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Friday, January 19, 2007
GLM news 2006
Calendar
1/27 3rd Annual Crab Feed 4 – 8 pm
1/30 “Setting Limits” workshop, 5 – 6:30 pm
2/19 President’s Day – School closed, no childcare
2/20-2/23 Winter Break – Childcare by prior registration
RE-ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE
TO RETAIN YOUR CHILD’S SPACE FOR 2007/2008
Due 2/1/07: Enrollment Contract and 50% of Tuition Deposit (non-refundable)
Due 4/1/07: Remaining 50% of Tuition Deposit
5/31/07: This is the final date to withdraw your child’s enrollment in the 2007/2008 school year. On 6/1/07 the obligation to pay the full tuition for the entire school year becomes a fixed obligation.
Families filing for Financial Aid: A copy of your PFS (due to the office) will hold your child’s space until an award is determined and your Enrollment Contract is mailed.
Returning families due date: 1/1/07
New families due date: 2/1/07
Enrollment packets will be mailed by the end of this week.
CRAB FEED!
Be sure to get your tickets to the GLM 3rd annual Crab Feed, coming up soon on Saturday, Jan. 27th, from 4 - 8 pm. Besides all-you-can-eat crab, there will be chicken and vegetarian dishes. Childcare provided (in the Redwood classroom at GLM – children are to be dropped off and picked up there - contact Mr. Tien or Ms. Olivares at 510-836-4313) by sign-up. Deadline for childcare sign-up is Wed., 1/24/07. Price is $25 for one child, $20 for siblings. With music, dancing, raffle prizes and tons of food, this event puts the FUN in fundraising! For more information email: crgrinage@yahoo.com
THE NEXT TUFF TUMBLERS
New classes begin Wed. Feb. 7th, end Wed. March 21st, and Fri. Feb. 9th, and will end on Fri. March 23rd. registration forms will be distributed – turn them in ASAP as classes fill up quickly. Please note that you will be charged for, and need to sign-up for, childcare on the days that your child stays late for Tuff Tumblers
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 “Q”, as in Quince, Quake, and Quarter.
❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
This week our class enjoyed a presentation on naturalized citizens by Zachary and Charlie. A few weeks ago they attended the naturalization at the Masonic Temple for their uncle. They then shared the sample test questions people need to take as part of the process. Many of the answers the children knew! I was amazed because the fifth years are currently studying the structure of our government and when the question was asked “What are the branches of our government?” the children all responded and said we know that because that’s what the fifth years are studying.
Our class made some delicious pumpkin bread in aftercare on Wednesday for our snack this week. It was really good.
Clare and Nacalah began studying the early settlements in the New World. They are focusing on Spanish settlements and how those impacted the Native Americans already living here. The first years have begun studying the parts of stems. They conducted an experiment with celery and colored water to see how water is transported through the stem. Charlie and Angelina are studying bees and the importance of their pollination. They learned how important bees actually are to farmers; they are responsible for $9 billion dollars of our fruit supply every year!
The Pennies for Patients items have arrived. We will be running the campaign beginning next month. Please start saving all of your loose change! We will distribute the collection boxes next month to the classes. Pennies for Patients is our school’s annual fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Every year the campaign has an honored hero, a child who is suffering from Leukemia. This year the child is only 5 years old. So, please help us raise money to help him and many others.
JACARANDA
• Children are beginning to bring toothbrushes and toothbrush covers (or bags for the toothbrushes) to their cubbies. If your child wishes to brush his or her teeth in the classroom, please have him or her bring a toothbrush and cover or bag to his or her cubby. The adults will dispense toothpaste upon request throughout the day. If you have any questions, email or ask the Jacaranda teachers directly.
• Thank you to the Juniper class for sharing a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., song last week.
"Martin Luther King was a mighty, mighty man and a mighty, mighty man was he.
That's right! (clap, clap)
He was a preacher and a teacher
And a man of God, and he loved both you and me.
That's right! (clap, clap)
• Ms. Owens will be helping the children with art every Thursday. The projects she brings to the classroom are challenging but also facilitate the childrens' independence. Just as they do with Mr. Moody or Mr. Hoffman on Wednesday and Thursday, they anticipate her time in the Jacaranda class.
