FIRST DAY TUESDAY SEPT. 4, 2012

8:30 am-11:30am

Welcome to another year of Montessori.

We have been working in the classroom making everything perfectly ready for school to start.

The prepared environment is a key element in the success of the children.

Everything in its place.

Everything in order.

Every needed material ready for use.

SOME "Work "TO LOOK FORWARD TO:

(We call every activity-"a work")

FROG SORTING

FOOD PREPARING

COLOR MIXING

SANDPAPER LETTERS

THE PINK TOWER 

THE SNAKE GAME

THE MOVABLE ALPHABET

BUBBLE WHIPPING

THE 100 BOARD

One of our goals as montessorians is to empower your child.

As they are given the power to choose and challenged "just enough", then find success....they become empowered.  They become thinkers...problem solvers...self motivated by the happy feeling of success!

In our classroom:

-Each child is given verbal praise but worded carefully so that they recognize their ability comes from within them.

ex: look at what you did. Well done, you must feel so good about this work.

Redirection is also worded in the positive. 

ex: "Our feet walk in the classroom, try it over" instead of "don't run."

-Each child is given many opportunities to be independent. They are given hands on materials called works that they can practice an isolated skill or concept with. Our "practical life" area teaches skills that they can use at home as they care for themselves and their environment. They are given many choices. They soon realize their choices dictate how there time is spent and how productive their day will be.

-Their ideas are listened to and validated. In this way children feel safe and comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas with others. They often help find solutions to problems through discussions. 

- Every lesson is presented individually by a teacher.  Many materials are designed to self correct with a control of error built in(ex: it only works when used correctly or has a guide to refer to) Discovering solutions on their own helps them become confident and feel capable.

*note-children are never left to become frustrated with a problem. Subtle redirection or re-presentation is common when learning a new concept we may even break into smaller steps to help provide success.

These are only some of the ways children become empowered at school.

Our hope is that as they do, you will see this development in them and let it carry over in a positive way in your home.

We are looking forward to the first day of school. SEE YOU SOON!

Mrs. Amy Merrill & Mrs Amy Beck

Turtles...our new class pets!

Big foot & Tiny our class turtles. Bigfoot the larger of the two African Turtles is going in to see if tiny wants to come out for lunch.

(Mrs. Brimhall loves creatures and is so kind to share some of her turtles with us this year.)

Tiny decides to stay in while Bigfoot comes out for his feast of Lettuce and Grated carrots.

Caring for the Turtles each day is a big job. We take turns and each day a new child gets a chance to learn how to care for our Turtles.

Jaxon was the first to get this special job. He said his hands could be very careful. He grated the carrot, served the lettuce and changed the water.

GOOD JOB JAXON!

This week the children are making books about our turtles. Watch for them to come home!

Just a Reminder that our T-shirt Pre-0rder is due Tomorrow Thurs. Sept. 22, 2011.

We are hoping to get a class picture together if everyone orders. a Shirt sample is displayed at school is you want to take a look.

First Day!

Today was a huge success! Your children are a delight. We had a nice first day. Everyone was busy, busy getting lessons and working away. The time flew by and so we are looking forward to tomorrow. Hopefully pics to post tomorrow of your cute kiddos!