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Friday, March 24, 2006
Friday, March 24, 2006
Calendar
3/31 Pennies for Patients Root Beer Float sale 2:30-4:30
4/3 All-school assembly 10 am – Wildlife Associates
4/5 Core meeting 5 –6 pm
4/19 Emergency Prep. Meeting 5 – 7 pm in Helen Campbell’s house
4/10-4/14 Spring Break – school closed, childcare by prior registration
4/22 School Auction 2 pm
5/6 Work Party 10 am – 2 m
CRAB FEED SUCCESS
Last year’s Crab Feed raised approximately $2,200 for arts and education and tuition assistance programs. This year’s Crab Feed raised…(drum roll)…$4,417!!! The money will go to the financial aid fund. Thank you to everyone who helped put on this event, and all the families who supported it!
TUFF TUMBLERS
The Wednesday Tuff Tumblers class has ended, and the Friday groups wrap up on March 31. Tuff Tumblers will be starting its last session of this school year with our instructor Miss Carol. Classes will resume Wednesday, April 5th, and Friday, April 7th.
For the pre-school children we will be offering a nine-week session at $70. Class dates are Wednesdays, April 5th, 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st and June 7th, and for our Friday classes: April 7th, 21st, 28th, May 5th, 12th 19th, 26th, June 2nd and June 9th. There will be no classes on April 12th or 14th.
For the school-age children we will be offering a seven week session at $54.00. Class dates are Friday, April 7th, 21st, 28th, May 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. There will be no classes on April 14th.
Please watch for the registration forms in the classrooms and offices. Remember, enrollment is on a first-come first-serve basis, and children are scheduled according to ability and age – your child may not be scheduled in your preferred time slot. If you have any questions please call Tuff Tumblers at 925-551-8900, or the GLM school office.
SOUND OF THE WEEK Each Wednesday your child is encouraged, with your help, to find an object at home (preferably not a toy) that contains with the sound of the week. Put it in a labeled bag to share with your child’s class. The sound for next week is “Y” You, Yam, and Yesterday.
CHURCH PARKING
We wish to thank all the parents who have been cooperating with the church’s restricted Thursday parking spaces. There have been no more unpleasant incidents reported by the church members.
Please be very aware that children are using the asphalt play area to reach the upper yard. Do not attempt to drive through the asphalt area when children are present. Do not rely solely on your side and review mirror when backing up; all cars have blind spots and the children don’t always stay in line or follow their teacher quickly.
DAVID SCHWARTZ BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE
If you missed the visiting author of more than 50 children’s books, David Schwartz, his books are still available. Please complete an order form (in the offices), enclose a check, and he will be returning this Friday or next Monday to autograph them.
VOLUNTEER JOB OFFER: BOX TOPS COORDINATOR
Position entails the following:
· Encourage GLM families to cut out the Box Tops for Education coupons found on packages of General Mills cereals, Ziploc products, Betty Crocker and other food products from General Mills. And, NEW for 2006—Kimberly-Clark paper products such as Kleenex, Scott, Viva, and Cottonelle.
· Spread the word about the locations of coupon-collecting containers placed all around the GLM campus
· Periodically collect the coupons, count them, and send them to General Mills. General Mills sends a check to our school twice a year! It’s CASH—not some kind of corporate scrip.
Additional, optional duties:
· Visit the classrooms and tell the kids about this way to raise money for our school. Visits could include showing the children pictures of the coupons, so they can make sure the coupons don’t end up in the recycling bin at home. Or perhaps an art project, such as a coupon collection envelope to stick on the refrigerator at home.
· Encourage use of the Box Tops for Education website (www.boxtops4education.com) as a starting point for online shopping, which would bring in additional money for our school.
· Boost the Box Tops Booster Club!
This volunteer job counts toward your Parent Participation Hours. The amount of time you put into it, and the scheduling of the hours, are very, very flexible.
Please contact Cindy Fressola for more information.
Email (preferred): Fressola@msn.com
DON’T FORCE-FEED KIDS
(From USA Weekend Magazine)
When it comes to kids’ eating habits what parent hasn’t fretted over what her child will – and won’t - eat? Donna Fish, a social worker specializing in eating disorders and author of “Take the Fight Out of Food”, says parents should relax. If your child has the energy to run around, and the doctor says he/she’s doing fine, then don’t stress over what or how much the child is eating.
