Better Together
Geist Montessori Academy@GeistAcademy
Continuous Learning Plan
Embrace the journey~ The lifelong love of learning!
Though time and space may temporarily separate us at Geist Montessori Academy, we are still one: a strong and supportive school family, better together. We are so grateful for you, and thank you for doing your part to keep our school community connected and healthy.
Being a Montessori school, we all already view school as an extension of the home, where learning is seamless and all around us. During this transition period of being physically separated from one another, the beautiful learning that naturally occurs wherever we are is being reinforced, solidifying the bridge of learning from home, school, and beyond.
GMA is a community of care, so please have your children think of ways to care for one another within the home, while also being mindful of those who may be alone or lonely. Applying their learning in a variety of modes to bring light to others in need is a delightful way to show our outreach and care for others. A few examples of this include: recording songs or videos, creating movies, writing poems, or making pictures/cards and sending them to hospitals, nursing homes, military facilities, friends, or other health facilities that are guest restricted. Staying connected with faraway loved ones is another way to extend that care and comfort on a regular basis. There are endless opportunities awaiting our students to share their gifts and talents over this continuous learning period of time.
In addition, we are so much better together, so please help your child see the interconnectedness of our miraculous world which unfolds in our backyards: the birds, animals, plants, and weather. For example, your family can investigate the new sprouts that you notice on a walk, the sounds that you hear when you open a window, the beauty in the moment. Children can get inspiration from nature and notice symmetry, patterns, and make connections to inventions that were based on these noticings. For instance, how many inventions are related to the wings of birds? What ideas can they generate based on their own outside observations and insights? How can they share their learning? What can they create? What are some ways that your families' unique gifts and talents can be used today to bring light to others?
During this time apart, we hope that you are able to enjoy the little things, the moments we are often too busy to notice. We are wishing you and your loved ones the joy of the moment and the gift of time together. Maybe create gratitude journals, revisit some old board/card games, crafts, bike riding, nature walks, or cooking.
We realize that each family is so different, with different circumstances, challenges and strengths, and we are here to support you all along the way! Please be assured that your child’s teacher and teaching assistant will be supporting your child on a daily basis. The learning continues as we engage children with experiences that complement the planned learning program and help them stay connected with teachers and classmates. These learning experiences offer authentic opportunities to focus on key concepts, knowledge, and skills. They emphasize interaction and creativity and involve a balance of traditional and digital tasks that help connect to previous learning and the current curriculum.
Guidelines
- Teachers will send their individualized work plans in the format they have been communicating all year. Plans will be focusing on the high priority standards, where students will be communicating and sharing work through their familiar learning platforms, such as Seesaw and Google Classroom.
- Weekly assignments, projects, video check-ins, and projects are all ways that teachers will be assessing learning.
- As always, students will be given choice and voice.
- Hard copies of lessons are available, if needed, in the tote outside of the school. (Please sterilize it after each use.)
- Communication is available in a variety of modes: emails, text, phone calls, live chats, WebEx, recordings, social media, and weekly class and school newsletters
- Weekly community circle time or lessons will be provided via modes such as Zoom or Google Meet.
- Weekly strategies and tips from the special education and high ability team will be provided via the Better Together Newsletters.
- Social emotional learning, fitness, and healthy habits will be weekly distributed by Nurse Joy and Michael Skiles, school counselor, via the Better Together Newsletter.
- Teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, our EL teacher, and all special education staff members will be holding consistent, scheduled office hours to better support your student’s individualized needs.
- Teachers will post announcements via email, Google classroom, Jupiter, or Seesaw including an explanation of activities, clarification of when assignments should be completed and/or submitted, and directions on how to find helpful resources.
- Elementary students will be engaged in learning activities daily for approximately 60-80, plus an additional 10-15 minutes for weekly special area classes.
- Middle School students will log into Jupiter to find their daily assignments, as well as resources that will help guide and support their learning. They should be engaged in continuous learning for at least 30 minutes per subject area.
- We recommend chunking this time into smaller segments throughout the day in order to provide age-appropriate learning conditions.
- Teachers will communicate office hours to students/families via email.
- During office hours, teachers will be available for real-time email inbox conversations or through integrated video conferencing tools. Teachers will be monitoring their inbox throughout the day to answer questions and provide support for students.
- All staff will respond within 24 hours to your calls or emails.
