So Fun!

Michelle is so careful with her Metal Insets. 

Alex is working on identifying articles, adjectives and nouns.

Jacob enjoys our new Pink Tower.

Blaze plays beautiful songs on the Musical Bells.

Fun Fact!

Here are some famous Montessori graduates you may know:

*Larry Page & Sergey Brin:  Founders of Google
*Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis:  Former First Lady
*Jeff Bezos:  Founder of Amazon.com
*Julia Childs: Chef and Author

Thank You!

Thanks are in order to Alexa Collante's family for the goodies from Montessori Services and Marqueen Gluck and Jacob Lacey's family for pine cones!  My special fieldtrip chaperones also deserve a big thank you: Blaze Chacon's mom and dad, Sophia Chavarria's mom, Mya Sosa's mom, Michelle Lopez's aunt and Obed Lozano's mom.  Next field trip we will go as an entire class and I can have as many chaperones as I need!

So funny, I had to share...

So I am walking to the symphony with my student Josefina.  We turn a corner to find a police officer standing supervising foot-traffic in a crosswalk.  She stops, points her finger at him and says (serious as can be), "I got your number."  He replies, "Excuse me?"  Then she says, "It's 911."  Turn and starts on her way again without a backward glance.  I am still chuckling about it!!!!!

Holiday Party!!!!!

Every year I host a holiday party just for the children on the last day of school before winter break.  This year it will be on Friday the 16th.  We have hot chocolate, cookies and games!  This time I will be providing the hot chocolate and am putting a call out to you all to bring in some cookies and a bag of cups.  If you would like to donate some cookies to the party, email me and I will write you down on my list.  :)

Dates:

12/16- Classroom Holiday Party
12/19-1/2- Winter Break
1/16- No School

Need anything?  Please don't hesitate to contact me!  megan.trezise@phxschools.org

Getting Chilly

Lauren is really watching her Sponging work.

Lola practices her beautiful cursive writing every day.

Marqueen loves the Moveable Alphabet.

Natalia is counting to 100.

Alexa carefully traces the Sandpaper Letter during her sound lesson.

News For You!

From One Hundred Child Development Tips; insights and suggestions from AMI Teachers

Tip Number 54:  When you are providing feedback about your child's work and skills, please comment on the process and details of the effort, not the end product.  For example, use phrases like "I like the way you use the color green in your drawing" rather than "What a beautiful picture."  This will help your child stay focused on his work and develop his skills instead of just thinking about the results.  Be cautious about using rewards for once learning is externally motivated, a child's process can lose creativity, focus and passion.  Please remember to not interrupt your child when he is focused.


I Have Heard....

I have been hearing this a lot lately, "My child doesn't tell me anything that he does at school."  It is OK!  For many students, this environment is the FIRST time that they have had a special place, just the right size, of their own.  The community that I foster in the classroom is a strong one and over the years I have found that children eventually share what they do during the work cycle when the novelty has worn off a little.  Just don't push it!  They will all share when they are ready.  (You can always come and observe-please consult with me to prearrange a day/time.)

Extra Clothing

The weather has FINALLY turned (a little) and your child's pair of extra clothes may be too cool.  Please pack a set of warmer clothes for school and we will send back the pair we have here.

Field Trip

On Thursday December 1st, the second year and the Kinder students will be attending the Phoenix Symphony for the morning.  Ms. Sara will stay behind with the first year students.  I was only allowed a few chaperones and I would have needed more if I were to take them.  I have one of the largest groups of first year students and felt it would not be safe to take them on the light rail and to Symphony Hall with the small number of adults I was allotted.  Don't be too sad though!  They will be joining us on the next field trip!



Classroom Needs!

*Green Yarn
*Crafting Pipe Cleaners
*Small Wooden Drying Rack
*All Natural Metal Polish

Classroom Wishes!

A Few Items from Montessori Services
 http://www.montessoriservices.com/
Item # B200 Square counting chain label box set $9.00
Item # B300 Cubing chain label box $14.00
Item # G51 Tiny Ladle $3.75
Item # G199 Mini Tong $3.50
Item # W88 Non-slip Scrub Brush $3.95
Item # Q12 Small Crumb Set $9.95

Dates:

11/21-25 No School Thanksgiving Break
12/19-30 No School Winter break
12/1 Field Trip to the Phoenix Symphony
Soon...Classroom Holiday Party!!!!

