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Friday, October 20, 2006
Calendar
10/23 Staff Inservice Day – School closed, no childcare
10/24 Ginni Sackett 5:30
10/27 Halloween celebrations
MONDAY, OCT. 23RD, GLM IS CLOSED
School is closed this coming Monday for an all-day staff inservice. There will be no childcare available.
MONTESSORI LECTURE
Reminder to Grand Lake Montessori parents that Ginni Sackett, Montessori Trainer and Lecturer from Montessori Institute Northwest, will be speaking on Tuesday, October 24, 2006. Join GLM faculty for this informational meeting. Dinner and childcare will be provided. RSVP to save a place for childcare and dinner.
GLM BUNNY IS RETIRING
Winnie, GLM’s bunny, is retiring and in need of a quiet home. Most of you have noticed that she has been enjoying spending days on the grassy area in her pen. Unfortunately, the neighborhood cats have discovered her, and we are not able to leave her outside during the day any longer. If you like to provide a safe, comfy home for her, where she can play in the grass and snuggle with your family members, please contact the school office. Her hutch, water bottle, food, treats, and a lot of Timothy hay are included.
TURN IN YOUR ORDER FOR SCHOOL PICTURES!
If you are planning on ordering school pictures, please return the order form with your check by Monday, Oct. 16. If you are unhappy with the photos, or missed photo day, please call Dennis or Amy Geaney ASAP at 510-465-2131 to schedule a shoot.
TUFF TUMBLERS
Attention Parents: Tuff Tumblers will be starting its New Session on Wednesday, October 25th and Friday, October 27th!!
Our class times will be 3:00, 3:45, and 4:30pm. Tuff Tumblers is a noncompetitive gymnastic and recreation program that offers classes - once a week - at GLM. It provides your child with a safe and healthy environment, improving his or her large and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and self-confidence. Tuition is $48.00 for a 6-week session. If you would like to enroll your child in Tuff Tumblers, please fill out a registration form and leave a check in the office. We are really excited to introduce a few new pieces of equipment this fall and look forward to seeing your children in our classes!!!
SOUND OF THE WEEK Each Wednesday your child is encouraged, with your help, to find an object at home (preferably not a toy) that begins with the sound of the week. Put it in a labeled bag to share with your child’s class. Next week’s sound is “G” as in Gate, Gondola, and Good-bye.
HALLOWEEN
This year each GLM campus (Lake Park, Brown Cottage, Juniper/Jacaranda & Redwood) will have individual Halloween celebrations on Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 9:30 am. Please check with your Room Parents regarding volunteering to help with activities.
HEAD LICE ALERT
Head lice have been reported at GLM. Please check your child(ren) for the tiny brown and gray parasites that cause itching and scratching, especially on areas of the body that are covered with hair. You may be able to see the tiny eggs (“nits”), which look like white grains of sand attached to the hair shafts. They are highly contagious, and pass from person to person on clothing, linens, combs, brushes, hats, or ribbons. Your doctor can recommend a shampoo, cream, or lotion that will stop the infestation. Children may return to school when there are no nits visible.
THANK YOU
Sarah Lenoue and Corey Weinstein, Co-Chairs of the 2006 Book Fair want to thank all the parents, friends and family for coming out and buying lots of books, and helping support our school. As more pre-orders are still being tallied we don’t have final numbers yet, but it was definitely a great year!
We would like to personally thank the following people for all their hard work volunteering this year and making the Book Fair so successful:
Natasha Vorpagal - for being there on and off, from beginning to end
Danielle Hayes - for coordinating all the wish boxes and making such cool signs
Jennifer Pahlka - for the great read aloud, gathering audiences and staying all day Saturday; and for the tea
Deidre Abrons - for her love of cashiering and for being there so the volunteers could make their kids their priority, and staying for clean up too
Kendra Collins - for being such a positive influence and helping with set up
Gigi Orta - for having just come from another book fair and knowing just how to set up
Sara Zimmerman - cashiering, helping sticker the wish box books, and helping set such a friendly tone for the event
Tirien Steinbach - for cashiering and gathering audiences
Ann Strayer - for saying, “just tell me what to do”, and coming for clean up
Elise Lebec - for hanging all the posters, and printing the book markers
Megan OLeary, for her willingness to read aloud and help out
Kathleen Osta, for cashiering and helping during set-up
To Celeste, Heidi, and Ms. Rankins, for all their help with clean-up
For Ms Rankins for participating in the Kids are Authors project
Thank you to Washington for hauling, setting up tables and being very available and helpful the whole time—
and to, Joanna, Helen and all the teachers for their oversight, book recommendations, wish lists, and support—
and lastly (but by no means least) to the talented elementary students who read their stories, and gave up their classroom for our use!