Attendance
Teachers are responsible for reviewing attendance of students and reporting any absences to administration by the end of each e-learning window. Students will have four school days to complete the assigned work for each e-learning day. By establishing a four-day e-learning window for each day of unplanned school cancellations, students will have adequate time to complete their assigned lessons. Some students have assigned devices for school-related work while at school or at home while following established policies and procedures.
Attendance is collected at the end of the 4-day e-learning window. It is based off 80% of work being completed; this is based on the current attendance requirements.
Assignments
In the event of a scheduled cancellation of classes, students will be informed at least forty-eight hours in advance, and teachers will give out materials/assignments ahead of the scheduled e-learning day. In the event of an unscheduled cancellation of classes, teachers shall inform students of assignments for the day by 9 a.m . In the event of a two-hour delay that becomes a cancellation, students will be informed by 11 a.m.
Work Continuity
Each lesson will cover priority competencies that would have been addressed if school were in session in a traditional setting or an equivalent lesson.
Accommodation Support
Special education students will receive accommodations outlined in their Individualized Educational Plan (IEP). English Learners will also receive accommodations according to their Individual Learning Plan (ILP). Students with Section 504 Plans will receive appropriate accommodations as outlined in their 504 Plan.
Conferences will be held for students, as needed, to address any unique circumstances regarding each student’s learning needs to support them on e-Learning days. In some cases, an addendum to the established learning plan may be sufficient.
Special Populations Resources
English Language Learner
o eLearning Resources - English Learners - This hub features resources for both teachers and families of English learner students. Included are links to other EL-specific resource hubs, such as WIDA’s, links for effectively connecting with multilingual families, and instructional programs and supports.
o eLearning Requirements and Supports for English Learners - IDOE’s guidance on the requirements for providing services, communicating with families, and assessing English learner students.
High Ability
o Online resources for High Ability remote learning
Special Education
o Office of Special Education COVID-19 Resources & Information
o eLearning Day Program Guidance for Students with Disabilities
Offline Support
For students with disabilities who do not use an online platform for learning or for whom an online platform is not appropriate, teachers will provide parents/caregivers with appropriate educational materials and learning activities for student use. Alternative plans will be developed for students as appropriate. Such alternative plans may include prepared activities focused on the student’s individual learning plan, and they will be shared in the tote outside by the front office.
Individual Needs
For limited English proficient students, teachers will provide parents/caregivers appropriate educational materials and learning activities for student use per the Individual Learning Plan.
Technology Assistance
During continuous learning days, technology staff will be answering technology-related issues through email, lbonar@gma.k12.in.us
Additional Information
In the event of a widespread technology issue, GMA will communicate the problem and any solution to students and parents as soon as practicable. If the problem is not determined to be a district issue, staff will work with the student/parent to address the concern on a case-by-case basis when students return to school.
For more information regarding eLearning Days from the Department of Education - click here: https://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/elearning-day-program.
- During continuous learning days, technology staff will be answering technology-related issues through email, lbonar@gma.k12.in.us.
- Cindy Schuler, Executive Director, will be available during regular school hours via email, cschuler@gma.k12.in.us
Padlet to Share Ideas
We have already been receiving so many incredible ideas and adorable pictures of amazing projects/learning at home. As such, I have decided to create this Padlet for our GMA School Family: Better Together: Padlet to Share Ideas/Learning
Please feel free to share photos, ideas, or other positive items to this site. You can upload items by clicking on the + sign. This is a fun way that we can all stay connected as a supportive and caring community. I look forward to the posts, and thank you for sharing!
“He does it with his hands, by experience, first in play and then through work. The hands are the instruments of man’s intelligence.”-Maria Montessori
Featured below, please enjoy some student work that is blooming!
Support
Students/Families:
Our teachers have established a community of learners, where every student feels valued, seen, and heard, even while social distancing is being implemented. Communication is the key and ensuring families that we can be reached is paramount. Through the use of our common learning management system (e.g. Seesaw, Google Classroom, or Jupiter), teachers are posting announcements and hosting discussions, both synchronously and asynchronously. We are posting videos of ourselves, even if it’s to just say, “We miss you, GMA School Family.”
- One Call alerts will be given for all important updates and pertinent information.
- Parent tips and communication will be provided in a variety of modes: emails, text, phone calls, live chats, WebEx, recordings, social media, and weekly class and school newsletters.
- Social emotional learning, fitness, and healthy habits will be weekly distributed by Nurse Joy and Michael Skiles, school counselor, via the Better Together Newsletter.
- Weekly strategies and tips from the special education and high ability team will be provided via the Better Together Newsletters.
- Teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, our EL teacher, and all special education staff members will be holding consistent, scheduled office hours to better support your student’s individualized needs.
- All staff will respond within 24 hours to your calls or emails.
- During e-learning days, technology staff will be answering technology-related issues through email, lbonar@gma.k12.in.us.
- Cindy Schuler, Executive Director, will be available during all school hours via email, cschuler@gma.k12.in.us or phone, 317-813-4626.
- Schuler Scoop Zoom meetings will be held for families to connect with one another and Cindy. Look for links in the weekly newsletters.
Student Access and Support: Staying Connected as a Community of Care
Being a Montessori school, we already view school as an extension of the home, where learning is seamless and all around us. During this transition period of being physically separated from one another, the beautiful learning that naturally occurs wherever we are is being reinforced, solidifying the bridge of learning from home, school, and beyond.
- Teachers will be sending their individualized work plans out weekly in the format they have been communicating all year. Plans will be focusing on the high priority standards, where students will be communicating and sharing work through their familiar learning platforms, such as Seesaw and Google Classroom.
- Weekly assignments, projects, video check-ins, and projects are all ways teachers will be assessing learning. As always, students will be given choice and voice.
- Hard copies of lessons will be available, if needed, in the tote outside of the school. (Please sterilize after each use.)
- Communication is available in a variety of modes: emails, text, phone calls, live chats, WebEx, recordings, social media, and weekly class and school newsletters.
- Weekly community circle time or lessons will be provided via modes such as Zoom or Google Meet, where students/staff will be given time to socialize, connect, and “hang out.”
- Weekly strategies and tips from the special education and high ability team will be provided via the Better Together Newsletters.
- Social emotional learning, fitness, and healthy habits will be weekly distributed by Nurse Joy and Michael Skiles, school counselor, via the Better Together Newsletter.
- Teachers, teaching assistants, therapists, our EL teacher, and all special education staff members will be holding consistent, scheduled office hours to better support your student’s individualized needs.
- All staff will respond within 24 hours to calls or emails.
Connectivity is Key, wi-fi options
- Comcast
- 2 free months of internet for qualified families; no cancellation fees: https://www.internetessentials.com/.
- Access to Xfinity hotspots for free for anyone: https://wifi.xfinity.com/
- AT&T
- $10 per month plans for qualified families: https://www.att.com/shop/internet/access/index.html?source=ECmj0000000000mbU&wtExtndSource=access#!/#%2F
- Increasing hotspot data by 15GB on unlimited plans
- Access public Wi-Fi hotspots for free
- Verizon
- Offering new internet options for low-income households
- Adding 15GB of data to customers
- T-Mobile/Sprint
- Unlimited data for 60 days
- 20GB per month of hotspot data for 60 days
- Metronet
- Free internet for 60 days to households where students reside
- Free installation
Free public wi-fi locations include: McDonalds, Starbucks, Panera, Public Libraries, Lincoln Pancake House, and Meijer among others.
Continuing the Learning Journey
Here is a list of free education resources that you and your student can use to continue the learning journey when classes are cancelled. As long as you have an internet connection, you can use these online resources to unlock hours of learning:
At Home Activities:
Khan Academy (https://www.khanacademy.org/) – Khan Academy offers free courses of all grade levels to help students master subjects and accelerate their learning. Through these courses, Kahn Academy allows students to personalize their learning and learn at their own pace.
PBS LearningMedia (https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/) – PBS LearningMedia provides students with free lesson plans, videos, and games aligned with standards they are learning in the classroom.
TEDEd (https://ed.ted.com/) – TEDEd brings lessons to life for students through animation. TEDEd’s goal is to ignite curiosity among learners. To do this, TEDEd collects the best teacher lessons around the world. Then, it turns them into shareable animated videos for students.
PowerMyLearning Connect (https://powermylearning.org/learn/connect/) – PowerMyLearning Connect offers curated learning from a variety of online platforms. K-12 students can access free content in all core subjects and many electives, with the ability to choose standard aligned lessons.
BrainPOP (https://www.brainpop.com/) – BrainPOP provides animated interactive lessons, quizzes, and games for core subjects and a variety of electives.
Lumosity (https://www.lumosity.com/en/) – Lumosity offers free brain games to keep student minds actively engaged. For example, the games use problem solving, critical thinking, and memory to keep students on their toes and strengthen their skills.
Duolingo (https://www.duolingo.com/) – Duolingo helps students keep up with foreign language skills. Duolingo offers 30+ languages so students can start learning a variety of languages that interest them. Or, students can use Duolingo to practice the foreign languages they are already learning in the classroom.