• From the cultural calendar: On Tuesday, the children assembled the human body model and talked at length about the parts and functions of the organs of the body. On Wednesday, the group read "What Makes a Bird a Bird," which in the end proved that even though other living things may fly, sing or have wings, only birds have feathers.
•This time of year when families are planning their childrens' futures, remember this passage from the Grand Lake Montessori handbook: " The Kindergarten year is the crucial last year of the three year cycle in the Montessori primary class. Teachers give individual attention...each child progressing at his or her own speed...integrating his or her experiences with the group...building confidence and self-esteem. The classroom is a community where the maturing child finds widening opportunities. The Kindergarten curriculum includes: Creative writing/science experiments/telling time/botany; advanced cultural lessons; physical education and creative movement, and field trips.
JUNIPER
Co-mingling 5 Year Olds
We've started co-mingling the five-year olds from all primary classes every Thursday afternoon. Each week a different class takes a turn hosting children from the other classes. During the first few weeks, the focus was on sports and games, providing a chance for the children to get to know each other better. In the coming weeks, the focus will be on special lessons. This congregation of older children prepares them for the transition into elementary. "The lessons are taught in small groups, which allows for more peer interaction and teaching. The classroom is a community where the maturing child finds widening opportunities. During the second semester children in their third year are invited to visit and participate in the elementary class." (from the Parent Handbook)
Children Make Their Own Afternoon Snack
This week in Juniper the children enjoyed some potato pancakes (brought for sound of the week) and applesauce. They also helped Mr. Hennigan make the afternoon snack on Tuesday and Wednesday. They cut fruit, grated cheese, opened and emptied yogurt containers, and assembled quesadillas. And after all the food prep? They cleaned up!
Call for World Instruments
Next week Juniper will be studying music/instruments from around the world as part of our cultural studies. If you have any unusual or rare instruments from other parts of the world, we would love to borrow them for the week. Bring 'em in!
They Love Juicing
Using the electric juicer with Ms. Koerber last week to make their own juice was such a hit that the children decided to do it again next Wednesday. This activity connects directly with our study of the human body and nutrition that we are focusing on this month. So, we are asking each child to bring in one juice-able fruit or vegetable next Wednesday. Look for reminders early next week.
LIVE OAK
Live Oak classroom is abuzz with children exploding into reading and writing. It is very exciting and a testimony of how Montessori truly works with children. Everyone is so excited about their work and it’s truly inspiring to witness the joy and excitement.
Please check your parent folders. There is an article about the home environment to help you help your child be more independent. It is filled with great ideas. There is also a field trip permission slip for the third year students. Beginning January 25, we will be using the Rosemary House for Thursday afternoon indoor projects. It is our way of continuing our third year “special day” together.
We now have a Sound of the Week table. We are really enjoying your contributions and thank all of you who are participating. Children can bring in an object for the table on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Next week the sound is Q. Please help us!
The February Calendar is up on the bulletin board. Please sign up to come read or cook or volunteer some time with us.
GINKGO
Welcome back from a long weekend!
The children came back from their break full of energy and really ready to learn new things.
Ms. Shah has begun counting with the children in Chinese! She has begun teaching this in a casual way (counting how many children are in line, on the yard, etc.).
In class we have begun talking about respecting other’s personal space. The children have been told that people have to ask permission to touch your body. This includes teachers. For example, if a friend wants to give you a hug, that’s ok, but they should ask for permission. Our children are naturally loving and affectionate, but we want to be respectful. The grace and courtesy lessons given in our classroom daily are also used as tools.
The children greatly enjoy “Sound of the Week”. Even if they do not have an item, they’re becoming more and more aware of words that they can use.
On Friday, Ms. Owens did art class with the Ginkgo class and they made birds.
MAGNOLIA
This week with Mr. Moody the children played a game in which he played different pieces of music and the children identified what instrument was being played (i.e. flute, violin, drums).
The children were introduced to a new practical life activity of window washing. They especially love standing on a low stool and using the squeegee.
During the afternoon work period some of the children began making their own continent maps tracing all of the pieces from the puzzle maps, then painting and labeling each country.
