Hi again! First of all, I want to thank parents for sending your children in dressed appropriately for the winter weather. We have been able to enjoy the fresh air and health benefits of playing outside several times this past week! It really does students good to exercise their minds and bodies.
Speaking of health, we have had a reported case of pneumonia in our classroom. Please, if your child is ill (and especially with a fever or diarrhea) do not send them to school. The teachers are busy sanitizing daily, reminding children to cover coughs and wash hands, but germs spread easily among this age group. Thank you to those who sent in evergreen twigs. We have observed them, felt them, smelled them, and now we are cutting them to release even more scent! Next week, we will continue with our in-class Advent devotions, led by Ms. Rachel. It's been a lovely, reflective time for all of us to concentrate on the real meaning of Christmas. Of course, we will focus even more on rehearsing for our Christmas Concert. The Montessori and Kindergarten classes will perform together this year, on Thursday, December 20, at 7 pm. Please drop your little performers off at the Montessori classroom by 6:40 pm. Dress code is Sunday best. As in the past, Montessori students will exit the church directly after their performance, and parents may pick them up in the foyer to either go home or return to the church to watch the rest of the program. A couple of quick reminders: Donated gifts to St. Agnes families are due December 17. Thank you for your generous spirits. Please continue to encourage your child to do good, or generous, acts, to "earn" straw for Baby Jesus. We will lay it in His manger during Mass next Friday, December 21.
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Hello again! This past week, we began differentiating between conifer and deciduous trees. Back in October, we asked every child to bring in leaves; this weekend, we ask every child to find a small (less than 5 inches) conifer twig. Let's see how many different kinds of needles we can collect! We thank those who have brought in the gifts for St. Agnes families. We remind everyone that those gifts are due on December 17. Our virtue for the month is generosity, so please remind your child of the importance of giving to those in need. As a way to prepare for the birth of Jesus, every student will come home with a bag of straw. As they perform good deeds, a piece of straw can be collected into the paper bag, to be placed in the manger awaiting Jesus at the end of Advent. This is a significant way to prepare young children for the true meaning of Christmas. On Thursday, December 6, the Montessori Children's House celebrated St. Nicholas Day. Ms. Rachel read his biography, and the children set out their shoes, awaiting a gift from St. Nicholas. They even pretended to fall asleep while waiting to be called to check their shoes in the hallway! Here are some photos: Thank you to all parents who attended Parent/Teacher Conferences! We appreciate your insight and involvement into your children's education! The report card, while detailed, outlines the skills and subjects a student will be taught in the traditional three-year cycle of Montessori education, from 3-6 years old. Every year, they will repeat and extend lessons to suit their age, ability, and level of concentration. Please see the page, "How does Montessori Education Work?" on this website for a fuller explanation of the expectations for each of these three years.
As you might have seen on the St. Mary facebook page, or the "Buzz" newsletter, we concluded our in-depth squash unit with preparing and eating a pumpkin pie. The children got to see, and execute, the full process from fresh, raw pumpkin to a delicious pie. And of course, being part of food preparation makes it more likely for children to taste a new or unfamiliar recipe. We reiterated our rule about food tasting, which is everyone takes "one polite bite." Now that it is December, we will continue to learn about hibernation and migration. We will also begin to explore conifer division of trees, and differentiate them from the deciduous trees we learned about in October. Also, we will add birds to our animal classification work. Of course, Christmas is a big topic this month. Ms. Rachel is beginning today to have a short Advent service with the children each morning. We are practicing our song with Mr. Magowan, our new music teacher, for the Christmas concert. The Scholastic Book Fair is being held tomorrow and Wednesday (December 4 and 5). The Montessori class is signed up to shop at 11 am on both days. As that is the time of half-day dismissal, we invite parents to come in and shop with your child during that time. Of course, if you send in money, we will assist any children in purchasing books. Thank you for encouraging literacy and love of reading! |
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Ms. Teresa is just one of the three fantastic teachers in St. Mary's Montessori Children's House! |