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“The child who has felt a strong love for his surroundings and for all living creatures, who has discovered joy and enthusiasm in work, gives us reason to hope that humanity can develop in a new direction.” -Dr. Maria Montessori, Education and Peace Hope and excitement abound as we gather again this year to learn from, grow with and enjoy each other in a community we are creating, nurturing and strengthening on a daily basis. By being aware of our purpose, embracing our goals, and supporting each other’s development, Maple Classroom will explore much of what the universe has to offer, such is the nature of Montessori’s cosmic education for the elementary child. Thank you for sharing your learners with us and participating in this portion of their journey to reach their full potential. Karin Churchkarin@traversechildrenshouse.org _ Room Parents _ |
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Classroom Highlights
December 20, 2024
Phew! What a busy three weeks we’ve had. Maple learners have completed and presented studies, uploaded final MMUN Position Papers, and rehearsed for our annual Sing-a-long.
During this final week, we have decided to fill it up with as many activities as possible. Monday morning, we made birdseed ornaments with our partners in the Thistle classroom. That afternoon, we visited Compass and learned about many fascinating pre-industrial civilizations. Tuesday morning, the fifth years traveled with twenty-four other elementary children to stuff 700 treat bags for Meals on Wheels. Meanwhile, the 4th and 6th years completed the ornaments and then collaborated on a parachute design challenge. By mid-week, we were ready for Brad Kik’s visit: we learned how to do intaglio printing, using recyclable materials and a pasta maker! Thank you, Brad! After a visit from a hedgehog, we will close the week with the Secret Samara exchange and community singing.
After this busy time, we hope to enjoy a relaxing winter break and send wishes to all of you for the same. In the New Year, we’ll welcome a new family into our Maple and Willow classrooms and look forward to having them meet all of you. Thank you, as always, for sharing your wonderfully creative and energetic children with us! Enjoy them over break and we’ll look forward to seeing them in the New Year!
Special thanks to Santa’s helpers: the Maiers, Kanners and Atkins.
November 21, 2024
Starting with Halloween, this time of year ignites the children’s excitement for all the holidays to come. It also provides an opportunity for us to encourage reflection and fuel feelings of gratitude for all that we have before us and all that we can do to make the world a better place. This is the focus of our Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, celebrated November 14. After being greeted by four upper elementary learners who shared why we are honoring Ruby Bridges’ bravery, pairs of elementary and primary learners joined hands and paraded around our school. Heartwarming and hope-building to say the least.
Back in the classroom, the 6th year MMUN delegates shared how their topics are focused on improving the world, such as addressing water scarcity, reducing military budgets, engaging boys and young men in gender equality and establishing the right to food. The 5th year learners then shared about their changemakers: Malala Yousafzai, Malcolm X, Aretha Franklin, Nichelle Nichols and Sojourner Truth. Finally, the 4th years shared what they learned about Zitkala-Sa and her commitment to advocate on behalf of Indigenous Americans and to dismantle the boarding schools and the damage they were doing.
Following this impressive sharing of important knowledge, the children brainstormed ideas for how our community can contribute. The ideas and excitement flowed out of them and reached the same level as that reserved for those upcoming holidays. Thank you for raising loving, generous, service-oriented children; choosing from our long list will be difficult but reinforces my belief that the world is in good hands when we listen to children.
Thank you, also, for all you do. First, you came into the classroom on Family Visiting Days to learn with your children and then again for Conferences to celebrate with me all that they are doing and how beautifully they are growing up. You also contributed many new, wonderful books from the Horizon Book Day event. We are so fortunate.
October 18, 2024
Dear Maple Families,
How fortunate we are to be able to pursue our interests, learn interesting facts about a favorite treat, visit specialists who deepen our understanding and appreciation of the same and share our discoveries with each other. No, we did not all get to visit Grocer’s Daughter, Moomer’s, Hilbert’s Honey and Cherry Republic, but our small research groups did and through their detailed presentations and tasty visual support, they made us feel like we had been there with them all along. We are grateful to them and to those local, thriving businesses for opening their doors to our curious learners and for sharing a business perspective of their products.
For a microscopic perspective, Dr. William Kanner shared details about his profession as a pathologist and taught the children to effectively use a microscope. They learned how to identify a normal, healthy cell to be able to recognize what might be abnormal. Seeing the real cell samples brought greater meaning to their botany and zoology explorations into plant and animal cells and all the various parts that make each cell function.
“Perspective” has been an important word in our community this year. Sometimes it comes into play when we are resolving conflicts and helping the children see the many sides to a disagreement. The 6th years consider another’s perspective when learning about their United Nations topics from South Africa’s point of view. We use the artistic concept of perspective to illustrate rectangular prisms in our volume and cubing lessons. Most recently the children are writing short stories to share their perspectives of a sculpture or piece of art that spoke to them during our visit to the Michigan Legacy Art Park.
To give you an opportunity to form a perspective, we look forward to welcoming you into our community next week for Family Visiting Days. (Please remember that we can schedule a visit any time if the offered times are inconvenient.) This visit, although short, provides a glimpse into your child’s days and fodder for discussion when we meet in mid-November for Conferences.
From my perspective, I could not be more grateful for the generous contributions of time (Sarah Bancroft-Treadway and Virginie Kanner, outing drivers) and crickets (Atkins, King and Fahey-Horn) so generously offered by Maple families. Thank you!
September 16, 2024
Despite the lingering summer heat, your children appear to have embraced being back to school and all it has to offer. Their draft Declaration states that “they come to school to learn, be challenged, make friends, and learn to be a better person.” A clear indication that they’re starting the year off on the right track!
Already the 6th years have started their Montessori Model United Nations (MMUN) project, learning about the United Nations and selecting a country to represent. This 14th year of delegates will proudly represent South Africa in New York this February. Sixth year families, these delegates look forward to sharing more about this exciting endeavor with you on Thursday, September 26, at 3:45.
While the 6th years conduct their research, the 5th year learners are sharing the research and writing process with the new 4th years. Four small groups are collaborating on studies with the hope of sharing their new knowledge, planning some outings or guest speakers and perhaps indulging in some local samples of their topics: honey, ice cream, chocolate and cherries.
They have also been brushing the sand off their math facts and seeing what they remember from years past with regard to math and spelling. In late September/early October, I will call families to check in, share my observations and answer any questions regarding your child’s first month back at school.
Finally, I’ll reach out soon to schedule our Community Connections visits and I look forward to seeing you all at the Maple class picnic on Monday, September 30, from 5:30-7:30, at Silver Lake Park.
Thank you Dujon/Lemmonier and Bancroft/Treadway families for providing crickets to Santa this month!