Upcoming Events | |
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Saturday, Sept. 17:
School Picnic
10:00AM - 1:00PM
Thursday, Sept. 29:
Parent Education Night
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Friday, Oct. 7:
No School or Childcare
Staff Development Day
Friday, Oct. 14:
School Picture Day
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The Child's "Work" in the Montessori Classroom
| | "The child can only develop by means of experience in his environment. We call such experience work."
-Dr. Maria Montessori
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"Why is my child scrubbing tables?"
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Well, to us it looks like they're scrubbing tables. But they are actually executing a complicated sequence of tasks that:
Improves their coordination,
Lengthens their span of concentration,
Develops their physical, mental, and emotional self-control, and
Establishes good work habits by paying attention to detail and cleaning up after themselves when they are finished.
Practical life exercises develop the child's awareness of caring for themselves, caring for others, and caring for the world around them.
There is always a busy hum of activity in a Montessori classroom. However, this activity is guided by a respect for the director (teacher), a respect for the work of oneself and of others, and a respect for the materials themselves. Self-discipline is acquired through absorption in meaningful work.
- "A Parent's Guide to the Montessori Classroom"
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Greetings!
The new school year brings new adventures for all of us! As you may be aware, our smartphone app is now available for download, Montessori Stepping Stones is now on facebook and twitter, and the website construction is well underway. Please take a moment to download our app at the Apple App Store or Android Market to stay up-to-date with all of the latest school information and upcoming events, receive instant updates and messages, set up observations of your child's classroom, enjoy the photo gallery, and be more involved in your child's education. You can even add the calendar events right into your phone's calendar by pushing the plus sign in the top right corner of the event description. If you need assistance, please contact me - I'd be happy to help! |
 | Elementary |  Elementary students kicked off the school year with games to get to know each other, art projects, tours of the classroom for the new students given by the older students, and lessons in grace and courtesy.
"Set the Real Me Free" is the theme in the elementary classroom this year. The children made sea stars and models of themselves, and the learned a beautiful song to really make this topic meaningful. Ask your child to sing the song to you!
They also spent the week talking about what kind of classroom they would like to have and developed a class contract. At the end of the week, all of the children and teachers signed the contract vowing respect for themselves, each other, and the environment. What a wonderful way to start the year! |
| Primary | |
The primary classrooms, the Daisy and Maple Tree Rooms, were all a bustle of working 3 to 6-year-olds. The older children helped the youngest ones in the room to get acclimated to their new environment, what a touching sight!
The newest children in the primary program were working hard on the curriculum on the beginner shelf while the teachers were busy showing them new presentations. Each one of them seemed at home right away in his/her classroom.
The returning students have jumped right back in where they left off last year. They are receiving new presentations while practicing work that they learned last year. Often times the work comes to life for the children when they come back to it after some time away, or it holds new meaning for them now. There are also advancements that can be made with each previously learned material when it is done in a new or different way.
The teachers continue observing the students to find out where to take each of them next, while at the same time giving them language, sensorial, and practical life lessons to get them started this week. |
| Infant/Toddler |  Sweet new faces, returning smiling faces, very happy and busy teachers - this is the infant/toddler program.
The children have been busy getting to know each other, the teachers, and the environment. The infants are learning all about the things and people around them and the toddlers have also been receiving lessons in the beginning practical life area of the curriculum (ie: pouring and spooning) as well as lessons in grace and courtesy.
Some children have come to us this year as newborns, some as potty training toddlers, but all have found a home away from home here at Montessori Stepping Stones. |
| Parent Education Night |  Our first Parent Education Night will be held on Thursday, September 29, 2011. This event will run from 6:30PM until 8:00PM. Childcare will be available.
The topic for this night is: Montessori in the Home. I will present information about how to be consistent with the Montessori philosophy at home through practical life experiences that can easily be incorporated into your daily life, as well as discipline techniques that match what we are doing here at school.
We believe that in order for us to be the most successful with the children at school, we need to work together as a team with the parents. Doing your best to attend Parent Education Nights, as well as downloading our smartphone app, are simple ways to show your support of your child's education and to be a consistent part of the team! We look forward to seeing you on September 29th at 6:30PM. |
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Look for our newsletter in your email inbox each month to stay updated with the latest classroom and event information. Feel free to forward this newsletter and our app to anyone who may be interested in Montessori Stepping Stones. We are excited that we are already having a fantastic new school year!
Sincerely,
Michelle Daley
Montessori Stepping Stones |
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