EVERFI (https://everfi.com/partners/k-12-educators/) – EVERFI offers free supplemental lessons for the whole student in areas of Finance, SEL, Health, College/Career Readiness, and related topics.
Here is a list of free education resources that you and your student can use to continue the learning journey when classes are cancelled. As long as you have an internet connection, you can use these online resources to unlock hours of learning:
The Smithsonian Learning Lab ( https://learninglab.si.edu/distancelearning)-offers teachers and parents access to millions of digital resources from across the Smithsonian's museums, research centers, libraries, archives, and more. Includes pre-packaged collections that contain lessons, activities, and recommended resources made by Smithsonian museum educators. Includes self-directed learning modules for teens and tweens.
Online courses and video lessons
- Crash Course, an online youtube channel started by Hoosier natives Hank and John Green, has 15 courses with up to 75 video lessons for each. Lessons are geared for the middle and high school student.
- Crash Course for Kids follows the same format as Crash Course but with elementary level content.
- TedED has engaging video series for all ages. Sign in with Google to create lessons.
Ranger Rick (https://rangerrick.org/)- The National Wildlife Federation has opened all articles behind its paywall through June 30. This includes Educator’s Guides and Ranger Rick, Jr. Parent Reading Guides in English and Spanish.
Stories Around the World (International Children's Digital Library) Explore tales, fables, and stories from around the world in over 59 languages.
Free tutoring with Rose-Hulman (AskRose) has extended their free tutoring service hours for middle and high school students.
The Encyclopedia of Life (http://eol.org/)- an online database of over one million species and counting, provides a platform for the scientist and citizen-scientist alike to collaborate on scientific information for every living thing on Earth. This “open-science” website aggregates information from over 180 scientific organizations and scientists and as a result, provides rich and detailed text descriptions, photos and video clips, sound files and links to research and associated research.
Department of Defense: Learn about careers in STEM fields
Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics: Kids' Zone
Department of Energy: Games and Activities; Virtual Field Trips to National Energy Labs
Environmental Protection Agency: Games, Quizzes, and Videos about the Environment
The Library of Congress: Presentations and Activities to Help Students Learn about History
NASA: Interactive Lessons about Space, Earth, Solar System and Universe; Lessons from Astronauts about Living in Space; STEM Activities for Students of All Ages
The Kennedy Center: Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems; Tour the Kennedy Center with The Pigeon
The Smithsonian: Free Smithsonian STEM Games and Simulations; Meet the Animals of the National Zoo; 3D Exhibits and Virtual Tours; Smithsonian Magazine Ten Museums You Can Virtually Visit; The Museum of Natural History Virtual Tour; Digital Smithsonian American Art Museum; Distance Learning Resources
NOAA: Use Real-Time Ocean Data to Explore the Environment
USGS: Learn from Home About Physical science, Geography and Maps
Social Emotional Resources:Social Emotional Learning Resources related to Covid-19
Resources to support you and your family:
- See this link for information on hospitals, Community Mental Health Centers, and other local supports: https://www.in.gov/issp/2422.htm
- Trauma and ACES: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/aces-and-toxic-stress-frequently-asked-questions/
- Resources from Indiana Department of Education: https://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/2020-covid-19-remote-learning#family%20resources
- Resource from World Health Organization:https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/helping-children-cope-with-stress-print.pdf?sfvrsn=f3a063ff_2
- Parenting Tips and CIVID-19:https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/healthy-parenting?utm_source=mailchimp&utm_campaign=030096d2e1f0&utm_medium=page
- Intro to Seesaw video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pzlrtDR84KY&feature=emb_logo
- Family guide to Google Classroom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Iowi-gmbys
- How to use Zoom: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCjksPhTlyE
- Microsoft family guide: https://support.office.com/en-us/article/distance-learning-with-office-365-guidance-for-parents-and-guardians-89d514f9-bf5e-4374-a731-a75d38ddd588?ui=en-US&rs=en-US&ad=U
Special Populations Resources
English Language Learner
- eLearning Resources - English Learners - This hub features resources for both teachers and families of English learner students. Included are links to other EL-specific resource hubs, such as WIDA’s, links for effectively connecting with multilingual families, and instructional programs and supports.
- eLearning Requirements and Supports for English Learners - IDOE’s guidance on the requirements for providing services, communicating with families, and assessing English learner students.
