit popsicles and water.

REMINDERS

Kindergarten late night event is Friday, June 2nd from 5-8pm.

Kindergarten moving up ceremony is Wednesday, June 7th at 1:30 pm.

LAST DAY OF SCHOOL is on Friday, June 9th, dismissal is at 11:15am.

THANKS

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

Thank you to all of our moms (and Grandmothers) who visited our classroom and made the Mother’s Day Tea a sweet memory for all of us.  

The children were so courteous as they practiced their manners and invited their mothers to enjoy a snack with them.  The delight in the eyes of the mothers as they opened their presents was priceless!

We look forward to this event every year, and it gives us great pleasure to see the children basking in the glow of their mother’s love.  

The end of the year is upon us and even in the stirring of summer calling, the children are engrossed in doing the work in the classroom.  It is at this time of the year that we begin to see active mentoring going on between our kindergartners and the younger students in the room.

Dr. Montessori saw the advantage of mixed aged groups in her classrooms, and we continue to see the wisdom of this approach.  Not only are the ears and eyes of the younger student tuned in clearly to their older peers, but the students giving the lesson have truly mastered the concepts they are presenting.  This, in turn, directly builds upon their self confidence every time they give the lesson.  

Every year, the Spanish Immersion classes get together and have a  fiesta (party) to celebrate the end of the school year.  We are looking forward to that event on Monday, 5/22.

Examining reaction of baking soda, soap, colored water and vinegar.

Two days later, we spend the morning doing water activities out on the field with Coach Bob.

 On Wednesday, 5/24 we ask that our students come dressed in their swimsuits (swim shirts and shoes too). Please also bring a change of dry clothes (labeled in a zip-lock bag) dry shoes and a towel.  It is best to apply sunscreen at home as we expect our temperatures to be on the rise.

 We look forward to this fun event and appreciate the parents who are volunteering.

REMINDERS:

No school on Monday, 5/29 in honor of Memorial Day.

Kindergarten Late Night celebration will be held on Friday, 6/2 from 5pm-8pm.

Kindergarten Moving Up ceremony is scheduled for Wednesday, 6/7 at 1:30.

The last day of school is on Friday, 6/9 with dismissal at 11:15am.

THANKS:

A great big thanks to Valentina, Alex and Siddhan, and their families for providing delicious snacks and beautiful flowers for our classroom.

Doing research about people from Africa.

We are so grateful to our families for their kindness and generosity bestowed upon us during “Teacher Appreciation Week.”

It really lets us know that being part of the FMS is very special.  The sense of purpose and community that we feel is unsurpassed in the Las Vegas valley.

 We know that the deep commitment by our parents for their children’s education is a reflection on the enthusiasm that we feel being their teachers.

The Montessori method is as relevant and profound a perspective for education as it was when Dr. Maria Montessori created it. With the support and care we feel from our FMS parents, we know that our students are getting the very best we have to offer.

Thank you to our parents and to the PTO board members for all that you do to help us make FMS the learning community it is.

For the first time this year, the entire classroom took a field trip together as we visited the Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary.  

The Gilcrease Nature Sanctuary has been a fixture in Las Vegas for nearly 50 years, providing a loving home to a wide range of birds and some animals.

 Its rustic, yet clean atmosphere gave many of our students the chance to see and listen to the animals up close.

Many of the birds were once domestic pets, like the cockatoos and macaws, and they were especially verbal (in English) once they stopped squawking.  Thanks to all of our parents who chaperoned the field trip.

Unrolling a number role is an exciting day in Pre-School.  

This student has been diligently writing each numeral, starting with #1, and continues until they are at least at 1,000.  This day the roll was at 1,359!  It takes concentration, determination and a steady hand to write each numeral in order.  Congratulations!

Ms. Melissa introduces new “movement” work, where the children set up an area in the classroom to do specific tasks, like “jump” with two feet or “walk” heel to toe.  Research has shown that developing large motor skills are important for the overall cognitive growth of a child.  Besides, it is fun to move with purpose in the classroom.

We are looking forward to our next and final field trip for the year as we board the bus and visit the Natural History Museum.  That will take place this Thursday, May 4th (8:30-11:00).  Please be sure your child wears their FMS shirt and comfortable walking shoes.

Thank you to Ms. Jamie and McCoy for sharing some wonderful memories of their recent visit to South America.

REMINDERS

Please join us for our annual Mother’s Day Tea on Friday, 5/12 at 10:30-11:15am.  As classroom space is limited, we request only one guest per student (mom or other special relative/friend if mom cannot attend).

Spanish Immersion Fiesta (at school) on 5/22 from 9am-11am.

Building a dinosaur habitat in the outdoor classroom.

No School on Monday 5/29 in celebration of Memorial Day.

Learning to sew a button onto cloth, with Ms. Diana.

Kindergarten Late Night party (at school) on 6/2 from 5pm-8pm.

THANKS:

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