Elementary Room 1

May News

In May, we are excited to learn about the migration patterns of whales, including humpback and gray whales. We will also explore the cultures and traditions of South America, from the Amazon Rainforest to ancient Incan civilization. We are eager to include The Very Hungry Caterpillar in our study of insects, offering a chance to explore the lifecycle of Amazonian plants, their ecology, and the food chain.

Thank you for joining us on this enriching journey. We look forward to a fulfilling month ahead as the school year comes to a close.

Wishing everyone a joyful May!

April Recap

In April, we welcomed the insects that come with spring. This brought laughter and excitement to our classroom as we explored the wonders of the season. We learned about the lifecycle of ladybugs and painted lady caterpillars. Students were fascinated as we watched these creatures change from larvae to vibrant adults. They created lifecycle diagrams and discussed the unique traits of each stage. We also learned interesting facts about harvest ants, focusing on their teamwork and foraging, which led to lively discussions.

Throughout April, we covered various subjects, focusing on geology and geography. Students eagerly learned about how volcanoes form through interactive lessons with models and experiments. They examined materials like magma, ash, and solid rock, which gave them a deeper understanding of these natural wonders. We also explored Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands, shining a spotlight on the Great Barrier Reef. The class enjoyed learning about New Zealand’s culture, including its national flags, Māori customs, and features like Mount Ruapehu and the Rotorua geothermal area.

We also discovered Australia’s unique wildlife, introducing students to kangaroos, koalas, and emus. We discussed their habitats, behaviors, and roles in the ecosystem, helping students grasp the ecological balance. Our exploration took us beneath the ocean as well, emphasizing the importance of marine life, from coral reefs to schools of fish. A key topic was the role of bees in pollination, which led to discussions about the importance of kindness and respect. We highlighted how these values, like the interconnectedness of nature, support our classroom community and resonate in our daily lives.

March Recap

March was a vibrant and eventful month, brimming with exciting discoveries! We embarked on a thrilling exploration of the diverse types of dinosaurs that roamed the Earth during the Mesozoic Era, diving into the fascinating worlds of the Jurassic, Triassic, and Cretaceous periods. We delved into whether these magnificent creatures were fearsome carnivores or gentle herbivores, igniting our imaginations with visions of their prehistoric lives.

Our adventure took us far and wide as we located Africa on our globe, virtually boarding an airplane to journey across its vast landscapes and iconic landmarks. We learned about the striking colors of the African flag, marveled at the majestic Egyptian pyramids rising against the desert skyline, and embraced the rain that March brought, which encouraged a multitude of cozy indoor activities.

Excitement filled the air as we unearthed dinosaur eggs during our excavation projects, and we dived headfirst into the whimsical worlds crafted by Dr. Seuss, savoring playful reads like The Cat in the Hat and Green Eggs and Ham. It was pure joy to see the beloved cat reappear in our stories, and we cherished the creative art project inspired by his whimsical imagination. Our cooking sessions were nothing short of delightful, and we even infused some engaging Spanish language lessons into our explorations, enriching our experience.

February Recap

February turned out to be an incredible month filled with enriching experiences that broadened our horizons. We embarked on a 14-hour plane journey to the vibrant continent of Asia, starting with our visit to India. On Valentine's Day, we enjoyed a memorable picnic at the breathtaking Taj Mahal, where the stunning marble architecture reflected the love and dedication that went into its creation. Surrounded by lush gardens and the serene beauty of the monument, we shared laughter and heartfelt moments, deepening our connections with one another.

Our next stop was China, where we immersed ourselves in the country's rich cultural history. During our visit to the Great Wall, we were astounded to learn that walking its entire length would take approximately a year and five months. This realization filled us with awe for this monumental structure, which has stood for centuries as a testament to human ingenuity and perseverance. As we walked along its storied paths, we marveled at the breathtaking views and the endless potential for exploration that it represented.

Throughout our travels, we discovered the vital importance of friendship and realized how much stronger we are when united. We learned that treating each other with kindness and respect fosters a supportive environment where our differences—be they cultural, familial, or personal—are celebrated rather than merely tolerated. This lesson was particularly impactful as we delved into various cultures and traditions, including the captivating history of the terra-cotta army, a remarkable achievement of ancient craftsmanship.

In addition to cultural exploration, we engaged in creative projects that enriched our educational journey. One of the highlights was crafting our own passports, which ignited our imaginations and added an element of playfulness to our experiences, symbolizing our adventurous spirit.

Overall, our time in class was not just about learning facts and figures; it was about building strong bonds and fostering a deeper understanding of the world around us. We also took the opportunity to reflect on the profound experiences of African Americans who fought tirelessly for equality. We gained insights into the monumental changes brought about by pivotal laws—laws that not only secured freedom for African Americans but also paved the way for justice and equity for people of color overall. This understanding instilled in us a sense of responsibility to advocate for fairness and inclusiveness in our own lives.

