Good evening, dear Montessori Parents,
The first few weeks have been such a blessing! We’ve set up our basic routines, guidelines, and expectations, and a good work ethic for our classroom community. All of the children have adjusted very well and are happily working together.
This month: Living and Non-Living Things, and Trees
What makes something living or non-living? That’s our big question for September. We’re exploring living and non-living things, plants and animals, and our big theme: the tree!
We’re learning about the parts of a tree, why trees matter, how they connect to people, and how trees and humans exchange oxygen and carbon dioxide to care for our Earth. The younger children color pictures of the tree’s parts, and the kindergarteners label the parts first and then color.
We also went outside, hugged a tree, and looked closely at all of its parts! Now we’re watching the leaves slowly change color. Please look for these changes with your children on your own nature walks.
Practical Life Lessons
This year we began with simple practical life lessons:
Grape washing. This is a great activity to keep practicing at home!
Carrot washing and slicing. We did this today.
Cucumber washing, peeling, and slicing. Coming soon.
Banana peeling and slicing. Coming soon.
Where Do Cookies Come From?
While reading The Gingerbread Man, I asked the children what the cookie was made of. They answered “powder” and seemed a little confused! We took the hint. Soon we’ll bring in the ingredients and walk through the whole process of making a cookie together. Exciting!
Homework for Parents
Please take your child on a tour of the fruit and vegetable section at the grocery store and help them name everything they see. These little trips are so valuable! We’d love it if you took pictures and shared them with us.
Sounds and Numbers
We’ve started our regular lessons on letter sounds and number recognition. Please note that we focus only on letter sounds, not letter names, so please do the same at home. Thank you!
The Importance of Routine
Routine is essential, and deeply satisfying, at this age. Please set a daily routine at home and follow it with your children. They are all amazing helpers and so capable! Our classroom thrives on order, routine, and organization, and we protect that peaceful rhythm. It matters so much during these developmental years.
Please Help Us: Label Cardigans!
The weather is changing, and soon every child will be arriving in a cardigan or jacket. Jackets are easy for the children (and us!) to tell apart, but unlabeled cardigans are very hard to sort out. Please label your child’s cardigan clearly and show your child where their name is. Right now, when we ask, they often have no idea!
Thank you all for your help and support as we work together toward a successful and blessed year!
With gratitude,
The Montessori Teachers
The Tree and Its Parts
Exploring Living and Non-living Things with Everyday Objects
Please talk about these ideas at home with examples,
and add more as your child understands the basics.
Our September Theme Area
Practical Life: Grape Washing
Try it at home too!
