LHMS Newsletter
April 29, 2016
Our Bodies
Over the last few weeks, the children have been learning about the human body and how it works. Questions such as, "How does the food get into my tummy?" and "Where does poop come from?" have all lead to discussions about our body and how it works. We look forward to sharing with you some of the learning that our children have done about the human body.
Grace & Courtesy at Lunch
Lunch is such a fun time to practice our grace & courtesy manners. We begin lunch with all children washing their hands. They locate and set up their lunch, place their lunch box under their chair then stand behind their chair and politey wait for the teacher to start singing our meal song then join in. "The Earth is good to me, and so I thank the Earth, for giving me the thinks I need, the sun and the rain and the apple seed, the Earth is good to me. Bon Appetit! Now you may eat."
They place their cloth napkin on their lap and enjoy polite conversation with friends and teachers while eating their growing food first.
All About Me
Our favorite season, animal and food. We especially enjoyed discussing our favorite Montessori lesson.
A big component of our afternoon program is group work. We practice listening to a lesson and following a multi-step direction in a group setting.
Stamp Game
The stamp game is a tool for learning and reinforcing knowledge of the four math operations: addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. We are focusing on addition.
Chance to win a FREE Summer Camp Session!
"It's getting hot in herre, so take off..." (and enroll the kids) in LHMS Summer Camp.
Children will enjoy our day camp experience where they can explore and enjoy the summer's natural rhythm. Each week will feature a variety of activities designed on a focused theme - Session 1: Around the World in 10 Days, Session 2: Lego Mania & Mad Scientists, Session 3: Exploring the Biomes and Session 4: Under the Sea Adventures & Dinosaur Exploration.
Camp will run from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm each day. Please bring a packed lunch. The fee for each 2 week session is $500. Space are limited! Children are enrolling every day.
For each online review/testimonial, you will be entered to win a FREE camp session.
Please visit the following pages (links are below) and write a review:
- Long Hill Montessori School Google Business Page
- Long Hill Montessori School Facebook Page (There are 2 LHMS FB pages online. We are Long Hill Montessori School, not Long Hill Montessori. We are working on merging LHMS and LHM FB pages)
- Testimonials for our website
We are truly grateful and blessed to have such loving and supportive families. Thank you!
A special thanks to Jessica Faust, Michael Flynn, Jody Nicastro, Danielle Hotra and Alumni families for their beautiful testimonials.
Janet's Law
We're proud to announce our purchase of an AED Defibrillator. As of September 1, 2014, Janet’s Law was passed, a law that all schools need to have an AED on site.
The law is named in memory of Janet Zilinski, an 11-year-old resident from Warren who died of sudden cardiac arrest following cheerleading squad practice.
It is located at our front entrance where it is easily assessable to our classrooms, playground and First Presbyterian parishioners.
Grace & Courtesy
Throughout the year, we introduce and practice Grace and Courtesy lessons. From modeling "how to walk around a work rug" to "how to ask for help." These quick lessons - sometimes with words, sometimes with songs and sometimes without - give children the tools to navigate their environment. These lessons and practices provide a way to establish a peaceful classroom.
These lessons empower children to be responsible, self-aware, and independent. These activities are about respecting nature, each other and our environment.
I Put My Hand on a Shoulder & I Wait
sung to the tune "If You're Happy and You Know It"
I put my hand on a shoulder & I wait
I put my hand on a shoulder & I wait
When I’m quiet & I wait it all works out great
So I put my hand on a shoulder & I wait
Inside Voices
sung to the tune "Are you Sleeping?"
Inside voices, inside voices
In our School, In our school
We use inside voices,
when we are working
In our school, in our school
Walking Feet
sung to the tune "Are you Sleeping?"
Walking feet, walking feet
In our school, in our school
We use walking feet,
We walk very slowly
Careful for our friends & work
Grace & Courtesy Soiree
A sign up for food and servers will be posted in the hallway next week. It is a special time for the children and we respectively request that volunteer spots be open first to families that have children graduating. Alumni siblings are welcomed to join us for the entertainment portion in The Grand Ball Room following dinner at 5:45 - 6:00pm.
The Grace & Courtesy is the event of the season!! ;-)
School ~ Home Connection
Creating Calm Tip #4: Create Routines
Create routines so the child knows what to expect, knows what happens next, knows what he needs to do. The child will often complete a task just because that's what we do, not because mom or dad want him to - it is impersonal. Children find security in routine; they need structure to some parts of the day.
- "Bath, brush teeth, snuggles, story, lights out."
- "We use the bathroom before we get in the car."
- "We wash our hands before we eat."
- "When we get to school, we hold the railing when we walk down the stairs and hang up our coat."
- "Before we walk in the classroom, we look the greeter in the eye, say good morning, find our attendance, wash our hands and get to work."
Observe the child like a scientist and meet their needs the best you can. Routine helps keep things calm. Is your morning hectic? . Even as adults, think about how we feel when we walk into a meeting late. We feel flustered and it's super uncomfortable.
On "upside down days" we try to keep as close to a routine as possible throughout the day so the children don't lose it.
Peace Corner: If You're Happy and You Know It..
When you're happy and you know it and you're body will really show it
When you're happy and you know it clap your hands
- When you're sad ..... talk to a friend
- When you're mad ..... take a deep breath
- When you're afraid ..... relax your muscles
You asked, we listened ~ Montessori Phonetics
Introducing the phonetic sounds of the alphabet is one of the first steps in teaching spelling. At LHMS, the sounds are first taught in lower case because most text writing is done this way. It makes the transition to reading much easier.
We introduce the short vowels and hard consonant sounds.
a short "a" as in "at" (later teach long "a" sound such as in "gate"- "ah" sound as in "father")
b as in "rib" -with lips closed form a line and say sound.
c "k" sound as in "cat"(later the "s" sound as in "cent")
d as in " lid"-Place tip of tongue behind upper front teeth, keeping face still, say sound.
e short sound as in "egg" (later long sound such as in "me")
f as in "if"-Put upper teeth on lower lip and release air.
g hard sound as in "big "(later introduce " j " sound as in "gem")
h as in "her" -Open mouth and blow out sound.
i short sound as in "pig" (later introduce the long sound "i" , as in "pie")
j as in "jam" -Keep jaw still and say sound.
k as in "ink"
l as in "lad" -Place bent tip of tongue under front teeth and say sound.
m as in "him" -Close lips and make sound.
n as in "tan" -Place tip of tongue against the roof of your mouth and say sound.
o short sound as in "on" (later introduce long o as in "open", then long "oo" sound, as in "to")
p as in "yap" -Close lips lightly together and say sound.
q we introduce q with the u ie "qu" and explain that u is always with q but the u doesn't say a sound when it is with q. Word sound as in "queen" (Place tongue in middle of upper plate and release breath).
r as in "brr" -Pull back tongue towards upper mouth the tongue edges to the back molars. Hold and say sound. This one is a bit difficult. We had to practice not to say "er" sound.
s as in "gas" -Place tongue behind lower teeth, bite down and say sound. (later teach the "z" sound as in "as")
t as in "bat"-Put tongue behind top teeth and release breath.
u short sound as in "up" (later long u as in "unicorn" and short oo sound as in "put")
v as in "vine" -Place upper teeth gently on lower lip and vibrate sound.
We let the children feel our lips with certain sounds, such as "v" and "f" since the sounds are easily confused.
w as in "wag"-Slightly pucker you lips, release your breath and say the sound keeping lower jaw still.
x as in "fix"-This has a ks sound (blended)
y as in "yarn" -Do the consonant first, which is always at the beginning of a word. (later introduce the "e" sounding y, such as "holly", vowel long "i" sounding y, such as "my" and the vowel short "i" sound such as "gym")
z as in "zip"- Clench teeth together and make sound.
You asked, we listened...topics to follow in upcoming newsletters... stay tuned
- loosing graciously
- perfectionists - learning it's okay to make a mistake
- preparing friends for Kindergarten that are moving on
- Backtalk
- importance of multi-steps direction
Thank you to The Ortega-Kiefner Family for sharing this precious video with us. Emily Kiefner is joining us next year in The Oak Room.
Grace & Courtesy Soiree
Wednesday, May 11, 2016, 05:00 PM
Long Hill Montessori School, Long Hill, NJ, United States
Long Hill Montessori School
Email: LongHillMontessoriSchool@gmail.com
Website: www.LongHillMontessoriSchool.com
Location: 158 Central Avenue, Stirling, NJ, United States
Phone: (908) 647-1852