THE BEIGE FOOD EATER: The most common, refuses veggies and screams if a carrot accidentally touches the rice. Until she gets more adventurous, try super-nutritious cream of wheat cereal, and ask your pediatrician about multivitamins.
THE PICKY EATER doesn’t eat much and won’t try anything new. Try saying, “Oh, goody, more for me” to encourage taste-testing. And don’t sweat it: By the time the child is 13 or 14, his appetite will probably kick in as his tastes develop.
THE SPURT EATER will eat you out of house and home one day, then ignore food the next. Not to worry: These kids are probably eating well on the days they play catch-up.
THE FOOD DEMANDER wants it and wants it NOW (usually sugar). Establish rules about trats, but give a choice about when they get it.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
We have had a very full and exciting week. On Friday we went to the show “People Like Me” at Holy Names College. This is one of our class’ favorite annual trips. The show encompasses a journey around the world through five different dance performances. This year the MC's were none other than the actors from Boxtales! They were a two-headed bookworm who was stuck in a library. They feasted on numerous books and ended-up being transformed to another place after taking a bite out of a book of mythology to discover how legends are passed down through the generations through dance and music throughout many cultures. They did a show opener in which Brea was invited on stage to take part. She practiced catching a hat with only her head! The show opened with a Native American dancer doing a traditional stomping of the grass dance. Before any ceremony, the Grass dancers were always first to flatten the tall prairie grass in order to prepare it as a ceremonial space. Later, he did another Hoop dance. The Hoop dance was used by the Plains Native Americans as a healing ceremony to restore balance and harmony in the world. We then "traveled" to Mexico where we saw Cascada de Flores perform Son Jarocho. Son Jarocho is a type of dance that originated in Veracruz and emphasizes improvisation as well as variations in rhythm. Their dance was a story in which a donkey befriends a tree. Next, we went to China to watch Kunqu, which is a combination of dance, drama, theatre, opera, ballet, poetry recital, and music. The Peony Performing Arts Company did a piece based on a famous opera from the Ming Dynasty in which Flower Fairies dance to show a sad girl the beauty of Spring. Our next stop was Afghanistan where we saw the dance Chashma. Their costumes were beautiful! We ended our journey in Liberia. In the villages of Liberia people dance and sing at celebrations for the dead, at weddings, for important visitors, and just for fun. We actually saw a dance based on the Bodeor or high priest who taught the villagers problem solving as well as sharing his wisdom. The reason the show is entitled “People Like Me” is due to the fact that all of the artists are from the Bay Area, and they are just like you and me. All of these dancers can be seen at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival June 10-25 at the Palace of Fine Arts. It really is an amazing show and I recommend it to everyone!
On Tuesday our class walked down to the library to watch a show with magician David Fry. He had magic rings, a chicken pulled from his hat, disappearing scarves, etc. It was really fun! He also told the children that all of the magic he learned came from books...books that can be found in the library. He started to become interested in magic after reading the book “Magic For Boys”. Both Brea and Kai had the privilege to be assistants to David.
On Wednesday we had an assembly with author David Schwartz. He shared his books “Super Grandpa”, “What's in a Googol”, and “The Science Math Book”. The children were really excited. He told the children in order to become a good author you need to practice two things: reading and writing. He carries a reading novel and a writing tablet wherever he travels. He was sharing a book about animal feet and he asked the children to identify a particular animal’s foot. Charlie raised his hand and said "Echinoderm." The author responded with a “Wow!” because he never had anyone respond with the correct term. Charlie went further into a description, stating it was a sea star, to be specific, and that his feet are called tube feet that are used for movement and for feeding! Our school received a set of his books. Mr. Schwartz has about twenty science books as well as his math books, which are very interesting for younger children.
JACARANDA
Last week, for the celebration of Holi, which is when those in India who celebrate this holiday throw paint at each others' bodies to welcome the colors of Spring, Mrs. Saleem set up a table with paint and helped the children paint their hands. That's why they came home painted yellow and green!