November Already?

Zain is carefully spooning.

Cooper enjoys the Button Frame.

Isabella giving the Brown Stairs a try.

Zoe is building words with the moveable alphabet.

I am sure that encouraging independence in your child is becoming an easier and easier task for you.  I wanted to offer up a resource for you!  Montessori from the Start: The Child at Home from Birth to Age Three  by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen.  This book has it all.  It is actually the book that I used myself in preparing my own home for the arrival of my daughter.  Full of information on age appropriate activities to encourage independence, how to make your home more accessible to a child in their quest to do for themselves, language acquisition, developing the will and so much more! If you are expecting, have an infant or a small child-this book is more than worth the cost.

The holidays are on the way!  Great educational Montessori gift ideas:  http://www.michaelolaf.net/  & http://www.forsmallhands.com/

This Month!

Thanksgiving, Native American studies, leaves, North America, animals of North America, turkeys, poetry by Robert Frost, and fall.

Dates:

11/11-No School Veteran's Day

11/21-25-No School Thanksgiving Holiday

And Remember-

Try to count to ten to yourself BEFORE jumping-in to help your child.  Giving them the chance to work through their obstacles is one of the most effective ways to assist their learning and independence.  The unspoken rule between the adults in my classroom is to step away until the child asks for our assistance. 

Celebration!!!

It was GREAT!!!!  Thank you to all who dressed their child in costume and/or brought a dish to share!  With the exception of a pretty poorly planned fire drill...all went so well!

United Nations/ Children's Day Celebration

Blaze is hard at work counting with the Number Rods.

Jayvyn is labeling the parts of the pumpkin.

Kameron is carefully working with the Color Tablets.

Will you be here Wed. the 26th for the parade?  Everyone is invited.  Please start talking about your child's heritage with them, bring an "easy to eat" dish for the children's potluck. (if there is extra-the adults can join in the feast!) and dress your child in traditional costume.  Be on the look-out for communication from our super-fantastic room mom, Celena, to sign up for your dish to share.  Space is tight, so I have arranged for us to use the cafeteria for over-flow.

Here is the flier:

                              United Nations Day Celebration

On Wednesday, October 26th we will be celebrating United Nations Day.  This is a day designed to celebrate our diverse cultural community. Discuss with your child his/her ethnic heritage.  Choose one that is either prevalent in your family or one that you and your child would like to learn about.  With your child, put together a traditional costume or parts of one that they may wear that day for our “Small World Parade.” Then, prepare a food that is also symbolic of the heritage the child represents to bring and share in “A Small World Potluck.”  Festivities begin with a parade at 10:20.  The potlucks will be enjoyed by the children in their respective classrooms.

Celebración Del Día De Las Naciones Unidas

El miércoles 26 de Octobre en Faith North Montesorri estaremos celebrando el Día de las Naciones Unidas.  Este es un día para celebrar la diversidad cultural de nuestra comunidad.  Hable con su hijo/a de su herencia étnica.  Escoja una que sea prevalente o que solo sea divertido para aprender.  Junto con su hijo/a, arregle un traje tradicional o partes de uno que ellos puedan usar ese día para nuestro desfile cultural.  Después, prepare una comida que es también algo simbólica de la cultura que ellos representan para traerlo a la clase y compartirlo en “ Una comida de un mundo pequeño”.  Las festividades comenzaran con un desfile a las 10:20.

Thank you

The Faith North Staff

Dates:

10/26-United Nations/Children's Day Celebration

10/28-Picture Day

10/28-Fall Carnival

11/11 No School

11/23-25-No School for Thanksgiving Holiday

October is Here!

NO School Next Week!  Fall Beak


Outdoor Environment-
We are so lucky to have an outdoor environment for our students to visit!  The teacher is named Miss Kym and is a gardening genius!!!!!  When the children work outside they are gardening, working with tools, painting, preparing food for the animals, feeding the animals and much more.  The outdoor environment is open for some of the morning most days of the week.  Each class is only allowed two students at a time to work outside.  You can imagine that it takes a while to get all of the children a turn out there, plus, some children just aren't comfortable leaving the classroom.  Everyone will get a turn when they are ready, I promise!

