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November | 2008 NEWSLETTER |
 Brandy's Corner:
The beginning of December already? I feel like this past month flew by with all of the excitement of holiday beginnings.
We have a wonderful addition to our Absorbent Minds staff. I would like to welcome Ms. Samantha Garner who will be teaching Music every Tuesday morning to our children. She is currently a graduate student at the University of Akron pursuing a masters in Music Education. Read below to see what she had been teaching the last several weeks.
All of the children have been working very hard preparing for our winter program. Our theme is Winter Wonderland. We will be presenting several songs as well as reciting the famous 1963 Caldecott Medal winning book The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats. The children will be performing on Friday December 19th at 7:00pm at Cuyahoga Falls High School Little Auditorium. Feel free to invite the whole family and remember to bring the cameras; this will be a night to remember!
~Brandy. |
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 Cooper's Corner:
The children thoroughly enjoyed going back in time to learn about Native American peoples and customs. First we introduced the different varieties of food and agricultures linked to the Native American cultures. The children learned how location and habitat affected what types of food were bountiful. Students were taught the differences between hunting, fishing, gathering, planting, harvesting and which tribes benefited from which techniques. Next the children were exposed to the different types of shelter the Natives built and the materials they were built out of. They went on to learn about the many types of festivals and celebrations and the importance of family to the Native Peoples. The children enjoyed making ears of corn, Native American masks, paper faces of Native American children, Native American booklets and Pilgrim hats! We lastly touched on the first Thanksgiving, the Pilgrims and Squanto (The Last Patuxet) and his role in guiding and preparing the Pilgrims for their new lives in America! Featured Work: Number Rods These are red and blue segmented rods that provide counting practice of numbers 1-10. Individual rods correspond to the numbers. Number rods support the concept of one to one correspondence and aid in the memorization of number sequence 1-10. Upcoming in December:
In December, our monthly theme will be transportation we will first introduce cars and the history of the automobile. We will go as far back as pioneer horse and wagons. In addition we will discuss all "things on wheels" such as cars, bikes, motorcycles, trucks, buses, emergency vehicles and construction vehicles. The second week will be planes and flying machines such as hot air balloons and blimps. We will speak of the Wright brothers and Amelia Earhart. Our last week will be trains and the history of the locomotive which is just in time for the holidays ending the week reading the Polar Express.
~Mrs. Cooper |
Mr.  John's Corner:
This November we saw a roller coaster ride of temperatures soaring to 60 degrees and dropping below 20 with snow. As it is often said "If you don't like the weather in Ohio, wait 5 minutes." We have observed the tree outside of our window the last few weeks. We've seen the green leaves turn red, orange, and yellow. Eventually, the leaves turned brown and fell off only to be replaced by snow lying on the branches. This was a good opportunity to read the book titled Why Does It Snow?
In November, Miss Brandy and Mr. John gave lessons on mammals, fish, birds and Thanksgiving. The children learned what makes a mammal different from any other animal on Earth. Mammals are creatures that are vertebrates warm blooded, they have hair or fur, and get nourishment from their mother's milk. They can tell you that a bat is the only mammal that can fly. The students can tell you that a fish is a cold blooded creature. They have gills that they breathe though, live in water and are vertebrates. Birds are warm blooded creatures and vertebrates. Birds are the only animals on Earth that have feathers. All birds have wings but not all birds fly. Ask your child which birds do not fly. You can ask your children all about the Pilgrims, where they came from, what ocean they crossed, and who they befriended. They can even tell you some fun facts about turkeys. Did you know if a turkey looks up during a heavy rain there is a possibility it can drown?
In science the children saw raisins dance and salt sink (and the salt didn't even get wet). I am impressed that most of the children are getting the hang of creating their own, well thought out hypothesis.
Everyone should have received their 2 cents a meal container. There were many creative and colorful works of art on the containers. You can introduce your children to counting change as you deposit your pennies. You can teach them it takes 5 pennies to make a nickel and 10 pennies to make a dime. We will send an email when we are ready to collect the money. Thank you for your generosity!
~Mr. John |
Other Topics:
Little Racquets Enrichment Program:
Back by popular demand! Starting in February we are going to start up another 6 week Little Racquets program!
About the Program:
Do you want your child to learn a sport for a lifetime in The Absorbent Minds enrichment program? Why not gather them together with their friends and sign up for the Little Racquets tennis program. Little Racquets is a portable tennis program for children (ages 4-6) in  preschools, created by Lynn Buchinsky, a United States Professional Tennis Association member (USPTA). Children learn basic tennis, motor and social skills that lead to playing games on "short" courts with miniature nets, foam balls, tail balls (ribbon attached to ball) and junior size racquets. Little Racquets emphasizes FUN rather than competition through engaging the children in energizing activities such as: imaginative obstacle courses, agility ladder relay races, hitting stationary tennis cartoon targets, playing tennis baseball and mastering ABC forehand.
