The Montessori Messenger
December 10th                                                                       Volume 9
Community Outreach 
 
Each year, Christmas Cheer makes Christmas possible for families in our local community.  This year over 1,000 families(4,000 children) have requested assistance and the organization is extremely short on donations.  As it stands right now, they do not have enough toys to give this year and this is unacceptable.  Christmas is a time for children and it breaks my heart to think of a child not having anything to open Christmas morning. As a parent, there is nothing better than seeing the light in my daughter's eyes when talking about the wonder of this most magical Holiday!
 
Christmas Cheer is in particular need of games, trucks, ethnic baby dolls and toys for ages 5-7.  If you can find it in your heart to donate, please bring your new, unwrapped toys to the school office by Wednesday, December 16th.  I will pick up the toys and deliver them to the organization on the afternoon of the 16th.  If you are not familiar with Christmas Cheer or have any questions, please don't hesitate to call me at 919.412.7167 or email me at jfellenor@me.com. If you would like to make a cash donation, you are welcome to do so as well and I will go shopping for toys. 
Thank you so much!
 
Thank you,
 
Jennifer Ellenor

What We Eat!
 
 
Maria Montessori told us that we must look at the physical and emotional needs of a child in order to support their intellectual growth. We have complete control of what our children eat. MCS is responsible for overseeing the degree to which the nutritional needs are met during the school hours. We appreciate your loving attention to packing a nutritious lunch that supports your child's continued good health. 
 
 
The NC Meal Chart will be sent home with the children.

Holiday Songfest

On December 18th we invite you to join us for a celebration of the season and hear your children sing a song that they have selected to share with you.
Children's House will perform as carolers. We invite the parents to join us in the Chameleon Pavilion to see and hear the students perform. Weather permitting the students will be outside the large open window. The carolers will begin at 10:30 AM with Primary South, followed by Primary West and then Primary East.
Following the performance we invite you to visit your child's classroom  for light refreshments.
The Elementary students will perform at 11:00AM and would like to invite their parents  to join them for the performance followed by light refreshments.
At 11:45AM we will send you on the way to start your happy holiday season.
The Upper Bakery Company
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The Upper Bakery Company would like to thank everyone for supporting our business.  We are closed for the Holiday season and will be re-opening in the new year!
 
Thank you,
The Upper Bakery Company

Message Board 

12/15 Board Meeting 6:30pm
12/18 Holiday Songfest - Early Dismissal 11:45am
12/21-1/1 Winter Holiday - No School
1/4 Teacher Workday - No School for Students
1/5 First Day back for Students 
A Letter from Head of School
 
Dear Parents,
As you can tell by the extended content of the Montessori  Messenger  this week we have a very busy parent community. By the same token all of the classrooms are deeply immersed in their Montessori curriculum.
It is a joy to see how committed the students are to their independent practice. As I was giving a tour this week to a couple interested in our school, I mentioned that they would notice that during the long morning work period you see students choosing work from many areas of the curriculum. We looked in the window of one of the Primary classrooms and saw that almost all the students had chosen to do language lessons. Oh well, I should learn not to try to predict what children will do.
So let's continue our journey through the language curriculum with Dr. Montessori's approach to Grammar.
 
The Noun  
 
Presention :

1. Gather a group of children around a table or rug .
 
2. Say  "Today we are going to learn the names of objects in the classroom. I am going to write the names of the objects on labels with my black pen."
3. With the black pen, write the name of the object on a label. For example, 'plant'. Show the label to the children so they can read it.
4. Say, "Bring me the object  whose name is 'plant'." A child brings the object and places it on the table or rug. Place the label below the object.
5. Continue with three or four more objects.
6. Say, "Bring me the object whose name is ___________. You know , a _________."
7. After several repetitions, acknowledge, "You aren't sure what I want. I didn't  give you a name. You need to know the name of the object in order to bring it to me. All the objects have names. We call naming words 'nouns'. The names of all these objects are called nouns. The word  'noun' comes from the Latin word 'nomen' which means 'a name'. Show the etymology label to the children.
8. Ask the children to name some more nouns. Write the nouns on labels with the black pen and place them on the table or rug.
9.The children may record in their grammar notebooks or draw pictures of the objects with the labels.
 
All of this will help the children understand the function of the noun. This lesson then leads to work with placing labels on the objects in the Farm and then placing labels on the materials in the classroom. As they continue their study of the noun they learn concrete and abstract nouns; person, place, thing ; common and proper nouns; names of animal homes; collective nouns; singular and plural; and more.
 