CHILDCARE NEEDED
I am looking for childcare for two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) for my two daughters, ages 5 and 9. Both have after-school activities and would love to have a fun, caring person with a car take them to their activities. The hours would be from 3:30pm to 6pm. Please contact Celeste at crgrinage@yahoo.com if you can help or have a referral.
NANNY AVAILABLE
Our wonderful Nanny is available now that our children are in school. Our nanny, Betty, has been with us for 4 years. She raised our 4 and 1.5 year old daughters who are now at GLM.
She treats our children as if they are her own, giving them lots of love and attention. She took our daughters out almost every day, typically going to the library and the park, walking around the lake, feeding the birds, going to MOCHA and many other activities. She is reliable and shows up on time.
She is available from 7:30-6:00 M-F. She does not drive, so she prefers to be with a family or a share that is easily accessible, as we are, from public transportation. We live near Lake Merritt on the Oakland/Piedmont border. Betty is English speaking and can be reached directly at 510.206.9702. I am sure that you will be happy that you found her. I (Kara Kelly) can be reached at kara_g_kelly@yahoo.com. should you have questions or need a reference.
ANOTHER NANNY AVAILABLE
Are you looking for someone you can feel confident will nurture, protect and love your infant? Does home cooked baby food sound good to you? Would you like someone who is more than willing to help around the house as your child naps? Are you looking for someone whose hours are flexible (nights and weekends) to accommodate your crazy schedule? Have we (Landen Manuel’s family, Juniper) got a nanny for you! Maria Martinez is all of this and more. Our infant took to her immediately. He smiles and actually grabs for her when she arrives each morning. As I work around the house I never hear a peep out of him. She seems to quickly get in tune with the child’s rhythms. And did I mention she speaks Spanish, takes the baby for walks and dances with him? If you are interested call GLM office for her phone number.
AND, ANOTHER…
Our wonderful nanny is looking for a family needing care on Fridays, and possibly M-Th mornings as well. Rosa is warm, loving, and responsible. She is great with infants/toddlers, and older children as well. She drives, has two car seats in her car, speaks excellent English, and loves to sing and play with the children, take them to the park and library, etc. She is available all day on Fridays, and may also be available weekday mornings (until about 12:40) for a share with the other family she works for - in the mornings she takes care of their 19-month-old boy while his sister is at preschool. Contact: Rosa Rodriguez, (510) 575-8025. Feel free to e-mail me with questions: Alison Beck, alisonrbeck@yahoo.com.
❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
The children really enjoyed the wildlife assembly on Monday, especially seeing some of the animals that have not previously visited our school!
Thank you to all of you parents who helped with Family Fun Day and the Book Fair. I also want to thank all of the elementary children who worked so hard on their rough draft stories, which they read on Saturday. Good job!
On Wednesday the fourth years went on a field trip to Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall. They learned how the oysters are farmed and their lifespan. They observed the farmers sorting and washing the oysters as well. At the end of the trip, Nacalah and Zoe had oysters on a half shell! Clare, who is a vegetarian, was adamant initially that she was not trying them, but after a few minutes of watching Nacalah and Zoe she decided to try a bite! The other fourth years politely declined.
The first years are studying the needs of plants. They have placed seedlings in various locations around the room and decided to omit one of the needs to see if the plants will still survive: no water, no heat, no light. We are watching the seedlings to see what will happen.