Dr. Murray Moliken, Dylan's grandfather, gave the classroom one of the handmade clocks he makes for sick children. Check out the beautiful and well-crafted piece between the window and door on the east wall of the classroom.
The children recognized the first day of spring by picking flowers for the classroom and checking on the seeds we planted in the garden two weeks ago. Additionally, the gardens on the main yard have been turned over and compost harvested to enrich the soil for spring planting.
The children read "How Much is a Million" in order to give some perspective on the numbers million and billion; for instance, one million children stacked on top of one another would reach past the moon. The author David Schwartz visited our school to do a presentation to the 5 year olds and Elementary on Wednesday. He was available afterwards to sign copies of his books. They are still available to order in the office.
If you have any extra clothes your family can donate to the extra clothes collection in the Jacaranda class (relatively-clean underwear, etc), please have your child bring them to class.
Special thanks to Carolyn Baird, Gavin's mom, for helping with the sick finch on such short notice earlier this week (a trip to the vet)! The little finch is doing much better as she is receiving drops twice a day in her nostril and eye for an infection!! The children have been interested in watching Ms Leck catch the bird, too!
JUNIPER
"X" was the Sound of the Week this week, and as such we talked a lot about x-rays, the body, and our hearts. Go Red! Anyway you want... eat red - apples, cherries, tomatoes. Leave red kisses on someone's cheek. Laugh so hard your face turns red. But whatever you do, do it for your heart. Take a moment everyday and put your hand on your heart. And then make your own promise to be heart healthy.
"The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness, and to offer God the obedient service that unites us with him in the work of his creation.
Generosity is, finally, an outgrowth of the thoughtful people children become. In the best circumstances, where a child's home and school community work in close partnership, generosity becomes an unconscious ethical perspective. It is not a set of principles or dictates, but a product of a child's life as he experiences it, an attitude he absorbs working in a community of loved family and friends.
A six-year-old in a primary Montessori community will, for example, notice a younger child struggling to clean an easel and, without prompting, leave his work to help. His movements are cautious and quiet, his words simple and encouraging. When he finishes the task he has set for himself, the easel is clean, the young child delighted at the interaction. He does not ask for or need thanks or praise, but his great pleasure is clear in his expression. He returns to his own work with concentration and joy, confident that he is capable of identifying and meeting the needs of another."
-- from "Raising Generous Children," by Jennifer Rogers
** suggested reading: Montessori, Maria. Education and Peace. Oxford, England: Clio Press, 1992.
A huge thanks to all of the parents who have come to Juniper for birthdays, to read books, do art projects, and the many other things that the children have enjoyed recently. The support has been tremendous and is highly appreciated by teachers and children alike. THANK YOU!!!
GINKGO
It's Spring!
The children enjoyed talking about the first days of Spring. We read a number of different stories about gardens and animals. The 3rd year children wrote stories about spring and what it means to them.
Sound of the Week was "X". Children brought in X-rays and a number of other items that they wanted to share with their friends.
The class has been reading about Antarctica and the Arctic. The children's favorite story was about Sweden's Arctic ice hotel. The hotel is open in winter made entirely of ice. Each piece of furniture is sculpted from ice!
We want to thank Gary Theut for coming last week to help out with our lively and fun St. Patrick's Day celebration.
We wish everyone a wonderful weekend!
LIVE OAK
Many of you have wonderful questions about things you can do at home with your children. The list can be endless, but here are some starter points that correlate to things we are learning to do at school.
Practical life is the biggest and most needed area of work at anytime. Practical life lessons will continue even as your children are in high school and university. P.L. lessons at 2, 3, 4, and 5 can include such lessons as folding the laundry, helping to prepare dinner (peeling, washing, cutting), picking out clothes for school, sweeping the floor, dusting, wiping down a plant, washing a table, straightening a drawer. Just keep in mind what your child is capable of doing, put out all the needed components for the work together and have a beginning, middle and end. Present the lesson how you would like it done. Then put the work somewhere where the child can choose it later.
In language, we are learning about flowers, plants and mammals. Take your child to the zoo or a garden and see how many names they know or learn them together. Take them to the library and be specific about finding books on flowers and mammals. Let them draw or tell you stories.
