May 9th, 2010
To Our Graduating Kindergarten Parents
What Happens After Montessori?
Montessori children are unusually adaptable. They have learned to work independently and in groups. Since they’ve been encouraged to make decisions at an early age, these children are problem solvers who can make choices and manage their time well. They have also been encouraged to exchange ideas and to discuss their work freely with others and good communication skills ease the way in new settings.
To facilitate the transition, good communication between the parent and the teachers must be maintained. Montessori parents should visit the traditional schools and prepare the child for whatever will be different.
A good teacher will meet a child at that child’s own level of development and make the necessary allowances for what has already been achieved. It is important for parents to monitor their child’s work in the new academic situation and to keep in close contact with their child’s teachers. Parents and teachers working together can ensure that the child will continue the love of learning acquired in Montessori.
The habits and skills which a child develops in a Montessori classroom are good for a lifetime. They will help him to work more efficiently, to observe more carefully and to concentrate more effectively, no matter where he goes, if he is in a stimulating environment, whether at home or at school, his self-education – will continue.
Research has shown that the best predictor of future success is a good sense of self-esteem. Montessori programs, based on self-directed, non-competitive activities, help children develop good self images and the confidences to face challenges and change with optimism.
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April 27th, 2010
As the sun begins to warm our days and we wake to the sound of the birds the children will now begin learning about different birds in our area. We have a variey of eggs for them to compare, photos of each bird and some nests. A fun and inexpensive project you can do with your child is to create a birdbath. Birds need fresh, clean water for drinking and bathing. Make your backyard more inviting to birds by providing water! Few things are more attractive to them than a clean, well-maintained birdbath.
A good drinking/bathing fountain for birds should be like a shallow puddle. Choose a shallow container that is easy to clean. If you think that a birdbath on the ground might be tempting to cats, put the birdbath three or four feet off the ground. Put some sand in the bottom of the bath and arrange a few branches or stones in the container so the birds can perch and view your backyard.
As your child begins to see the birds enjoying their water creation you can help them learn how to identify their local birds. Start a Birding Journal. Your child can write down their observation, draw pictures and discuss ways to help maintain your yard to be “bird friendly”.
Enjoy the “songs” of spring!
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April 22nd, 2010
Our Earth Day studies have brought a great awareness to each child of just how easy it is to help make our planet a healthier place. The children enjoyed showing their parents the signs and pictures they colored that are hanging on the wall in our hallway. We picked up litter in our play area and parking lot. We planted, conserved and re-used. Our last activity to celebrate Earth Day was to gather natural things from our yard and make “art”. Pine needles, grass, pine cones, dandelions, clover and few walnut shells that the squirrels had dropped. As they were figuring out how to create something without using glue, tape or any other man made items, one child squeezed the stem of a dandelion and out came sticky white stuff …. he exclaimed … “hey, we have glue and we didn’t need to buy it at the store” ….. what fun!!!
Celebrate Earth Day Every Day!!
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April 11th, 2010
As Earth Day approaches the students will be focusing on the beauty of Earth and how they can play a part in conserving and sustaining it’s resources. Our study will start by learning about the history of Earth Day and how it’s beginnings were the result of people from different walks of life coming together for a common goal.
How the First Earth Day Came About
By Senator Gaylord Nelson Founder of Earth Day
At a conference in Seattle in September 1969, I announced that in the spring of 1970 there would be a nationwide grassroots demonstration on behalf of the environment and invited everyone to participate. The wire services carried the story from coast to coast. The response was electric. It took off like gangbusters. Telegrams, letters, and telephone inquiries poured in from all across the country. The American people finally had a forum to express its concern about what was happening to the land, rivers, lakes, and air – and they did so with spectacular exuberance. For the next four months, two members of my Senate staff, Linda Billings and John Heritage, managed Earth Day affairs out of my Senate office.
Earth Day worked because of the spontaneous response at the grassroots level. We had neither the time nor resources to organize 20 million demonstrators and the thousands of schools and local communities that participated. That was the remarkable thing about Earth Day. It organized itself.
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