High Ability
Special Education
- Office of Special Education COVID-19 Resources & Information
- eLearning Day Program Guidance for Students with Disabilities
Staff Specific Resources:
IDOE eLearning Day Program - resources to assist schools in implementing eLearning days
SETDA Coalition for eLearning - resources and guidance for online learning
Learning Keeps Going - a curation of free tools, strategies, tips and best practices for teaching online from a coalition of education organizations
Rose-Hulman PRISM Rose-Hulman PRISM provides a free Moodle LMS for any Indiana K-12 teachers. Teachers can build / author their own courses on the LMS. PRISM staff will provide online Moodle training if needed and daily support. Teachers can build as many courses on the LMS as needed. Teachers can continue to use the LMS indefinitely. This is not an offer for just the current time.
ASUforYOU - School Training - Free short videos for teachers and families to learn the basics of how to transition your instruction online.
Resources for Families:
Search the Resource Database below for content specific supports.
TV and Movie watching templates for Elementary and Secondary students - IDOE wants to ensure learning continues for students at home. These templates are meant to provide an opportunity for students to learn and grow while watching a TV show or movie.
AskRose Homework Help - A free math and science tutoring service for Indiana students and other students in grades 6-12. Students can call 877-ASK-ROSE, email, or chat live with a friendly tutor to work through and better understand homework assignments.
ASU for You Free Online Tutoring - Tutoring sessions for Math, ELA, Science and Social Studies via ZOOM.
March 23 – May 20 2:00-3:00pm EDT - Monday: Math | Tuesday: Science | Wednesday: Math | Thursday: Science | Friday: Math
March 23 – May 20 3:00-4:00pm EDT - Monday: Language Arts | Tuesday: Social Studies | Wednesday: Language Arts | Thursday: Social Studies | Friday: Language Arts
Fred Rogers Center - Talking to Young Children about the Coronavirus
CDC - Talking to young children about coronavirus
PBS - How to Talk to Your Kids About Coronavirus (with PBS Kids videos and shows that discuss hand washing)
NASP - Talking to children about COVID-19
Other valuable resources:
Trauma and ACES: https://developingchild.harvard.edu/resources/aces-and-toxic-stress-frequently-asked-questions/
Resources from Indiana Department of Education: https://www.doe.in.gov/elearning/2020-covid-19-remote-learning#family%20resources
Resource from World Health Organization:
Parenting Tips and CIVID-19:
Long Term Goals
Teachers continue to use meaningful feedback to help students with competencies, and they are providing extra layers of support to those in need. Teaching assistants, our special education coordinator, nurse, counselor, and teachers are being thoughtful to provide more check-ins, videos, and lessons to students/families in need. This ongoing formative assessment is fluid and is being enhanced with many resources that become available for free, as well.
Further, for the remainder of this school year, teachers are targeting instruction towards the most essential standards to equip students with the prerequisite skills they will need for the next grade level or course. At the beginning of the next school year, teachers will work to meet students where they are in their learning, being sure to fill in any gaps by adjusting curriculum and supporting students with strategies and building foundational skills. Teachers will also spiral the review of grade level standards through their subjects and courses.
Students with extreme needs/gaps in learning are going to be offered full-day summer day in July, with enrichment camps and other opportunities for growth academically, socially, and physically in June. We look forward to offering these full-day supports as soon as we are released to do so. If, the conditions continue, where continuous learning must be done apart, we will offer online learning and meetings through chats, videos, and Zoom. As more technologies are created and developed during this unique time, we will use data to help inform our practice and decide on the best services to support our community of learners during this continuous learning phase.
There must be provision for the child to have contact with nature; to understand and appreciate the order, the harmony and the beauty in nature-Maria Montessori
It’s been so nice to get out and get some fresh air and enjoy the beauty of nature! The perfect patterns surround us in our everyday lives, whether they be sequential, spatial, or temporal. This science of patterns is mathematics, and it is a glorious time to help your child notice this amazing field of study.
Enjoy this short video that is sure to inspire the awe of mathematics: Nature by Numbers
Here are some more ways to bring math to life this week:
How to Master Math: Numbers
Five times seven? 35 – 17? How much math can you do in your head? Help your child strengthen their mental math skills and sense of numbers with these tips.
How to Master Math: Geometry
From triangles, squares and circles, to cubes, spheres and even parallel lines, geometry surrounds us every day. Have you noticed all of the ways? Point them out to your kids and get them to see all the ways shapes (geometry!) surround us.
How to Master Math: Fractions
From sales and sandwiches to car rides and sports, we use fractions more than you might think. Here are a few steps that you can take to help turn your kids’ fraction fears into fraction fun!
How to Master Math: Statistics
“I’m never going to use this!” We hear kids say that a lot. But statistics help us better understand the world we are living in. This video offers ways to show your child their many uses beyond the classroom.
These resources and much more:
https://www.parenttoolkit.com/academics/video/math/how-to-master-math-numbers
Feedback that Feeds Forward
Teachers will continue to use priority standards and competency based grading and Montessori principles during our continuous learning, where rubrics will often be used to grade the body of work rather than many individual assignments. Meaningful feedback on progress will provided at least once or twice a week, allowing students to reflect, assess where they are in their learning, and where they can improve. We are also providing students the opportunity to interact with their peers online. This might mean giving feedback on an assignment, making a collaborative response, or beginning group sessions with a social connection and check-in. This can leverage technology to build stronger and deeper relationships.
Visual Writing Prompts prompt thinking
THOUGHT-PROVOKING AND REFLECTIVE WRITING
Visual writing prompts are thought-provoking, encourage higher level thinking, and reflective writing.
Help bring your child's thinking to the next level with this strategy:
nature awakens the natural
It’s been so invigorating to get out in nature this week.
Here are some fun outdoor Montessori ideas for you from the Montessori Notebook:
Seasonal activities – depending on the season you could take a basket to the local park or a nearby forest to collect leaves, acorns, shells, sticks, rocks, stones, and pine cones.
1. Grow your own vegetables – you don’t even have to have a large garden to grow your own. You can set up a potting station with some soil, a scoop and some seeds. Have a watering can at the ready. Don’t forget about composting by adding your food waste to a compost bin or worm farm. Your children will learn in a very natural way about the food cycle and returning nutrients to the soil.
2. Movement opportunities – climb trees, balance along walls or tree stumps or logs, hang from branches, swing from a tyre, ride a balance bike (“loopfiets” as they say in Dutch), kick a ball, jump with a skipping rope, chase each other, run fast, and walk slow.
3. All weather exploration – there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing. So get some great all-weather clothing and shoes and stomp in those puddles, make a snow man, put on a hat and sunscreen and explore the beach, get out each and every day.
4. Notice the beauty of the outdoors together – watch insects at work, droplets on leaves, the smell of rain, the colours of the sunset, the vistas from the mountains, the stillness of the lake or the ripples, the movement of the ocean, the wind in the trees, grab a magnifying glass to explore close up, or simply take in the gloriousness of the flowers and bees in a neighbour’s garden.
5. Find moments of quiet – find a place to sit and watch the clouds, to sit in silence, or just to breathe.
6. Make treasure hunts – make a list of pictures and work together to find all the items on your list. It could be in your garden, at the park, in the forest, or any outdoor place you have access to.
7. Build your own hut, cubby house, obstacle course and invite around some friends.
8. Make outdoor art – use mud, water, leaves, flowers, soil, seeds, grass and whatever other interesting pieces you can find. Lay them into patterns, make them into shapes, or work together to make a face or an animal.
9. Make a musical wall – hang in the garden old pots and pans, bells, and any other objects that make some sound when banged. Find some sticks to make some music.
Bonus: Anything to do with water – spraying the windows, filling a bucket and painting bricks with a brush, running through a sprinkler, making rivers with sand and water, or using a water pump at the playground.
Hero's Journey
The hero's journey is an ancient story pattern that can be found in texts from thousands of years ago or in newly released Hollywood blockbusters. This interactive tool will provide students with background on the hero's journey and give them a chance to explore several of the journey's key elements. Students can use the tool to record examples from a hero's journey they have read or viewed or to plan out a hero's journey of their own.
Guest Readers share their love of reading
The Land of Stories
Come fall into the Land of Stories with Ms. Meagan!
The first book in Chris Colfer's #1 New York Times bestselling series The Land of Stories is about two siblings who fall into a fairy-tale world! This fast-paced adventure that uniquely combines our modern day world with the realm of classic fairy tales is sure to enchant every family!
Featuring Ms. Vicki's Daughter: Kennedy
Your younnger students are sure to enjoy the story That is Not a Good Idea by Mo Willem, read aloud by Kennedy Kortz:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Of_-lk8twrIT1hSEH5mgE37lhkd9ZlyK/view?usp=sharingFRee MOntessori materials and MORE
Get Moving With Charades
CHARADES GAME
Notes to instructors:
The game of charades is a fun way for students to be creative, express themselves, and get a healthy dose of moderate physical activity. The games in this packet were designed for small to medium groups and can be played with a mix of ages. Each card includes ideas for charade topics. Encourage students to be appropriately creative and come up with their own topic ideas.
