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!!  

The month of November always teaches us the lesson of giving, sharing and caring. Being kind in our school is a priority. Our outdoor classroom teaches these three things on a daily basis. I try to instill in our children the simple lessons of nature, and the importance of respecting everyone and everything around them.

Let’s Take a look…

Learning that our seeds have finally grown, teaches the children to find them a new home, so planting and transplanting from old to new gives the children something great to do!

Our imaginary café is still open for business! The lines are long so we added a new position to help seat people. Our Host and Hostess provide excellent customer service. One of our hosts asked, “Would you like a table with a view?” The things children say!! We also have a chef’s jacket and hat (optional attire) for our imaginary café. Our children are also learning how to be entrepreneurs and bankers.

Another popular destination is our Veterinarian Office (optional attire). Here is where the magic happens, our young doctors are busy caring for our puppy. Our doctors check heart beats, administer medicine, clean and wrap wounds and check blood pressure.

Ms. Jennie surprised our outdoor classroom with a generous jumbo roadway activity rug, with vehicles and town pieces. Our children’s architectural imaginations have been creating amazing designs that lead into a new journey and a different town everyday.

Thank you so much Ms. Jennie for allowing our journey to begin!!

Our children radiate happiness … lets be thankful for all we have and to teach them to be thankful for all they have.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our FMS families.

Remember, learning is endless!!

Love,

Ms. Val   

October has shown us that we as a community are stronger then ever. I would like to take the time to thank our first responders, citizens, and volunteers for their efforts in making our community safer.

Our FMS family is not alone when it comes to volunteering. I have two special grandparents I would like to acknowledge for their ambitious desire to assist our children on a weekly basis. These two great people are Ms. Barbara and Ms. Jennie. Thank you ladies for your time and effort, the children love when you join us. This kindness is the foundation in making our world more enjoyable and comforting.

October

Let’s take a look at our progress from the plantings of September!

September roots have taken hold in our green house. Our children have also found their roots and are flourishing in our outdoor environment. They have found their footing and have grown in comfort.

Our imagination café is now open for business, what a hit this has been! Our café not only creates great business ideas, but allows the children to thrive while exploring finance and their imagination.

Speaking of imagination, Ms. Erica’s class visited our outdoor classroom and put their imagination to work. Look what they created by using what mother nature had to offer.

We have also had some fun pumpkin carving!

Outside I have many activities including painting, Legos, and wooden blocks (may look easy to us).

Here children spend time:

Designing

Balancing

Measuring

Engineering

Architectural feats for children.

Our weather has slowly been changing, with this in mind, please provide your child with a jacket or a sweater. Our mornings are colder and our afternoons are warming; therefore, please dress your children in layers. When a child is uncomfortable, it becomes difficult for them to concentrate. Set them up for success!

Remember learning is endless,

Love Ms. Val

P.S. we will have a lot to be thankful for in November, make sure you visit! 

The children have had a super, spectacular sunny start!!

(Say that three times fast)

First, our friend Xaiver and his family gave us a play sink that his dad built and can you believe there has been a line to use it?! Imagination is the lesson here.

Imagination is the key to knowledge, without it, where would our scientists, inventors, painters and creators be?

Albert Einstein quoted…

“Imagination is more important then knowledge.”

Creativity and imagination are the keys to producing life long learners.

Fact:

The brain is activated when the whole body is used. Movement is important for learning, as Dr. Maria Montessori knew. Children grow from the neck down and from the trunk out, which means large gross motor muscles of arms and legs need to be developed and strengthened before fine motor muscles of hands and fingers develop. Large movements must come before small motor skills like holding a pencil, tying shoes, zippering, buttoning and snapping.

Dr. Maria Montessori’s studies have shown that a child’s mind develops as a result of physical movement. 97% of learning takes place from the neck down, this is why Montessori is so important for children of this age. Our outdoor classroom gives them the opportunity to move and make good choices. When the children are interested and involved, learning is endless.

Our children have also started to garden. Gardening can be tremendously beneficial. Scientific research suggests that getting up close and personal with soil can improve children’s mental and physical health. Gardening can help children burn off extra energy and control their impulses, develop strong immune systems, and willingly consume more fruits and vegetables! What’s not to like?

Remember, learning is endless!

Love Ms. Val

P.S. Join us next month to watch us grow!