- Ages: 4-6 year olds (Child must turn 4 before June 1st, 2009)
- Location: Absorbent Minds Montessori School
- Limits: 12 per class
- Dates: February 11, 18, 25 March 4, 11, 18
- Times: 1:15pm - 1:45pm and 1:45pm - 2:15pm
- Fee: $100/6 week session (includes a t-shirt)
- Instructor: Lynn Buchinsky, USPTA, MA, MBA
Click here to download the registration form.
Please turn these forms along with your payment into the school by January 15th, 2009.
Spanish:
Our "Winter Wonderland" theme has carried over into Spanish, as Senora Lisa has taught us many songs and rhymes about snow and snowflakes. You may have heard your child talk about or sing "Copos de Nieve" (flakes of snow) or "Hace Mucho Frio" (It is very cold). There was a light at the end of the snow tunnel when we finished learning the colors of the rainbow or "arco iris" in Spanish.
"Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" took on a whole new meaning when Senora Lisa changed the words to Spanish shapes. Keep your ears open for the new words to that well-known tune!
Music:
We would like to welcome our new music teacher, Ms. Samantha Garner to Absorbent Minds Montessori School. Every Tuesday morning Samantha has filled our halls with song. Students can't help but smile when they sing, move and dance with Ms. Samantha! This month they have learned the difference between a singing voice and a talking voice...singing loudly and softly... and learning rhythm and beats through movement. We have really enjoyed seeing Ms. Samantha work with our children. So, remember to ask your child to create a fast and slow rhythm and to demonstrate the difference between loud and soft singing voices!
Sign Language:
The students have had another great month of sign language. We began making out "secret holiday gifts" while we learned the signs for the colors. The kindergartners were forced to communicate with each other for an entire half hour with no voices. They did a great job! We took a break for the last week of November in order to prepare for the holiday program, but Senora Lisa never misses an opportunity to incorporate sign into her Spanish lessons.
~Miss Brown
Thanksgiving Feast:
 Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn, yum yum! The parents made a special meal for everyone at the school last Wednesday, and it was delicious! The kids were very grateful and gobbled down their Thanksgiving feast. In the morning, students made a turkey craft, out of paper towel rolls and construction paper. They were excited to show them off to the volunteering parents while they feasted. Once again, we'd like to thank the parents and grandparents who have made these events so special for our students. We couldn't do it without you! |
| Montessori Tidbits:
Practical Life
 A child's success in school is directly related to the belief that they are capable and independent human beings. If they knew the words, even very young children would ask: "Help me learn to do it myself."
By guiding students to develop a meaningful degree of independence and self-discipline, we set a pattern for a lifetime of good work habits and a sense of responsibility. In Montessori, students are taught to take pride in their work.
Practical Life lessons do more than teach the skills of pouring and washing dishes. The process helps students develop an inner sense of order, a greater sense of independence and a higher ability to concentrate and follow a complex sequence of steps.
 The Practical Life area of our classroom encompasses so many skills our children use on an everyday basis. Your children will be proud to show you what they can do by themselves. We are all teachers in one way or another. By allowing your children to practice practical life activities at home you will be turning your home into a classroom. Just remember, spilling is part of the learning process. Just think of the pride your child will feel by doing real things, rather then pretending to help around the house.
Independence does not come automatically as we grow older; it must be learned. In Montessori, even very small children can learn how to tie their own shoes and pour their own glass of milk. At first, shoe laces turn into knots and milk ends up on the floor. However, with practice, skills are mastered and the child beams with pride. To experience this kind of success at such an early age is to build up a self-image as a successful person and leads the child to approach the next task with confidence. | |
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Themes of the Week
Franks / Kotradi Class
December Theme:
Animal Classification
12/1: Amphibians
12/8: Reptiles
12/15: Animal Classification review
Cooper / Brown Class
December Theme:
Transportation
12/1: Cars/Automobile History
12/8: Flying Machines
12/15: History of the Locomotive
Upcoming Events in December:
15-17: Annual Cookie Baking
17: Dress Rehearsal 6:30pm
19: Winter Program 7:00pm
12/22 - 1/2: Winter Break No School
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Please continue to save your "Box Tops" for Absorbent Minds Montessori School. The drop box is in place in the main hallway. Thank you for your continued support!
Also, Giant Eagle and Box Tops for Education are offering 7 months of great Bonus Box Tops opportunities for our school. Participating products may be purchased at Giant Eagle throughout the school year and can be identified by looking for the "Box Tops for Education" coupon located on the packaging. Simply cut out the coupon and bring it in.
Be on the lookout in your child's folder for box Tops updates. Thanks for savings those for us. They really add up if all of our family members and friends save together.
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