Observations-
If you would like to come and observe my beautiful class in action, you may!  Please email me to set up a day/time.  Observations last for 30 minutes.  I do ask that you not talk to the children during your observation time-having an extra adult in the class is a great enough distraction for them! 

Book Orders-
Every on-line order gets the class a free book!  There are some cute titles that would make great stocking stuffers or gifts.  (I am one of those "plan ahead for the holidays" types).  Please place your order by 10/17.

Dates:
10/10-14  No School
10/26  Children's Day -more to come!
10/28  Fall Carnival

Last September Blog!

Dajah is working with the 5 Cubed Chain.

Mya is counting with the Memory Game.

Obed is really focused on the map of Africa!

Memphis is concentrating on his Metal Insets.

Up Next!

Africa, animals of Africa, arachnids, vertebrates and invertebrates, parts of the pumpkin and pumpkin life cycle, Fall, Bach, and we are learning how to introduce ourselves to others. 


Take a Look! -An informative short article.  -Is your child's TV show featured?-

Study: Fast-Paced, Fantastical Television Shows May Alter Kids' Learning, Behavior
http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=16032


Can You Help?


We need some plates- 6 to be exact!  Breakage happens!  Can anyone please donate a plain ceramic plate or two?

We need a few boxes of Ditalini pasta.  The necklace making is SO popular with the children!

We could use a simple clothes drying rack.  Our rack outside of the door is leaning and about to fall permanently!


Dates:

Parent Work Day October 1st
No school October 10-14
Book orders Due October 17
United Children's Day October 26th
Halloween  October 31 -No costumes at school please!

Sunny September!

We are on the right track!  The children are really starting to understand how this environment operates.  The are fewer and fewer tears in the morning and more and more smiles.  I love it!  Each child is so different and is beginning to reveal their unique personalities!

Aubree is practicing the decimal cards.

Omar working hard on his metal insets!

Jacob really enjoys his practical life work.

Jacqueline is working with the 'th' phonogram.

Parent Education was a huge success!  Thank you for being here with us!!!!  It was a lot of information, so if Montessori questions arise, I am here to with an answer!  It was so nice to hear one of the Kinder moms tell me that she wished she had attended that presentation earlier.

Please be on-time.  If you are not walking in with the class at 8:10- you are late.  I apologize for the largeness of the font, but it is too early in the year to be having this many students tardy to class.  All of your child's tardies and absences are documented in the State's attendance system.  The district takes into consideration your child's attendance when deciding your open enrollment for the upcoming school year.  It is so sad to see a child go because of something like this.  Tardies are an adult issue and not the fault of the child.

I am here to help!  Don't hesitate to email me!  megan.trezise@phxschools.org

September

Thank you to those who placed Scholastic Book orders!  We were able to get a few free books for the classroom!  BIG thank you to Marqueen's family as well as Zain & Nour's family for the special book purchases off of my wish list!  I am so excited to share these special books with the children.

In an effort to make the blogs a little more fun, I am attaching photos of the children working.  Every child will be featured at some point!

Josie is working on the addition stamp game.

Troyhar points to two gas planets.

This month we finish Solar System and our study of magnets.  We will be moving on to the layers of the Earth, land and water, apples, and a study of the master painters DaVinci and Rafael.

Important Dates!

Wed 9/14 Parent Education 5:30 on our campus. (Need childcare?  Tell me asap so we can staff  it properly.  Thanks to those of you who have already let me know!)

Full-day families-1:15 release 9/21-23 for Conferences (Kinders only this time).

Coming soon:
October Break
United Children's Day Celebration

Sunny August Days!


"I maintain that it is possible to foresee a new society in which man will be more world-social, because when he was a child, people had faith in him. He will also be more cultured, have more mental energy and more equilibrium. I also hold that, if properly provided for, the children - who love to work and who therefore work spontaneously and without fatigue - will absorb by the time they are twelve as much as is expected now of a child of fifteen."
-Dr. Montessori-

Welcome Back Kinders!!!!!!

Welcome Back 2nd Years!!!!!!

