November 2025
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
As Summer gently made way for Autumn, our senses have awakened by the crisp air and the earthy scent of falling leaves. This seasonal shift brings with it new opportunities for learning, exploration, and connection.
In our outdoor environment, Ms. Laura is thoughtfully guiding the children as they care for and beautify the garden spaces. These hands-on experiences are deepening their understanding of Biology, allowing them to see, feel, and nurture the living world around them.
Indoors, the classroom is alive with purposeful activity. The children are engaging in a rich variety of work—yoga, baking, cooking, research projects, and even creative expression through theater and cultural celebration. With Ms. Carmen's guidance, the children created a special altar in observance of Día de los Muertos, baked bread, and had a presentation about the meaning of this holiday.
We are deeply grateful for the enthusiastic support of our parent community during the recent fundraising auction. What a joyful evening it was— with a playful nod to the Prohibition era, our fundraiser invites the community to come together in a spirit of joyful collaboration, reminding us that shared experiences help nurture connection and purpose.
We finished the month with our annual Stone Soup celebration. The children came together with their own contributions to create meaningful memories that will nourish their sense of belonging and remind them that every individual adds richness to our classroom family.
As we look ahead to the holiday season, we hold space for the joy, wonder, and meaningful work that continues to unfold. May this season be full of treasured moments with your loved ones.
"Education cannot be effective unless it helps a child open himself to life."
—Maria Montessori
Warmly,
Ms. Rebeca & Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Dear Coyote Parents and Families,
Throughout November, the students have received many new lessons and have begun learning the Great Stories of Cosmic Education. We were grateful to welcome guests like Ms. Bonnie into the classroom, and Ms. Rebeca pulling students into her classroom, to help bring these stories to life. These lessons have sparked so much curiosity and inspired many thoughtful conversations among the children.
Ms. Samantha returned to the classroom this month and has been excited to offer fresh lessons and spend meaningful time with the students. It has been wonderful to reconnect and continue guiding their learning as they grow more confident and independent each day.
In addition, the students have begun exploring research work. As part of this process, they are learning how to present their findings to their peers, and many have already started sharing their work. Our second and third year students also had the special opportunity to visit Upper Elementary to observe their Country Research Project presentations. This experience gave our older students a glimpse of how research will continue to evolve throughout their time at Creo.
We also began discussing nutrition and the ways the foods we choose support our bodies. The children have enjoyed reading Stone Soup and learning about the tradition of sharing meals as a community. They were very excited to celebrate by preparing and sharing their own Stone Soup meal together. We talked about how people throughout history have gathered around food, and how special it is to share that experience with others.
As you enter your holiday season, I hope you enjoy your time together and find moments to gather with friends and family. Thank you for your continued support and for sharing your children with us each day.
Warmly,
Ms. Samantha and Ms. Maria
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Families,
We’ve had a wonderfully full and productive few weeks in the classroom, and we are excited to share some highlights from each area of study. The children have been diving deeply into their work, collaborating with peers, and strengthening both their academic and independence skills.
Mathematics
In math, students have been exploring a range of concepts through hands-on lessons and independent practice.
Daily Test Questions: These short warm-ups are helping students strengthen their ability to interpret mathematical language and apply it accurately.
Geometry & Measurement: We’ve been studying circumference, connecting formulas to meaningful, concrete experiences.
Fractions & Decimals: Students have been practicing operations with both, building confidence as they move between representations.
Fact Fluency: Many children are working to strengthen their multiplication facts, which supports success in all higher-level math work.
Area & Volume: Through manipulatives and real-world problems, students are exploring how these concepts relate and differ.
Language
Language work has been lively and creative.
Reading Groups: Students are journaling chapter summaries, learning to capture main ideas and articulate their thinking.
55-Word Stories: This challenge has been a favorite—students are learning how much meaning can be conveyed with concise, precise writing.
Grammar Work: Using the Montessori grammar symbols, children are identifying parts of speech and using this knowledge to strengthen their writing.
Sentence Structure: We’re focusing on spotting and correcting fragments and run-ons, helping students improve clarity and flow.
