Ms. Karen's Blog

Hello families!

As stated previously, we are going to have the same spelling words for this week and next week, then be tested next Friday, January 25th.  Here are the lists:

Red:

nap

wag

cap

rag

map

bag

tag

lap

Orange:

horse

shark

sock

ham

seal

shed

house

ship

soap

Yellow:

shot

cheese

whip

thorn

ship

chick

whale

thimble

whiskers

thirteen

Blue:

sold

bleed

wave

glow

steep

drew

sneak

slide

school

scene

crow

light

pool

feast

way

dry

Thanks!

Karen

Hello!

We have such an exciting STEM week planned!  Students will have a kick off assembly on Monday, get to visit the Upper Elementary Science fair on Wednesday, go to a planetarium assembly, and end with week with a visit from Scales and Tails.

Projects are due on the 18th.  They are in the following themes:

1st years: research a scientist

2nd years: research the scientific method

3rd years: forces of motion and/or simple machines

My only expectation for the presentations is that they be in a post form so that they can be displayed for the school to see.  Please email me if you have any questions!  I’m so excited to learn from each of the students!

We are also in the middle of math assessments and preparing items for student portfolios.  Considering how busy we will be, we will resume spelling next week.  I will send out the words on Monday and let the students practice, but they will not be tested until the following Friday.

Here is the link to this week’s newsletter.  If you are not receiving it, please notify the office.

Have a great week!

Karen

STEM week begins next week, with so many fun activities and assemblies.  Our students are expected to complete home projects that are displays related to these subjects:

1st year students: research a scientist

2nd year students: Scientific Method

3rd year students: Simple machines and/or forces of motion

Please reach out if you have any questions!

Thanks,

Karen

On January 10th from 6-7:30 PM, MMA will be screening the documentary SCREENAGERS for all interested parents, students and friends of the school in the Junior High commons area.

SCREENAGERS – The average child in America spends more time consuming electronic media than going to school, with many teenagers going online “almost constantly.” In SCREENAGERS, physician and filmmaker Delaney takes a deeply personal approach as she probes into family life to explores parental struggles over social media, video games, academics and internet addiction. Through poignant and funny stories along with insights from authors, psychologists, and brain scientists, SCREENAGERS reveals how tech time impacts kids’ development and offers solutions on how adults can empower kids to best navigate the digital world and find balance.

Hello Families!

The time has come for open enrollment!  Please check the MMA Montessori Moments newsletter that was sent to you, or visit this link.

Thanks!

Karen

Hello!

Please refer to the MMA Montessori Moments newsletter for information about Stem week coming up in January.  If you are not receiving emails with the newsletter, your email address may need to be updated at the school.  Please contact the front office.

Thanks!

Karen

Hello Families!

What a great season!  There are so many holidays being celebrated by cultures all over the world.  On Monday, Ms. Teja taught our class about Diwali, a Festival of Lights celebrated in India and made rangoli inspired art work.  Today, we learned about Hanukkah and made Star of David decorations.  Tomorrow, we will discuss Christmas as it is celebrated in Germany, where the Christmas tree originated.  On Thursday, students are invited to bring in foods that are an important part of their celebrations this season.  On Friday, students will divide into groups, research how holidays are celebrated in other countries, and write about it.

Thanks,

Karen

Hello Families!

We are going to have our spelling test on Thrusday, December 20th this week.  The students are being tested on the same words they worked on all last week, so they have had plenty of time to prepare.  Here are the words:

Red:

fan

pan

dad

sad

mad

man

van

can

Orange:

pig

pill

wig

lip

mill

hill

dig

zip

rip

Yellow:

whip

thumb

wheel

thorn

whale

think

whisker

thirteen

whistle

thimble

Blue:

wild

told

film

loss

kind

both

fist

lost

child

gold

ghost

mild

blind

roll

pond

most

Thank you!

Karen

Hello families!

Our classroom community discussed the expectations we have for everyone to show respect for themselves, others, and the environment.  We collaboratively wrote a classroom pledge, which I have included in this email.

We also discussed how we will handle behaviors that are not in keeping with our classroom expectations.  These types of behaviors include: yelling at teachers or other students, any physical harm to another or to our environment (including materials), and disruptive and distracting behavior.  Our school behavior plan categorizes these behaviors as a level one, which means they are documented at the classroom level.  However, when level one behaviors become a chronic issue, the level raises to a two, which means that the administration becomes involved.  It is my hope that with the clear expectations outlined below and consistent consequences, our community will be supported by students who behave appropriately.

If you have any questions, please reach out to me.

Thank you,

Karen

I pledge to be respectful.  I will work and learn. I will keep trying because I can do hard things.  I am kind to my classmates and teachers. I use the peace area to work out problems.  My teachers want me to learn. I will listen and follow directions the first time. I will restore and keep the classroom clean.  I am responsible for my education.

Level 1 behavior:

1. Warning
2. Write up in Aspire
3. Reflection and email home
4. If it continues- meeting with parents

Hello Families!

This is a reminder that Monday, December 10th is a half day.  School gets out at 1pm.  Thank you!

Also, here is link to the most recent MMA Montessori Moments:

https://www.smore.com/74wgs-mma-montessori-moments?ref=email