Welcome 1st Years!!!!!!

Please be sure that your child is wearing appropriate clothing.  Can they work the belt that they are wearing?  Are they able to take down their pants/shorts by themselves to use the bathroom?  Be sure they are in closed-toe shoes for safety.  We work with glass that can cut their feet if it falls and breaks (which happens quite a bit in this environment).  Keep long hair up in a pony-tail so it is not hanging in your child's face.  We do work  on the floor so this can become uncomfortable.



 What are these activities my child is talking about!?!  What is the pink tower, metal insets,  and why is my child spooning beans at school?  Why cursive and not print?  How can you help your child to succeed here in this environment? I have the answers to all of your questions! 

September 14th is Parent information night!

All first and second year parents are to attend.  The time you spend at the info night also counts as part of your 10 volunteer hours!

This month and next:  Solar System

We have started our discussions and demonstrations of the sun, planets, and orbits.  This would be a great time to take your child to the library to check-out some books about space!  (And  maybe bring some for show-and-tell!)

We are also working on many grace and courtesy lessons.  How to treat friends, adults and the classroom materials.

Are you seeing little sound books come home?  Please review them and have fun doing them with your child!  A note:  Please only review the sounds of the letters.  The letter names come later.  I am seeing some confusion between letter names and sounds while we are doing the lessons.  Thanks!

Important Dates!

8/29 Scholastic Book orders due!  Help us build our classroom library with free books from your online orders!!

9/5 No school-Labor Day

9/14 Parent Education night!  This is mandatory for all first and second year parents!

9/21 Parent/teacher conferences (Kinder families only)

 

*We still need paper napkins.  Can you help us?

Please email our PTA so they may put you on their list to notify you of events.  faithnorthpta@gmail.com

Do you need me?  Having some struggles at home with your child?  Please don't hesitate to talk to me!  I am here to help!  megan.trezise@phxschools.org

Supplies for Fall

Here is your supply list for the first day of school! (Really?  We are at the end already?) I have done a little revising for my second year with Faith North Montessori.  Let's keep it simple!

I Will Supply Your Child with a Tote Bag- No Backpacks Please (they are too big)!

Required items:

Change of clothes in a Ziploc-type bag, labeled with child’s name

Small plant with drip tray

1 metal fork (no cartoon characters please these are for a class set)

1 metal spoon (no cartoon characters these are for a class set)

1 box of tissues

1 set of color pencils

Sponges

Glue sticks

1 bottle of dish soap

Wish list items:

Fresh cut flowers

White copy paper

Colored copy paper

Clorox type wipes

Vinegar

Hand Towels/wash clothes

Ziploc bags- assorted sizes

Cotton balls

Q-tips

Glue sticks

Volunteers/Donation requests

Laundry

Library resource

Classroom gardening

Field trips

Cut flowers

Classroom pets (care and maintenance)

Carpentry

General Maintenance

*At back-to-school night I will pass out the tote bags and you can sign up for some volunteer opportunities!  We have had a great year and I am looking forward to a fantastic year to come!!!!!

May Dates

The Last month is upon us!  The children are ready for some REAL fun!

I emailed a list of some supplies we need.  If you can help, please do!  Thank you thank you!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!  My Full-day Preschoolers won 1st Place in the Track Meet Tug-O-War!

DATES

5/23- Kinder Graduation in Shaw Cafeteria
5/24- Water Day
5/26- Last Day/Game Day/Pizza Party!!!!!!!!

Butterflies and ladybugs!!

Monday proved to be one of the more exciting Mondays of the year!  The children entered and classroom as the butterflies were emerging from their chrysalis and the ladybugs from their pupa shells!  I plan to release our new insect friends by Friday.  What an exciting lesson for the entire class!

Our Asia studies have begun with  a display of artifacts from India, Korea, Vietnam and China.

Just a nice thought:  I was at home a few evenings ago pondering the wonders that make up each of my unique students.  And the thought of the first month of school crossed my mind.  Every single child in this environment has grown and changed so much!  Really it is quite amazing!  The power of a positive Montessori environment is evident in each one of the children.  I also wanted to thank each of you for sharing your children with me.  What a gift!