Number work is very individual. While some children can memorize things they hear (language) they have no real concept of mathematics yet. However, once your child is counting you can play games of fetch or “can you find X amount of this color?” etc.
Please remember that as Montessorians, we believe in sensorial learning. Computer games, while fun, are a form of passive learning just like the television. Learning from birth to six is a very sensorial experience as the synapses of the brain are growing and developing. We strongly encourage you to have language, movement and use of the senses in all your activities with your children.
Thank you to everyone who is helping out with the auction items. They are coming along nicely. We also want to thank Josh Rogers and his family for buying our classroom a garter snake along with a home and all that is needed to care for him.
MAGNOLIA
It has been a busy week in the Magnolia class! On Tuesday we celebrated Andrea Butner's 5th birthday. She took her journey around the sun and we had a yummy snack. A big thanks to Cass Dellis for bringing some bagels last Friday - they are a Magnolia favorite.
The auction projects are coming along very nicely! We have some finishing touches to put on the picture frames and then we’ll be finished with those. Thank you, Marianna Caponigro, Jake's mom, for helping us on Wednesday.
Thank you to Meghan O’Leary and Danielle Hayes who arranged for a yoga instructor, Teddy Kellum, to do exercises with the class this week. She used wonderful songs and props to teach the children various yoga poses. Everyone enjoyed the hour long session. The teachers hope to do an in-service with her during the summer.
The 5-year olds enjoyed a demonstration and a story from author David Schwartz Wednesday. He has written several award winning children’s books including “How Much is a Million?” The children were all wowed when he demonstrated different quantities by counting popcorn.
MULBERRY
The toddlers celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by making Shamrock collages with Mrs. Kebede. When they were finished they went over to Camellia and decorated cookies with Stella Castillo. We also made Irish soda bread for afternoon snack.
Thank you to all of the parents who have come in and helped decorate the tee shirts for the auction. We are about half finished. The auction table with handprints has turned out great. Thank you Elizabeth and Vanessa.
This week we've had two dads come in and read stories. Thank you Andrew Damon and Eric Rathhaus. Kennedy Watson from elementary also came in and read "Where Do Balloons Go". The children really enjoy listening to stories.
Pennies for Patients is still going on. The children really get a kick out of dropping coins through the slot in the collection box.
Reminder to parents: Children are to be dropped off by 9:00. After 9:00 we ask that you enter the kitchen and say your good-byes there. If the good-bye is difficult, get a teacher’s attention for assistance. When children come in late it disturbs the other children and breaks their concentration.
Song of the week:
All the little fish are swimming in the water, swimming in the water, swimming in the water. All the little fish are swimming in the water bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble SPLASH!
(Continue with All the big fish...... All the whales....... All the children......)
CAMELLIA
Last week we had a wonderful St. Patrick's day project. The children from both toddler classes decorated cookies with Stella Castillo, Ethan’s mom. Thank you, Stella!
Have you marked your calendar for the Wine and Cheese Tasting/Auction, on April 22? If you want to help with our class project please let the Camellia teachers know or contact Marni Hunter or Diane Spiegel.
Next week’s sound is "Y", as in Yo-Yo, Yogurt, and Yarn. Speaking of the Sound of the Week, this week’s sound was "X". Stella Castillo made a Xylophone cake! I wonder what she’s going to make for next week!
Parents: Thank you for donating to Pennies for Patients. Don’t forget, on March 31 the elementary children are doing a Pennies for Patients root beer float sale between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. So, when you pick your children be sure to pick up a root beer float also! Thank you.
A friendly reminder: Please checked your parent's pocket and your children cubbies frequently.
Something to smile about: A child entered the classroom and began pounding the drum. He started chanting “Me the teacher, me the teacher, we sing wheels on the bus”. Then he and a few other children marched around the rug, just like a marching band!
FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON
It is not good for children to be pushed into stages that they are not ready for. But neither is it good for us to hold children back when they are ready to operate independently. Every unnecessary help is really a hindrance to development. This is true at any age. At all ages the favorite quote of Dr. Montessori speaks for the child:
PLEASE HELP ME TO DO IT MYSELF
Calendar
3/31 Pennies for Patients Root Beer Float sale 2:30-4:30
4/3 All-school assembly 10 am – Wildlife Associates
4/5 Core meeting 5 –6 pm
4/19 Emergency Prep. Meeting 5 – 7 pm in Helen Campbell’s house
4/10-4/14 Spring Break – school closed, childcare by prior registration
4/22 School Auction 2 pm
5/6 Work Party 10 am – 2 m
CRAB FEED SUCCESS
Last year’s Crab Feed raised approximately $2,200 for arts and education and tuition assistance programs. This year’s Crab Feed raised…(drum roll)…$4,417!!! The money will go to the financial aid fund. Thank you to everyone who helped put on this event, and all the families who supported it!
TUFF TUMBLERS
The Wednesday Tuff Tumblers class has ended, and the Friday groups wrap up on March 31. Tuff Tumblers will be starting its last session of this school year with our instructor Miss Carol. Classes will resume Wednesday, April 5th, and Friday, April 7th.
For the pre-school children we will be offering a nine-week session at $70. Class dates are Wednesdays, April 5th, 19th, 26th, May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, 31st and June 7th, and for our Friday classes: April 7th, 21st, 28th, May 5th, 12th 19th, 26th, June 2nd and June 9th. There will be no classes on April 12th or 14th.
For the school-age children we will be offering a seven week session at $54.00. Class dates are Friday, April 7th, 21st, 28th, May 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th. There will be no classes on April 14th.
Please watch for the registration forms in the classrooms and offices. Remember, enrollment is on a first-come first-serve basis, and children are scheduled according to ability and age – your child may not be scheduled in your preferred time slot. If you have any questions please call Tuff Tumblers at 925-551-8900, or the GLM school office.
SOUND OF THE WEEK Each Wednesday your child is encouraged, with your help, to find an object at home (preferably not a toy) that contains with the sound of the week. Put it in a labeled bag to share with your child’s class. The sound for next week is “Y” You, Yam, and Yesterday.
CHURCH PARKING
We wish to thank all the parents who have been cooperating with the church’s restricted Thursday parking spaces. There have been no more unpleasant incidents reported by the church members.
Please be very aware that children are using the asphalt play area to reach the upper yard. Do not attempt to drive through the asphalt area when children are present. Do not rely solely on your side and review mirror when backing up; all cars have blind spots and the children don’t always stay in line or follow their teacher quickly.
DAVID SCHWARTZ BOOKS STILL AVAILABLE
If you missed the visiting author of more than 50 children’s books, David Schwartz, his books are still available. Please complete an order form (in the offices), enclose a check, and he will be returning this Friday or next Monday to autograph them.
VOLUNTEER JOB OFFER: BOX TOPS COORDINATOR
Position entails the following:
· Encourage GLM families to cut out the Box Tops for Education coupons found on packages of General Mills cereals, Ziploc products, Betty Crocker and other food products from General Mills. And, NEW for 2006—Kimberly-Clark paper products such as Kleenex, Scott, Viva, and Cottonelle.
· Spread the word about the locations of coupon-collecting containers placed all around the GLM campus
· Periodically collect the coupons, count them, and send them to General Mills. General Mills sends a check to our school twice a year! It’s CASH—not some kind of corporate scrip.
Additional, optional duties:
· Visit the classrooms and tell the kids about this way to raise money for our school. Visits could include showing the children pictures of the coupons, so they can make sure the coupons don’t end up in the recycling bin at home. Or perhaps an art project, such as a coupon collection envelope to stick on the refrigerator at home.
· Encourage use of the Box Tops for Education website (www.boxtops4education.com) as a starting point for online shopping, which would bring in additional money for our school.
· Boost the Box Tops Booster Club!
This volunteer job counts toward your Parent Participation Hours. The amount of time you put into it, and the scheduling of the hours, are very, very flexible.
Please contact Cindy Fressola for more information.
Email (preferred): Fressola@msn.com
DON’T FORCE-FEED KIDS
(From USA Weekend Magazine)
When it comes to kids’ eating habits what parent hasn’t fretted over what her child will – and won’t - eat? Donna Fish, a social worker specializing in eating disorders and author of “Take the Fight Out of Food”, says parents should relax. If your child has the energy to run around, and the doctor says he/she’s doing fine, then don’t stress over what or how much the child is eating.
