Notes

Even though we have begun our last full month of school, we still have many shelf activities and projects to sample and enjoy. We are finishing our study of spring flowers by creating “shy violets”, rhododendrons, geraniums and irises at the art table.

We began May last week by talking about the Maypole, its European origins and how children welcomed spring by dancing around the Maypole in the fields and forests near their homes. We have our own Maypole here at school, expertly constructed by Mr. McMahon, which we used both indoors and out to celebrate the true arrival of spring.

Another exciting project this month is our exploration of the life cycle of the Painted Butterfly. Our classrooms now host live caterpillars, giving the children a front row seat to the process of metamorphosis -from tiny larvae to chrysalides to beautiful butterflies. The students are captivated by each stage, and they are eagerly observing the changes in real time. The Language shelves hold many books as well as several exercises with concrete materials which illustrate the various stages of the butterfly’s development. We will sort and count caterpillars and butterflies and produce related projects at the art table. There will be many fiction and non-fiction caterpillar/butterfly books in the classroom libraries. We will end our study on a sunny day in May when we release our butterflies on the playground and watch them fly away.

Our main theme for May is the study of the human body. We have been describing our bodies as very special machines in which all the different parts (systems) work together allowing us to move (bones and muscles), receive nourishment (digestion), breathe (respiration), think (brain), and understand and respond to the world through our five senses. As always, we have hands-on materials to illustrate the various systems. A natural follow-up to the study of the body will be helping the children to understand the importance of proper nutrition and a balanced diet which will keep our bodies strong and healthy. Our large and multi-colored cloth Food Pyramid/Plate hand sewn by Mrs. Valentine is a fun activity, especially with a small group. There will be baskets of toy foods in each classroom, and the children will place them on to each colored section of the pyramid. One section represents Breads and Grains, then Vegetables, Fruits, Dairy, Protein (meat, fish, eggs, beans) as well as Fats, Oils and Sweets…(“Not Too Much” as the song goes!) Some of the sections are larger (vegetables, fruits, grains) indicating the importance of consuming more of these foods on a daily basis. Some sections are smaller (fats, oils and sweets) showing the importance of limiting the amount of those consumed each day. This activity is particularly geared to participation by more than one child, thereby encouraging cooperative and productive interaction between students.

Throughout the years our food preparation exercises have always been popular, especially the ones on our shelves during May when we discuss our amazing bodies and how to fuel them with healthy eating choices. In Practical Life we have added cheese slicing to our bread cutting and coffee grinding. In Sensorial we will introduce both a smelling and a tasting exercise which enhance our sensory discrimination skills. Our Language area features food sorting and food lotto exercises, and in Math we will be counting, adding and subtracting tiny food objects.

We will complete our Body/Nutrition unit with “Food Pyramid Parties” on the last days of school which will feature foods from all of the food groups.

There will be sign up sheets in the hall for donations to these parties.

As we move through our final weeks of school, we continue to be impressed and gratified by what the children have accomplished this year. Their social, emotional and cognitive growth has been significant, and we often find ourselves standing back in the classroom and watching the children work with competence, skill, independence and enthusiasm. They have developed into busy, happy and productive learners and caring and cooperative friends. You, as their parents, have been instrumental in their successes, and we thank you for your support this year. To those who are moving on, we wish you all the the best in your new school communities. To those who are returning, we look forward to seeing you in September.

HAVE A WONDERFUL SUMMER!

“Even though I have studied the question for a

long time, I am continually surprised. I understand more

and more how advanced and able small children can be.”

Maria Montessori

London Lectures, 1946