Dates:
No School 4/22-4/25
Literacy Night 4/27
Track Meet 4/28

So Much Excitement!

Spring lessons have begun!  The children have be studying the properties of air, animals and flags of Europe, Tchaikovsky and spring-time poetry.

A BIG BIG thank you to Obed's family for getting the class Painted Lady caterpillars and habitat and also to Blaze's family for the ladybug pupa!!!!!  We are learning about metamorphosis!

Our garden is looking so good thanks to parent plant donation.  A BIG thanks to Josie's family for the marigolds and again to Blaze's family for the Cape Honeysuckle!!!  I am so lucky to have so many families actively participating in my classroom.


*The Cookie Dough fundraiser is underway! YUM!
*There are a few days left to donate used books for the book sale.  You can leave them with me if you like and I will make sure they get where they need to go.


Literacy Night will be April 27.  Do you need a Phoenix Library Card?  I have the applications here and can get it turned in for you so you will have a card waiting for you at Literacy Night!  Please don't hesitate to ask me!

The Track Meet has been rescheduled for April 28th.  This event is for the full-day children.


Are you getting the papers I am sending home?  Please help your child to clean out their school bag EVERY day!

Questions are always welcome.  megan.trezise@phxschools.org

Welcome March!

March brings many new lessons to the class!  We have started experiments with air and I am still on the search for a family to let us borrow their kite for a day or two.

We have also moved from studies of South America to Europe!  The flags of European Counties, animals of the continent, the Euro and Pound.  If you have traveled to Europe and have artifacts to share, please let me know and we can get a show-and-tell arranged!

We are starting the Spring gardens!  Each class is responsible for two items.  Our class needs to get 1 Cape Honeysuckle and 1 sixpack of Marigolds to be brought the Monday we return from spring break.  If you would like to bring one of these items, send me an email!

Dates:
Spring Break 3/7-3/11

megan.trezise@phxschools.org

Valentine's Day Celebration!!

We has so much fun!  The Valentine Boxes were so creative!  The children LOVED showing them off!  Thanks for making sure your child had what they needed for a great celebration!

AND Miss Lipp and I want to send a big thank you for all of the Valentine goodies!  That was very thoughtful of you all!

Please Remember:
No School Monday 2/21 for President's Day

Supplies:
We need napkins if anyone would like to donate some!

February is Here!!!!!

I just love February!  This year we will be having a Valentine's Day Celebration on Monday 2/14 during group time.  For our party- each child will need a decorated Valentines Box(with their name on) and 26 Valentines to share.  An empty Kleenex box or shoe box make a great container for Valentines.  Your child will have so much fun decorating their box with you!  As far as Valentines go, please only put your child's name on them(it makes for easier passing-out during the party) and candy is OK for this party.

SUPPLIES!!!!
Oh we need some things!
Kleenex (we need this in the worst way!!!)
Gallon Ziplock Bags
Sandwich Sized Ziplock Bags
Button Thread
2 Matching plastic plates for the snack table



SCIENCE!!!!!
Has you child mentioned any of the experiments we have been doing here in the classroom?  We have done some with water and ice, we are growing salt crystals, and now are looking at chemical reactions!  We have pennies cleaning themselves in salt/vinegar solution and have a penny tarnishing solution as well.

IMPORTANT!!!
Have you moved?  Did you get a new phone number?  Change jobs?  Do I have all of you current contact information?  Sadly it is cold/flu season again and I am finding it difficult to reach some of you when your child is ill.  It is imperative that I have good contact number for you!  Stop in and check my emergency folder to see what info I have for you.

Questions?  I am here for you!  megan.trezise@phxschools.org
Classroom 602-523-8757

January

My favorite part of Winter Break is when the children return to the classroom in January.  That first week back is always the most peaceful week of the year!  The students are ready to get busy and work, work ,work!

We have been starting our studies on the properties of water and ice, Mammals and birds of the Artic, South America and Vincent VanGogh.

Thank you to everyone who signed up for conferences!  I love to talk about the childrens' successes!

Please note-
No School 1/17 for MLK Day 

OH! Thanks to those who donated hot chocolate and/or cookies for our holiday party!  We had so much fun!!!!!

Please call me if you have any questions!!! 602-523-8757