First Week is in the Books!

Hello Parents!

The first week has come to a close and since not all students have Canvas logins yet, I will provide this week’s update here.

The first three days of the week were spent in our advisory groups. We picked house names and students got to know their teachers through rotations. Each teacher presented to the students on topics like Grace and Courtesy, Scheduling, Dress Code, Canvas, What is Montessori, and Cell Phone/Computer Use. During this time, students were reacquainted with policies of old and learned about new ones, too. It was also a thing of beauty to see students engaged in friendly debate, discussing whether or not they agreed that “Technology is ruining their lives!” They all participated by taking a stance, and some even argued for the opposing stance because I challenged them to strengthen their own argument by being able to argue from the other side. I see a great debate team in the making!

The last two days of the week were spent in their classes. In English Language Arts and College and Career Awareness, students became acquainted with class expectations as well as the reassessment, late work, and grading policies. Students also spent some time in groups discussing the course disclosures and we will be reviewing them again on Tuesday and Wednesday.

For English class, I am asking that students bring a novel for independent reading. These books should be at least 200 pages. The expectation is for students to complete the book by midterm and prepare a book talk to be given to a small group. I do have a small classroom library as well, but students may not take books home.

For my Advisory class, I ask that they each bring a plant. This will give each of them something to care for in class. I am working on securing a class pet. The students voted on getting a leopard gecko. I have also reached out to each of you parents by either phone or e-mail about our first annual luncheon. If you did not hear from me, please let me know via email at delmer@mariamontessoriacademy.org

Family lucheon

On Monday, we will be going on our first Field Experience. Most permission slips have been turned in. Click here for more information and if you have questions that are not answered on the Junior High blog, please contact me.

Lastly, it would be helpful if all school supplies were brought in the next time your student has class with me. For example, if the next time your student has my class is on Wednesday, that would be when supplies are brought in. The supply list is on this blog, click on the link corresponding to your child’s class on the right. I also gave the list to your students in class last week.

Thank you all for your support!

–Ms. Dore