THE BEIGE FOOD EATER: The most common, refuses veggies and screams if a carrot accidentally touches the rice. Until she gets more adventurous, try super-nutritious cream of wheat cereal, and ask your pediatrician about multivitamins.
THE PICKY EATER doesn’t eat much and won’t try anything new. Try saying, “Oh, goody, more for me” to encourage taste-testing. And don’t sweat it: By the time the child is 13 or 14, his appetite will probably kick in as his tastes develop.
THE SPURT EATER will eat you out of house and home one day, then ignore food the next. Not to worry: These kids are probably eating well on the days they play catch-up.
THE FOOD DEMANDER wants it and wants it NOW (usually sugar). Establish rules about trats, but give a choice about when they get it.
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
We have had a very full and exciting week. On Friday we went to the show “People Like Me” at Holy Names College. This is one of our class’ favorite annual trips. The show encompasses a journey around the world through five different dance performances. This year the MC's were none other than the actors from Boxtales! They were a two-headed bookworm who was stuck in a library. They feasted on numerous books and ended-up being transformed to another place after taking a bite out of a book of mythology to discover how legends are passed down through the generations through dance and music throughout many cultures. They did a show opener in which Brea was invited on stage to take part. She practiced catching a hat with only her head! The show opened with a Native American dancer doing a traditional stomping of the grass dance. Before any ceremony, the Grass dancers were always first to flatten the tall prairie grass in order to prepare it as a ceremonial space. Later, he did another Hoop dance. The Hoop dance was used by the Plains Native Americans as a healing ceremony to restore balance and harmony in the world. We then "traveled" to Mexico where we saw Cascada de Flores perform Son Jarocho. Son Jarocho is a type of dance that originated in Veracruz and emphasizes improvisation as well as variations in rhythm. Their dance was a story in which a donkey befriends a tree. Next, we went to China to watch Kunqu, which is a combination of dance, drama, theatre, opera, ballet, poetry recital, and music. The Peony Performing Arts Company did a piece based on a famous opera from the Ming Dynasty in which Flower Fairies dance to show a sad girl the beauty of Spring. Our next stop was Afghanistan where we saw the dance Chashma. Their costumes were beautiful! We ended our journey in Liberia. In the villages of Liberia people dance and sing at celebrations for the dead, at weddings, for important visitors, and just for fun. We actually saw a dance based on the Bodeor or high priest who taught the villagers problem solving as well as sharing his wisdom. The reason the show is entitled “People Like Me” is due to the fact that all of the artists are from the Bay Area, and they are just like you and me. All of these dancers can be seen at the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival June 10-25 at the Palace of Fine Arts. It really is an amazing show and I recommend it to everyone!
On Tuesday our class walked down to the library to watch a show with magician David Fry. He had magic rings, a chicken pulled from his hat, disappearing scarves, etc. It was really fun! He also told the children that all of the magic he learned came from books...books that can be found in the library. He started to become interested in magic after reading the book “Magic For Boys”. Both Brea and Kai had the privilege to be assistants to David.
On Wednesday we had an assembly with author David Schwartz. He shared his books “Super Grandpa”, “What's in a Googol”, and “The Science Math Book”. The children were really excited. He told the children in order to become a good author you need to practice two things: reading and writing. He carries a reading novel and a writing tablet wherever he travels. He was sharing a book about animal feet and he asked the children to identify a particular animal’s foot. Charlie raised his hand and said "Echinoderm." The author responded with a “Wow!” because he never had anyone respond with the correct term. Charlie went further into a description, stating it was a sea star, to be specific, and that his feet are called tube feet that are used for movement and for feeding! Our school received a set of his books. Mr. Schwartz has about twenty science books as well as his math books, which are very interesting for younger children.
JACARANDA
Last week, for the celebration of Holi, which is when those in India who celebrate this holiday throw paint at each others' bodies to welcome the colors of Spring, Mrs. Saleem set up a table with paint and helped the children paint their hands. That's why they came home painted yellow and green!
Dr. Murray Moliken, Dylan's grandfather, gave the classroom one of the handmade clocks he makes for sick children. Check out the beautiful and well-crafted piece between the window and door on the east wall of the classroom.
