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Upcoming Events
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Monday, Nov. 14:
Wreath Orders Due
Thursday, Nov. 17:
Parent Education Night
6:30PM - 8:00PM
Tuesday, Nov. 22:
Fancy Feast
Elementary & Kindergarten
Wed., Nov. 23 -
Fri., Nov. 25:
Closed for Thanksgiving
No school or childcare
Monday, Nov. 28:
School Resumes
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Movement and Cognition
| | "One of the greatest mistakes of our day is to think of movement by itself, as something apart from the higher functions... Mental development must be connected with movement and be dependent on it."
-Dr. Maria Montessori
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"Why is my child playing with blocks?"
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What parents may perceive to be "playing with blocks," is actually the child working with the sensorial, or pre- math, materials. This process is one that truly illustrates the great impact of movement on learning and cognition.
The sensorial materials were created to help children in the process of creating and organizing their intelligence. Each scientifically designed material isolates a quality found in the world such as color, size, shape, etc., and this isolation focuses the attention on this one aspect. The child, through repeated manipulation of these objects, comes to form clear ideas or abstractions. What could not be explained by words, the child learns by experience working with the sensorial materials.
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Greetings!
November has arrived! This year has been quite amazing so far, and we intend to keep it going with an amazing holiday season. The next musical performance will take place in December. The children are excitedly learning the songs for that program now. November also brings a Thanksgiving feast for the kindergarten and elementary students, a continued study of culture in all of our classrooms, and many special activities to go along with the season. Watch the app, Facebook, and twitter for updates and pictures. |
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Wreath Sale | - Make checks payable to cash! Remember to collect payments as you take the orders rather than when you deliver the wreaths.
- Orders and payments should be turned in by Monday, November 14th . Please use the school envelope that was labeled with your child's name. We are required to phone in the bulk of our order at the end of the day. We will be allowed to add more items to our total order as needed.
- The wreaths will be delivered to our school on Thursday, December 1st . Please be prepared to pick up your order by the end of the school day. You will want to distribute the wreaths to your customers right away so that they can enjoy them during the entire holiday season.
- All large items and large orders (10 or more) can be delivered to your home or business free of charge if you wish. Please let us know if you would like to make delivery arrangements for yourself or any of your customers.
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| International Festival |  The International Festival, which took place on Monday, October 31, was a huge success! The children in the primary program (preschool and kindergarten) performed on stage first and did a fabulous job. The kindergarteners each got to sing their solos, and many of them played instruments as well. The state song was proof that with music, all things are possible.
Next, the elementary children took the stage with pride and definite presence. All of the solos were sung beautifully, as were the group songs. The children performed comedic songs, seasonal songs, songs in harmony, and even a patriotic song that touched the hearts of all who were in the room.
Following the musical performance, the Fellowship Hall was buzzing with busy little kindergarteners and preschoolers as they went from craft table to craft table taking a break only to eat from the delicious international buffet. They made Italian door hangers, Hawaiian leis, African necklaces, and more!
The elementary students went back to their classroom to enjoy the festivities. The party seemed to be running itself as the children moved through the room with a quiet grace about them. They experienced many art medium while making international crafts out of modeling clay, crayon shavings, wooden spoons and paint, stringing, glue and glitter, poster board, and markers. Their buffet was also a lovely spread of various international foods.
Thank you very much to all of the volunteers who made the International Festival possible! We hope you enjoyed the performance and party as much as we did. |
| Parent Education Night |  Our November Parent Education Night will be held on Thursday, November 17th from 6:30PM until 8:00PM. Childcare will be available.
The topic for this night is: Montessori Math Curriculum. I will present some of the math lessons given to the children from infant/toddler through elementary, and explain the philosophy behind them. I will also briefly cover some ideas about "Why Montessori Works" as discussed by Dr. Steven Hughes.
Our goal in providing Parent Education Nights is to give you insight into what your child is doing here at school. Understanding some of the curriculum and hearing a little bit about Montessori philosophy will be your best link to your child's education. I enjoy presenting on these evenings and, as always, will be happy to answer any questions you may have! Join me on Thursday, November 17th at 6:30PM. I look forward to seeing you there! |
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Thank you for your suggestions and compliments regarding the website, app, Facebook, and newsletter! We hope you are enjoying them. Again, please forward this newsletter or our information to anyone who may be interested in Montessori Stepping Stones.
Sincerely,
Michelle Daley
Montessori Stepping Stones |
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