BOOK FAIR LUAU

There will be some changes coming to TMA’s Library in the next few weeks!  The Book Fair Luau will be making a festive stop at our school from Wednesday, May 9^th, to Tuesday, May 15^th.  Hours during school days will be 8:20am to 5:00pm.  Saturday, May 12^th, will be family day, with the Fair being open from 10:00am to 4:00pm.  Parents will have the chance to choose books with their children for their summer reading enjoyment.

The Library will be turned into a fun beach-themed luau with tikis, surf boards, and hanging palms.  One of the books being offered with this theme will be Pig Kahuna. In this picture book, two little pigs discover some beach fun with a surf board.  Froggy and his family have a warm Aloha when Froggy Goes to Hawaii.

Since this year marks the 100^th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic, several Titanic books will be available. There will be a special two-book set from Magic Tree House: Tonight on the Titanic and a companion nonfiction “Fact Tracker” book to answer all of your Titanic questions.  Remembering the Titanic follows specific people who worked on the Titanic or were her passengers.  It starts with her building, tells of her crash and sinking, and finishes with the eventual rescue of the survivors.

These and many, many more books of different reading levels and on a wide range of subjects will be available under the swaying palms.  There’s sure to be something for all the readers in the family.  See you at the Book Fair Luau.  Mahalo!

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

Over-the-Moon for Books!

Here’s a link to the list of the 100 "Greatest Books for Kids," ranked by Scholastic Parent & Child magazine, as published in USA Today last month:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/books/news/story/2012-02-14/100-greatest-books-for-kids/53095042/1

Now we all might have strong opinions about books included or left off this top 100. Isn’t that the fun of lists? But there are definitely some terrific titles here! As a book lover and also a moon watcher, several moon-inspired titles on the top-100 list caught my eye.

For toddlers, some of whom love to talk to the moon and other inanimate things, there’s that ever-favorite soothing bedtime story, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.  (We even have Buenas Noches, Luna, the Spanish translation!)

Your young children might like to hear you read the beautiful picture book, Owl Moon by Jane Yolen. In lyrical style, accompanied by ink and watercolor illustrations, it tells the quiet adventure of a father and child going out into the wintry night to spy on nature. It’s number 74 on the list and it is a Caldecott medal winner.

“And the moon was so bright the sky seemed to shine.”

Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Upper Elementary students might enjoy the Newberry Honor Book, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin.  The author herself calls her book “a fantasy inspired by the Chinese folktales that enchanted me in my youth…” It is the tale of a brave and brilliant girl who seeks to help her family by following her heart all the way to the moon and back to bring them wisdom. The title is number 26 on the linked list and it is a Newbery Honor Book.

And for a blast of science, non-fiction readers will enjoy the number 91 title on the list. It reveals facts from NASA transcripts, reports quotes from the astronauts, and shows marvelous photographs to tell the story Team Moon: How 400,000 People Landed Apollo 11 on the Moon.

These four moon explorations are all in The Montessori Academy Library collection. In fact, we have the majority of the listed "Greatest Books for Kids" amongst the thousands of books on the shelves of the Library. Stop in before the next full moon and borrow an old favorite--or discover a new book--for your child.

Submitted by: Meg Rooney, Library Assistant at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Montessori Education Books for Parents

If you’re searching for information about Montessori education, TMA’s Library is definitely one of the places you’ll want to visit. Whether you and your family are new to Montessori education, currently have a child in a Montessori classroom and want to know more about how that classroom works, or want insight into the future levels of your child’s Montessori education, there are books and pamphlets that can help you in your quest for answers. Listed below are just a few of the titles available for you to check out:

Endangered Minds: Why Children Don’t Think and What We Can Do About It

by Jane Healy  (382 pages)

In this classic, an educational psychologist explores the best ways to help children learn.

In a Montessori Home: A Parent’s Guide to Preparing the Home for Children Birth to Three by Sarah Moudry  (26 pages)

How to arrange your home to be child-friendly, Montessori style.

Math Works: Montessori Math and the Developing Brain by Michael Duffy 

(78 pages; color photos and charts)

An excellent explanation of how the Montessori math materials are designed to work with a child’s developing brain.

Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs

by Ellen Galinsky  (382 pages)

A highly respected child-development researcher writes about character traits children need to learn to be successful in the twenty-first century.

Montessori in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Account of How Children Really Learn

by Paula Polk Lillard  (266 pages)

A Montessori teacher’s diary of a year of learning in a Montessori early childhood classroom; the Montessori method in action.

Montessori Insights for Parents of Young Children by Aline D. Wolf

(52 pages; photos)

Very helpful information for parents on how to use Montessori principles at home.

Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard  

(404 pages)

The author reviews scientific research on education and demonstrates that the insights gained from that research are already part of the Montessori classroom.

A Parents Guide to the Montessori Classroom by Aline D. Wolf

(61 pages; colored photos)

An excellent guide to the three-to-six year classroom, with explanations and photos of specific early childhood works.

Together With Montessori by Cam Gordon  (94 pages) A very clear and concise overview of Montessori education and also a guide to help everyone involved in a Montessori community “work in harmony” to build an exemplary school.

Understanding Montessori: A Guide for Parents by Maren Schmidt  (269 pages)

A detailed but extremely accessible overview of Montessori education.

What Is Montessori Elementary?  (17 pages; includes many photos)

An introduction to the Montessori elementary classroom, showing how Montessori education changes with the developmental needs of the child.

What Is Montessori Preschool?  (23 pages; includes many photos)

A beginning overview of Montessori principles and a look at how an early childhood classroom functions.

Submitted by: Lin Brooks- Librarian at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes

Ball room dancing is all the rage in upper-elementary. Thanks to Brian and Amy O'Day for bringing their craft into our classroom. The students have been learning Waltz and Swing steps during our Wednesday gym time.

February was also our big science month. The science fair on the 8th was a huge success. The students are quite proud of their respective projects and eagerly shared them with family, friends, and TMA faculty and staff. We are continuing our study of the atom and the periodic table of elements.

Submitted by: Helen Muffoletto- Upper Elementary Teacher at The Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes