The Gazette
September 2015
Back to school 2015
It is hard to believe that the month of September has come to a close and October has commenced. As always, we were thrilled to welcome back both returning and new children to our Flexible Children's House classroom.
This is my third school year at The North Shore Montessori School. This year we started off the year with our Full Day Academic Program. I am pleased to announce that we have 11 children attending our full Day Program 5 days a week. There are 8 children in our Full Day Program either 2 or 3 days a week. In addition, we have 9 children attending 2, 3 or 5 mornings a week. These combinations make for a delightful and dynamic work week!
As of Tuesday, we now have 21 children 5 days a weeks. Skyler joined the 2 Full Day Academic Program this past week and the class welcomed her with much enthusiasm.
It is always enjoyable to watch how the returning children begin their year. Their role is crucial for a successful back to school month. They serve as role models for both the younger and newer children. Returning children come back to school, happy to pick up where they left off; their positive influence encourages children to explore the classroom with ease. New children were able to observe from day one, what goes on in the classroom. They had children showing them where things were and how certain works were done. It is marvelous to watch these moments as both returning and new children get to know each other and begin to take ownership of the classroom.
Over the last three weeks, Ms. Bridget, Mrs. Gabby and I have had the pleasure of getting to know your children. Your children have adapted to their environment very well. Your support and confidence helped to make the transition go smoothly.
Your children have all had a few works presented to them by now. When they arrive in the morning they have a well established routine. I have observed that once the children have been greeted, they are spending less and less time removing lunches and folders and hanging up backpacks. Next, some children may socialize for a few minutes before finding a work, while others choose a work right away or even ask for a new work to be presented to them. This is extremely important as it shows that they are comfortable in their new environment.
Many Practical Life Exercises have been presented. These exercises are intended for several reasons. First of all, they allow children to feel more comfortable in the classroom as they recognize and have already used most of the objects found on the shelves. Secondly, these materials allow children to work on fine motor skills. They encourage children to slow down and pay attention to their movements. As Practical Life materials are real life objects that are breakable, children gain self-confidence and appreciate the fact that we (the adults) also have confidence in them. There have been a few water pitchers or bowls broken but that is part of the learning process. We don't reprimand a child for breaking something, but encourage him or her to help clean it up. We take the time to talk about how to hold and carry fragile objects. These materials encourage children to take care of things by keeping them clean, dry, orderly and in once piece. Practical Life exercises help children concentrate so that they can move on to more challenging work later on. These exercises are also done by older children as they are considered 'restful' works especially after a more challenging work.
I have spent some time focusing on Practical Life in this newsletter, but your children have been doing many other things of course! Some are busy working on Sensorial, while others are exploring the Sandpaper Letters. Some children are concentrating more on Mathematics. I have been able to observe and better understand what the needs of your children are. I have a lesson plan for each of your children. When I present a work to your child it is because I feel he or she is ready and interested in the work.
Mirror Work
Washing Dishes after Banana Work
Opening and Closing Bottles
Specials and Schedule
Every day the schedule is slightly different, therefore, we don't have snack at a set time. If your child has a birthday celebration scheduled, please bring in the snack when your child is dropped off at 9 a.m.. As we will most likey have to set up snack and perhaps have snack before we do the actual birthday celebration.
5 day-ers have Creative Movement 4 days a week. Every day except Fridays. Here is our weekly Specials Schedule:
Monday-
Creative Movement- with Ms. Annie.
Library-(in the classroom)
Children can take out a book from the school's library weekly. Library books are due back to the classroom on Monday mornings for 3&5 day-ers.
*Please make sure that your child wears or brings in sneakers on his or her gym days.
Tuesday-
Creative Movement-with Ms. Annie
Music -for Tuesday/Thursday children with Mr. Johnny
Wednesday-
Art-with Ms. Flood
Creative Movement-with Ms. Annie
Thursday-
Library- (in classroom with 2 day-ers).
Creative Movement- 5 day-ers go to gym instead.
*Library books are due back to the classroom on Thursday mornings for 2 day-ers.
Friday-
Music- With Mr. Johnny
SOME REMINDERS
*Please make sure to check your child's folder on the days your child attends school. Please remove 'old documents'. Folders are checked daily. If you need to send me a note, or return a Creative Arts sign up sheet, please place them in your child's folder. Ms. Gabby or Ms. Bridget check your child's folder first thing every morning. If there is any mail for me, she informs me straight away.
*School is closed on Monday, October 12th.
*Conferences are on November 20th. If possible, please come into the classroom to sign up. If you are unable to come into the building please email me. Thank you!
*Birthday Celebrations for the month of October:
October 13th: Sydney
September Celebrations: Gianna, Emmeline, Caden, Genevieve, Ava and Savannah (August).
Music With Mr. Johnny
A snapshot from Ava's Birthday Celebration
The Adults in the Classroom
Ms. Bridget
Ms. Gabby
Ms. Sasha
A quick note on Afternoons
As you probably noticed from our Friendship List, we have 5 children from Mrs. McLean's class attending our afternoon class five days a week: Avery, Aidan, Sylas, Santino and Finn. There are 3 children attending three afternoons a week: Kieran (Miss Mandy), Vincent (Miss Mandy) and Robert (Miss McLean). Lastly, there are 2 children attending two afternoons from Mrs. Thomas' class: Emma and Annalise.
After one month of school, despite the numerous days off we had in September, the afternoon class has gotten into a nice routine and the children have adapted very well!
Restime:
Please make sure that you have your child's sheet placed in a labeled ZipLoc Bag. This is very important as when we remove your child's sheet it will go into a crate until rest time. When the ziploc begins to get worn out, please replace it.
We will be keeping the sheets in the classroom for the week (in a crate) and at the end of the week they will be sent home to be washed.
Thank you for your understanding and patience!