September 2023
Peek Inside our Children’s House Community
BOBCAT
Hello Bobcat Families,
Fall has arrived and there weather is starting to feel so good already. It really makes a huge difference a couple of degrees down. This last week, the children enjoy having recess time outside. You can see in their faces how happy they are to run around, ride the bikes, play in the house, etc.
Last month, Ms. Laura, our gardening specialist, has been visiting us every week. The children have learned how to grow plants from seeds. Children learned that seedlings need a lot of light, water, and nutrients. For almost 3 weeks, the children have been taking care of the seeds and were so excited when they began to germinate. During these 3 weeks, children prep the outdoor beds. They harvested some carrots and radishes. We tried some and were very tasty. We decided to make a carrot cake next week. Children also removed some weeds and added new soiled to the gardening beds. We planted tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, carrots, radishes, and beets.
At Creo school and around the world, Montessori schools celebrate The International Peace Day by gathering together and singing for peace. Creo School joined last Wednesday, with babies through Upper Elementary children. We gathered at the gym to sing “Light a Candle for Peace” by Shelley Murley and “Paz Como un Rio” by Elizabeth Mitchell as a whole school. It was a beautiful celebration.
“We shall walk together on this path of life, for all things are part of the universe and are connected with each other to form one whole unity” Dr. Maria Montessori.
Wishing you a peaceful fall,
Ms. Hany and Ms. Joselyne.
CACTUS WREN
Dear Cactus Wren Families,
Happy September and the start of the Autumn season, though the weather has not quite caught up to the times yet! It has been an exciting month in Cactus Wren. The children had a lovely Peace Day celebration and enjoyed sharing ideas with one another on ways to foster peace in the world. Ideas ranged from tidying works for others to use, helping insects return to their homes outside, and saying good morning to each other at the start of the day.
With the weather in the morning being cool, outdoor works such as yoga and learning about the plant life cycle in the garden have been favorites. The children have also been exploring various environments and the insects that inhabit these places. Our older children have been writing stories about butterflies and moths, and the younger children in the class have been learning about the life cycle of a butterfly. Ms. Tania has also been singing with the students a class favorite, Mariposita. This beautiful song is about a little butterfly and is an amazing way to learn and remember Spanish vocabulary. Below is a link for your family to enjoy the song and sing together at home!
https://youtu.be/QRa9On5_grA
Thank you, families, for all that you do and sharing your children with us! We are excited to see what October brings!
Warmly,
Ms. Laura and Ms. Tania
GRAY FOX
Hello Gray Fox Families,
It's that time of the year again when we come together to celebrate and reflect on the wonderful experiences in the Gray Fox classroom. September brought with it some exciting moments, and we are thrilled to share them with you.
Peace Day Celebration: Just like every year, we marked the International Day of Peace with enthusiasm and joy. Our young ones delighted everyone with their heartwarming performances during a school-wide assembly. If you've been hearing our peace songs at home and would like to continue the harmony, here are the songs we sang:
"Paz Como Un Rio"
"Peace Like a River"
"Light a Candle for Peace"
You can find these songs on YouTube, and it can be a fun family activity to sing along together. Our commitment to peace education remains strong, and we've been exploring what peace means, both within our classroom and in the world around us. Grace and Courtesy lessons have been an integral part of this journey, teaching our children the importance of kindness, consideration, and respect in their interactions with others.
One of the highlights of September was celebrating the birthdays of four of our dear friends in the classroom. The joy and excitement on their faces were contagious, reminding us all of the importance of celebrating milestones and special moments. I hope to continue creating wonderful memories with more birthday celebrations in the future.
As the summer transitions into autumn slowly, you may have noticed a slight drop in temperatures. This change provides a wonderful opportunity for exploring new seasonal foods and engaging your child in the kitchen. Cooking together can be a fantastic way to bond as a family and encourage your child's curiosity and independence. Exploring new places, hiking trails, and camping under the stars can create unforgettable memories and provide a unique learning experience for your child. If you ever want to share your own seasonal recipes or ideas, please feel free to reach out.
Thank you for being a part of our Gray Fox community. I look forward to another month of growth, learning, and making beautiful memories together.
Warm regards,
Ms. Rama and Ms. Rocio
JACKRABBIT
Hello Jackrabbit Families,
This past month we celebrated Peace Day. It was a very heart warming celebration as the entire school gathered together to sing. If you would like to sing at home with your family, here are the names of the songs that the children sang during Peace Day. You can easily find them in apple tunes or you tube.
-“Paz Como un Rio”
By Elizabeth Mitchell, Suni Paz
- “Peace Like a River”
By Elizabeth Mitchell
-“Light a Candle for Peace”
By Shelley Murley
We also celebrated Dr. Maria’s Montessori 153rd birthday by hosting a Sun Celebration in her honor. The children sang happy birthday and we read a book about her life. The children enjoyed learning about her.
It is lovely to observe how the older children are stepping as leaders and are taking the younger children under their wings. They are so kind and warm to each other. What a lovely community!
The children have been baking Banana Bread, here is the recipe if you would like to bake at home with your child.
Banana Bread
Ingredients:
-2 Ripe bananas, peeled
-1/3 cup melted butter
-1/4 teaspoon baking soda
-1/2 teaspoon baking powder
-1 pinch of salt
-1/2 cup of sugar
-1 egg, beaten
-1 teaspoon vanilla extract
-1 ½ all-purpose flour
In a mixing bowl, mash the ripe bananas with a fork until completely smooth. Stir the melted butter into the smashed bananas.
Mix in the baking soda and baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in the sugar, beaten egg, and vanilla extract. Mix in the flour.
Pour the batter into a greased loaf pan. Bake for 30 min at 350F.
Remove from the oven and let cool on the pan for a few minutes. Then remove the banana bread from the pan and let cool completely before serving.
Note:
Every Friday, we have “Show and Share”, it is optional. We ask you to please not send books based on fantasy, instead perhaps your child can bring a non-fiction book. It needs to be something meaningful to them, for example, a cultural object from a vacation from another state or country.
Thank you Jackrabbit families for your support! We feel thankful to be part of your child’s Montessori journey.
Kindly,
Ms. Yadira and Ms. Karen
