September 2023
Peek Inside Lower Elementary
BLACK BEAR
Dear Black Bear Families,
Another month gone by filled with learning and fun!
The children are adjusting well to the new routines and guidelines. The Second Plane child is blossoming in our community!
Montessori called the entrance into this plane the birth of the social being. Children in the second plane exhibit a playful sense of humor, have internal order but often a messy external order, an intense need for social interaction, a strong need for movement, great imaginations, and strong desire for justice.
The Great Lessons continue to be a key part of the lesson plans, not only opening up the rest of the areas in the environment but also, reinforcing the idea of the role of human beings in the development of the world. We are looking forward to watching a play written and performed by a group of Black Bears about the early humans!
Peace education was so important to Maria Montessori in the development of her Method. On Peace day the entire Creō community lit candles and sang songs for world peace and we heard presentations and watched performances by the children about Peace Leaders from all over the world!
As we continue on our journey, we would like to express how grateful we are for your trust and your support!
Warmly,
Ms. Rebeca and Ms. Carmen
COYOTE
Happy almost Fall Break Coyote Parents and Family!
This month has been a whirlwind of hard work and lessons learned!
The children have fully gotten back into the rhythm of the work cycle and have been keeping very busy. We have had birthday presentations, research presentations and even one for nominating a class animal. As the children continue to finish research, projects and just sharing personal items about themselves, we continue to practice the grace and courtesy of being a presenter as well as an audience. This year for Peace Day we had a wonderful play on Maria Montessori, Hellen Keller, an original composition on the Tone Bars as well as a short introduction to the legend of the thousand paper cranes.
Together we have been practicing and revisiting materials as well as starting to memorize math facts, beautify work with their cursive and take the time to silent read.
Together we read the book Sadako and the thousand paper cranes.
Here is a short excerpt from the book;
“It's supposed to live for a thousand years. If a sick person folds one thousand paper cranes, the gods will grant her wish and make her healthy again.” She handed the crane to Sadako.
Sincerely,
Coyote Teachers
Peek Inside Upper Elementary
FALCON
Dear Falcon Parents,
I trust this message finds you well. As we welcome October, I am excited to provide you with an overview of the experiences and educational activities that have unfolded in our classroom over the past month.
Throughout September, the classroom was filled with creativity and curiosity as the children immersed themselves in a variety of engaging projects. One group engaged in the collaborative construction of a solar system entirely crafted from felt. Not only did this project enhance their understanding of the planets, but it also fostered teamwork and creativity.
Another group of children enthusiastically delved into a butterfly research, observing these delicate creatures, and meticulously documented their findings. This endeavor ignited a passion for understanding the life cycles and behaviors of butterflies, leaving a lasting impression on their minds.
September was a month of celebrations in our classroom, marked by two birthdays. Witnessing the radiant smiles on the faces of our September celebrants brought an extra layer of warmth and camaraderie to our learning environment.
Our classroom also embraced the values of love and appreciation as the children penned heartfelt letters to their grandparents, which they mailed out, fostering connections with their extended families and celebrating the importance of generational bonds.
Our classroom's cultural journey extended to the celebration of Mexican Independence Day. Together, we prepared a feast of tostadas and engaged in a bilingual presentation about the historical significance of this day. The children were not only enjoyed traditional Mexican food but also enriched their cultural awareness.
As part of our commitment to cultivating a peaceful and inclusive atmosphere, we came together as a school to celebrate International Peace Day. Through artistic expression, the children created an art piece inspired by the theme of peace, showcasing their creativity and deepening their understanding of the importance of harmony and unity. A group of children also prepared a brief play about the life of Martin Luther King Jr., and another child presented a research on the life of Mohandas Gandhi.
It is an honor to witness the dedication, curiosity, and enthusiasm that your children have exhibited throughout September. They continue to evolve as both learners and individuals, and it is a privilege to be a part of their educational journey.
As we transition into October, we look forward to more exciting learning opportunities and adventures.
Warm regards,
Ms. Ximena and Ms. Carla
ROADRUNNER
Dearest Roadrunner families,
Here we are near the end of our second month together and it feels like it has gone by so quickly! We are delighted to share some wonderful updates about the engaging activities and projects your children have been immersed in over the past month.
First and foremost, they have been involved in a variety of research projects exploring a wide range of fascinating topics. Their innate curiosity never ceases to amaze us, and we are excited to see the results of their hard work.
As you know, preparations for the upcoming auction have been underway and your children have been actively contributing their creativity to this exciting project. Their ideas and collaborative efforts promise to stand out at this year’s auction. We are grateful for our classroom parents who have put in countless hours coordinating and assisting the children to make this year’s vision a reality!
On the 20th of this month, we celebrated International Peace Day with the whole campus. It is always such an inspiring and beautiful event. We deeply enjoy getting to hear children of all ages sing in harmony, to observe the variety of ways in which the children share their newfound knowledge and love of peacemakers, and the unique artistic creations crafted to share in a moment of peace with others. This year, the Roadrunners created a collective poster in which everyone expressed their unique perspective capturing what peace means to them.
Speaking of celebrations, we have had the pleasure of marking several birthdays this month. It has been heartwarming to hear your children share their experiences and celebrate special occasions together.
Many of our young explorers are actively planning outings to deepen their understanding of their local communities (a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chandler Airport), the natural world (Desert Botanical Garden), and outer space (ASU’s School of Earth and Space Exploration).
In the news of Physical Education, a dedicated pair of 6th-grade boys have researched a variety of games, drills, and exercises to bring to their community. One memorable Friday was spent at a nearby park where your children were introduced to baseball skills and drills.
We are grateful to be but a witness to your child’s growth, creativity, and curiosity. Their passion for learning and exploring the world around them is truly inspiring.
With gratitude,
Ms. Lauren and Ms. Juany