As with any game or activity resource, it’s up to you to assess the needs and abilities of the students under your supervision. Modify this game as needed to meet the requirements of your space, group size, and age ranges.
The pages of this packet are designed to be used as station cards. The instructions can be read and explained by older and more mature students. However, we strongly recommend teaching each game to the group before allowing students to work independently.
Every page includes a reminder to practice safe social distancing. All of the games in this packet were designed to allow students to remain a minimum of 6 feet apart and DO NOT require them to use or share equipment.
Find more home physical fitness and healthy tips at : https://openphysed.org/activeschools/activehome
Supportive Strategies
Supportive Strategies
by Peg Rideout, Special Education Coordinator
As an educator for over 25 years, I have worked with children from preschool through junior high and facilitated classes for post-secondary learners too. While you may say I haven’t seen it all, especially when it comes to your child and his/her issues, I have accumulated many “tools in my toolbox” - ways to provide positive and supportive approaches to many different and unique situations in the school/home setting. I’ll share a tidbit each week and challenge you to consider adding the approach to your toolbox! If you have specific areas you’d like me to address, please email me at prideout@gma.k12.in.us and I’ll be sure to include it in a weekly newsletter (anonymously of course).
What do you do when your child doesn’t want to do something he needs to do?
Everyone has things in life they have to do (brush teeth, chores, tasks for work etc.) but many times we procrastinate and continue doing what we want to do instead. It’s a universal problem for young and old alike! The First__Then__ approach presents the child with the non-preferred task first (multiplication flashcards for 7 minutes) followed by a highly preferred activity (10 minutes to ride your bike). Keep your language simple but direct. Using the visual support below you can write words or show pictures depending on the age of the child. Instead of engaging in a battle, you calmly point to the visual and provide immediate praise when your child follows the direction. Nice job working on those multiplication facts! It takes a lot of practice to learn new things just like it took work to learn how to ride your bike. Let’s go for that bike ride now!
Keys:
Keep language simple.
Make the request visual.
Limit verbal interaction.
Give lots of praise (high five, fist bump, etc) when your child does what he needs to do.
Follow through on the reward immediately.
HeartSmarts
HeartMath Institute Gives 100,000 Kids Free Access to a New Online Course, HeartSmarts® Adventure.
Here is a Description of the Program:
HeartSmarts Adventure guides children aged 4 to 6 through a self-paced, fun and engaging social and emotional online learning program. Children learn about connecting to their hearts, navigating emotions, relating to others and resilience-building techniques. Research shows that when children become attuned to their emotions, they have more focus, increased reasoning ability, greater comprehension and enhanced creativity.
- Six artfully crafted Adventures
- 60 engaging and informative activities
- Science-based, parent-approved, kid-tested
Graphing Stories
Dan Meyer and Buzzmath collaborated to create a collection of resources called Graphing Stories. These video tasks compare relationships like distance and time to a dependent variable over time. Click here to check it out!
1. Pass out the graphing paper.
2. Watch the video
3. Graph
4. Reveal
Take the Lego challenge
Build a 20 brick high tower with half of the bricks red, half of the remaining bricks blue, and the rest of the bricks green. How many green bricks are there? What fraction of the bricks are are blue? What percent of the fraction are red?
A word from the Woods
Hi, I’m Ms Jeanie, checking in from out in the woods while keeping my social distance. It’s an exciting time to be out here because of the spring ephemerals. Let me explain:
All things on Earth get their energy from the sun (like plants) or from somebody else who gets energy from the sun (like animals that eat plants). Trees are the best at getting the sun’s energy because their trunks lift the leaves high above everything else. Nothing beneath them gets much light.
Here where we live in Indiana, winter days are short and not very light, so the trees drop their leaves, and become dormant or sleeping.
Before the trees put out new leaves in the spring, there is a short time when plants underneath them can get enough light to grow. These plants are spring ephemerals. They emerge, or spring up, out of the ground starting in late March, April, and May.
They quickly grow leaves to start collecting the sun’s energy.
Within days they grow flowers before the trees take all of the light. Pollinators like bees, butterflies, moths, ants and beetles come to get nectar and pollen when there is no other food for them.
