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

March Gladness

March’s magnificent magic reminds us that spring is in the air.  Our children have been busy planting with care.

Every primary student transplanted a flowering plant from the nursery container to a new pot.  Take a look in our greenhouse to see the color and fullness of the new plantings.

Our outdoor classroom has a new security team to keep a watchful eye on our greenhouse.  The lady bugs have checked in, escorted by three egg cases of preying mantis.

Their collective jobs will be to keep those harmful insects away from our plants.  Ladybugs love to eat aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, thrips, and other soft bodied insects who see our plants as “lunch.”  1,500 ladybugs have been released by the children to keep the insect population in check.

Our three preying mantis egg cases will be hatching 50-200 preying mantis’ soon. Through the introduction of these insects, we are showing the children how nature balances itself among the insects and how we can grow our garden without the use of harmful chemicals.  We are doing it the organic way!

Take a look at our blooming artists as they are painting what they see; the beautiful display of color and texture in the flowers of the tree.

“Loose parts” is an educational initiative which provides students with a collection of items that can be used to freely build and create without an end product as the goal.  It encourages collaborative communication and socialization among students as they work together. We are experimenting with “loose parts” in the outdoor classroom with very positive results.

Thank you to our families for choosing a Montessori education for your children. Knowledge is power and learning together is so rewarding.

Remember, Learning is Endless…

Love,

Ms. Val

A cold start for our warm hearts.  Our children are always finding joy in the simple things that make our great adventure outside so much fun.  

Looking at ice crystals.

Take a look at our “nature bracelets.” Starting with a “bracelet” of masking tape, the children created their own look by decorating them with leaves and flowers they found in the outdoor classroom.

Pretend campfires help the students stay warm.  Telling stories helps our imaginations stay strong.

Nature surprises us with a hummingbird that lives in the outdoor classroom, but we don’t know where.  We try to be outdoor detectives and find out where it’s nest is. So far, it has eluded us. We will keep looking.

Can you find the hummingbird?

Valentine’s Day was heartfelt, as well.  Always time to say “we care” to the ones we love.

Sandscapes…mirroring the Oceans lessons going on inside the classroom, students were able to get their hands into sand and water to create their own version of an ocean environment.  Fish, gems, shells, and river rocks were the materials used to bring this project to life.

Moving and learning in the outdoor classroom is extra special with friends from all of our Primary classrooms.

Doing Tree Pose together.

Sometimes sitting quietly with a good book is all we need.

Remember:  learning is endless.

Love,

Ms. Val