The first week of school we focused on the ground rules. These are the rules by which the children are able to have the freedom of movement and choice in the classroom. Some examples are: Learning to speak to others. Learning to listen to others. Learning to respectfully interrupt.
A peek into next week: Community Helpers
Kindergarten: Continents
The first week of school the kindergartners learned that there are seven continents (Asia, Africa, North America, South America, Antarctica, Europe, and Australia). They also learned where they are located on a globe/map and a fun fact about each one. For example Australia is often referred to as “the land down under.”
A peek into next week: Directions
Reminders:
9/2 Labor Day | NO SCHOOL
9/3 Enrichments begin
9/2o Ramseyer Farms Field Trip
Work Time:
Continent Map: this child is very proud of how he traced and labeled all seven continents.Continent Map: this child is working hard to trace and label all seven continents.Handwriting: this student has learned the correct stokes to successfully make a lowercase cursive t and is now practicing.Knobless Cylinder: this child is able to visually discriminate the dimensions of each cylinder to find its correct placement to vertically build largest to smallest.Balance Board: this child is developing his sense of balance, posture and focus in order to successfully balance on the board.Loops: this child is developing her fine motor skills, focus and sense of order to successfully stretch the loops around the cylinder.Digging: this child is enjoying her outside time by digging in the dirt in search for worms and other insects
Weekly Theme: The first week back to school we looked at the globe of the Earth. It is in a shape of a sphere. We noticed the Earth is covered mostly in water but does have land. The pieces of land are divided and called continents. There are seven continents and each have a fun fact. North America is where we live, South America has the Amazon Rain Forest, Europe has many countries, Africa has really cool animals, Asia is the biggest continent, Australia is an island and is called The Land Down Under, and Antarctica is the coldest continent and no humans live there. We went over what countries are in each continent (except for Antarctica).
Handwriting: We practiced writing A a, B b, C c in cursive.
Cultural Subjects: We now can count to ten in 5 languages (English, Sign Language, Latin, Spanish, German, and French).
Next Week: Weekly Theme: Cardinal Directions (N,S,W,E)
Synonym Of The Week: FAST (hurried, speedy, brisk, quick, swift)
Line Time: The opening week is a joy and a challenge all wrapped into one. I love the fresh start, seeing returning students, and meeting new ones. The first few weeks of the new school year during line time we go over the rules of the classroom. We go over our “Big 4” rules… 1.) Walking (No running in the classroom). Because if you run and fall into a shelf or hit your hear on the concrete floor which will win your head or the shelf? 2.) Use your listening ears. 3.) Keep your hands and body to yourself. The one I feel is most important… 4.) Be respectful. Which simply means be nice to people or treat people how you would like to be treated. We also go over how to carry, roll, and unroll a mat, put our shoes and slippers neatly on the mat (straight, together, and toes touching the wall). We pick up where we left off with the returning students with lessons and evaluate and access where the new students are.
I do have to say that the first week went very smoothly. I need to thank Kelley and Tonya for their years of experience that helped this first week run smoothly.
Cultural Subjects:
Your children can now count to ten in 4 languages (English, Latin, Sign Language, Spanish)
Fun Fact(s): In 1950 seven percent of women dyed their hair. Presently, eightyseven percent of women dye their hair. — Source unknown. hehe (I got it from Know It or Blow it on WONE 97.5). My nephew is on the morning show with Jeff Kinsbach and Sandra Miller. He is the sports guy. Kris Drew
Peek In Our Classroom:
Snug as a bug in a rug in the reading corner.
This student is helping build a ladder for our rats.
The first two weeks in the Elementary classroom have a focus on team building and rules and routines. We spend a lot of time getting to know each other, working through our transition back to school, and practicing each step of a work cycle. Students even complain we don’t let them work enough! We set up the first two weeks this way to make sure students are prepared in the best way possible for a successful, independent year. Most weeks, our “Peek” will be a showcase of Lower Elementary lessons and work, Upper Elementary lessons and work, projects from our Enrichment classes, and any important upcoming events. Ms. Marlee, Ms. Erica, and I will be working together to bring this to you each week. One week a month, our students will write the “Peek.” Please enjoy this look at our first week!
Each first week of Encino schools, we have a gathering for “Expert Lessons.” This is a chance for our returning students to show new students different works they may choose independently or with a partner. This helps new students to our school, or just to our room, see different materials they could work with while we are working through our two transition weeks. This returning second year student explained to our new friends how to use “The Farm” for a geography or a grammar work!We begin each school year with “The Great Lessons.” These are lessons presented through storytelling and experiments to introduce students to the ideas of the beginning of the universe, the coming of life, the coming of humans, and the beginning of language and numbers. These lessons are meant to inspire students in their studies for the year. Our Upper Elementary students are always eager to be a part of the experiments!This was one of our questions from “Back to School Night.” Technology in the Montessori classroom is used as a supplement. Children use the internet for research when they have exhausted all book and encyclopedia resources. They learn to type, make Word documents, made presentations through PowerPoint, and make graphs through Google Sheets. We use technology to take virtual field trips and interact with experts in their fields to learn about things we may not be able to experience in our area.Ms. Marlee is presenting “The Laws of the Universe.” These lessons are extensions to “The Great Lessons.” The experiments allow the students to test the laws of the universe they heard about in our storytelling lessons to come to their own conclusions. The experiments will be on the shelves for a few weeks for the students to independently practice.