There are some classroom volunteer opportunities coming up in the classroom. Please email us if you are interested.
Be sure to get your tickets for the Crab Fest. This is a great opportunity to relax and socialize with other parents and staff!
MULBERRY
This week the children have been working on “doing for themselves”. We have been practicing the up-and-over technique when putting on their coats. The children are getting quite good at this and some children don’t need a teacher’s help any more.
We had our second week of "Little Chefs". Mr. Tien made mini pizzas and melon salad with a small group of children. The cooking in the kitchen is a lot of fun for the children. Next week Mrs. Kebede will be making vegetable rice and a fruit salad with the children.
Just a reminder that Mrs. Aima will be out next week for her husband’s surgery, but will be checking in daily.
Song of the week:
Two little black birds sitting on a stick,
One is named Slowly, the other is Quick.
Fly away Slowly, fly away Quick!
Come back Slowly, come back Quick!
Two little black birds sitting on a stick,
One is named Slowly, and the other is Quick.
CAMELLIA
Welcome back! We hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.
We started off the week with the Little Chefs making mini English muffin pizzas. The children spread tomato sauce on the muffins very carefully and then added cheese. They all decided to take a taste test and agreed it tasted delicious! They then made a fruit salad, cutting up watermelon and cantaloupe. During the cutting there was lots of tasting - trust me, lots of tasting! We put the pizzas in the oven, put all the dishes in the sink, and cleaned the table. Next Tuesday Little Chefs will prepare a veggie rice dish. Remember, no lunch boxes needed.
This week’s sound was "P": We had Pear, Pencil, Picture, Penny, Paint, Purse, and Plate. Next week’s sound will be "Q", as in Queen, Question mark, and Quilt.
Date to remember: Saturday, January 27th, is GLM’s 3rd annual crab feed, from 4-8 p.m. Lot's of wonderful food and music - come and enjoy the event. Need childcare? Contact Mr. Tien or Ms. Olivares.
Quote of the week: It's best to be at the child’s level, where he can easily see what you're doing. Show him with clear, slow, economical movements, talking only if it is really necessary.
Calendar
1/27 3rd Annual Crab Feed 4 – 8 pm
1/30 “Setting Limits” workshop, 5 – 6:30 pm
2/19 President’s Day – School closed, no childcare
2/20-2/23 Winter Break – Childcare by prior registration
RE-ENROLLMENT SCHEDULE
TO RETAIN YOUR CHILD’S SPACE FOR 2007/2008
Due 2/1/07: Enrollment Contract and 50% of Tuition Deposit (non-refundable)
Due 4/1/07: Remaining 50% of Tuition Deposit
5/31/07: This is the final date to withdraw your child’s enrollment in the 2007/2008 school year. On 6/1/07 the obligation to pay the full tuition for the entire school year becomes a fixed obligation.
Families filing for Financial Aid: A copy of your PFS (due to the office) will hold your child’s space until an award is determined and your Enrollment Contract is mailed.
Returning families due date: 1/1/07
New families due date: 2/1/07
Enrollment packets will be mailed by the end of this week.
CRAB FEED!
Be sure to get your tickets to the GLM 3rd annual Crab Feed, coming up soon on Saturday, Jan. 27th, from 4 - 8 pm. Besides all-you-can-eat crab, there will be chicken and vegetarian dishes. Childcare provided (in the Redwood classroom at GLM – children are to be dropped off and picked up there - contact Mr. Tien or Ms. Olivares at 510-836-4313) by sign-up. Deadline for childcare sign-up is Wed., 1/24/07. Price is $25 for one child, $20 for siblings. With music, dancing, raffle prizes and tons of food, this event puts the FUN in fundraising! For more information email: crgrinage@yahoo.com
THE NEXT TUFF TUMBLERS
New classes begin Wed. Feb. 7th, end Wed. March 21st, and Fri. Feb. 9th, and will end on Fri. March 23rd. registration forms will be distributed – turn them in ASAP as classes fill up quickly. Please note that you will be charged for, and need to sign-up for, childcare on the days that your child stays late for Tuff Tumblers
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 “Q”, as in Quince, Quake, and Quarter.
❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●❄●
CLASS NEWS
REDWOOD (ELEMENTARY)
This week our class enjoyed a presentation on naturalized citizens by Zachary and Charlie. A few weeks ago they attended the naturalization at the Masonic Temple for their uncle. They then shared the sample test questions people need to take as part of the process. Many of the answers the children knew! I was amazed because the fifth years are currently studying the structure of our government and when the question was asked “What are the branches of our government?” the children all responded and said we know that because that’s what the fifth years are studying.
Our class made some delicious pumpkin bread in aftercare on Wednesday for our snack this week. It was really good.
Clare and Nacalah began studying the early settlements in the New World. They are focusing on Spanish settlements and how those impacted the Native Americans already living here. The first years have begun studying the parts of stems. They conducted an experiment with celery and colored water to see how water is transported through the stem. Charlie and Angelina are studying bees and the importance of their pollination. They learned how important bees actually are to farmers; they are responsible for $9 billion dollars of our fruit supply every year!
The Pennies for Patients items have arrived. We will be running the campaign beginning next month. Please start saving all of your loose change! We will distribute the collection boxes next month to the classes. Pennies for Patients is our school’s annual fundraiser for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Every year the campaign has an honored hero, a child who is suffering from Leukemia. This year the child is only 5 years old. So, please help us raise money to help him and many others.
JACARANDA
• Children are beginning to bring toothbrushes and toothbrush covers (or bags for the toothbrushes) to their cubbies. If your child wishes to brush his or her teeth in the classroom, please have him or her bring a toothbrush and cover or bag to his or her cubby. The adults will dispense toothpaste upon request throughout the day. If you have any questions, email or ask the Jacaranda teachers directly.
• Thank you to the Juniper class for sharing a Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., song last week.
"Martin Luther King was a mighty, mighty man and a mighty, mighty man was he.
That's right! (clap, clap)
He was a preacher and a teacher
And a man of God, and he loved both you and me.
That's right! (clap, clap)
• Ms. Owens will be helping the children with art every Thursday. The projects she brings to the classroom are challenging but also facilitate the childrens' independence. Just as they do with Mr. Moody or Mr. Hoffman on Wednesday and Thursday, they anticipate her time in the Jacaranda class.
• From the cultural calendar: On Tuesday, the children assembled the human body model and talked at length about the parts and functions of the organs of the body. On Wednesday, the group read "What Makes a Bird a Bird," which in the end proved that even though other living things may fly, sing or have wings, only birds have feathers.
•This time of year when families are planning their childrens' futures, remember this passage from the Grand Lake Montessori handbook: " The Kindergarten year is the crucial last year of the three year cycle in the Montessori primary class. Teachers give individual attention...each child progressing at his or her own speed...integrating his or her experiences with the group...building confidence and self-esteem. The classroom is a community where the maturing child finds widening opportunities. The Kindergarten curriculum includes: Creative writing/science experiments/telling time/botany; advanced cultural lessons; physical education and creative movement, and field trips.
JUNIPER
Co-mingling 5 Year Olds
We've started co-mingling the five-year olds from all primary classes every Thursday afternoon. Each week a different class takes a turn hosting children from the other classes. During the first few weeks, the focus was on sports and games, providing a chance for the children to get to know each other better. In the coming weeks, the focus will be on special lessons. This congregation of older children prepares them for the transition into elementary. "The lessons are taught in small groups, which allows for more peer interaction and teaching. The classroom is a community where the maturing child finds widening opportunities. During the second semester children in their third year are invited to visit and participate in the elementary class." (from the Parent Handbook)
Children Make Their Own Afternoon Snack
This week in Juniper the children enjoyed some potato pancakes (brought for sound of the week) and applesauce. They also helped Mr. Hennigan make the afternoon snack on Tuesday and Wednesday. They cut fruit, grated cheese, opened and emptied yogurt containers, and assembled quesadillas. And after all the food prep? They cleaned up!
Call for World Instruments
Next week Juniper will be studying music/instruments from around the world as part of our cultural studies. If you have any unusual or rare instruments from other parts of the world, we would love to borrow them for the week. Bring 'em in!
