Welcome to Jill's Class

May 29, 2008

• We're currently reading Holes for read aloud and we're all certainly glad that our camp experience wasn't anything like Stanley's at Camp Green Lake. Ask your child why.
• The first years have completed their introduction to the 9 parts of speech with their lesson on interjections. During the next two years they'll use this knowledge as a base to build upon while doing more grammar related work.
• With music classes coming to an end, please send your child's flute-a-phone back to school. We'll sanitize them and pass them out again next year. Thanks!
• Please remember to be mindful of healthy choices when packing your child's snack and lunch. Good choices early in life will promote the same in the future.

May 22, 2008

• Don't be surprised if you child asks you to go away to camp this summer! We all had such a great time with our counselors, Weird Beard, Golda and Trevor that there were many tearful goodbyes.
• Besides playing endless games and singing, we had fun learning more about water. Marc Schollet came out Monday and mucked around in the pond with the third years who later participated in H2Olympics. The entire group played games that focused on the water cycle and the importance of water in our lives.
• In the evening, we had songs and s'mores next to a roaring fire. Ask your child what they enjoyed the most about their camp experience. 

May 15, 2008

• Trooper Nichols visited on Monday and gave us some important tips on safe Internet use. We discussed how there are strangers in our community as well as on the Internet and that we should never give these strangers any of our personal information. Also, please make certain that your child only has access to child friendly websites and/or always has adult supervision when using the Internet.
• We're gearing up for camp by discussing a typical day there, what we need to bring, and any anxieties we might have about being away from home. We will be outside a great deal of the time, rain or shine, down pour or not. Please make certain that your child has rain gear and warm clothing. Also, for those early risers, we're quiet in our bunks until 7:00 so a book or writing/drawing material should be packed.
• Is anyone interested in a house guest for a month this summer? Darwin has plans for June and July but needs a "vacation" spot in August. Please let me know if you're available.
• Mother Nature received our call yesterday and parted the rainy sky just before our class social began! What a lovely evening with great food and conversation. Thanks to everyone who took time out of their busy schedules to connect with the other families in our lower elementary community.

May 8, 2008

• We've headed into the home stretch and the students are busily polishing the skills they have learned throughout the year. Periodically throughout the year the students meet with me one-on-one to discuss their work thus far. We divide their work into four sections: finished work, work to complete, work to review, and work that they are interested in but haven't yet learned. This process can be very insightful for the student.
• Some students attended a Young People's Theater production of the life of Laura Ingalls Wilder. In order to attend the play, the students were required to complete an assignment related to the play's theme. We'll have a follow up assignment as well. The intent of the assignments is to bring awareness of the purpose of going out -- as a learning experience rather than just a time to be social with their friends.
• Our Great Books discussions are coming to end. I've certainly enjoyed my time with the third years. What great insight, reflection and fun! Please unearth any Great Books texts you might have at home and send them to school in time for our last discussion on Tuesday, May 13th.

April 24, 2008 

• Broadway has met its match with the elementary music program's presentation of The Raccoon Philosopher. Thanks to our music instructors, Jean-Marie Riccobono and Stephanie Rorich-Slawnik for their patience and vision. Also, a big thanks to Marcia for her artistic talents.
• We were given a wonderful gift that we're now putting to full use--our stream table. This device allows us to explore and experiment with rivers. On Tuesday we learned how the course is determined. We hypothesized which way the water would choose, but as true in nature, the water had a different idea. The children are excited as they will now have the opportunity to use this material as part of their work cycle.
• As the warm weather returns, we often have p.e. outside. Please remind your child to wear shoes that will allow them to participate in activities such as soccer, capture the flag and softball.

April 17, 2008

• Marc Schollet discussed what causes the "tides" in Lake Michigan. We made contraptions to detect the direction of the wind and tested them outside. Ask your child if Michigan's shore or Wisconsin's shore had a higher water level on the day we tested.
• The first years are beginning their work with pronouns. We had fun telling our own tall tale about Rumpelstiltskin and Rapunzel. We found that saying those long names over and over again became quite tedious--pronouns can be very helpful!
• Trooper Nichols visited on Monday and talked about fire safety. He emphasized the importance of each family having their own emergency plan. He promised a surprise next week for those students who made a plan with their family.  

March 27, 2008

• This week the class is busily working on biographies of people who have changed the world in one way or another. It's been fun to learn facts about these interesting people's lives.
• Over break, please have your child continue with their reading. Whether they read silently to themselves or out loud to a family member--it's important to be consistent with this skill.
• The third year's presented a play they wrote based on the Proterozoic era. They acted out how simple cells struggled against adverse conditions until new animals, foraminiferins, appeared that could adjust to the salts and minerals in the sea. 