The fifth years are studying Patrick Henry who is famous for the statement, "Give me liberty or give me death!" They have learned that this was the ending remark of a famous speech he made concerning the British taxation policies of the colonies. They are each taking excerpts of the speech to present to the rest of the class.
The third years are studying the various peoples of the middle ages who had the job of defending their particular country, and the role which women played during this time. They are doing research of the European knights, Japanese Samurai, etc. They are so excited to learn about how the different countries fulfilled their fundamental needs (clothing, shelter, food, defense, and spiritual; every group of people throughout history have fulfilled them in different ways).
JACARANDA
• Reminder to Grand Lake Montessori parents that Ginni Sackett, Montessori Trainer and Lecturer from Montessori Institute Northwest, will be speaking on Tuesday, October 24, 2006. Join GLM faculty for an informational meeting. Dinner and childcare will be provided. RSVP to save a place for childcare and dinner.
• An informational sheet on parent observations has been posted. Parents will observe in the classroom in November, with conferences following in December.
• In the coming weeks, we will begin to talk about observing in the Montessori classroom. As an observer during the worktime, try to be the proverbial "fly on the wall," so you can get a true, objective picture of your child's experience. The first thing you will see is how busy the open, Montessori classroom can be. In future emails, we will look closer at some the activities that you will see while you watch your child
• On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Moody joined the Jacaranda class and taught the non-napping, older group a Native American dance and song. First, the children moved the shakers, then separately, their feet in the dance, then they combined the two movements into the dance.
• This is how young children learn best: tell the children what they will learn, separate the lesson into its component parts, which isolates the movement or language, then combining the parts to make a whole.
JUNIPER
*Recognizing Other's Emotions*
Because of their brief experience, young children are still learning to connect body language with emotion in others. To encourage this, the Juniper teachers have created a new work for the children. We took pictures of the children acting out different emotions: happy, sad, angry, and surprised. These pictures were then turned into cards that the children can match based on the facial expressions. Intrinsic interest is high because the children were involved in the creation of the work and the pictures are of themselves and their friends. You can build on this experience by playing games with your child that involve identifying facial expressions!
*Inflatable Solar System*
You may have noticed the inflatable solar system, on loan from the Knowlton family, hanging in Juniper. This compliments some of the other science materials we currently have on the shelves, including a solar system book and cards of "space items" for matching. Children generally are very excited about planets and outer space, and you can encourage them by asking questions about planet names, sizes, etc.
*The "Three Day Rule"*
In the interest of dental health, consider following the "Three Day Rule" for Halloween candy consumption: allow your child to eat as much candy as they want on Halloween night and the following two days, with the understanding that on the third night any remaining candy must be discarded. This has several benefits:
1) Bacterial count in the mouth is raised only briefly, too short a window for cavities to form
2) You avoid the stigma of prohibition
3) Your child can experience overindulgence and the discomfort (or even revulsion) that comes with it
4) You get to avoid nagging and doubts about the quality of your parenting
LIVE OAK
The Live Oak classroom seemed to explode at all levels this week. Mark and Vikram began reading the definition cards to identify the parts of a flag. Arai burst into a beautiful word building story about her sister. Lucas, Lorenzo, Will, and Jackson as well are playing bank games every day as they learn the process of addition. Alexandra, Isabella, Yeabsira and Kaya are all excited about word building and exploring our language with symbols. Emily is counting the squares of numbers 1-9. Kalyn, Keiley, Nalu and Ananda are busy, busy as they perfect their metal inset work. Ariana, Avery, Michael, Lali, Blaine Mia, Eyob, Ethan and Marti have had great fun this week learning the names of fish. Ask them all about the “spectacled parrotfish” or the “bluestripe butterfly fish” or the “snowflake moray”.
We have some exciting events we really want you to attend. Tuesday Nov. 7 is our Live Oak Journey night. GLM is providing dinner and free childcare by RSVP. It will be from 5:30 – 8:00. Please don’t miss this special evening together.
GINKGO
The children are getting ready for the Halloween celebrations. There is talk around the classroom about what costumes children are going to wear.
Last week Valerie Brock, Benny Mansell’s mom, came into the classroom and made homemade applesauce. The children really loved seeing all the steps to making the applesauce and especially, eating the applesauce!
