Mission Alive! 

Curriculum Integration through Cultural Studies

By Amy Scuglik, Lower Elementary Teacher

 

The Montessori cultural studies provide a way to integrate curriculum areas and respond to the elementary child's thirst for knowledge and the brain's quest for meaning through work with cohesive and relevant themes..

 

One example is our 'biome studies.' Each biome study integrates a variety of activities, such as:

• science experiments
• art projects
• writing activities
• language activities (reading, vocabulary)
• nature observation
• public speaking
• dramatic enactments of animal behavior.

 

Furthermore, the biome materials are modified to offer age-appropriate activities in a mixed- age environment, and are aligned with grade standards. Here are a few specific activities from our Desert Biome Study:

 

Group Inquiry: Small groups of 2^nd and 3^rd year students answer and illustrate inquiry questions using classroom resources and library books.

1. What plants live in the desert? How do they survive without water for long periods of time?
2. What animals live in the desert? What do they eat? How do they find shelter?
3. What is an arroyo? Why would it not be a good place to camp?

 

Writing Skills: Using outlining and writing skills from our Excellence in Writing Program, older students create key-word outlines and write two paragraphs from their outline.

 

Vocabulary: The biome nomenclature material offers a perfect reading and science enrichment work for 1^st year students.

 

Art Expression: Mrs. Treier, our art teacher, integrates artistic expression by guiding students in work focusing on desert biomes in art class.  

 

Public Speaking:  Younger students will participate in classroom discussions and older students present their work for their classmates during our public speaking presentations.

 

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Office and General News 

Family Directories Coming Home Today

Each family should be receiving a PTO Handbook/Family Directory by backpack mail today.  We would like to thank Mary Beth Escamilla for all of her time and hard work preparing the directory.  Please take a minute to check the information for your family. If there are any mistakes or additions, please send an email to Nancy in the office ntoon@gscmontessori.org alerting her to the correction/addition. Additional directories are available in the office at a cost of $5. 

 

GSCM Parent Book Club

As the weather cools, some adults seek the relaxation of a good book and cup of coffee (or tea!) If you are looking for a good book to read and GSCM adult company with whom to discuss said book, please join our first Parent Book Club Meeting. Our October book will be The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King. This is a mystery book that spins off of the Sherlock Holmes series. For details about where/when we will meet to discuss the book, please contact Dinese Young, dyoung5281@gmail.com.

  

Cool School Photos Needed!

The process of creating the NEW 2012-13 yearbook is underway, and we need YOUR photos! Right now we are looking for great snapshots from the Welcome Back Picnic and Camp Kern, as well as any candids from the beginning of school (classroom shots of kids working are great!) Photos need to be in a high resolution and clearly focused (not necessarily from a fancy camera!) Directions for directly uploading photos to our publishing website can be found below. We are hoping to also have instructions on our parent page online soon. If your child would like to include a great quote about what they learned from or their favorite part of camp/Welcome Back Picnic, forward such quotes to Dinese Young: dyoung5281@gmail.com. 

 

There are 2 ways you can upload photos
1) go to www.images.schoolannualonline.com
Enter  400135041 and password gscmontessori and it takes you to a page that will allow you to choose then upload 10 pics   

2) go to www.schoolannualonline.com
enter staff year 2013   job  778627   login   zvc2nhd
Then go to create, then image library and look for upload images.  You can upload a bunch at a time this way.

 

 

 

 Program News

Destination ImagiNation: Coordinator Needed

We would like to bring back our Destination ImagiNation (DI) program this year, and are seeking a person to serve as DI Coordinator (stipend provided).

 

DI was a very popular activity at our school several years ago. For those unfamiliar with it, here is a description taken from the Destination ImagiNation website:

 

Destination ImagiNation (DI) is an educational program in which student teams solve open-ended challenges and present their solutions at Tournaments. Teams are tested to think on their feet, work together and devise original solutions that satisfy the requirements of the Challenges. Participants gain more than just basic knowledge and skills-they learn to unleash their imaginations and take unique approaches to problem solving.

 

Destination ImagiNation is a program that builds participants' creativity, teamwork and problem solving in enjoyable and meaningful ways. The goals of Destination ImagiNation are for participants to:

• Foster creative and critical thinking.
• Learn and apply creative problem solving tools and method.
• Develop teamwork, collaboration and leadership skills.
• Nurture research and inquiry skills, involving both creative exploration and attention to detail.
• Apply and enhance written and verbal communication and presentation skills (both impromptu and sustained).
• Promote the recognition, use and development of many and varied strengths and talents.
• Encourage competence in, enthusiasm for and commitment to real-life problem solving.

We hope to offer mixed-age DI teams for students in K/1, 2/3, 4/5 and 6/7/8.
We are seeking a DI Coordinator to oversee the program.    

The DI Coordinator position will have a paid stipend. This person will arrange for coaches, coordinate schedules, order materials, and otherwise plan and implement the school-wide program. Please see Dan Teller if interested in this position.

 

GSCM Choir

GSCM Choir practice will begin Tuesday, October 16th. All interested 9-12 and Middle School students are invited to attend the first meeting which starts immediately after school in the rear of church.

Subsequent practices will take place on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Tuesdays of every month after school lasting until 4 p.m. Come to this first session prepared to sing and have fun. Additionally, Mrs. Blasch is looking for at least one parent volunteer who would like to assist with the practice sessions. No musical expertise is necessary to volunteer. If you can volunteer as assistant director or maybe even as an accompanist, notify Mrs. Blasch. If you have any questions, please contact Barb Blasch, GSCM Music Teacher & Choir Director, at 390-7221 or via email  

bblasch@gscmontessori.org 

 

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