Independence in the Montessori Classroom

Dear P3 Families,

One of the main goals we have for your children is for them to become independent and self directed in our classroom. Lessons on grace and courtesy skills are often repeated, such as pushing in chairs, folding mats, hanging up their coats, washing hands, manners, putting their jobs away, cleaning up after lunch, and walking around work mats. With time and patience they become self reliant and confident, leading to a “normalized” classroom.

While each child is given individual lessons based on their academic level, they also practice making their own work choices, and are encouraged to repeat activities often to gain mastery and confidence to move on to the next level.

We strongly encourage practicing independence at home as well. Children love to do things themselves, and at this age they are able to do simple tasks such as dressing themselves, putting toys away, helping with laundry, and getting their things ready for school the next day. Responsible and independent children are more likely to be helpful, contributing adults!

We have learned a lot so far about North America, the Mojave desert, and reptiles. They also enjoyed learning about different Native American homes and tribal regions across the country! Did you know that Lady Liberty was originally bronze? She is made of copper and over time has oxidized into the greenish color that she is now! Here are your children making their independent choices in our classroom!

Practical Life: Indian Corn Tweezing
Practical Life: Pumpkin sorting
The Mojave Desert labeling job
North America puzzle map
Tribal regions of the United States
1-10 lesson with the number rods
Learning numerals 0-9 with sandpaper numbers
Practicing place value with the decimal layout

Important Dates:

Thursday, 11/19: Picture retake day

Wednesday-Friday, 11/25-27: NO SCHOOL (Have a great Thanksgiving holiday!

We thank you once again for your patience and honesty during our screening questions in the morning. Thank you for making the health and safety of our community a priority! As with curbside pick up as well, thank you for waiting for your children in your vehicle as a staff member loads them in. This will ensure the safety of the children and the quick flow of traffic.

Sincerely,

Primary 3

Australia for a Day

Hello P3 Parents!

Although the celebration was small compared to International Children’s Day in the past, everybody had a blast celebrating all things Australia! The children created fun crafts such as Paper Plate Koalas, Boomerangs, Aboriginal Dot Painting, and even had some vegemite on toast! Surprisingly, many of them absolutely loved it and asked for seconds! We enjoyed seeing your children dressed up in cultural attire. We had traditional wear from Samoa, China, and even had cowboys, cowgirls, and a member of the royal family!

Our Outback backdrop
The Children made their own jellyfish for the Great Barrier Reef
Vegemite, YUUUMMM!!!
Paper plate koala crafts
Aboriginal Dot Painting
More Aboriginal Dot Painting!
The children loved the under water effect!

November is a short month, please take note of these important dates:

Wednesday, 11/11: NO SCHOOL, Veternan’s Day

Thursday, 11/19: Picture retake day

Wednesday-Friday, 11/25-11/27: NO SCHOOL, Thanksgiving Holiday

The children have concluded their November studies. They were fascinated learning about the human body, from the 5 senses to naming different bones. Fall was definitely a feeling despite the warm weather, as many enjoyed writing stories about pumpkins and trees changing color. We also learned about how unique mammals are, how they are the only animals with hair and feed their babies milk from their bodies!

Writing a story about a bunch of pumpkins
Katherine bringing us bone samples from her parents’s office. We were surprised on how porous our bones are!
Labeling Mr. Boney as a class during circle time
Learning about our internal organs
Learning about our internal organs
Sorting vertebrates and invertebrates
Practicing counting by 10 with the 1os board
Learning about place value using the decimal layout
Learning about place value using the decimal layout

November Studies:

-Desert Biome: People, plants, and animals of the Mojave Desert

-Reptiles

-North America (people, places, animals) and the United States

-Thanksgiving

Thank you!

Primary 3