Greetings from the Rainbow Room!
Our school year is off to a great start. The children are settling into the classroom routines nicely, and their excitement and eagerness in the classroom is palpable. We are on the path to “normalization,” which in a Montessori classroom refers to the focus, concentration, and independence exhibited by the children. It has been wonderful to see smiles at drop-off and happy workers throughout the day. Our classroom is already bustling with activity as new and returning children learn new lessons and practice what they already know on our shelves.
If you were unable to attend parent’s night, please pick up a copy of our Rainbow Room Information Packet and various handouts sometime during drop-off or pick-up. There is updated information about our classroom practices and also some Montessori terminology for those new to the program. The handouts will be located on the shelf by the hot lunch tray. There will also be sign-up sheets for volunteer opportunities, including fish feeders, plant waterers, and library book runners on the announcements bulletin board in the sunroom. Thank you to those of you who have already signed up!
If you are interested in reading more about the Montessori method, there are reference books on the Parent Corner shelf in the sunroom that you are welcome to borrow! There are also a couple of copies of Montessori Madness by Trevor Eisler that you may take and keep for yourself if you would like it. I highly recommend it!
With these warm summer days lingering, we have been enjoying our time outside. Ms. Leah and Ms. Teresa have been taking children on daily nature walks around the grounds. The children are getting to know our barnyard animals, spending time at the creek, and enjoying the fall weather.
For our whole group lessons (circle time), we have been practicing many Grace and Courtesy Lessons – how to unroll and roll a rug, how to observe a child work, how to get a teacher’s attention respectfully, how to say excuse me, and saying please and thank you. We’ve also been singing lots of new songs, practicing mindful breathing and quiet listening, and getting to know all of our friends in the classroom. This month we will be celebrating International Day of Peace, which is a tradition in many Montessori schools. We will be learning about Maria Montessori, our place in the world, and how each of us can be a peacekeeper in our communities. We will also be practicing peaceful problem solving skills and what it means to be kind and responsible for ourselves.
A few reminders to help the school day run smoothly:
Please sign your child in and out every day. Thank you!
Please put your child’s name on everything! Water bottles, snacks, lunch boxes, jackets, etc.
Please have your child bring their morning snack and water bottle right into the classroom with them. We do not have a designated afternoon snack time, however if they are very hungry, your child may eat leftover lunch/morning snack when we go outside at 3 pm. The orange bucket in the refrigerator is for children who stay for the After Care program, so please have your child bring their After Care snack in with them as well if they are staying late.
Please send a water bottle with your child every day! You can leave one at school if you’d like, and we will send it home at the end of the week to be washed.
Please always feel free to email or call with any questions. We are having a great time getting to know your wonderful children, and are lucky to have such a wonderful, kind, and dynamic group of Rainbow friends and families this year!
With Gratitude,
Victoria, Leah, and Teresa
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