Roses are red, violets are blue, this month is filled with fun things for you!

Cutting hearts, flower arranging and tooth brushing are just a few!

Like all of us the children are excited to see new things available at the beginning of every month. The hard thing is they don’t have time to do everything the first day. We are surrounded by red and pink everywhere it is very inviting and the children are enjoying their new work.

Today on the line a child said “I don’t like challenging work.” Before I could respond three other children said “I like challenging work.” then followed by “met too’s” all around the line. The child must have given his/her comment a second thought because by the end of the day she/he was doing challenging work and loving it. Isn’t peer pressure in the Montessori classroom great!

Later in the week we had a discussion about how sometimes its scary to try something new or we think something is too hard or too long but the more we do it the easier it is and we grow. Some growing happens inside of us and some growing happens to the outside of us like getting taller. It went well with lots of comments from the children they love talking about themselves.

Valentine Exchange! Hooray!

On Thursday February 12, 2009 we will be exchanging Valentines with each other. Each child will be sent home with a class list. Be as creative as you like. We encourage the children to write their names or make their mark on each one. We will also be making a valentine treat and playing games. And learning a little about the history of Valentine’s Day.

We will be reading about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. We will even try building log cabins just like Abe lived in. We will present the coins and bills that these presidents appear on and learn their names.


Frequently asked question about Montessori:

“Why does Montessori have mixed-age groups in each class?”

Answer: Maria Montessori discovered that putting older children with younger children together helps them learn from each other. This is good for the older children because they can be useful and helpful to the younger ones which not only reinforces what they have learned but enhances their self-esteem as well. The younger children in turn have role models to follow and are integrated into the classroom by these helpful older children. They catch a glimpse of what they will be doing in future and look forward to it.

The diversity is beautiful. They begin by following and then learn to lead.

Thank you Mrs. Arabeth Brimhall!

For coming in and introducing the children to the violin.

She played some classical and fiddling.

She presented the parts of the violin followed by Braelyn playing her little violin.

We even got play name that tune.

The children loved it.

And a BIG Thank you to Brooke Mills for keeping this Blog so faithfully updated.

Balance Tower presentation

Mrs. Merrill presenting the Balance Tower.

The Balance Tower is made up of the tower of cubes, and the broad stairs.

McKay Wood and Kayson Merrill using the Balance Tower.

Making Music!

Your children have quite enjoyed having the opportunity to play an individual instrument. Here is a little demo of what music making sounds like in the classroom!

It's a New Year!

Happy New Year! We've gotten off to a great start. Your children came back and dove right into work. Time really flew! We talked about goals and discussed different goals we are working to achieve. Here are a few that were mentioned:

*Learning to read
*Making new friends
*Remembering to brush our teeth
*Choosing to be happy
*Trying something new
*Growing up to be a ballerina, football player, etc.

Practical Life this month is filled with new unique works. Here are some favorites:

*Baby bathing and dressing
*Flour sifting and sweeping
*Silver polishing
*Sewing a button bookmark
*Shaving cream
*Tonging ice cubes
*Basting water into the penguin habitat

Kambria Bowman basting water into the animal habitat; separating land animals from water animals.

Collins Chapman learning how to apply shaving cream and remove it with a (toy!) razor:)

Kellen Mills sewing a button bookmark

This month we are studying music. We are making rhythms with various instruments. We are listening and drawing to music. We are learning the instrument names and to which family they belong (i.e. strings or woodwinds). We are moving to music and singing lots of songs, and much more. Needless to say, the volume in the classroom will be a little more than a busy hum this month. If any of you play an instrument and would like to give a short presentation at the beginning or end of class, we would love to have you. If anyone has a unique instrument they would like to show, we welcome you also.

Jocelyn Hatch, Caleb Lyman, and Trevor Tenney

All together!

Braelyn Brimhall, Baylee Bowman, and Kaelynn Hipps.

New student: WE WOULD LIKE TO WELCOME BACK CALEB LYMAN AS A KINDERGARTNER IN MONTESSORI! This is Caleb's 3rd year in Montessori and he jumped right back into the swing of things. He had many familiar friends greet him.

Poem : SNOW CLOTHES

Today I put my snow clothes on,
But nothing came out right,
The snow pants wound up backwards,
My scarf was much too tight.

The mittens went on crooked,
The jacket wouldn't zip,
My bootlace got all knotted,
And my hat began to slip.

But now my clothes are on just right,
I fixed them all quite fast,
I'm warm and ready- out I go,
In the snow at last!

By: Mary Ryer

Snowy Treat
Make your own snow cones in a cup with maple syrup or juice.

Snow Art:
Fill 3 squirt bottles with red, blue, and yellow water (it's food coloring, use a lot!)
Let your child spray the snow and mix colors. Fabulously fun!

Shoveling Snow:
Shoveling the walks? You can get child size snow shovels at Target and possibly Lowe's or Home Depot. Children love the process of clearing a path or just piling up the snow!

Benefits of Montessori:
*Your child learns at his/her own rate.
*Your child learns how to focus and concentrate.
*Montessori accommodates all learning styles.
*Your child will master the important life skills of being a self-directed learner.
*Your child will achieve independence by learning how to take care of herself- her body, her belongings, and her environment.
*A Montessori classroom is a place where children learn order.
*Your child will be treated with respect and dignity.
*Perhaps the biggest benefit of a Montessori Education is that it TEACHES CHILDREN HOW TO LEARN INSTEAD OF JUST WHAT TO LEARN.

Answer to a frequently asked question:

Q: Is Montessori for every child?

A: “The short answer is yes- there is no child who would not benefit from a Montessori education. Montessori addresses uniqueness because it is an individual program tailored to the strengths and challenges of each student. Maria Montessori spent a lot of time observing exactly how and why children learn. She understood that all children, whether they have strengths or challenges in particular areas of learning, they need their own time to master it. They don’t need to be constantly worried about being “Ahead” or “Behind” anyone else.

Every Montessori school is the living legacy of this educational breakthrough. Montessori works for every child no matter who they are or where they come from.”

-M: The Magazine for Montessori Families by Karen Skinulis and Stanley Shapiro

Tired of holiday treats and junk? Try some of these Healthy snacks for children: WE WILL BE MAKING SOME OF THESE IN CLASS!

Animal Crackers:
Grind 1 c. of oatmeal in blender
Add:
1 1/2 T of honey
1 tsp. of salt
1 ½ c. of flour
½ tsp. of baking soda

Cut in: ½ c. of butter

Add:
¼-1/2 c. of buttermilk
Roll very thin. Cut out with cookie cutters.

Bake at 400 until brown (10-12 minutes).

Fresh Fruit Salad:
Apples
Bananas
Tangerines
Cut up fruit into bowl, add:
3 T vanilla yogurt & stir

Opt.: sprinkle wheat germ or granola on top.

Peanut Butter Balls:
½ c. peanut butter
2 1/2 T dry milk
2 T raisins or chocolate chips
2 T honey
¼ c. shredded coconut

Mix:
Roll into sesame seeds or roll plain. Enjoy!