The children are also working on a lot of crafts. Thank you to the all the parents who came in this week to work with the children on the different projects.
On Tuesday, Tana Johnson, Paxton Grimmer’s mom, and Lisa El Boghdadi, Mintra’s mom, came in and made paper bag pumpkins with the children.
On Wednesday, Marni Hunter, Tyler’s mom, came in and painted cats with the children. Please remember to check your child’s cubby so that you can take their finished crafts home. Thank you to all our wonderful parents who come into the classroom to spend time with the kids! They love it!
On Tuesday October 17th we had a birthday celebration for Ella Fenster who is now 3 years old. Her parents Tracey Carter and Emily Fenster came in and told the story of Ella’s life and showed the class pictures. We also enjoyed muffins as a special snack.
Next week on Tuesday, October 24th, we have a special guest speaker, Ginni Sackett.
This is an evening presentation that you don’t want to miss. Ginkgo teachers hope to see you there. RSVP for dinner and free childcare.
MAGNOLIA
The Magnolia outdoor classroom is officially open! Some of activities include cloth washing, care of plants (leaf polishing, replanting, and watering) and easel painting. The alleyway will be open at 8:45, so if you arrive after class has begun please walk down the driveway and enter through the double doors.
The children all enjoyed the assembly with the wild life associates. One of the children's favorite animals was a very stout porcupine who was eating a snack during the presentation.
This week with Mr. Moody the children played a game called "Going Out On The Town". In this activity the children leave the circle and walk around the classroom, but must return when the "clock" strikes a curtain number. The children all had a great time moving around the class and rushing back to get back on time.
Save the date:
Our Halloween celebration will be on Friday, October 27th at 9:30. Please keep in mind that masks and weapons need to stay at home. We have lots of yummy treats and fun crafts planned for that morning.
MULBERRY
Thank you to all of the parents who helped with our sno-cone and popcorn booth at Family Fun Day. It was definitely a fun day for all. It was good to see all of the families and meet new families. Our next big event is Halloween. We will be celebrating on Friday, October 27, from 9 until 10:30 am. We would like to invite parents to attend, too. Children should come in their costumes. Often, Halloween can be overwhelming for toddlers so if your child doesn't want to wear his/her costume that’s OK. Maybe they would like to bring it in a bag and put it on later (or not). Parents can sign up on the clipboard to help with an activity. Hope to see you all there.
Song of the week:
I'm a pumpkin big and round,
Once upon a time I lived on a vine.
They carved me up on a fall night
Now I'm a jack-o-lantern fright!
CAMELLIA
Thank you to all the families who came in to set-up, clean-up and enjoy Family Fun Day. It was a big success with a mini circus, cotton candy, sno-cones, popcorn, BBQ, face painting, the Book Fair, and many, many fun activities for the kids. Thank you also to the parents who purchased books for the Camellia class. All these wonderful books are going into the Brown Cottage library.
There's a Halloween celebration volunteer sign-up sheet on the clipboard. Please, feel free to sign-up and help with the activities next Friday, Oct. 27th. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, play-doh, and noodle necklaces. If you have any question please contact he Brown Cottage staff. Please bring in a child-sized pumpkin so we can start our pumpkin patch! Any questions, please contact the Brown Cottage staff.
Reminder: school is closed on Monday, October 23 (no childcare provided) for a staff in-service day.
October 24, Tuesday, we have a special guest coming to talk about parenting, child development and Montessori. Dinner and childcare are provided in the Brown Cottage, by RSVP only. We recommend all the Brown Cottage families attend this informative discussion: this is a good time to ask questions and get answers.
Again, class starts at 8:45 a.m. If you are late in arriving please enter quietly through the kitchen and ask a teacher for help with your good-bye. Parents entering the classroom after work has begun is distracting to the other children.
This week’s sound was "F", and children brought Fish, Fig, Flashlights, Flower, and Fan. Next week’s sound is "G" as in Grape, Graham cracker, and Goldfish cracker.
