Homade CLAY DAY!

We had a great time making this snowy white clay and then modeling little snowmen out of it. The children always love the cooking process and got very creative with their little clay balls.

Ashlynn helped count cups and Taylor poured the water in.

Everyone had a turn to do a part of the project.

January 2010

Happy New Year! This month is going to be great. The children always come back so motivated to work. We will be helping them notice attention to details and refine some of the lessons they have been doing. We will be giving many new lessons also.

Practical Life has been transformed into a winter wonderland of activities. From Snowflake sorting to ice cube tonging. Each work adorns the theme of silver blue and white! It is very inviting to the students. Some favorites are: Baby Bathing, flour sifting, silver polishing, bead stringing, flower arranging and basting water into the penguin habitat.

In Science and Culture this month we are discovering the world of animals. We are learning about mammals and Habitats. As well as how animals talk and protect themselves. Some our sorting activities include works like: FUR FEATHERS & SCALES and STRIPES OR SPOTS. Mom and baby animal go together and recognizing animal tracks offer hands on activity with real models. Fun facts about animals have become a part of our line time agenda this month.

GOOD NEWS! Miss Chelsey will be volunteering in our classroom. Chelsey Randall has recently moved in with the Merrills. She was a Montessori student herself as a child and has helped out in Mrs. Merrills classroom off and on throughout the years. She will be helping out with classroom maintenance as well as listening to readers and her favorite thing singing with the children. We would like to welcome her and are glad she is here with us.

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!