April seems to be aware that spring is in the air. The vegetables and fruits which the children planted with care are finally beginning to bare.

Observation is an extremely vital element this month. Our outdoor detectives have witnessed the hatching of Praying Mantis in our green house. Praying Mantis are beautiful insects that have a huge appetite. They help to control insects pests in an organic way. Praying Mantis are strictly carnivorous and feed on almost any insect that they can over come.

I attached two egg cases in our green house above some plants. When hatching occurs, the babies will crawl out through tiny flaps in the egg case and suspend themselves from silky threads. After a few hours, the long legged young will dry out and disperse, leaving little to no evidence of their appearance.

(Protection and Security at it’s finest)

Our children were amazed at the quantity of Praying Mantis that each casing produced!

The nature of life is a fascinating journey for our children each day. Take the time to ask questions about their outdoor experiences, you will be amazed about how much they know!

Our outside environment is perfect for voluntary works, enjoyment, problem solving, creativity, language skills, and physical skills. Play that links sensory-motor and social experiences provides an ideal setting for brain development. 

Remember learning is endless!

Love Ms. Val

March always has one foot in winter and one foot in spring. This month has had a little bit of both. Spring is almost here and the blooming flowers make us want to cheer!! Take a look at our blooming artists painting what they see, beautiful flowers in the trees. 

We make time every day for our outdoor projects. The children adapt well when painting and coloring outside. Their creativity comes alive and they become independent thinkers and dreamers which helps them come alive on paper. 

Our children have been very busy with Ms. Jennie brushing flour and water on our pinecones and rolling them in birdseed to explore their creativity. So much fun for them to enjoy!

Our outdoor classroom has a new security team to keep a watchful eye on our fruits and vegetables in the greenhouse. Who may they be? The ladybugs have checked in escorted by two egg cases of preying mantis. Their job will be to keep those harmful insects away from our plants and vegetables. Ladybugs love to eat aphids, mealie bugs, spider mites, thrips, and other soft body insects that are harmful to our plants and vegetables. 1500 ladybugs have been released to control our insects.

Two preying mantis egg cases have been placed in our greenhouse. Each egg casing contains 50-200 preying mantis. This is done to help our garden grow without the use of harmful chemicals.

THE ORGANIC WAY!!!

Nature’s true circle of life. The ladybugs and preying mantis are officially on guard duty.

Parents can improve a child’s chance of success by fostering a strong relationship that enhances confidence, independence, curiosity, motivation, persistence, self control, cooperation, empathy, and the ability to communicate. With this in mind, enjoy your spring break and make many memories with your children!

Remember, learning is endless! 

Love, Ms. Val

Wow, wow, wow…February has been very heartfelt! Our children have the true spirit of kindness and compassion for one another.

Our plants are growing, our trees are budding, and the birds are singing. With this in mind, take the time and make the effort to point out and pay attention to the minor details and wonders within a child’s world. 

When the children come out to join me in our outside environment, my job is to pause and remember that childhood interaction is a very intellectual activity, overflowing with opportunities for problem solving and creativity. Keeping this in mind gives our children a life-long understanding of being mindful of what is around all of us.

“Only through freedom and environmental experience is it practically possible for human development to occur.” ~Maria Montessori

Remember…learning is endless!

Love, Ms. Val

With January here, we embrace a new year so let’s give a cheer for 2018! January brings chill in the air, that’s the reason we buddle up with care.

The outdoor classroom never sleeps so now is the time to really have fun, our second round of planting has begun! We are seeding our garden with much care, which will help us in the new year.

The eggplants, tomatoes, and peppers are a must because when spring arrives, it will give us so much!

The children notice the unnoticeable, they are Mother Nature’s greatest eyes and ears. A watchful eye is always needed this time of year.

Imagination is still the key to our outdoor classroom!

Wishing all of our FMS families a very Happy New Year!

Remember…learning is endless!

Love, Ms. Val 

Winter is almost here! With this in mind, I would like to start off with a reminder… Our outdoor classroom is open every morning which can be very chilly. The thermometer has reached  as low as 30 degrees. Please send a jacket or sweater with your child, as students will not enjoy being outside if they are cold! Let’s set them up for success!

Maria Montessori states that education is not something which a teacher does, but that it is a natural process which develops spontaneously in the human being. It’s not acquired by listening to words, but in virtue of experience in which the child acts in their environment. Here are our children enjoying everything around them.

Look at our children taking care of nature.

December is the time of year when people think of giving gifts. Our school has the best gifts of all which are retired teachers! FMS grandparents have given the gift of their time, patience, and love on a weekly basis.

G – Great

I – Inspirational

F – Fun

T – Teachers

S – Special

These three spectacular ladies are:

Ms. Barbara, Ms. Jennie and Ms. Mary

These three ladies are always showing us the true meaning of what the holidays are all about now and throughout the year!

Wishing all our FMS families love, peace, and joy this holiday season!

Love, Ms. Val

Remember learning is endless!

Make memories this winter break!!