Then as the trees take over and shade everything, our little spring ephemerals make seeds. Their leaves lose the green-colored chlorophyll that let them get energy from the sun. Those leaves turn yellow, then brown. That’s the ephemeral part. They emerge quickly, then seem to die within a few weeks.
But they aren’t dead, just dormant. Under the ground their roots are still growing and spreading. Their seeds are being carried around by animals to new homes.
Full disclosure, many of these pictures are of plants in my yard, hence the trash can in the last picture. The plants were rescued from road construction with official permission. Since spring ephemerals haven’t bloomed yet this year, I had to depend on pictures I have taken in years before. But most spring ephemerals are in the woods where they belong.
The picture of dormant trees was taken this morning at Cool Creek Park. You have plenty of time to see spring ephemerals this year. Remember to be safe and keep your social distance!
Photos:
1. The Understory Layer from online site of Citadel sjfc.edu
2. Cool Creek Park Feb 28, 2020
3. Trout lily leaves, Dutchman’s Britches and False Rue Anemone
4. Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Trout Lilies and Dutchman’s Britches
5. Virginia Bluebells
6. Jack-in-the-Pulpit seeds and False Solomon’s Seal with seeds.
Here are some more cool things for you to learn about:
-What is your favorite Spring Ephemeral? Can you draw it? Here are two websites that have pictures:
https://hoosiergardener.com/virginia-bluebells-here-and-gone/
https://www.prairienursery.com/store/natives-for-shade/spring-ephemerals
Nurse's Notes
Hello GMA family,
I am certain that the unexpected closing of school has left many of you scratching your head as to how to keep those kiddos busy while they are off at home. Personally, I am hoping for warm weather and sunshine! A good dose of Vitamin D does the soul good. For my kids, playing outside gives them a way to release energy, use their imaginations and get dirty, which they love to do. If you are in need of ideas of things to do to keep them busy, consider some of these things…
- Bake something, or find a new recipe to try and involve the child in making it
- Have each child write a letter to a fellow Montessori friend
- Races of various kinds in the backyard (hopping on one foot, crabwalk, walking backwards, etc.)
- Have the kids help with yardwork…they might be little, but they like getting dirty and "working" in the gardens
- Make tents and reading caves and fill with flashlights, tidy snacks, books, and pillows
- Collect a bunch of tape, markers and cardboard boxes to build things and decorate them
- Family puzzles…choose ones that are 500-1000 pieces and a challenging, but not frustrating picture
- Team up and clean and organize each kid's space, making a donation box for each
- Any and all art is fun at home: beading, painting, drawing, play dough or kinetic sand, or sewing
- Scavenger hunts or indoor treasure hunts where they follow clues through the house to a "treasure" at the end (could be candy, a movie, whatever)
- Play sidewalk chalk outside
- Popcorn + movie marathon
- Bust out your hiking gear and try new hiking paths. As long as you stay away from overpopulated areas you will naturally stay a safe distance from others and sick people generally don't hike!
These are just some of the many things you can do to prevent that stir-crazy feeling! In addition to keeping them busy, keeping them healthy is also on the agenda. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyday preventive measures to control the spread of COVID-19. These include:
• Staying home when sick and avoiding close contact with sick people
• Frequent, proper handwashing using soap and water for at least 20 seconds or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol
• Avoiding touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands
• Practicing respiratory etiquette (e.g., covering coughs and sneezes with a tissue or upper sleeve)
• Routinely cleaning and disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces using usual cleaning/disinfection products according to the product label.
Hopefully we will all be back together in our new school soon! I will be available via email at jsterrett@gma.k12.in.us, if you would need to ask a question or communicate with me while we are on leave.
Well wishes to all,
Nurse Joy
s'more Newsletters
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 1
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 2
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 3
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 4
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 5
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 6
Better Together, Newsletter, Volume 7
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 8, 1.26
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 9, 2.2.2020
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 10, 2.9.2020
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 12, 2.23.2020
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 13, 3.1.2020
Better Together Newsletter, Volume 14, 3.8.2020
Better Together, Volume 15, 3.15.2020
Working together for the better
Meet Geist Montessori Academy's Executive Director: Cindy Schuler
Email: Cschuler@gma.k12.in.us
Website: gmacademy.org
Phone: (317)813-4626
Twitter: @GeistAcademy
New Phone Number: (317) 813-4626 and Address
Please take note; our new school family has a
NEW PHONE NUMBER:
(317) 813-4626
NEW ADDRESS:
6058 W. 900 N.
McCordsville, IN 46055