One of my favorite things about both Montessori and play-based philosophies is the idea that the teacher does not hold all the knowledge. In many Montessori schools teachers are instead called guides, because we are just the helpers as children discover and learn from their environment, their peers, and, yes, sometimes the teacher, too. While I hope some of my planned lessons have taught your children a few things, the majority of their learning happens in spite of me. I have actually been told by several children on many occasions that I don't need to lead the circle, they are happy to read the story or be the teacher today. That's why for our last day of school, I am inviting each child to be the teacher for the day! I know most children have a favorite book at home that they can "read" from memorization, some like to make up their own stories, some might like to teach the class a favorite song. Maybe your child has something special they think the class would enjoy...
I'm a collector. In the past I've collected things like pie birds, salt and pepper shakers, dishes, barware, certain types of books (travel, poetry, cookbooks, particular authors), wool to felt with and knit with - and, at one crazy time - cats. Now I'm down to one cat, and much less of everything else too. However, one thing I will ALWAYS collect and cherish is the beauty of nature. Over the years, I've come to own several vintage cabinets that I display tiny finds of my nature walks. I call them my cabinets of curiosities. Here are a few examples: Over Spring Break, we would like you and your child to go on nature walks and look for tiny signs of Spring. Tiny tree buds, green grass, the first flowers bravely peeking, worms, nesting materials that a bird may use - you get the idea. Bring all items to school after break and we will fill our "cabinets of curiosities" in the classroom!
The week begins in April, but we can't wait until May! On Monday, April 29 Abby will read a couple of lovely gardening books, including Lola Plants a Garden and Green Green: a Community Gardening Story. There will be some planting in our rain garden as well as some planting to take home! A wonderful, earthy day to take us out of April ... and into MAY! The merry month of May begins this week - Wednesday is May first! Or, it WAS May first until we decided it was better off MAE first! Today, we celebrate the small but mighty human Mae. We will make sure to have her favorite table choices, and her favorite stories to share. Welcome to the first annual Mae Day! When Susan's child Emma was little, she started announcing "Emma Carpenter Days" on a random maybe twice-yearly basis. Infrequently enough that it was special, but not that built up in her expectations. I would just casually announce in the morning that in checking the calendar I had found that it was EC Day...
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