Thursday, December 22, 2011

Connecting Crafts with Great Picture Books

The students in Room 106 have spent some very enjoyable time this week listening to a couple of favorite picture books and then working on a craft to accompany the book.
I chose several books by Jan Brett, an author that both my students and I enjoy. Her books are well written and lavishly illustrated.  The students always like to look at the small pictures in the border area of each page.  These small illustrations often tell what is coming next in the story and the students find it fun to make predictions and then see if they were correct.
For this week’s book and craft time I chose Ms. Brett’s book, The Hat.  This story takes place at the beginning of winter in Denmark. When Lisa takes her warm woolen clothes out of the chest and hangs then on the line to air out, the fun begins. A hedgehog finds a stocking that the wind has blown off of the line.  His spines become stuck in the stockings which he decides to wear as a hat.  The animals he encounters all make fun of his hat but decide to join him and soon the clothesline empties as the animals choose “hats”.  After reading the story we went back through the book and more closely examined the beautiful and detailed illustrations including the patterns shown in the stocking and other knitted woolens. 

Later that day the students used small wooden sticks dipped into white tempera paint to make their own patterns on hat shaped felt pieces. The projects were finished with the addition of a pompom at the top of each hat. A magnet strip attached to the back of each hat turned their works of art into magnets that some of the students plan to present to their parents as holiday gifts.

The second book that I read to the class was The Gingerbread Baby, Jan Brett’s version of the classic story of a gingerbread boy who runs away from the person who bakes him. After listening to this story, each student had the opportunity to decorate a craft foam shape of a gingerbread person. They used construction paper to create decorations and clothing for the gingerbread people and used markers to add details.   A wide variety of gingerbread personalities were created from sports figures to princesses and even Santa Claus.
A great story to listen to and beautiful illustrations to look can lead into creative and fun craft projects!

Submitted by: Rhonda Reynolds- Lower Elementary Teacher at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

ABC's of the Farm

Last Thursday, December 15, the lower elementary students hosted our first assembly of the school year.  Each of the children in both classrooms came up with an alphabetical list of things that they have seen and done on our trips to the farm.  Our presentation was entitled, “The ABC’s of the Bel-Aire Farm”. 

The children did a great job and the assembly was a hit!  Of course, we did get a little off track.  There were two lines of children.  They alternated speaking into the microphone.  One of the children was ill and could not attend – we ended up a little out of order.  So, it was not really the ABC’s of the Bel-Aire Farm, but the ABDC’s!  Of course, this made the presentation that much more endearing.  We all enjoyed the assembly and are looking forward to the next time we can share about our learning experiences at the farm and in the classroom! 

We also had some special guests attend the assembly – O.D., Jake (horses), Wazzy and Louie (goats) and two of the bunnies!  Bel-Aire Farm brought in their animals so that everyone would have the opportunity to meet them.  It was a huge success!  We cannot thank the Ludwick family enough for their generosity.  The experiences that the children are having at the Bel-Aire Farm are incredible.  We hope that every parent can, at one point this year, experience one of the trips to the farm.  It is well worth it! 

We hope that everyone enjoys the slideshow that accompanies this narrative.  It is extremely difficult to describe how special these trips have been.  We hope that the pictures give you all an idea of how truly magnificent these trips have been!  Before signing off, we must mention that this wonderful assembly would not have been such a hit without the vital contributions of Lin Brooks, Paige Como-Howard, Mr. Dennis Wood and the lower elementary team! 

Have a wonderful and safe holiday!  See you all in 2012!


Submitted by: Kathy Kolata- Lower Elementary Teacher at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Monday, December 19, 2011

"One for Books"

Once again the Book Fair Blizzard blew into TMA’s Library for a three-day stay. It turned out to be a blizzard of books and activity. Students and parents alike stocked up on reading materials and gifts for the holidays. The profits from this fair and the spring fair are used to keep our library supplied with a fine selection of books from picture books to fiction, and nonfiction to biographies.

During the run of our December and May Book Fairs, a program by Scholastic Books is also in progress. It is called "One for Books." Students, parents, faculty and staff can donate loose change, or any amount they wish, into a well-marked jar on the circulation desk. All proceeds collected are used to buy books for the Montessori Preschool Classroom at the South Bend Center for the Homeless. TMA’s Library gets credit for selling these books which adds to its profits. Scholastic Books, through a matching donation, gives books to national non-profit organizations dedicated to helping families in need. These organizations have included the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, Kids in Distressed Situations, Inc. and the National Center for Family Literacy. This is a win, win, win situation for everyone!

Shown below are just some of the books that have been given to the TMA Preschool Classroom at SBCH over the years. Your support of our book fairs and this program are greatly appreciated.















Submitted by: Linda Meyer- Librarian at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Monday, December 12, 2011

Benefiting Others

MISHAWAKA — The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes recently held its seventh annual Wrapping Up for the Holidays.

The school wrapped presents and packed boxes of food for three families (11 children and three adults) that the Montessori adopted through Salvation Army. Each family’s pantry was stocked with enough food for the duration of Christmas break. Each child received hat and gloves, an outfit and socks, and three presents to open.

Courtesy of: The South Bend Tribune December 11, 2011 Edition

Photograph Courtesy of: Ed Bosworth of Bozworthy Images