10/23 Staff Inservice Day – School closed, no childcare
10/24 Ginni Sackett 5:30
10/27 Halloween celebrations
MONDAY, OCT. 23RD, GLM IS CLOSED
School is closed this coming Monday for an all-day staff inservice. There will be no childcare available.
MONTESSORI LECTURE
Reminder to Grand Lake Montessori parents that Ginni Sackett, Montessori Trainer and Lecturer from Montessori Institute Northwest, will be speaking on Tuesday, October 24, 2006. Join GLM faculty for this informational meeting. Dinner and childcare will be provided. RSVP to save a place for childcare and dinner.
GLM BUNNY IS RETIRING
Winnie, GLM’s bunny, is retiring and in need of a quiet home. Most of you have noticed that she has been enjoying spending days on the grassy area in her pen. Unfortunately, the neighborhood cats have discovered her, and we are not able to leave her outside during the day any longer. If you like to provide a safe, comfy home for her, where she can play in the grass and snuggle with your family members, please contact the school office. Her hutch, water bottle, food, treats, and a lot of Timothy hay are included.
TURN IN YOUR ORDER FOR SCHOOL PICTURES!
If you are planning on ordering school pictures, please return the order form with your check by Monday, Oct. 16. If you are unhappy with the photos, or missed photo day, please call Dennis or Amy Geaney ASAP at 510-465-2131 to schedule a shoot.
TUFF TUMBLERS
Attention Parents: Tuff Tumblers will be starting its New Session on Wednesday, October 25th and Friday, October 27th!!
Our class times will be 3:00, 3:45, and 4:30pm. Tuff Tumblers is a noncompetitive gymnastic and recreation program that offers classes - once a week - at GLM. It provides your child with a safe and healthy environment, improving his or her large and fine motor skills, balance, coordination, and self-confidence. Tuition is $48.00 for a 6-week session. If you would like to enroll your child in Tuff Tumblers, please fill out a registration form and leave a check in the office. We are really excited to introduce a few new pieces of equipment this fall and look forward to seeing your children in our classes!!!
SOUND OF THE WEEK Each Wednesday your child is encouraged, with your help, to find an object at home (preferably not a toy) that begins with the sound of the week. Put it in a labeled bag to share with your child’s class. Next week’s sound is “G” as in Gate, Gondola, and Good-bye.
HALLOWEEN
This year each GLM campus (Lake Park, Brown Cottage, Juniper/Jacaranda & Redwood) will have individual Halloween celebrations on Friday, Oct. 27, beginning at 9:30 am. Please check with your Room Parents regarding volunteering to help with activities.
HEAD LICE ALERT
Head lice have been reported at GLM. Please check your child(ren) for the tiny brown and gray parasites that cause itching and scratching, especially on areas of the body that are covered with hair. You may be able to see the tiny eggs (“nits”), which look like white grains of sand attached to the hair shafts. They are highly contagious, and pass from person to person on clothing, linens, combs, brushes, hats, or ribbons. Your doctor can recommend a shampoo, cream, or lotion that will stop the infestation. Children may return to school when there are no nits visible.
THANK YOU
Sarah Lenoue and Corey Weinstein, Co-Chairs of the 2006 Book Fair want to thank all the parents, friends and family for coming out and buying lots of books, and helping support our school. As more pre-orders are still being tallied we don’t have final numbers yet, but it was definitely a great year!
We would like to personally thank the following people for all their hard work volunteering this year and making the Book Fair so successful:
Natasha Vorpagal - for being there on and off, from beginning to end
Danielle Hayes - for coordinating all the wish boxes and making such cool signs
Jennifer Pahlka - for the great read aloud, gathering audiences and staying all day Saturday; and for the tea
Deidre Abrons - for her love of cashiering and for being there so the volunteers could make their kids their priority, and staying for clean up too
Kendra Collins - for being such a positive influence and helping with set up
Gigi Orta - for having just come from another book fair and knowing just how to set up
Sara Zimmerman - cashiering, helping sticker the wish box books, and helping set such a friendly tone for the event
Tirien Steinbach - for cashiering and gathering audiences
Ann Strayer - for saying, “just tell me what to do”, and coming for clean up
Elise Lebec - for hanging all the posters, and printing the book markers
Megan OLeary, for her willingness to read aloud and help out
Kathleen Osta, for cashiering and helping during set-up
To Celeste, Heidi, and Ms. Rankins, for all their help with clean-up
For Ms Rankins for participating in the Kids are Authors project
Thank you to Washington for hauling, setting up tables and being very available and helpful the whole time—
and to, Joanna, Helen and all the teachers for their oversight, book recommendations, wish lists, and support—
and lastly (but by no means least) to the talented elementary students who read their stories, and gave up their classroom for our use!