Burning in Pure Oxygen: First we combined manganese dioxide MnO2 and hydrogen peroxide H2O2 solution to produce oxygen O2. Then we lit a splint on fire and blew it out creating a smoldering splint. We took that smoldering splint and put in in the beaker with the pure oxygen to see what would happen. When we placed the splint in the beaker we surrounded the splint with a much higher concentration of oxygen molecules than can be found in air. This, along with the increase in temperature, dramatically sped up the reaction rate, so the splint ignited with a bright flame.
Blue bottle: First we made a solution containing a reductant (glucose) and methylene blue. Then we added some NaOH to make the solution basic. The oxygen dissolved in the water accepts the electrons but doesn’t interact with glucose. Adding the methylene blue helped by acting as a carrier taking electrons from glucose and passing them to oxygen.
It is hard to believe that the year has come to an end and some of you will be moving up to the elementary program, going to new schools or returning next year. I want to let everyone know it was a great year, and that I enjoyed every moment of teaching all of you. We made a lot of great memories with a lot of jokes and silliness about different topics including BBQ puns. I hope you feel the same and that you will take what you have learned this year and build on it as you continue your education. If you are not returning next year, please come back to visit all your teachers, because we will truly miss you!
oh my goodness you guys… how this school year just flew by!! I have loved every monent with your kiddos this year!! Each and everyone of them is so beyond special to me in such different ways that i will never forget them! For those of you who are coming back next year.. YAY I have more time with you!! This week was all about just spending quality time together. We wanted this last week to be able to sit back and enjoy the kids, and get more snuggles in! We also had such a blast with field day playing board games, sharing our favorite toy, and having fun with different water games!
love this kid so much!! I was so lucky to be his teacher for four years!!! Having fun playing a game of trouble! Nothing like a game of Candy Land to bring some smiles to these cuties! Connect Four anyone:) Playing such an awesome cooperative dinosaur game!!
what a blast we had playing with water on field day!!! Thank you to all of my parent volunteers for making this day so great!!! I hope that everyone has such a wonderful, fun, and safe summer!! Miss you already!
Lesson: With the holiday , field trip, and the fun field day on Thursday we did not have kindergarten lesson. Although, on Wednesday we watched School House Rock/ Grammar. The students absolutely enjoyed it and said I taught them the same stuff from the show. Ya, Mr. John is not as dense as he looks. LOL
Cultural Subjects: We can now count to ten in 28 different languages (English, Sign Language, Latin, Spanish, German, French, Greek, Japanese, Arabic with the Lebanese Dialect, Italian, Russian, Romanian, Swedish, Tagolog, Hebrew, Korean, Hungarian, Irish, Kiswahili, Welsh, Dutch/Flemmish, Polish, Serbo-Croation, Cebuano, Malay, Hindi, Farsi, Turkish).
This week our “Peek” was written by our students! These students read our previous blogs, took pictures around the room, and filled in a blog template. The students did some editing together, and with a teacher, so what you will read below is their final product. There are still some misspelled words in their final product, but in a Montessori classroom we focus on the process, instead of the end result. Dr. Montessori believed when we put all of the emphasis on the final product, we devalue everything leading up to that point. This can discourage repetition which will make mastery of a skill difficult. The purpose of the students writing the blog is to provide you with a glimpse into the room through their eyes, to provide them with practice of real world skills, and to give them a deeper understanding of the materials in the room. We hope you enjoy their work!
“A Peek at Our Year” by the 2018-2019 Elementary Class
Tyler
This year my favorite work in 5th grade was cubing. Cubing is a fun math. It can be confusing. I learned and memorized a lot of new facts. My goal for next year is to plan a fun learning field trip. My goal for next year is to be more calm.
Ainsley
My favorite field trip was to the Cleveland History Museum. My favorite event was the book fair. One of my favorite times in the classroom was taking TerraNova Tests. My goals are to get 100% every time and to take good notes.
Camilla
My favorite field trip was when we went to the history museum where we dissected a sheep heart. One of my favorite times being in the classroom is when we do a big work that we like. One of my favorite works are the early humans folders. My goal for next year is to focus. My other goal is to get better at math.
Maddex
My favorite work is Lattice Multiplication. Tyler and I do it together. My favorite field trip was the museum. I like to work with my friends and teachers. We have so much fun. My goals for next year are to do my best and to master division on paper.
