Although we are in the last few weeks of school, we are still deep in the discovery of our experiences in this universe. After returning from my time at Xavier's Montessori lab school in Cincinnati, OH last week I reflected upon how amazing and independent the students are in room 104. I observed students at Xavier's Montessori lab school in preparation for my next school year in China from Monday-Wednesday. They use the same Montessori materials that we have in our classroom with intriguing independence and it was a gift to be with them for these days.
It was a greater gift to observe how our classroom shared the same respect and independence of the classroom that Xavier University holds to such a high esteem. The children also take it upon themselves to work with other children of various ages, model appropriate lessons, and help anyone that may need assistance. In many traditional schools the last few weeks of the school year mean party after movie after party. We will have a water day this Friday and a graduation ceremony for the final Thursday of our school year, but our classroom feels better than a party zone. It is the discovery that each child makes within their work that brings out the most enjoyable feelings of self-competence and mastery. For this, our work will continue until we carefully clean and put away the materials next week.
Speaking of cleaning and packing, if you are looking for any additional volunteer hours before the end of the school year, please stop by the classroom next week from 2:15-4 to help us pack up the room and complete the inventory of all of our materials and their condition. If you notice any material which you may like to fix/re-paint over the summer, please let me know. Last summer a few families helped us by touching up the binomial and trinomial cubes with new paint and creating new lids for the large movable alphabet boxes. This year the pink tower could use a new sanding and paint job. If anyone is interested in taking on this task or another talk, feel free to drop me an e-mail.
Last Friday we honored our fathers with a morning of pancakes and pinata. The children invited the fathers to observe their work in the classroom while the children made pancakes and served the dads. We also enjoyed watching each father take a swing at our pinata, (filled with cards). Once the Pinata was opened, each father could look through the pile of treasures for the card that their child made for them. We hope that all the fathers enjoyed their time. We understand that it was difficult for every father to attend, but we hope that they still feel honored with the card and gift that was created for them.
This water day we are looking for volunteers to supervise each station and bring in items for the snack and lunch. Please take a look at our classroom door's to see what is available.
End of the year conferences are also available starting this Thursday and Friday for Pre-K 3 students and Kindergarten students. All student conferences will be available next week with 15 min. meetings from 2:15-4 any day from Monday-Thursday. Please sign up or e-mail me for a conference time.
Next week I will be our final week of school. Be sure that your child brings home any work and extra clothes before the summer. We will also give summer birthdays a chance to be celebrated during the mornings of June 3rd-5th. If your child has a birthday over the summer and you would like to create a timeline which may be shared, please see me for a day and time.
All the best,
Ms. Joanna Boone