CHILDCARE NEEDED
I am looking for childcare for two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) for my two daughters, ages 5 and 9. Both have after-school activities and would love to have a fun, caring person with a car take them to their activities. The hours would be from 3:30pm to 6pm. Please contact Celeste at crgrinage@yahoo.com if you can help or have a referral.
NANNY AVAILABLE
Our wonderful Nanny is available now that our children are in school. Our nanny, Betty, has been with us for 4 years. She raised our 4 and 1.5 year old daughters who are now at GLM.
She treats our children as if they are her own, giving them lots of love and attention. She took our daughters out almost every day, typically going to the library and the park, walking around the lake, feeding the birds, going to MOCHA and many other activities. She is reliable and shows up on time.
She is available from 7:30-6:00 M-F. She does not drive, so she prefers to be with a family or a share that is easily accessible, as we are, from public transportation. We live near Lake Merritt on the Oakland/Piedmont border. Betty is English speaking and can be reached directly at 510.206.9702. I am sure that you will be happy that you found her. I (Kara Kelly) can be reached at kara_g_kelly@yahoo.com. should you have questions or need a reference.
ANOTHER NANNY AVAILABLE
Are you looking for someone you can feel confident will nurture, protect and love your infant? Does home cooked baby food sound good to you? Would you like someone who is more than willing to help around the house as your child naps? Are you looking for someone whose hours are flexible (nights and weekends) to accommodate your crazy schedule? Have we (Landen Manuel’s family, Juniper) got a nanny for you! Maria Martinez is all of this and more. Our infant took to her immediately. He smiles and actually grabs for her when she arrives each morning. As I work around the house I never hear a peep out of him. She seems to quickly get in tune with the child’s rhythms. And did I mention she speaks Spanish, takes the baby for walks and dances with him? If you are interested call GLM office for her phone number.
AND, ANOTHER…
Our wonderful nanny is looking for a family needing care on Fridays, and possibly M-Th mornings as well. Rosa is warm, loving, and responsible. She is great with infants/toddlers, and older children as well. She drives, has two car seats in her car, speaks excellent English, and loves to sing and play with the children, take them to the park and library, etc. She is available all day on Fridays, and may also be available weekday mornings (until about 12:40) for a share with the other family she works for - in the mornings she takes care of their 19-month-old boy while his sister is at preschool. Contact: Rosa Rodriguez, (510) 575-8025. Feel free to e-mail me with questions: Alison Beck, alisonrbeck@yahoo.com.
❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
The children really enjoyed the wildlife assembly on Monday, especially seeing some of the animals that have not previously visited our school!
Thank you to all of you parents who helped with Family Fun Day and the Book Fair. I also want to thank all of the elementary children who worked so hard on their rough draft stories, which they read on Saturday. Good job!
On Wednesday the fourth years went on a field trip to Hog Island Oyster Farm in Marshall. They learned how the oysters are farmed and their lifespan. They observed the farmers sorting and washing the oysters as well. At the end of the trip, Nacalah and Zoe had oysters on a half shell! Clare, who is a vegetarian, was adamant initially that she was not trying them, but after a few minutes of watching Nacalah and Zoe she decided to try a bite! The other fourth years politely declined.
The first years are studying the needs of plants. They have placed seedlings in various locations around the room and decided to omit one of the needs to see if the plants will still survive: no water, no heat, no light. We are watching the seedlings to see what will happen.
