Art with Bluebonnets
Since spring has arrived here in Texas, bluebonnets will be popping around everywhere. To celebrate their arrival, we will be making these cute bluebonnet finger art. It is as simple as drawing a green line and dotting the line with blue finger dots. It’s simple, but we love this hands on craft! If your child does not like the feeling of paint on his or her fingers, q-tips can be used. Happy spring and happy crafting!
Spring Cleaning
Spring cleaning is a great time to have your child help with indoor and outdoor cleaning! 
Have your child help get the garden ready for spring planting. Children love to get their hands dirty! Invite your child to dig up the weeds and rake the garden beds! It’s such a great way to get your child outdoors for some fresh air and for fun while learning about plant life! ☘️
February blog – Mrs. Smith’s Elementary Class
Notable Dates In History
We’re in for a full month of learning and we just can’t wait to get started, as February brings several holidays, celebrations and notable dates in history.
The first day of February is ”National Freedom Day,” when the first meeting of the U.S. Supreme Court was held. February 2nd is “Ground Hog Day.” If Punxsutawney Phil sees his shadow, that means we are in for six more weeks of Winter. If Phil does not see his shadow, we will have an early Spring.
Several important people were born in the month of February: Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman doctor; Rosa Parks, a woman who was arrested and fined for not giving up her seat on the bus to a white passenger; author Charles Dickens, who once mentioned that memories from his childhood helped him create his fictional stories; Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States, was against slavery and believed that all people should be free; George Washington, our first President of the United States.
January Blog
Fostering Independence at Home
Teaching children to be independent is one of the great aspects of a Montessori school. Children are able to do so much more than we often expect of them. This new year, consider setting up your home in a way that fosters independence. In the kitchen, place the cups and plates that your child uses on low shelves. Ask your child to take on the responsibility of setting the table for family meals. In their playroom or living space, put toys and materials on low shelves that that they can reach. Remind them that they have several choices of toys on that shelf that they can get out whenever they choose. Help remind them to put the toys and books back on the shelf when they are finished. Positive reinforcement goes a long way with helping a child become more independent. Praise your child for their efforts and point out the successful moments of independence. 
Follow the child
December Blog – Mrs. Smith
Christmas to many, is the greatest festival of the year! The world seems to take on a magic glow, people seem merrier and even winter somehow feels cozy.Whether you’re celebrating a religious festival, like Hanukkah, Christmas or Kwanzaa, you’re sure to have your own selection of rituals or customs that make the holiday season so special.While students may know about some of these celebrations, there are several holiday traditions around the world that they may not be aware of. Following are just a few:
*Giant Lantern Festival in the Philippines
*Kentucky Fried Christmas Dinner in Japan
*Yule Lads (troll-like characters) in Iceland that visit children the 13 days leading up to Christmas
*St. Nicholas’ Day in Germany
*In Norway, people hide their brooms on Christmas Eve
*In Venezuela, the residents roller skate to church on Christmas Eve
This month, we will take a virtual trip around the globe, and learn about these interesting traditions and those of other countries as well! We hope that you and your families have a wonderful holiday and wish you all of the beauty & joy that this magical season brings.
Happy Holidays!
Fall is the perfect time to explore the five senses with young children. Take your child for a nature walk and look for the signs of Fall. Look for leaves changing colors or squirrels collecting acorns. Encourage your child to collect Fall specimens like leaves, pine cones, acorns and make a journal. Take your child to an apple orchard or pumpkin patch. Try to cook some Fall foods with your child like applesauce or pumpkin pie. Enjoy the beautiful Fall weather with your child and make some everlasting memories.
A Blog by Manisha Shah
This week in art at Montessori Country Day, we will be making snow trees. Hopefully making snow art will bring snow to Texas this month! It is important to show our students that we can make art in many ways. We can even paint with bubble wrap! Not only is this project simple, but also gorgeous!
Reference: http://www.gluedtomycraftsblog.com/2016/01/bubble-wrap-snowy-tree-kid-craft.html
Getting back into the swing of things after the holiday break may be a bit challenging. We’re used to sleeping in, eating and doing whatever and whenever we choose. So, it’s not surprising that the school day routine may be somewhat hard to get adjusted to again.
Celebrating the beginning of the new year is a perfect opportunity to “jumpstart” and engage students in the learning process. As with the classroom promises we compiled at the beginning of the school year, students can reflect on the memories of the previous year and define the things that they wish to change in the year that just started.
As a class, and at home, we can brainstorm together about resolutions and help the student to make the best ones that reflect their interests and improve them. The resolutions generally start with “my goals for the new year are…” and “In the new year, I want to get better at…”
Winter break was a time for rest and relaxation, so it’s important to remember to ease students back into the school routine slowly and carefully. This will ensure that everyone will be motivated and ready to learn in no time.
Whatever the activity, always discuss and recount what you’re working on, name items, use a variety of descriptive words, invite them to repeat (even though they may not be able) and keep encouraging. The cookies may not be iced perfectly, but we know everything made with love tastes better anyway.
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