January brings a New Year and hopefully 2020 will bring us some cheer! January brings a chill in the air, that’s the reason we bundle up with care.

The outdoor classroom never sleeps.  Students notice the unnoticeable. They are Mother Nature’s greatest eyes and ears.  A watchful eye is always needed this time of year. 

Our children have been enjoying painting snow on pine cones and hanging them in our trees.  So much fun for everyone to see!

One of the biggest and ever evolving lessons in the outdoor classroom, is to teach students respect for themselves and for others.  This is facilitated by acknowledging children’s strong emotions and modeling how to solve problems. Also, emphasis and attention is placed on supporting student’s creativity and providing them with opportunities for free expression.

New delights and opportunities await each time children venture outdoors!!

Remember,

Learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val

Wonderful December

A big thanks to all of our FMS families for choosing the Montessori pathway, and for giving us the opportunity to teach such wonderful and inquisitive children.  This is the time of year to remember the gift of time with your children is the best gift of all. We cherish each and every one of them.

We are so fortunate to have three weekly volunteers who contribute their love, attention, and humor to the experience in the outdoor classroom.  Ms. Barbara, Ms. Mary and Ms. Jennie visit weekly and provide opportunities for the children to have conversations, interactions, and often undivided attention.  We are so grateful for their generous contributions to the outdoor classroom.

Enjoying a tea party with Ms. Barbara.

While winter break is approaching and it is always refreshing to have unstructured time, we also look forward to the new year and the new opportunities it provides.  Remember, whether far or near, Ms. Val wishes you a very good new year!

Remember, learning is endless…

Love,

Ms. Val

November is the time for remembering to be thankful for the bounty we have in our lives.

We are forever grateful for our friends, our families, and all the things that sustain our daily lives.

We are especially grateful for our children!  We spend so much of our time teaching them, but the real lesson is letting them be teachers.

Come on my journey in the outdoor world.

Let’s learn together from the real teachers in our lives.

Happy Thanksgiving to all our FMS families.  Please make memories to keep in your hearts forever!  

Remember learning is endless…

Love,

Ms. Val

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