January Recap

January was a fantastic month brimming with joyful experiences! Meeting such wonderful families has been a true pleasure, and I am excited to guide your children as they delve into the Montessori environment. The month’s theme took us on an exhilarating exploration of Winter, specifically the unique conditions of the Antarctic. One of the standout moments for the children was discovering that Antarctica has only two seasons: summer and winter. They learned that during summer, the continent enjoys constant sunlight, while winter brings complete darkness because of its tilt away from the sun.

We engaged thoroughly with our winter theme by reading the beloved book The Mitten, which sparked lively discussions about how people adapt to life in snowy conditions. The class thoroughly enjoyed creating snow-themed crafts and learning about compound words such as "snowman" and "snowflake." We also made significant progress in our journal writing and enhanced our math skills through hands-on experiences with Montessori materials.

Additionally, we explored succulents and followed up with a coloring activity featuring our favorite types of these remarkable plants.

We read "Martin’s Big Words," which tells the inspiring story of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his vision for a more peaceful world. This led to a coloring activity and encouraged the children to write a sentence about their dreams to make the world a better place.

December Recap

In December, we had a wonderful time exploring Christmas traditions from around the world, and diving into learning about the fascinating animals associated with the holiday season! One of the key lessons we focused on was the importance of helping others. We discussed how many people around the globe give back to their communities, especially during the holidays. We read our monthly book, The Giving Tree, and talked about ways we can help at home and in our school.



In science, we explored botany by studying pinecones from pine trees, which symbolize Christmas. We learned that pinecones protect the seeds inside by opening and closing. In zoology, we virtually visited the North Pole to learn about reindeer, noting their strength, speed, and adaptations such as hooves for walking in the snow and thick fur for warmth. The students enjoyed drawing reindeer and comparing them to horses, particularly in relation to holiday traditions in Europe and Iceland. 

November Recap

In November, we explored many wonderful places in our beautiful county. Our trip began with a visit to Yosemite National Park, where we were amazed by the enormous Sequoias, some of which are estimated to be over 3,000 years old. The tallest tree stands at an impressive 267 feet and has a circumference of 107.6 feet. Next, we traveled to San Francisco, where we crossed the impressive—yet somewhat intimidating—Golden Gate Bridge. Built between 1933 and 1937, this bridge spans 1.7 miles, a remarkable achievement for its time. 

 Our journey continued to Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. The children were amazed by the height of the monument, which features the faces of four U.S. Presidents, including the first, George Washington. During our visit, we also learned about Native Americans, who are an important part of our history. For our art project, we focused on "Birds of Prey." Each child chose a bird to study and color. In math, we worked on understanding the U.S. by adding up all our states. Additionally, we read Raptors of the Skies by Coloring World. The virtue books we read this month were You Are Enough and You Are Loved by Margaret O'Hair. 

October Recap

Autumn is upon us; we are all looking forward to cooler days. 

We took a trip into Space travel, we traveled on the first spacecraft to the moon, it was dark and cold. Our next adventure was a visit to a space station where we met two astronauts, Butcher Wilford and Suni Williams. 

The best thing we saw on our space journey was the Milky Way and the thousands of stars. 

Next onto visiting the many landmarks in North American. First stop Niagara Falls, where we were amazed by the size of the falls. The children created maps with country names and animals as well as flags.

We continued with our monthly books focusing on giving and caring for those around us 

Be You by Peter H Reynolds and When I grow up by Tim Minchin’s

We concluded October lessons on the elements which were Solids/ Liquids/ Gas.

Heading towards the end of the month was full of excitement with our upcoming 

celebration. 

The children enjoyed the costume parade followed by a party and filling their trick ‘treat bags. This was the highlight of the month for the children who could not wait to show off their costumes. 

September Recap

Welcome to the new school year! A warm welcome to all my new students. We started by exploring our identities and family backgrounds. To go along with our monthly theme of All About Me we read the books I am Me and I am Love by Susan Verde. We challenged ourselves by drawing self-portraits, which was a challenge, however, the children were extremely focused. They also choose a friend and drew a portrait of each other.

In our classroom, we highly emphasize caring for ourselves and our surroundings. We have daily tasks to complete, and we take this responsibility seriously. During our circle time, we continue learning sign language, including spelling our names and new vocabulary words. We have also focused on geography, naming the seven continents, oceans, and seas. We travel extensively across the continents and will explore each one in more detail throughout the year. 

Summer 2024 Recap

As summer has come to an end and we move forward into the new school year with great anticipation. We look forward to new adventures and making new friends. In our last summer month, we ventured on a sea trip, exploring the ocean and its many strange and mysterious creatures. Outer space was exciting, we each got a planet to visit and were happy to be home and go on our camping adventure. 

The children enjoyed the fun summer program activities, like our waterslide and bubble days. They were able to see a reptile and puppet show. The foam party was the best part of the summer fun. In the last week the children participated in the fun of spirit week. They had the opportunity to enjoy their last days with the friends who were moving on to new schools and new adventures. We exchange pictures, notes, gifts and lots of hugs.