New Year's Resolutions

January is the time of year to set goals!  As parents and teachers it might be a good idea to make some resolutions that will help our children grow up to be healthy, happy, and interesting people.

1. Provide choices. "Red hat or blue hat?" "Do you want to clean up the blocks or the Legos?"  Parents decide what is healthy and safe--bedtime, appropriate clothing, and food choices, etc.  Children make age-appropriate decisions (bath or brushing teeth first; oatmeal or Cheerios). Cooperation and adaptability need practice.

2. Give clear, specific, consistent directions. "Time to clean up. Put all the trucks in the shed."

3. Safety is first. There is no discussion about the use of car seats, bike/scooter helmets, crossing the street, brushing teeth, or bedtime. Talk about the importance of having a few family rules, You may want to write them down!

4. Promote independence whenever you can.  Allow children to dress themselves, put on their own coats, and get into their own car seats.  The motor planning practice is good for the brain.  And, the competence is a confidence booster!

5. Encourage helpers. All children enjoy helping when needed.  Chores teach responsibility--and don't feel like chores when they are shared. Change chores often--but teach expectations. The goal is to have more time together!

6. Alter the nature deficit. Play outside everyday--or take a walk at "child speed" to notice trees, seasonal changes, worms, and birds. Check out the stars on a clear, cold night.

7. Name and talk about feelings. Think about how others might feel. Empathy is caught AND taught!

8. Build resilience. Life is full of little "bumps" --with many ways to handle the disappointments and challenges. Mistakes are wonderful opportunities for learning. Model problem solving and optimism. Expect "better" not perfection.

9. Recognize effort. Compliments should be specific so we encourage what we want to see. "I noticed all the shapes you put in your painting." "I noticed the careful cutting you did." "I noticed how slowly you colored to stay in the lines on your continent map." "I liked the way you really practiced writing threes."

"The child has other powers than ours, and the creation he achieves is no small one; it is everything."
                                                                                                         Maria Montessori

Decomposers

What is a decomposer? The Lunchers spent Thursday morning investigating the role of decomposers in nature with Ms. Wolf, a naturalist with the Audubon Naturalist Society at Woodend. Our scientists found out that there are decomposers in the park, in the woods, on the playground, and in their own backyards!

 The Best Beetle is a decomposer.  It eats decaying wood--and can make little squeaks. It does not bite!

Centipedes and Millipedes are decomposers. They eat dead animals and leaf litter. Millipedes are slow. Centipedes can run fast--and they bite!

Sow bugs are decomposers, too. They are also called potato bugs or "Rolly Pollies" because they curl up in a little ball when they are scared.

     Worms are the most famous decomposers.  We found Red Wigglers in the compost bin!

                                                    They felt soft and damp!

The worms were hiding in the compost material--soil, newspaper, lettuce.

Found one!

Found another!!

Heads or tails? Sometimes we needed a magnifier.

Sometimes fingers work!

We found worms from one centimeter to eight centimeters. They were hard to measure because they were very wiggly!

Did you know worms move just like a Slinky?

Worms are invertebrates. They are decomposers, too. They break material down in the soil  to make it rich with nutrients.  That helps plants grow. 

Worms are interesting. Worms are helpful. 

Worms are wonderful!

They are nature's recyclers!

Merry Christmas!

'Tis the season to celebrate!  And, all kinds of Montessori work has been happening in the classrooms as well.

                                    Printing ornaments with paint and design stamps.

                                            Embossing designs using the light box.

                                                     Painting trees at the easel.

                                           Sponge printing Christmas trees.

                                               Labeling Christmas objects.

                                          Using cookie cutters with Magic Foam.

                                          Using tongs to sort Christmas ornaments.

        Creating parts of books: parts of a trumpet, parts of a violin, parts of Santa, parts of a Christmas tree.

                                         Cutting paper designs using a template.

                                           Using a magnet to transfer and count bells.

                                        Using glue and sequins to decorate Christmas trees.

                                         

                                                    Sewing Christmas trees on burlap.

                  Sewing on felt with real needles to make bell and stocking ornaments.

The Montessori children also have enjoyed many holiday stories. They have learned songs and poems as well as created and wrapped secret surprises for their parents. Shhh! We won't tell!

KayDee Puppets shared their "Santa's Workshop" tale on December 13th. We also met Mortimer Mouse. He tasted our ears--peppermint? chocolate chip? marshmallow creme? cherry pie?

All the children made Magic Reindeer food. They had to measure and mix for Santa's team!

          The children decorated bags for the "Cup of Joe" faculty service project--adding paint or stickers or drawing trees, stars, and snowmen to add a bit of cheer to breakfast at the shelter.

Setting up the manger.  Don't forget baby Jesus!

Listen for your cue! Musical instruments add festive sounds.

The Montessori staff joins me in wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We appreciate all your gifts, especially the gift of sharing your children with us. We are truly blessed!

"Anyone can find places, but the finding of people is a gift from God." --EM Forester