The fifth years are studying Patrick Henry who is famous for the statement, "Give me liberty or give me death!" They have learned that this was the ending remark of a famous speech he made concerning the British taxation policies of the colonies. They are each taking excerpts of the speech to present to the rest of the class.
The third years are studying the various peoples of the middle ages who had the job of defending their particular country, and the role which women played during this time. They are doing research of the European knights, Japanese Samurai, etc. They are so excited to learn about how the different countries fulfilled their fundamental needs (clothing, shelter, food, defense, and spiritual; every group of people throughout history have fulfilled them in different ways).
JACARANDA
• Reminder to Grand Lake Montessori parents that Ginni Sackett, Montessori Trainer and Lecturer from Montessori Institute Northwest, will be speaking on Tuesday, October 24, 2006. Join GLM faculty for an informational meeting. Dinner and childcare will be provided. RSVP to save a place for childcare and dinner.
• An informational sheet on parent observations has been posted. Parents will observe in the classroom in November, with conferences following in December.
• In the coming weeks, we will begin to talk about observing in the Montessori classroom. As an observer during the worktime, try to be the proverbial "fly on the wall," so you can get a true, objective picture of your child's experience. The first thing you will see is how busy the open, Montessori classroom can be. In future emails, we will look closer at some the activities that you will see while you watch your child
• On Wednesday afternoon, Mr. Moody joined the Jacaranda class and taught the non-napping, older group a Native American dance and song. First, the children moved the shakers, then separately, their feet in the dance, then they combined the two movements into the dance.
• This is how young children learn best: tell the children what they will learn, separate the lesson into its component parts, which isolates the movement or language, then combining the parts to make a whole.
JUNIPER
*Recognizing Other's Emotions*
Because of their brief experience, young children are still learning to connect body language with emotion in others. To encourage this, the Juniper teachers have created a new work for the children. We took pictures of the children acting out different emotions: happy, sad, angry, and surprised. These pictures were then turned into cards that the children can match based on the facial expressions. Intrinsic interest is high because the children were involved in the creation of the work and the pictures are of themselves and their friends. You can build on this experience by playing games with your child that involve identifying facial expressions!
*Inflatable Solar System*
You may have noticed the inflatable solar system, on loan from the Knowlton family, hanging in Juniper. This compliments some of the other science materials we currently have on the shelves, including a solar system book and cards of "space items" for matching. Children generally are very excited about planets and outer space, and you can encourage them by asking questions about planet names, sizes, etc.
*The "Three Day Rule"*
In the interest of dental health, consider following the "Three Day Rule" for Halloween candy consumption: allow your child to eat as much candy as they want on Halloween night and the following two days, with the understanding that on the third night any remaining candy must be discarded. This has several benefits:
1) Bacterial count in the mouth is raised only briefly, too short a window for cavities to form
2) You avoid the stigma of prohibition
3) Your child can experience overindulgence and the discomfort (or even revulsion) that comes with it
4) You get to avoid nagging and doubts about the quality of your parenting
LIVE OAK
The Live Oak classroom seemed to explode at all levels this week. Mark and Vikram began reading the definition cards to identify the parts of a flag. Arai burst into a beautiful word building story about her sister. Lucas, Lorenzo, Will, and Jackson as well are playing bank games every day as they learn the process of addition. Alexandra, Isabella, Yeabsira and Kaya are all excited about word building and exploring our language with symbols. Emily is counting the squares of numbers 1-9. Kalyn, Keiley, Nalu and Ananda are busy, busy as they perfect their metal inset work. Ariana, Avery, Michael, Lali, Blaine Mia, Eyob, Ethan and Marti have had great fun this week learning the names of fish. Ask them all about the “spectacled parrotfish” or the “bluestripe butterfly fish” or the “snowflake moray”.
We have some exciting events we really want you to attend. Tuesday Nov. 7 is our Live Oak Journey night. GLM is providing dinner and free childcare by RSVP. It will be from 5:30 – 8:00. Please don’t miss this special evening together.
GINKGO
The children are getting ready for the Halloween celebrations. There is talk around the classroom about what costumes children are going to wear.