The children recognized the first day of spring by picking flowers for the classroom and checking on the seeds we planted in the garden two weeks ago. Additionally, the gardens on the main yard have been turned over and compost harvested to enrich the soil for spring planting.
The children read "How Much is a Million" in order to give some perspective on the numbers million and billion; for instance, one million children stacked on top of one another would reach past the moon. The author David Schwartz visited our school to do a presentation to the 5 year olds and Elementary on Wednesday. He was available afterwards to sign copies of his books. They are still available to order in the office.
If you have any extra clothes your family can donate to the extra clothes collection in the Jacaranda class (relatively-clean underwear, etc), please have your child bring them to class.
Special thanks to Carolyn Baird, Gavin's mom, for helping with the sick finch on such short notice earlier this week (a trip to the vet)! The little finch is doing much better as she is receiving drops twice a day in her nostril and eye for an infection!! The children have been interested in watching Ms Leck catch the bird, too!
JUNIPER
"X" was the Sound of the Week this week, and as such we talked a lot about x-rays, the body, and our hearts. Go Red! Anyway you want... eat red - apples, cherries, tomatoes. Leave red kisses on someone's cheek. Laugh so hard your face turns red. But whatever you do, do it for your heart. Take a moment everyday and put your hand on your heart. And then make your own promise to be heart healthy.
"The aim of such an education indicates the desire to contribute to the good of all, to share in this cosmic goodness, and to offer God the obedient service that unites us with him in the work of his creation.
Generosity is, finally, an outgrowth of the thoughtful people children become. In the best circumstances, where a child's home and school community work in close partnership, generosity becomes an unconscious ethical perspective. It is not a set of principles or dictates, but a product of a child's life as he experiences it, an attitude he absorbs working in a community of loved family and friends.
A six-year-old in a primary Montessori community will, for example, notice a younger child struggling to clean an easel and, without prompting, leave his work to help. His movements are cautious and quiet, his words simple and encouraging. When he finishes the task he has set for himself, the easel is clean, the young child delighted at the interaction. He does not ask for or need thanks or praise, but his great pleasure is clear in his expression. He returns to his own work with concentration and joy, confident that he is capable of identifying and meeting the needs of another."
-- from "Raising Generous Children," by Jennifer Rogers
** suggested reading: Montessori, Maria. Education and Peace. Oxford, England: Clio Press, 1992.
A huge thanks to all of the parents who have come to Juniper for birthdays, to read books, do art projects, and the many other things that the children have enjoyed recently. The support has been tremendous and is highly appreciated by teachers and children alike. THANK YOU!!!
GINKGO
It's Spring!
The children enjoyed talking about the first days of Spring. We read a number of different stories about gardens and animals. The 3rd year children wrote stories about spring and what it means to them.
Sound of the Week was "X". Children brought in X-rays and a number of other items that they wanted to share with their friends.
The class has been reading about Antarctica and the Arctic. The children's favorite story was about Sweden's Arctic ice hotel. The hotel is open in winter made entirely of ice. Each piece of furniture is sculpted from ice!
We want to thank Gary Theut for coming last week to help out with our lively and fun St. Patrick's Day celebration.
We wish everyone a wonderful weekend!
LIVE OAK
Many of you have wonderful questions about things you can do at home with your children. The list can be endless, but here are some starter points that correlate to things we are learning to do at school.
Practical life is the biggest and most needed area of work at anytime. Practical life lessons will continue even as your children are in high school and university. P.L. lessons at 2, 3, 4, and 5 can include such lessons as folding the laundry, helping to prepare dinner (peeling, washing, cutting), picking out clothes for school, sweeping the floor, dusting, wiping down a plant, washing a table, straightening a drawer. Just keep in mind what your child is capable of doing, put out all the needed components for the work together and have a beginning, middle and end. Present the lesson how you would like it done. Then put the work somewhere where the child can choose it later.
In language, we are learning about flowers, plants and mammals. Take your child to the zoo or a garden and see how many names they know or learn them together. Take them to the library and be specific about finding books on flowers and mammals. Let them draw or tell you stories.
