Montessori Radmoor

Week of 10/20/17

Dear Parents:
 
In a Montessori community, Grace and Courtesy lessons not only happen regarding the classroom interactions but also regarding the playground. When children have consistent and clear expectations they feel a sense of confidence in their environment.  
 
On the playground we have talked about how sticks should stay on the ground, the logs are for rolling and should not be thrown and everyone should slide down the slide (not climb up it). We have also role played what to do if you do not want to play with someone. During this discussion we have talked about how it is ok if you don’t want to play with someone but it is important to express that in a polite and positive way. Something I tell children they can say is “I don’t want to play right now but maybe later”. Sometimes children interpret this as the child telling them that they are not friends, so we also discuss how you can be friends with someone and not play with them. 
 
 
With the cold weather coming please make sure you are sending your child to school with the appropriate clothing. They will need coats that are easy for them to put on and zip on their own. The children practice putting their coats on and zipping them. If they have not yet learned how to zip one of the teachers or another child will assist them while they observe. The more independent they are at dressing, the sooner they can get ready to play outside and don’t have to wait for help.  Encourage your children to put their own shoes and coat on when getting ready to leave the house. They do feel very proud of themselves when they don’t need help and can help others. 
 
If you haven’t signed up for conferences yet please make sure you check ivolunteer for times. Spots are filling up fast. Conferences are a great time to discuss all of the lessons your child has been working on and ask any questions you may have!
 
Warmly,
 
Ms. Rachel
Ms. Erin
Ms. Britanie

Week of 10/13/17

Happy 5th Birthday to Maximus! He celebrated his birthday at school with the class on Monday.
 
One aspect of the Montessori community is the lessons in grace and courtesy. These lessons help the children learn the lessons that help us understand the aspects of being part of group and how we interact with one another.  At this age, this is a critical time to help our children understand the courtesies of interacting within our family and with others. This week we have been talking about classroom etiquette.
 
We have many children that have been moving quickly around the class. We have discussed how we should walk in the class so no one gets hurt. We have been practicing carrying trays and materials slowly with two hands. Another thing that we have been talking about is how to wait our turn to talk to someone. Many times when the teachers are talking with a child, another child will come up and start talking. We have been role playing how we can tell if someone is ready to hear what they have to say.  The children described this readiness by noticing when the person is looking at you, says their name or is not involved in a conversation. 
 
Another grace and courtesy lesson we role play relates to when a child is working, they should not be disturbed. This can be hard to remember and we talked about polite ways to remind someone. You may hear your child talk about how someone said to them, “please find your own work” or “please do not disturb me”. Using polite and kind words has been a focus, as well.
 
I consider these all parts of the grace and courtesy lessons and they are always ongoing. We will continue to discuss them individually and as a group. The children enjoy when we get to act out grace and courtesy scenarios in class. I always seem to have plenty of volunteers!
 
Warmly, 
 
Ms. Rachel
Ms. Erin
Ms. Britanie

Week of 10/6/17

This week Mara turned 4! 
Happy Birthday!
 
Thank you to Lily and her family for donating pumpkins to our class! The children were all very excited to see them in the environment. Together, we will discuss what kind of face we want on our pumpkins and carve them together once it gets a little closer to Halloween. This week we changed some of the materials over to fall themed materials. We have parts of a pumpkin, parts of a spider and pumpkin puzzles out. We have jack o’ lantern art work and tracing work. The Halloween puzzle words have been very popular with the older children. They are practicing spelling the words and reading them. 
 
Another popular work this week has been the botany cabinet. This work is used as a puzzle and we practice tracing the leaf shapes. With this work we learn the names of the different leaf shapes and many children like to make botany books with their traced leaves. Children love new vocabulary words that describe the shape of the leaf, such as, ovate, linear, elliptical, fan-shaped and sagittate.
 
Many families have donated items to the class recently. I would like to thank all the families who have donated tissues, wipes and coffee beans to the class.  These are items we continually use!
 
Ms. Rachel, Ms. Erin & Ms. Britanie

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