They Love Juicing
Using the electric juicer with Ms. Koerber last week to make their own juice was such a hit that the children decided to do it again next Wednesday. This activity connects directly with our study of the human body and nutrition that we are focusing on this month. So, we are asking each child to bring in one juice-able fruit or vegetable next Wednesday. Look for reminders early next week.
LIVE OAK
Live Oak classroom is abuzz with children exploding into reading and writing. It is very exciting and a testimony of how Montessori truly works with children. Everyone is so excited about their work and it’s truly inspiring to witness the joy and excitement.
Please check your parent folders. There is an article about the home environment to help you help your child be more independent. It is filled with great ideas. There is also a field trip permission slip for the third year students. Beginning January 25, we will be using the Rosemary House for Thursday afternoon indoor projects. It is our way of continuing our third year “special day” together.
We now have a Sound of the Week table. We are really enjoying your contributions and thank all of you who are participating. Children can bring in an object for the table on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday. Next week the sound is Q. Please help us!
The February Calendar is up on the bulletin board. Please sign up to come read or cook or volunteer some time with us.
GINKGO
Welcome back from a long weekend!
The children came back from their break full of energy and really ready to learn new things.
Ms. Shah has begun counting with the children in Chinese! She has begun teaching this in a casual way (counting how many children are in line, on the yard, etc.).
In class we have begun talking about respecting other’s personal space. The children have been told that people have to ask permission to touch your body. This includes teachers. For example, if a friend wants to give you a hug, that’s ok, but they should ask for permission. Our children are naturally loving and affectionate, but we want to be respectful. The grace and courtesy lessons given in our classroom daily are also used as tools.
The children greatly enjoy “Sound of the Week”. Even if they do not have an item, they’re becoming more and more aware of words that they can use.
On Friday, Ms. Owens did art class with the Ginkgo class and they made birds.
MAGNOLIA
This week with Mr. Moody the children played a game in which he played different pieces of music and the children identified what instrument was being played (i.e. flute, violin, drums).
The children were introduced to a new practical life activity of window washing. They especially love standing on a low stool and using the squeegee.
During the afternoon work period some of the children began making their own continent maps tracing all of the pieces from the puzzle maps, then painting and labeling each country.
There are some classroom volunteer opportunities coming up in the classroom. Please email us if you are interested.
Be sure to get your tickets for the Crab Fest. This is a great opportunity to relax and socialize with other parents and staff!
MULBERRY
This week the children have been working on “doing for themselves”. We have been practicing the up-and-over technique when putting on their coats. The children are getting quite good at this and some children don’t need a teacher’s help any more.
We had our second week of "Little Chefs". Mr. Tien made mini pizzas and melon salad with a small group of children. The cooking in the kitchen is a lot of fun for the children. Next week Mrs. Kebede will be making vegetable rice and a fruit salad with the children.
Just a reminder that Mrs. Aima will be out next week for her husband’s surgery, but will be checking in daily.
Song of the week:
Two little black birds sitting on a stick,
One is named Slowly, the other is Quick.
Fly away Slowly, fly away Quick!
Come back Slowly, come back Quick!
Two little black birds sitting on a stick,
One is named Slowly, and the other is Quick.
CAMELLIA
Welcome back! We hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend.
We started off the week with the Little Chefs making mini English muffin pizzas. The children spread tomato sauce on the muffins very carefully and then added cheese. They all decided to take a taste test and agreed it tasted delicious! They then made a fruit salad, cutting up watermelon and cantaloupe. During the cutting there was lots of tasting - trust me, lots of tasting! We put the pizzas in the oven, put all the dishes in the sink, and cleaned the table. Next Tuesday Little Chefs will prepare a veggie rice dish. Remember, no lunch boxes needed.
This week’s sound was "P": We had Pear, Pencil, Picture, Penny, Paint, Purse, and Plate. Next week’s sound will be "Q", as in Queen, Question mark, and Quilt.
Date to remember: Saturday, January 27th, is GLM’s 3rd annual crab feed, from 4-8 p.m. Lot's of wonderful food and music - come and enjoy the event. Need childcare? Contact Mr. Tien or Ms. Olivares.
Quote of the week: It's best to be at the child’s level, where he can easily see what you're doing. Show him with clear, slow, economical movements, talking only if it is really necessary.
