Parents,
This is our last week of our peace lessons. It has been great to hear the kids begin to use some of the things we have been talking about. This week we will talk about the differences that people have and how we can appreciate them as well as the web of life and love.
We will begin our study of biomes this week with what makes up a biome. Biomes consist of 6 elements; energy, soil, water, air, plants and animals. Throughout the year we will be learning about the different biomes we have on earth, they are: dessert, rainforest, mountain, wetland, grassland, ocean, polar region, and temperate forests.
We will also talk about why the leaves change colors and continue our study of solids/liquids and gases.
Picture day is Wednesday. Your child should have brought home an order form. If you did not receive one please check with the front office for another one.
Field Trip Friday:
We have a field trip on Friday October 13th. We will be meeting at Oak Lawn Park in North Ogden. You will need to plan on dropping your child off and picking up at Oak Lawn Park. Just as a reminder the morning class field trip begins at 9 am and ends at 11:30. The afternoon field trip begins at 12:00 and ends at 2:30. At the park we will have a number of fun actives for the children. There will be a nature walk, pumpkin decorating, fall games, story time and a snack . We are happy to have lots of chaperons for this field trip. Please email me if you would like to help out.
Maria Montessori used the term “normalized” often when she spoke of children and classrooms. The essence of this term means that the children feel comfortable and confident enough to work as if the teacher were not present. The children are not strong armed into following the rules of the classroom/school. They follow the rules because they have gained that control over themselves. Typically the normalization process takes about 6 weeks, but sometimes it takes longer. Over the next little while we will be focusing on a few components of this normalization process in our classroom that we want improve. They are: cleaning up after you finish a work and choosing to work rather than goofing off. Our goal is for the children to be able to monitor them selves. We want the children to be aware of the choices they are making and be able to evaluate those choices. One way you can help with this at home is to hold them accountable for their responsibilities. If they are supposed to clean up their plate after dinner then have them clean up their plate after dinner. Often it is easier and faster for the adult to just do what ever it is that we want our children to do but this does them a great disservice. We want to teach them how to be successful in society and that almost never involves waiting for someone else to do your job for you. I know that there are those of you who are thinking that this will start a civil war at your house. No one wants to engage in constant battles with their child. Sometimes this can be diffused if you involve them in the decision of what responsibilities they want to have. Even if you start small it is a start.
Have a great week!
Ms. Jen & Ms. Martha