“Every blade of grass is a study” - Abraham Lincoln

With the dramatic display of colors and the whimsical dances in the air, the leaves took the main role in the nature’s show for October.

Science

We looked at parts of a tree, a leaf, talked about why leaves change colors, identified oaks, maples, sassafras, dogwood, and birch. We measured the circumference of the red oak on the playground in wide stretched hugs (three old children, or four young ones, or two grownups). We discussed some of the practical uses of tree products: Fruit, medicine, industrial, environmental. Trees in different hypostasis: Yoga, Mosaic, Fractals.

We learned about mammals, what are their distinctive characteristics, and some odd representatives. We compared the body parts of rabbits with those of bats. We analyzed the differences in the habitats of these two mammals.

In the last week October we invited bats, spiders and owls to our science lessons and learned where and how they live, what do they eat, and discussed why they seem scary to some people.

Math

Counting, comparing quantities and sizes, and estimating exercises are used in games at circle time.

Individual lessons are presented according to the child interest and ability, starting with sandpaper numbers, spindle boxes, number rods and cards and counters. Various materials from the science themes are used as extensions for math lessons. E.g. we had acorns for counters, leaves for sorting exercises, and to approximate geometric shapes.

Cultural

With Columbus Day we took a look at the globe to locate Europe, Asia and the Americas. Throughout the year we will take a trip around the Earth, spending a month on each continent. We started with North America and will still be here in November, with the Native Americans. Then, we will move to South America, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Antarctica.

Mrs. Parna talked about Divaly, the celebration of light, enchanting us with traditional music and dance.

The international snack is another opportunity to learn about other cultures. So far we had a taste of Italian, Indian, German, Romanian and Chinese.

Art and Crafts

Rubbing textures of wood and leaves, leaf prints, collages, modeling and painting Diyas

Music

Rhythm patterns, high and low pitch, Vivaldi, Beethoven; Songs: Nocturnal Animals, Skeleton Dance.

Books

Shell Silverstein helped us with his story “The Giving Tree” in our science lessons and into thinking about relationships with others, giving and taking, carrying and being selfish.

We will continue discussions on these topics following “The Quiltmaker’s Gift”, a beautiful story by Jeff Brumbeau.

In November we will focus on:

• Native Americans,
• Evergreen trees
• Animals in winter (birds and mammals).
• Thanksgiving

Reminders

• Send in a labeled seasonal change of clothing for your children (long pants, warm sweatshirt undies & socks).
• Check for “user friendly” fastening devices (buttons, laces, zippers, belts). If your child can not handle them at home they can’t manage them at school either so send in a different choice.
• At school the children practice to turn the sleeves the right side-up, to fold a sweater, to put on mitten and gloves, to button and zip. The flip-over style to put on a jacket is fun and easy to learn: the child lays the coat on the floor with the hood/collar toward him/herself, put the hands in the sleeves, lifts the coat over the head, and slips the arms into the sleeves as the coat covers his/her back. Just ask the children to show you, and take the time to allow them to be independent instead of rushing to assist them.
• When the ground is covered with snow send your children dressed in snow gear on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and have the snow gear in a bag on Tuesday and Thursday (those two days we start inside, but the children will need the snow suits later in the day).
• Footwear should be comfortable and warm, even if there is no snow on the ground.
• Last, but not least, remember to have your children use the bathroom before you bring them to school.

Thank you

• For taking your time to meet with us during Parent Conferences.
• To all parents who took the time to pick leaves with your children and send them to school for sharing.
• To all the Friday snack parents for international day
• To all who send in Box Top and Campbell Soup Labels.
• To all who order Scholastic Books.
• Thanks also for the Small Hands order (they should be arriving soon)

Mark your Calendar

• Language Art Parents’ Informative Night
• Kindergarten parents are invited for a Thanksgiving celebration on Monday, Nov. 21st, 6-7 p.m.

Kindergarten Notes

The Kindergarteners feel comfortable working with materials in all areas. The most visible acceleration is in language arts. Keep reading to you children at home daily. We will continue with word games, enriching vocabulary and expanding conversational skills. Selected stories are followed by discussions about the plot, characters, messages, and we look for parallels in our real life experiences. You can have the same discussions at home. Keep building your child’s language, vocabulary, concept and conversational skills.

One of the favorite lessons this past month was building antonyms using prefixes (un-, dis-, non-).

Another one was building fractals with bead bars, and seeing fractals in pictures of ferns, trees, corals, snowflakes, and crystals.

In November the children will work on projects for the Thanksgiving celebration (Monday 21^st, 6-7 p.m.).

We will discuss about what it means to them to be thankful. We will be putting out our “Basket of Hope” as we do each year and have the children bring in canned and dry goods for those in need. We gently explain what we have to be thankful for and also that helping other in their time of need is a wonderful way to show caring and sharing.

Looking forward to getting in our routines from last week’s weather (ah-hem) interruption! The class is all sorts of busily engaged. Engaged in what you say? The children are engaged in nothing short of their learning. It is a thriving environment chock full of projects and undertakings that are teacher prepared and child managed. This month we have seen the fulfillment of our first Art Unit centering on the Native American Indians. We have painted a Chief, crafted clay pots reminiscent of the Sioux, fashioned masks; paying particular attention to face structure and painted markings, as well as learned how weaving on a loom is accomplished. Our last tasking of a landscape painting at sunset with teepees was finished at The Currier on our latest Field Trip.