Science
Our science studies have been full of curiosity and hands-on discovery.
Moon Phases: Students modeled the lunar cycle using Oreo cookies, a deliciously engaging way to visualize each phase.
Scientific Method: We completed a classroom experiment where children formed hypotheses, observed results, and reflected on their findings.
Ecosystems: Students created charts identifying producers, consumers, and decomposers, deepening their understanding of interconnected systems.
Music & Art
In art, students created pieces inspired by Pablo Picasso, exploring abstraction, color, and shape.
Many students are beginning to crochet or knit, using either their hands or a loom—wonderful work for fine motor development and concentration.
In music, we enjoyed learning about the Jarabe Mexico band and exploring its cultural significance.
History & Geography
A heartfelt thank you to all who attended the country research presentations. The students worked incredibly hard, and the event was a great success!
We are now studying explorers of the 1500s, and students are creating booklets to document the lives and journeys of these historical figures.
In geography, students are practicing and memorizing the 50 states, often turning it into a collaborative challenge.
Capstone Projects (6th Grade)
Our sixth graders have submitted their research project proposals and have begun practicing how to paraphrase information to avoid plagiarism. They are now moving into deeper research through structured note-taking, building the foundation for thoughtful and original final projects.
Thank you for your continued support and partnership. It is a joy to watch your children grow in independence, curiosity, and confidence each day.
Warmly,
Ms. Emily and Ms. Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dear Roadrunner Families,
We are excited to share the wonderful experiences our students have been engaging in. The classroom has been busy with new works. We are thrilled to have Ms. Lauren (and baby Harmony!) back in the classroom; she has been missed!
In our science exploration, we delved into the fascinating phases of the moon. To help visualize this concept, we used Oreo cookies. Each child carefully twisted apart the cookies to reveal the cream and shaped it to represent the different phases of the moon: new moon, crescent, first quarter, gibbous, and full moon. This hands-on activity helped students grasp the changes in the moon's appearance over the course of a month. And, of course, they got to enjoy a delicious snack while learning (so did the teachers!)
Our country research studies have been a big hit this month! Students have been working on research projects where they chose a country to learn about, focusing on its culture, geography, history, and traditions. The children then presented their findings to the class, lower elementary and parents. From exploring landmarks to discovering local foods and customs, it’s been a wonderful way for the children to learn about the diverse world around them. It’s also been a great exercise in public speaking and building confidence in sharing knowledge with others.
Science is all about trial and error, and this month we had a "failed" experiment that turned into an important learning experience. We were attempting to create tie dye with milk, dish soap, and food coloring, but unfortunately, it failed. While this was a bit of a disappointment, the children were not deterred. We discussed why the experiment didn't work, how we could improve it next time, and the importance of perseverance in science. This turned into an opportunity for the children to practice critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience—skills we value just as much as success!
This month, our garden yielded a lovely harvest of sweet potatoes (thank you, Ms. Laura!) Some children enjoyed digging up the potatoes, learning about where food comes from, and discussing the various ways we can prepare them. To add to the fun, we used sweet potato leaves to make crispy chips (again, thank you, Ms. Laura!) After washing and seasoning the leaves, we baked them into a crunchy snack. It was an excellent way to tie in lessons on nutrition, the environment, and the farm-to-table process. The children were amazed at how delicious the leaves turned out and even more excited to share them with their peers!
One of the most exciting activities this month was the owl pellet dissection. Each group received an owl pellet to carefully dissect, discovering the bones of small animals that owls have eaten. The students identified the bones and learned about the owl’s digestive process and food chain. This activity sparked some fascinating conversations about ecosystems, predators, and prey, and it’s been one of the highlights of the month. The children loved this hands-on learning experience, and it gave them an even deeper appreciation for the natural world.
A special thanks to the Roadrunner community for the warm welcome I was given as my time as the long-term substitute. I will always value the time I had with them and the lessons they taught me; they're truly a great group of kids.
Warmly,
Ms. Catie and Ms. Juany
