October is full of fun!

Fall is here and our new plantings in the greenhouse have changed and grown during the last month.  Just like September’s roots have taken hold in our greenhouse, our students have also found their roots and are flourishing in our outdoor environment.

Students have grown comfortable using the works and being immersed in the natural beauty and creativity of this special environment.

Movement is one of the most important aspects of a young child’s life. Our Montessori environment understands and incorporates movement daily.  Movement helps children develop emotionally and socially as they have ample opportunity to interact with their peers using a variety of materials.

Their well being can be greatly enhanced when given the opportunity to move.  In the outdoor classroom, motor activities with peers help influence friendships providing opportunities for conversations, for sharing materials and for developing patience when waiting to use a particular work.  Dr. Maria Montessori’s studies have shown a child’s mind develops more fully when physical movement is incorporated into the daily school structure.

October’s arts and crafts are always a very busy part of our day and month.

Our Ms. Jennie carved a pumpkin and it was so much fun for the children to experience.

Our weather has quickly changed and it seems that cooler temperatures are here to stay.  With cooler mornings and warmer afternoons, please dress your child in layers. A jacket or sweater is now needed for morning work in the outdoor classroom. Please be sure to label your child’s name in all of their belongings. When a child is comfortable, it is easier for them to concentrate.  Please set them up for success.

Remember, learning is endless!

Love,

Ms. Val

Spectacular September!

Our students are having so much fun using their imaginations.  We have structured the work space to include a cafe where the children serve a fine assortment of “food,”

a veterinarian’s office complete with a stethoscope and a thermometer,

a campground equipped with a pretend fire pit, a puppet theater filled with hand puppets, and a nursery for taking care of babies.

 The outdoor environment is the perfect place for our budding entrepreneurs to explore different future career paths!

Enjoying a tea party with Ms. Barbara.

Imaginary play is so useful for practicing communication and language skills, including the development of rich vocabulary, turn taking, and learning how to share materials. We have seen over the years, children who have been immersed in environments which celebrate discovery often become adults that do the same.

September is the month when we study apples. You can imagine the impact on our students when they were able to pick their own apples from the tree in the outdoor classroom and taste how sweet and crunchy they were!

Gardening has begun!  All primary students will be planting seeds with Ms. Val, and each pot will have a home in the greenhouse where students will be able to observe how the seeds transform into seedlings and then into plants.

 Gardening can be tremendously beneficial in helping children burn off extra energy, and guiding them to channel their impulses to helping other living things.  Research suggests getting up close and personal with dirt (soil) can improve children’s mental and physical health, as it helps develop their immune systems and inspires children to eat more fruits and vegetables.  What’s not to like?

Reading to Ms. Mary.

Remember,

Learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val

Welcome to the outdoor classroom!

Dr. Maria Montessori had a vision that emphasized the importance of the prepared environment, and the role of the teacher guiding and directing students in the process of using and handling materials.

The outdoor classroom comes naturally ready to spark the imagination of our students with the trees, plants, and insects which make that space their home.

Can you find the hummingbird?

 Following the primary curriculum, many jobs in the outside classroom mirror the monthly themes used inside the classrooms.  Mirroring the primary classroom, the outdoor learning environment offers children opportunities of choosing work, using materials, and then returning work to their specific shelf.

This is where the adventure of learning begins!

In the outdoor classroom, we encourage creativity, as well as artistic values and imagination. These are the tools for producing life-long learners.

We have a greenhouse which will flourish before our very eyes.  Students will become back yard detectives, solving nature’s mysteries and secrets.  Their final analysis will be fascinating as they follow their interests.  

Our goal is for the children to enjoy all that nature has to offer them and to instill a curiosity for learning.

We look forward to a very productive year!

Remember, learning is endless!

Love,

Ms. Val

Flourishing May

Our children have successfully flourished in the outdoor environment throughout the course of this school year.

Our journey has been brimming with endless opportunities to explore, create, and learn.  Following the way of nature, we have planted our roots, watered and cared for the growth of ourselves, and have made friendships in the process which has brought color and variety to our daily interactions.

These friendships have taught us how to be confident where we stand and to learn how to appreciate others’ perspectives.

Nature was our mentor and guide in life’s lessons.  

Developing independence is the highest goal for the Montessori child, and working in the outdoor classroom with the multitude of jobs reflecting the natural world and working with the variety of friends has done just that.  What a treasure it has been to help our students with this vital goal!!

Wishing all of our FMS families a wonderful, joyous summer journey through the eyes and lives of your children.

Please remember…learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val

Springing into April brings the cycle of life suddenly before your eyes!  Observation is an extremely vital element in enjoying the work and activities in the outdoor classroom.

Our outdoor detectives have eagerly been waiting for the praying mantis egg casings to hatch (nothing yet). We will keep you posted!!

Our detectives did find some caterpillars and a grasshopper.  Life is all around us, and if we keep our eyes open, we will be treated to the wonder and beauty of the natural world.

Our green house is flourishing with beautiful flowers.  The children are becoming master gardeners before our eyes.

Creativity and original thinking are especially vital in our outdoor classroom.  It is crucial for children to know we appreciate them, care about them, and believe in them.  This is a key perspective embraced in the outdoor environment and one that contributes to the richness of the student’s experiences and the depth of their enjoyment in this special space.

Please remember to empower children with opportunities for choice, mastery of tasks, and skills leading them to embrace responsibility and independence.

Remember, learning is endless…

Love,

Ms. Val