Anelise
I really like to do multiplication on paper. I really like the Wax Museum because we got to do a backdrop. I really like gym because my grandpa is the coach. I really hope to stay organized. I really hope to learn division on paper.
Zachary
Lattice Multiplication is one of my favorites. Handwriting is also my favorite. Multiplication on paper is also a favorite work. My goals are to learn division on paper and early humans.
Annelise
Meeting Jane Goodall was my favorite part of this year. My favorite work is Lattice Multiplication. I liked making a guitar. My goals for next year are to have good notes and to make my work neat.
Andre
My favorite things are the Checkerboard, Peg Board, and the Imaginary Island. My favorite field trip is the McKinley Museum. My goals for next year are to always get my work done, to never give up, and to start off the year with 100%.
Isabel
I really like Checkerboard. I loved the “Instrument Petting Zoo.” I also loved the Cleveland Zoo field trip. I hope to learn more great works. I also hope to make new friends.
Darin
Remington
I liked to do the Wax Museum because we got to do a speech. I’m thankful that I learned multiplication on paper. I’m glad we got to go to a museum. I hope I learn division on paper. I want to learn Racks and Tubes: 4 Digit.
Ellie
I love when we went on our first field trip. I like when we did the International Festival. I like to do handwriting with Ms. Kelley. My goal is to master the Multiplication Bead Board. My goal for next year is learning the water cycle.
Caiden
My favorite field trip was when we went to the McKinley Museum. It was also fun when we went on buses for our travel. I also loved when we had people in our parents’ cars. That was really fun. Next school year, I hope to be more organized and more kind.
Reese
I think I learned a lot about angles. My favorite work is science. My favorite thing to do in the classroom is journal. My goal for next school year is doing math work. My goal is focusing.
Myles
I am happy and glad that I learned the Golden Mat and Multiplication Bead Board. I learned to have better neat print and cursive handwriting. My goal is to every week get 100%. I want to learn addition on paper.
Griffin
The Wax Museum was fun. It was great. I was Charles Dickens. My goals next year are to always be happy and always get my work done.
Madison
I like handwriting. I had fun at the Cleveland Zoo. Stamp Game is fun. My goals for next year are to work hard and to have fun!
Kenadie
I like the lessons. I love my friends. I love school so much. My goals next year are to do nice things for friends and to get good at things.
Thank you for a wonderful year! Enjoy your break and we will see you in August!
Line Time: I just wanted to extend my thanks to my assistants Ashlie and Kathleen. Without them the classroom would not run as smoothly as it did this year! I wanted to thank all the parents that made the decision to send you children to Absorbent Minds Montessori School and it was a pleasure teaching your children. The last day of school is always a bitter sweet day. Sure, I get to sleep in and lead a lackadaisical lifestyle for a few months but I realize I won’t see my returning students for three months and the non-returning students I may never see again. This day truly has a range of emotions. Exiting students are always welcome to come to my classroom and read to my class!
I ended up losing the bet regarding how long I could hold out to get a haircut (see below pics). It drove me crazy!!! The hair was falling into my eyes. I thought I had permanently foggy vision and was not safe for driving. I felt there were bugs crawling on my face and things were constantly in my peripheral vision. The last time I had hair this long was like 1979 and I was listening to a 45 record of Aerosmith’s “Sweet Emotion” Dark times indeed. LOL Now I am back top my civilized look, driving much better, and I may crank up the radio when Sweet Emotion comes on.
Aerosmith circa 1979
As I always say after my morning line time banter……. Your teachers are glad that you are here. You are special and unique children and special and unique people. I am proud of what you do AND I love you very much.
Cheers!!!!!!!!
Cultural Subjects:
Your children can now count to ten in 28 languages (English, Latin, Sign Language, Spanish, German, French, Japanese, Greek, Arabic with the Lebanese Dialect, Italian, Russian, Romanian, Swedish, Tagolog, Hebrew, Korean, Hungarian, Irish, Kiswahili, Welsh, Dutch/Flemmish, Polish, Serbo-Croation, Cebuano, Malay, Hindi, Farsi, and Turkish).
Fun Fact: Question: What is Mr. John Going to do the first week of Summer Break?
Answer: Sleep in!! zzzzzzzzzz
Peek In Our Classroom:
Saying good bye to our kindergarten student. Best Wishes!
Next Week: Line Time- How to get a good night sleep.
Letter Of The Week- zzzzzzzzzzz
Rhyming Word Of The Week- Sleep
Next Language will be- Dreamland
Snack will be brought to you by No Snack For You!!!!
Upcoming Events:
********* I hope you have your celebrated summer ********
I guess I’d better think up a way to spend my time.
Just when I’m ready to sit inside, it’s summer time.
Should I go swimming or get a friend to hang around?
It’s back to summer, back to basics, hang around!
Fun, Frolic, and Friends:
I may look happy but I am dying on the inside with this long hair.