Number work is very individual. While some children can memorize things they hear (language) they have no real concept of mathematics yet. However, once your child is counting you can play games of fetch or “can you find X amount of this color?” etc.
Please remember that as Montessorians, we believe in sensorial learning. Computer games, while fun, are a form of passive learning just like the television. Learning from birth to six is a very sensorial experience as the synapses of the brain are growing and developing. We strongly encourage you to have language, movement and use of the senses in all your activities with your children.
Thank you to everyone who is helping out with the auction items. They are coming along nicely. We also want to thank Josh Rogers and his family for buying our classroom a garter snake along with a home and all that is needed to care for him.
MAGNOLIA
It has been a busy week in the Magnolia class! On Tuesday we celebrated Andrea Butner's 5th birthday. She took her journey around the sun and we had a yummy snack. A big thanks to Cass Dellis for bringing some bagels last Friday - they are a Magnolia favorite.
The auction projects are coming along very nicely! We have some finishing touches to put on the picture frames and then we’ll be finished with those. Thank you, Marianna Caponigro, Jake's mom, for helping us on Wednesday.
Thank you to Meghan O’Leary and Danielle Hayes who arranged for a yoga instructor, Teddy Kellum, to do exercises with the class this week. She used wonderful songs and props to teach the children various yoga poses. Everyone enjoyed the hour long session. The teachers hope to do an in-service with her during the summer.
The 5-year olds enjoyed a demonstration and a story from author David Schwartz Wednesday. He has written several award winning children’s books including “How Much is a Million?” The children were all wowed when he demonstrated different quantities by counting popcorn.
MULBERRY
The toddlers celebrated St. Patrick’s Day by making Shamrock collages with Mrs. Kebede. When they were finished they went over to Camellia and decorated cookies with Stella Castillo. We also made Irish soda bread for afternoon snack.
Thank you to all of the parents who have come in and helped decorate the tee shirts for the auction. We are about half finished. The auction table with handprints has turned out great. Thank you Elizabeth and Vanessa.
This week we've had two dads come in and read stories. Thank you Andrew Damon and Eric Rathhaus. Kennedy Watson from elementary also came in and read "Where Do Balloons Go". The children really enjoy listening to stories.
Pennies for Patients is still going on. The children really get a kick out of dropping coins through the slot in the collection box.
Reminder to parents: Children are to be dropped off by 9:00. After 9:00 we ask that you enter the kitchen and say your good-byes there. If the good-bye is difficult, get a teacher’s attention for assistance. When children come in late it disturbs the other children and breaks their concentration.
Song of the week:
All the little fish are swimming in the water, swimming in the water, swimming in the water. All the little fish are swimming in the water bubble, bubble, bubble, bubble SPLASH!
(Continue with All the big fish...... All the whales....... All the children......)
CAMELLIA
Last week we had a wonderful St. Patrick's day project. The children from both toddler classes decorated cookies with Stella Castillo, Ethan’s mom. Thank you, Stella!
Have you marked your calendar for the Wine and Cheese Tasting/Auction, on April 22? If you want to help with our class project please let the Camellia teachers know or contact Marni Hunter or Diane Spiegel.
Next week’s sound is "Y", as in Yo-Yo, Yogurt, and Yarn. Speaking of the Sound of the Week, this week’s sound was "X". Stella Castillo made a Xylophone cake! I wonder what she’s going to make for next week!
Parents: Thank you for donating to Pennies for Patients. Don’t forget, on March 31 the elementary children are doing a Pennies for Patients root beer float sale between 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. So, when you pick your children be sure to pick up a root beer float also! Thank you.
A friendly reminder: Please checked your parent's pocket and your children cubbies frequently.
Something to smile about: A child entered the classroom and began pounding the drum. He started chanting “Me the teacher, me the teacher, we sing wheels on the bus”. Then he and a few other children marched around the rug, just like a marching band!
FOR EVERYTHING THERE IS A SEASON
It is not good for children to be pushed into stages that they are not ready for. But neither is it good for us to hold children back when they are ready to operate independently. Every unnecessary help is really a hindrance to development. This is true at any age. At all ages the favorite quote of Dr. Montessori speaks for the child:
PLEASE HELP ME TO DO IT MYSELF