March 20, 2008

• The class has begun an exploration into the lives of those who have made a difference. Each student has chosen an important person and is preparing a biography and perhaps an art project to go along with it. These projects will be presented to the class on Friday, March 28th. Please support your child at home with extra help should they need it.
• Great Books has begun and the students are buzzing with interest and excitement. While I meet with the third year students on Tuesdays and Fridays, Nadine will meet with the first and second years. Your child will be bringing a reading assignment home each Friday. Please read this with your child over the weekend and return the reading material back to school on Monday. We discuss the reading on Tuesdays and present new material on Fridays.
• Spring is in the air--Della Terra is back in full swing this week. We will rotate in small groups through the activities that Cymbre has planned each week, whether in the garden, greenhouse or classroom. I'm looking forward to seeing the fruits of their labor! 

March 13, 2008

• We've begun our Nature of the Elements lessons. We've learned about mixtures, solutions, saturated solutions and super-saturated solutions. Ask your child to demonstrate or describe them to you at home.
• "Edward Tulane" had a happy ending. Who ultimately chose him from the shelves in the doll-menders shop?
• Several second years are working with banners and symbols. Among other things, they've learned the parts of a flag and the origin of the Union Jack flag. They created their own fabric flag that included symbols that are personally important. 

February 28, 2008

• Silent reading is an integral part of our classroom day. Consider a family reading time at home when all family members grab a book and read. Hold a discussion session afterward.
• We had a lesson on the water cycle this week. The Montessori curriculum calls it the "games of water". Ask your child to draw you a cartoon depicting the cycle.
• The first years learned about the fundamental tenses. We use our pronoun and verb grammar symbols and a timeline to illustrate the concept. It's a very clear way to show that the pronoun remains in the present while the verb moves to the past, present or future. 

February 21, 2008

• The first years continue their exploration of time. This week they learned what the abbreviations a.m. and p.m. stand for. With noon being the "meridian", ask your child what these abbreviations are short for.
• We're learning the importance of completing our classroom jobs in a thorough and thoughtful way. On that same note, we've recently discussed putting work away the way you'd like to find it...organized and in the correct spot. 

February 14, 2008

• Marc Schollett visited this week with a friendly crustacean. We learned why certain aquatic animals have exoskeletons. Ask your child about water pressure and its effects.
• The classroom was abuzz with hearts and cupids on Valentine's Day. The class was eager to exchange their Valentines as well as to learn about St. Valentine and other "lovely" customs.
• We're reading The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs, by Betty Birney. It's a heartwarming story of a boy, Eben, who is challenged to find seven wonders in his small farming community. What he ends up finding may not be the Great Pyramids but it is causing us to stop and think about the modest treasures we all have around us. 

February 7, 2008

• The second and third years made it through the Quic tests without a hitch. No visibly sweaty palms or anxiety. Nice work!
• We saw what power ice has and discussed it's affects on the landscape through time. Ask your child about it.
• We're gearing up for Valentine's Day. This year we will be exchanging cards within the classroom. There will be a note home in the near future regarding this new "tradition."  It's an exciting time! 

January 31, 2008

• Bob Flowers, Montessori dad and professional writer, shared his wisdom with the class this week. We made a simple outline of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Ask your child about the process and how much detail we uncovered.
• Our weekly planner pages have changed a little this week. The students will sign the bottom of each day's plan if they have been successful at completing their tasks. Please discuss your child's plan with them when they bring it home on Friday. Afterwards, send the plan back to school and it will be filed in their portfolios.
• We have started daily math fact practice. As part of their work cycle, each child should spend approximately ten minutes working on memorizing their addition, subtraction, or multiplication facts. Hopefully, this added emphasis will boost their overall confidence with math. 

January 17, 1008

• The spelling bee was great fun! Congratulations to the four young men from our classroom for participating. Afterward, several other students told me they wished they had done it. There's always next year!
• We read a story about Martin Luther King, Jr. this week. It generated some thoughtful discussions about racism and segregation.
• We've had a lot of interest in studies lately. Ask your child if they are currently doing research. If so, support them at home. When doing a study, we emphasize the written work first and follow up with "publishing" and related art projects. 

January 10, 2007

• Marc Schollet visited this week with dry ice. Ask your child how a pie plate can "sing."
• We're reading about Ben Franklin this week. We've found that he was a man with big ideas that was able to think outside the box. This ability enabled him to invent many things. Have your child tell you about one of his inventions or discoveries.
• We'd like to welcome our new classmates, Paul and Sam. Paul Oh comes to us from Phoenix. He has a sister in upper elementary and a younger brother in primary. Sam Bachman has returned to our classroom. He spent the first part of this year at Willow Hill. Welcome Paul! Welcome back Sam! It's great to have you. 

December 6, 2007

• A great, big welcome goes out to our new student Annie Hessler. We're happy to have Annie and her parents, Janet and Jeff, join the Montessori Children's House community.
• Sledding and fort building are an integral part of our recess time. Before leaving the house in the morning, please have your child double check that they have the appropriate outdoor clothing for outside play.
• Our first year students are learning about land and water forms. They've found that lakes and islands, gulfs and peninsulas, straits and isthmus', and bays and capes are actually opposites of each other. Ask your child to to show you. 

