Demcember-Twinkly lights and Candy Canes

MERRY CHIRSTMAS!
We are well into our month of December. Our Christmas Tree is filling up fast with handmade ornemants and paper chains. We are singing Christmas carols and ringing bells. This holiday time is a special time of year when we really focus on being more helpful, more kind and thoughtful of others. As I've been observing the childrens activities I have noticed they are a light with the Christmas spirit as they are taking extra care to prepare thier work for the next child, help a friend, or happily volunteer for extra jobs.
GIFT EXCHANGE THURS. DECEMBER 17th:
In the spirit of giving we are planning a Christmas Gift Exhange for our last day of school in December. Each child will draw a name of a friend and then bring a wrapped gift for them to our Party. We do not mean this to be a big expense please do not spend more than 1-3$ on a gift. We just want each child to experience the thrill of giving. This activity makes each child feel part of our class family and fosters friendships.

HOLIDAYS ARE FUN TO ME

LIGHTS ARE ALL AROUND.

SPECIAL SONGS CAN FILL THE AIR

WITH A LOVELY SOUND.

YUMMY FOODS THAT GRANDMA MAKES

SNOW ON EVERY TREE

BUT HAVING FIRENDS AND FAMILY NEAR

MEANS "HOLIDAY" TO ME!

FUN FACTS ABOUT SANTA!:
Saint Nicholas is the patron saint for children. He lived in Myra(now the country of Turkey) in the 4th century. He was a bishop and a very generous man. There are many stories about Saint Nicholus throughout Europe and even in the United States. He is called...ST. Nikolaus or Sinterklaas, Kris Cringle, Father Christmas and Santa Clause. He was said to have ridden a horse around at night leaving presents in childrens shoes or at thier doorsteps. The example of giving that Saint Nicholas started is still alive today as children all over the world are left gifts from Santa every year.

A Montessori Thanksgiving!

After listening to the story of the first Thanksgiving the children were excited to dress up as Pilgrim's and Indians. We Divided into two groups. Each group took part in a cooking project for our classroom feast. The pilgrims made turkey stuffing bake and cranberry/orange relish. The Indians made cornbread and carmel apple salad.

Our class has learned some Indian sign language this month. Here they are making the sign for FRIEND.
We all took turns telling what we were thankful for. The children were very patient and waited till everyone was ready to begin eating.

Yummy it was delicious!

Halloween Party- A Spooky good Time!

Children having group snack. Always a favorite...Yum Yum!

Don't they look great in their costumes.

Halloween Bingo

Cowboy...

Fairy...

Super Hero's, Black Cats, Clowns & Princesses...at play.

Ghost Grab Game

Bone toss

Little Officer Merrill

Happy Halloween!
Have a safe and spooky time.

Halloween Party!

Thursday October 29, 2009 is our Halloween Party. All children are invited to wear costumes. (no toy weapons please)

We will be playing games, singing songs, having group snack, and working on Halloween crafts. We will also be learning some fun facts about Spiders and Bats!

It is sure to be a spooky good time!

Lessons & Work

Red Rod Maze

Letter Sound Lesson

Griffin Lacing

Color Mixing Lesson

Nathan sorting Land and Water Animals

Braelyn Word Building with the Movable Alphabet

Children working on rugs. Notice how each child has his/her own space and are careful not to disturb one another while working. Notice how they order the work on the rugs. This is one way the Montessori classroom fosters learning through order and a peaceful setting where children can concentrate.

Josie Fabric Matching

Ashlynn finishing bubble whipping

Presentation on Go-together cards.

We took 2 pictures of every child in class. One of their top half and one of their bottom half.

They loved finding themselves in the work.

It has also helped them to learn everyone's name in class.

School Begins!

WELCOME ALL!
We are now into our second week of school. The children are a delight! We are really having fun giving lessons and watching how quickly the children are drawn to the materials. The days are flying by quickly and we are very busy keeping up with the students: presenting lessons, redirecting, paying attention to details and observing each one to notice their needs. We are off to a great start! here are some glimpses of activities in the classroom...

Mrs. Merrill reads a story about the Pout Pout Fish.

Ashlynn prepares her work for the next child before putting it away.

Irelynn concentrates on screw driving.

Brighton ordering and sorting objects.

Kasen carefully putting away the world map puzzle.

Josie points to her name on the Job chart. She chose to do floor sweeping at clean up time.

Taylor gently push pins a Jack-o-Lantern.

Then holds it up to the light to see her progress shine through the tiny holes.

Kelten orders and assembles the tower of cubes perfectly on his first day back

after a long summer.

His hands were busy all day remembering lessons from the past.

Watching the children work is so rewarding. At the beginning of the year they seem to evolve so quickly into capable and careful human beings with a love for work and a good eye for details. Even our newest children slip easily into the pattern of learning that this prepared Montessori environment offers. It doesn't take them long to learn the process of work and to recognize the power of making choices.

Last Day of the School Year

Mrs. Merrill explaining all the fun water works for the day.
Kaelynn and Trevor creating in the MOON SAND!

Taylor making her own piece of art.


McKay and Kellen making HUGE bubbles.

Kasen stomping on these fun stilt feet.

He does such a good job.

Kambria and McKay going FISHING!

Kelten

Trevor going down the slide.

This was definitely the highlight for the kids.

Who would have thought 8 inches of water could

be so much fun.

The funniest part was seeing their faces when they

hit the very cold water.

Kambria getting warm on her towel.

Collins creating a masterpiece.

Holding a ladybug

Saying Goodbye to our Mrs. Wood.

The parents all showing their gratitude with a gift.

Brooke and Caleb graduated this year!

We are so proud of you and wish

you the very best!

Last class picture of the year!

Last time on the line together.

Mrs. Wood we thank you for all that you have done for Montessori.

You have shown LOVE, PATIENCE, and KINDNESS to our

children. We Love you and we will MISS you!

Friendship Week