I hope that it is helpful  for you to look a lesson in detail. Have a great weekend and I will look forward to seeing you at the Songfest.
Sincerely,
 
Peggy Higgins
A Message from the Office

Tuition accounts statements were sent via email on Wednesday, Dec 8th. If you have any questions concerning your billing, contact Sharon in the Office via email: mscj@embarqmail.com or 938-3826. Thank you for your prompt payments.
 
Thank you,
Sharon
"The Third Annual Montessori Fundraiser"  Update
 AUCTION - AUCTION - AUCTION - AUCTION
 
I know, I know...you are thinking "It's Christmas season, I don't have time to help with the auction NOW!!"  But let me change your mind about that.  It is actually a really great time of year to accumulate auction items while going about your holiday routine!  Let me present some scenarios for you, and remember - keep a stack of those triplicate donation forms in your car!
 
-  Out shopping for beautiful Christmas presents?  Say to the shopkeeper at checkout "what lovely things you have here!  Has anyone asked you if you would be willing to donate ______ for the Montessori Children's School Auction?"  Whip out the form and sign them up!
 
Visiting relatives over the holidays?  Ask ol' Aunt Jane if she would be willing to auction a week's rental at her beautiful house on Okracoke!  Again, whip out that form and sign her up!
 
Getting work done on your house in preparation for a visit from the in-laws?  Sign up your contractors for a "Good For _____" donation.  Powder room remodel, window cleaning service, new appliances, cute dog-house/play-house/swingset...just think of what you would pay to have!
 
Going on a great vacation?  Ask the resort/spa/amusement park/ski lodge for a weekend or week get-away package!  There are great places around here!  Great Wolf Lodge.  The Homestead, the Biltmore...people would pay a lot to have a nice weekend away either with spouse or children!
 
Doesn't that sound easy?  We have so many great items already but we need so many more to top our $40K success of last year!  I am giving a brief list of just some of the items we have collected so far to get your creative juices flowing!!  The sky is the limit - THINK BIG!!
 
  • Private soccer clinic for a young soccer enthusiast        
  • 2 tickets to a Carolina Panthers game
  • One week get-away at Myrtle Beach  
  • Total house power-wash
  • Concrete re-surfacing - just like our front entrance!!        
  • A treasure from Bradley's Jewelers
  • Gift Certificate from Rose Brothers Furniture               
  • Paintball party for four
  • Computer Desk from Staples                              
  • Professional in-home teeth whitening    
  • Landscaping Consultation                              
  • Tricia Dyal photo shoot plus collage
  • 4 tickets to a Washington Redskins game with two rooms for two nights hotel accommodation           
  • Spa package, Carolina Pines Medspa
  • Interior cleaning - rugs, ducts, grout      
  •  Braces!!!  Start to finish for your crooked-toothed child!!
     
    Contact Katherine Ellsworth at (703) 328-5747 or Jennifer Ellenor at (919) 412-7167 if you have any questions!
"The Third Annual Montessori   Fundraiser"
 Volunteer
Opportunity

  3rd Annual Montessori Gala
Family Basket
It's time to start thinking about the auction!

This year we have many new families aboard our school.  Everyone is eager to get involved and participate.  This fundraiser requires the entire school's effort, so now is your chance. Our school is seeing the benefits of all this hard work with the new playgrounds and the pavilion.  Let's keep up the good work.
The auction includes donations from the community, students and one of the most successful portions, the family basket category. 
Each family is asked to donate a basket to be auctioned that evening.  Let's think out of the basket though.  This donation can be in any container needed to hold your items.  Some families join together to make more of a bang, while others shop sales for several months to come up with something creative.
Examples of some memorable Baskets:
Friday night bonfire- (Several families donation) Copper fire pit filled with s'mores ingredients and a variety of beer.
Welcoming home a baby girl- A white and pink basket filled with blankets, towels, clothes, and books perfect for any newborn baby girl.
A taste of Italy- Filled with cookbooks, pastas, sauces, wines, dishes, and music.
As you begin your holiday season start thinking about ideas and what your family would like to contribute.  Many Grandparents also contributed baskets so spread the information.
Dates to remember: 
 
      
                 January 25, Turn in your family basket title                 February 15- Turn in your basket
March 6- Auction Fundraiser evening

There will be examples in the office.  Thanks for your hard work.
Katie Beasley, katiethom@hotmail.com
Feel free to contact me with any question.
 
"Quote of the Week"
 
"Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed."
 
-Maria Montessori-