Elementary is for “going out” excursions. Montessori said this age of developments has the child ready to explore their surroundings in a new and meaningful way at some distance and in some places far from their close, cozy, and safe home and school settings. We take to that philosophy in a big way. As a group we took our “maiden voyage” to see The Mayflower reproduction and Plimoth Plantation. After years of yearning to bring a class close to that fictional reality of time and place we were finally able to do just that ( in between pelting spats of rainstorms) on a picture perfect day in September! We’ll be calling on that experience as we move towards Thanksgiving with an eye to Fundamental Needs of both the Pilgrims and Natives.

Our History Studies are off and running as a result of both our Art and Field Trip experiences. It is Montessori’s Cosmic approach to education that begs the questions, who am I? Where did I come from? Where am I going? And how do I get there? Otherwise known as the interconnectedness of things – it is genius at the core. We are moving into our third study of Native Americans of the Southwest after the Eastern Woodlands and Plains Indian studies. These studies have captured the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th year students.

The 1^st years are getting their “sea legs” learning how to discipline themselves to accomplish math and language tasks daily. Apart from the three R’s they are off and running learning about our Earth and the various land forms and the 5 Classification of Vertebrates (parts of the animal studies). I “think” their sticker shock has worn off and they are all digging in with less and less fatigue. Work actually energizes. We love to see the gradual shift from Children’s House student to Elementary student.

All did a wonderful job on their Peacemaker Study. We kicked off our study with an Amherst Library visit to get in the research mood. This year we were treated to the life stories of Annie Oakley, Dr. Seuss, Maria Tallchief, Mahatma Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, Jane Goodall, Queen Elizabeta of Romania, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Mother Theresa, Pocahontas, George Washington, Buzz Aldrin, and Ole Kristenson. Don’t know the last one? That’s Mr. Lego. I can’t say enough about the time, effort, and dedication your children put into this project. I even heard MANY say, I can’t wait for next year – I know who I’m going to study!

We are knee-deep into our Martial Arts P.E. Unit. I wasn’t sure how the children would enjoy this unit but overall I would have to say we have scored another winner. Their instructor is kind and knowledgeable and seems to keep the class alternating between listening, practicing, running and exercises in a well-balanced blend. We have 4 more sessions. After the holidays we’ll be starting another unit TBD.

You may not have been aware, but we had an outreach program from Bridges an organization that provides services and support for domestic and sexual violence victims.

For three weeks before lunch we had 2 young women for ½ hour in duration provide the children with information through books, scenario and role-play that would have them appreciate the kinds of bullying that can occur, the places it can occur and what they can do about it. We really call it Bully Prevention – or Bully Proofing for our kids. The instructors were amazed and complimentary firstly, about how much our kids already knew and secondly, that they are an empowered bunch to help other in circumstances as well. I am proud of our community and have always said if your school needs a bullying policy- it is too late; bullying occurs there already. To date we have had no need for bullying policies. I know pride goes before the fall – but we’ll keep our traditions until such time as necessity forces us to do something different. It is a luxury of being a small community.

Moving swiftly into November – This week we will be treated to a presentation from Barbara Medlyn a.k.a. The Rock Lady from The Quartz Source store in Milford. Look for your children to suddenly become passionate about rocks and minerals. Some may be making booklets, other posters in the coming weeks.

We should be finishing up the state studies very soon. These will continue to serve as our backdrop as we move beyond the first inhabitants of what is now the United States and we move into early American History; the founding of our country.

In Mathematics, our beginning of year focus has been to see what your child has retained. After extensive review, we are moving out into fraction operations for some, introduction of fractions for others, large division for some, carrying and borrowing for others, beginning multiplication and memorization of multiplication facts as well as word problems for all.

Have fun with math and instead of turning on the television set in the car or at home make up some math word problems and discuss what operation you need to apply to be able to solve it. Make math a topic of conversation at every chance you can.

Elders (2^nd grade and above), are studying Rivers of the World and the Work of Water and will be getting homework soon. This is their geography unit which will relate to Fundamental Needs yesterday, today, and tomorrow here, there, and everywhere and will relate to an end-of-year cultural study. * Back to the cosmic nature of the elementary studies.

In Science, other than our ongoing study of Plants, elders will take up the topics of cells; the parts of a cell, the difference between plant cells and animal cells. We will also begin a study of the nature of the elements. You will see a homework assignment on an element of their choice! All topics will begin before the first of the New Year.

Lastly, we need to know the last day your child will be in school before the Thanksgiving Holiday. This will help in our planning of an evening event of 1 hour in duration for our class. We would like 100% participation so we will schedule it as soon as we can secure all your info. Forgive me if this is a repeat question – but if it’s not on a piece of paper in front of me…….so send it or jot it down and we’ll confirm a date for our last event before Thanks-giving for you ASAP.

And – a final request. We need magazines all kinds! National Geographic, Smithsonian, nature as well as fashion and entertainment, historical, car and home handyman, decorating, cooking, or travel in short, magazines you are soon to dispose of for a class project. If you don’t have any but care to buy one and donate it to us – we will happily accept.

Thanks for all you do,

Claire and Sue