November 29, 2007

• We've begun a new read aloud book, A Single Shard, written by Linda Sue Park. The class is making connections between the story and their experiences. We're fortunate that one of our student's parents once lived in Korea, where the story is set. They've shared different articles from their stay there, including a celadon vase, which is the same type of pottery Min and Tree Ear handcraft in the story. Thank you Burns' family!
• The first years learned about prepositions this week. They enjoy using our miniature farm pieces to represent the prepositions they've learned, such as "over," "under" and "behind."
• The class "Jump Roped for Heart" on this snowy Tuesday morning. Ask your child how many jumps their team completed.

November 15, 2007

Considering that we have two short weeks in a row, I will not be updating my page this week. Please make sure to stop by next Wednesday for a recap of both weeks. Thanks! 

November 8, 2007

• The second and third years are beginning work related to the interdependency of man. We began by discussing how so much of what we personally need or do is related to someone else doing their part. Ask your child for an example. They will be working on studies relating to this topic.
• Before we eat lunch each day, we pause and sing a song in unison. The classroom manager then reads the daily "grace and courtesy" to focus upon while we're eating. These can range from having a respectful, quiet conversation with the people at your table, to not talking with your mouth full. Please encourage your children to practice their "grace and courtesy" while at home.
• We're currently reading aloud Poppy, by Avi. It's about a field mouse named Poppy and her adversary, an owl named Mr. Ocax. Ask your child what an owl pellet is and what they found in the one they dissected.

November 1, 2007

• We've got a new classmate! He's cute, smart, friendly, and just a little bit messy. Ask your child what they like best about Darwin.
• For the first fifteen minutes of each morning the class is practicing their cursive in their handwriting booklets. It's amazing the pride and confidence this routine has instilled in each child in such a short period of time.
• Pumpkin Fun Day was a big success. The lower elementary students rotated between tables, each with a different activity. How did the weight of your child's pumpkin compare to the others?

October 25, 2007

• PaleoJoe visited us Tuesday. He read one of his books and presented some fascinating fossils. Ask your child what they found most interesting.
• We've been discussing stealing quite a bit lately. The class concluded the most important trait in a friend was to be trusted. Telling the truth was one keys to being trusted. Try furthering this discussion at home.
• Our first "game" day has been earned. The students work hard each day to complete their work cycle and have also chipped in being helpful and courteous. An afternoon of games is their reward. Congratulations! 

October 18, 2007

• Our writer's workshop took a detour this week...we made creations with clay. Ask your child what that activity had to do with the writing process.
• We are beginning our second round of book clubs this week. When your child is participating, please support them with their assignment.
• Wouldn't it be fun to go to be a palentologist? We're currently reading PaleoJoe's The Disappearance of Dinosaur Sue and are completely enthralled by all things dinosaur. Coincindentally, there is a contest that we'd love to win called "Win a Dinosaur Dig Trip." The more people who support us the better our chance. Please visit the following website to learn how you can help: www.paleojoe.com 

October 11, 2007

• The second and third years are working on their own fundamental needs charts. Ask them to tell you the difference between spiritual and material.
• First years are working hard with telling time. They've combined the hour (naming) and minute (counting) hands and are writing times and displaying them, in five minute intervals, on our clock materials. Periodically, ask them to read the time for you.
• As students complete their books in silent reading, they are asked to write a book report. This practice reinforces the need to comprehend the words that are read. 

October 4, 2007

• Knitting with Lynda Starkel began this week. We have a small supply of yarn in the classroom available for use, or your child may prefer to bring in his/her own. Hopefully, we'll complete some fabulous projects this year.
• The first years have learned about adjectives. Ask them what they are and why they're useful.
• Sadly, the hamster that Asa brought in to keep us company has passed away. We celebrated his life by decorating cards and shared our thoughts about him during group. We'll miss you Old Dan! 

September 20, 2007

• Hola! Senora Batcha has begun her Spanish lessons with our class. Ask you child to teach you the Cho-co-la-te song and dance.
• Another of Maria Montessori's Great Lessons was given this week...The History of Writing. We are amazed at the time savings technology has given us when publishing books.
• Tea has become a popular item at snack time. The class enjoys herbal, decaffeinated blends...specifically mint and apple/cinnamon flavors. Tea is often a conversation starter between snackers. It's one of my favorite times to be a casual observer.

September 20, 2007

• We had the pleasure of taking our first field trip together. We heard the author John Scieszka read from some of his books. He's quite funny.
• The timeline of life was presented this week. Ask your child if they remember any facts from the story or the timeline itself.
• The second years saw the problem early map makers had of putting a round figure onto a flat piece of paper. Ask them about the demonstration.

September 13, 2007

• Our class is in full swing with a regular schedule and specials like Della Terra, music and Spanish.  Most students have eagerly, and easily, fallen into our classroom routine.
• The first Great Lesson, The Creation Story, was given last week.  We've been strengthening our knowledge of the story by working on a variety of related experiments.  Ask your child about their favorite one.
• The first few weeks of school finds the first years in quite a few lessons, learning the ways of lower elementary.  The second and third years spend a lot of time reviewing past lessons and materials.
• Each Friday your child will bring home their purple work journal.  Please take the time to review their week with them, sign off on the bottom right side and return it to school on Monday morning.
• Thank you for sharing your child with me.   I look forward to getting to know them better.