As I've written in other newsletters, we have been learning about winter squash. This Monday, we cut each open, and many students made predictions about what each squash looks like inside. We pointed out the rind, the flesh, and the seeds of each one. Then Ms. Teresa took home half of each to roast, and left the other halves on a tray for students to observe. Today, Tuesday, we tasted the cooked squash. Everyone used their manners to ask for one, two, three, or all four kinds. Everyone took at least one polite bite to see if they liked the flavor. We saved the pumpkin, however, for a special food preparation for tomorrow. We will add other ingredients to the cooked pumpkin to make a pie. Everyone will have a hand in adding an ingredient, or scooping the pumpkin out of the rind, or stirring the mixture. We will bake the pie tomorrow (Wednesday) morning, and then everyone will try the pie on Thursday. Friday, November 30, children have no school so that we can conduct Parent/Teacher conferences. Please sign up at www.stmaryschoolswormville.org . Find the Sign-Up Genius to schedule a 15-minute appointment with us. If you are unable to meet with us on Friday, please speak to Ms. Krista or Ms. Teresa to schedule another time.
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Thank you to all who came to watch the elementary play last night! Our students were so excited to perform for their families!
Now, for a different kind of play. As you know, weather is changing, but we still strive to get as much outside play as possible. Our general guidelines are that if the temperature, counting the wind chill, is below 25 degrees, or if it is excessively wet, we will not go outside. Please dress your child each day in outerwear appropriate for spending playtime outside.. On cold, dry days, children need hats, gloves, and coats. On cold, snowy days, they should have boots and snowpants to be able to play comfortably. Some families choose to leave snowpants at school for the winter season. Remember, if your child wears boots to school, they must change into sneakers for the classroom and gym. Thank you for your cooperation in this! Next week, school is only in session for Monday and Tuesday. Rest mats will go home Tuesday for washing. This is a good time to check on the season-appropriateness of your child's extra clothes. Please change out shorts and short sleeves for pants and long sleeves, so that they are comfortable if they need to change during the school day. Our school-wide Thanksgiving luncheon will be held on Tuesday, November 20 for full-day students. This is a special and exciting gathering for our children, who will get to sit at tables with older student "buddies." Report cards will go home November 29. Parent/Teacher conferences will be held on November 30. There will be no classes that day. Please sign up for this important event. We are grateful for all of our Montessori families! Happy Thanksgiving! Hello! Hopefully, by now you've received information about the Lower Elementary Play on November 16. Please refer to your letter to know in which color to dress your child. All Montessori students are playing grapes in Aesop's Fable, The Fox and the Grapes. We teachers are making the grapes' headpieces. Please remember, if you feel your child is overly anxious about performing, participation is not mandatory. We strive to make this fun and exciting. The play is on Friday, from 7 - 8 pm.
We continue our November by learning about insects, and the ways in which all animals deal with the changing seasons, specifically, hibernation and migration. We also keep learning about winter squashes. On November 20, full day students will attend a school-wide Thanksgiving Luncheon. The whole school will share a meal as one community. If anyone can volunteer to help this day, please see the Sign-Up Genius on St. Mary's School website (www.stmaryschoolswormville.org). Report cards will go home on the last week of November, and conferences will be scheduled, in 15-minute appointments, on November 30. Please see the Sign-Up Genius on the school's website to schedule an appointment. There will be no school. We look forward to the opportunity to share our observations with you! Hello again! Montessori said goodbye to October with a fun and colorful Halloween celebration! Thank you to Leah Valentine and Heather Boland for visiting and helping with our activities and crafts! And now we are ready to say hello to November! Along with a new month, we are saying hello to some new creatures in our room; our snails laid eggs and we have lots of babies in the tank! We have gotten to witness the cycle of life. We are crushing old, crunchy leaves with a mortar and pestle to sprinkle on our gardens, to encourage rich soil next spring. In this way, we also observe and take advantage of the cycle of life. This month, we will be learning about winter squash, hibernation and migration, and insects. We will learn what hibernation and migration mean, and also find examples of animals that practice each. We will learn to name five kinds of winter squash (generously donated by the Kisailus family), and eventually cook and taste them. Lastly, we will learn about the characteristics of insects, and compare and contrast them to the other class of animals we've learned about, mammals. As always, please feel free to contact us with any questions and concerns. Be aware that we will have conferences on November 30. |
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Ms. Teresa is just one of the three fantastic teachers in St. Mary's Montessori Children's House! |