Last week Valerie Brock, Benny Mansell’s mom, came into the classroom and made homemade applesauce. The children really loved seeing all the steps to making the applesauce and especially, eating the applesauce!
The children are also working on a lot of crafts. Thank you to the all the parents who came in this week to work with the children on the different projects.
On Tuesday, Tana Johnson, Paxton Grimmer’s mom, and Lisa El Boghdadi, Mintra’s mom, came in and made paper bag pumpkins with the children.
On Wednesday, Marni Hunter, Tyler’s mom, came in and painted cats with the children. Please remember to check your child’s cubby so that you can take their finished crafts home. Thank you to all our wonderful parents who come into the classroom to spend time with the kids! They love it!
On Tuesday October 17th we had a birthday celebration for Ella Fenster who is now 3 years old. Her parents Tracey Carter and Emily Fenster came in and told the story of Ella’s life and showed the class pictures. We also enjoyed muffins as a special snack.
Next week on Tuesday, October 24th, we have a special guest speaker, Ginni Sackett.
This is an evening presentation that you don’t want to miss. Ginkgo teachers hope to see you there. RSVP for dinner and free childcare.
MAGNOLIA
The Magnolia outdoor classroom is officially open! Some of activities include cloth washing, care of plants (leaf polishing, replanting, and watering) and easel painting. The alleyway will be open at 8:45, so if you arrive after class has begun please walk down the driveway and enter through the double doors.
The children all enjoyed the assembly with the wild life associates. One of the children's favorite animals was a very stout porcupine who was eating a snack during the presentation.
This week with Mr. Moody the children played a game called "Going Out On The Town". In this activity the children leave the circle and walk around the classroom, but must return when the "clock" strikes a curtain number. The children all had a great time moving around the class and rushing back to get back on time.
Save the date:
Our Halloween celebration will be on Friday, October 27th at 9:30. Please keep in mind that masks and weapons need to stay at home. We have lots of yummy treats and fun crafts planned for that morning.
MULBERRY
Thank you to all of the parents who helped with our sno-cone and popcorn booth at Family Fun Day. It was definitely a fun day for all. It was good to see all of the families and meet new families. Our next big event is Halloween. We will be celebrating on Friday, October 27, from 9 until 10:30 am. We would like to invite parents to attend, too. Children should come in their costumes. Often, Halloween can be overwhelming for toddlers so if your child doesn't want to wear his/her costume that’s OK. Maybe they would like to bring it in a bag and put it on later (or not). Parents can sign up on the clipboard to help with an activity. Hope to see you all there.
Song of the week:
I'm a pumpkin big and round,
Once upon a time I lived on a vine.
They carved me up on a fall night
Now I'm a jack-o-lantern fright!
CAMELLIA
Thank you to all the families who came in to set-up, clean-up and enjoy Family Fun Day. It was a big success with a mini circus, cotton candy, sno-cones, popcorn, BBQ, face painting, the Book Fair, and many, many fun activities for the kids. Thank you also to the parents who purchased books for the Camellia class. All these wonderful books are going into the Brown Cottage library.
There's a Halloween celebration volunteer sign-up sheet on the clipboard. Please, feel free to sign-up and help with the activities next Friday, Oct. 27th. There will be face painting, cookie decorating, play-doh, and noodle necklaces. If you have any question please contact he Brown Cottage staff. Please bring in a child-sized pumpkin so we can start our pumpkin patch! Any questions, please contact the Brown Cottage staff.
Reminder: school is closed on Monday, October 23 (no childcare provided) for a staff in-service day.
October 24, Tuesday, we have a special guest coming to talk about parenting, child development and Montessori. Dinner and childcare are provided in the Brown Cottage, by RSVP only. We recommend all the Brown Cottage families attend this informative discussion: this is a good time to ask questions and get answers.
Again, class starts at 8:45 a.m. If you are late in arriving please enter quietly through the kitchen and ask a teacher for help with your good-bye. Parents entering the classroom after work has begun is distracting to the other children.
This week’s sound was "F", and children brought Fish, Fig, Flashlights, Flower, and Fan. Next week’s sound is "G" as in Grape, Graham cracker, and Goldfish cracker.
