Montessori Matters

November 29, 2019

Thanksgiving Blessings

From the words of our MSA communal Thanksgiving Blessing:

“May the light of His spirit surround your family
May His strength abide with all of you

May His love illuminate all of your hearts

Now and forever more.”

We hope you had a wonderful and meaning-filled Thanksgiving Holiday!


For more photos from our Thanksgiving blessing, click here.

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Giving Tuesday

When so much attention is given to what makes us different, generosity is what brings people together. We’re proud to be part of the #GivingTuesday Global Movement for Generosity. Join us at msasc.org. If you would like to donate to Montessori School of Anderson on Giving Tuesday, use this link, and please share with friends and family, too!

Dates to Remember

December 7 - Reindeer Run at the Anderson Area YMCA

December 17 - Half day, early dismissal at 11:30, extended care available

December 17 - Holiday Program -- December Nights, December Lights, 6 p.m.

December 19 - MSA Family Night at Carolina Wren Park

December 20 - Early dismissal (IT/PR: 11:00, LE/UE 11:30, MS/HS 12:00), extended care available

December 23-January 1 - All programs closed

Holiday Program - December Nights, December Lights

We are excited to present the upcoming December Nights, December Lights Holiday Program on Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00 p.m. at Boulevard Baptist Church. Please see this attachment or click on the image below to view the full-sized PDF copy.

Upper School Thanksgiving Lunch

The Middle and High School classes celebrated Thanksgiving together with their families on Tuesday with a pot-luck meal after the Thanksgiving blessing ceremony. For more photos from the gathering, click here.
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Holiday Program Practice

Students at each level are hard at work preparing for the Holiday Program! Click here for a few more pictures of music practice.
Share the Warmth Tree

Share the Warmth Tree

Nurse Merriman will be placing a Christmas tree in the MSA front office over Thanksgiving break. It will only have a ribbon on the top and lights. Our students, families, MSA classrooms, and clubs are asked to provide the decorations consisting of new mittens, gloves, socks, and scarves. Gently used jackets, coats, and shoes will also gladly be accepted. The tree will remain on campus until December 20 when the school closes for the Winter Holiday. The items will then be donated to Anderson Interfaith Ministries, a local charity organization. This allows our Montessori students and families to provide the basic need of warmth to those who may not have the ability to stay warm during the cold winter months.
Share the Warmth Tree

Clean Start and Emergency Kitchen Trip

Lower Elementary students got the opportunity to visit Clean Start and the Anderson Emergency Kitchen where our Thanksgiving blessing donations were sent. It was a great opportunity for the class to see the facilities and the clients in our community that we help. The students were blessed by their tour guides who told us the histories of Clean Start and Anderson Emergency Kitchen. We are glad to be involved in this community ministry.

Raking Leaves

Falling leaves call for Primary fun! Primary 3 raked, worked, and jumped in the leaves before leaving for Thanksgiving break.
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Stone Soup

Students in Lower and Upper Elementary learned the story of hungry strangers convincing the people of a town to share a small amount of food to put together to make a delicious soup that everyone can enjoy. Stone soups typically include an inedible ingredient, often a large stone, placed in a pot filled with water to which the edible ingredients are added. The students then made their own stone soups and enjoyed them together as a class. Click the following link for more pictures from Tuesday's soup-making.
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Upper School Breadmaking

The Middle and High School students finished their STEAM lesson from earlier in the quarter on the science and history of bread -- the chemical and physical processes behind it and its effects on civilizations throughout history -- by baking their own bread. They got to see the chemical processes in action as the yeast reacted to the simple sugars in the recipe, producing carbon dioxide and ethanol which caused the dough to rise, and learned how kneading the dough rearranges the proteins in the dough, forming strands of gluten that give the bread texture, and warms and stretches them, making the dough springy and elastic. For more photos from the breadmaking activity, see this photo gallery.
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Before Break Games

Students and staff were excited to welcome back several former MSA students for the Thanksgiving blessing and communal lunch on Tuesday. 2019 MSA graduate and current Converse College freshman Hayley Gordon joined students and faculty for some board games reminiscent of her time in Games Club last year.
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Additional Denver Downs Photos

Thank you to Liz McLeroy for additional photos from the orchestra performance at Denver Downs several weeks ago, including one of her son William, a Primary riser about to start playing violin himself, watching them play!
Meet the Teacher - Melonie Martin, Music and Drama

Meet the Teacher - Melonie Martin, Music and Drama

Email: mmartin@msasc.org


About me:

I grew up in Arkansas. Moved to Tennessee for college, where after graduation, I met and married my husband. We lived in Memphis, TN for 33 years. We had 4 children who are all grown and on their own.


My husband and I moved to Easley last year for a position for my husband. Currently we only have one pound-puppy, Misha, but for 30 years we kept all kinds of critters - donkeys, chickens, and milk goats. I’m a farm gal at heart!


My education/experience:

  • I earned my BFA from the University of Memphis.
  • I earned Suzuki training from a private music school that I helped manage and teach.
  • This past summer I received level 1 Kodaly training. I’m looking forward to finishing all 3 levels.
  • I have 20+ years teaching music, violin, and guitar in two music academies that produced special concerts and musicals.
  • Just prior to coming to South Carolina I spent a year teaching music at a private school while teaching private lessons from home.
  • This is my first year at MSA. I’m looking forward to many more.


My favorite things:

  • Book/Movie - Les Misérables
  • Color - Coral
  • Food/Snack - Dark chocolate
  • Activity/Hobby - Gardening
  • Vacation spot - Arkansas with family
  • Your favorite thing about teaching at MSA - the family spirit and wonderful children
Meet the Teacher - Melonie Martin, Music and Drama

Gift Cards Supporting MSA

Purchasing gift cards for friends and family for Christmas? See this flyer (click this link or the picture below) for how to purchase them through Scrip on December 5 and 6 to support MSA with your purchase!
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Adding Recipients

Adding Recipients

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Adding Recipients
Montessori School of Anderson

Montessori School of Anderson

Our mission is to nurture the whole child, physically, intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually, preparing students for academic excellence, lifelong learning and responsible, caring lives.
280 Sam McGee Road, Anderson, SC, USA mdabney@msasc.org 864-226-5344 msasc.org