SHOW AND TELL
Bring the words to a song you like.
Topic: Music
Music is the universal language
The value is joy, which is a very glad feeling. We think it comes from having excellent values, appreciating the goodness of our lives, and having interesting work to do.
For science, we’ll learn what makes sound.
Outside, we’ll play Simon Says, do clapping games, and have a 76 instruments band.
The songs we’ll be singing are Singing in the Rain, I’d Like to Teach the World to Sing, Do-Re-Mi, 76 Trombones, Rock Around the Clock, and Day-O.
Creative dramatics is be a conductor and pantomime dance.
Our art activities are drum, rubber band guitars, soda can shakers, kazoo, and paint to music.
For motor development, we’ll work on coordination with ribbon dancing and music freeze. For motor planning we’ll listen and act, find the sound, blowing, and walking tricks.
SUPPORTIVE PARENTING
In talking with parents during we have had several express the concern of wanting to be aware when their child misbehaves at school. As a general rule, we deal with undesirable behaviors immediately and consider that it was a result of the situation at the time. It is not an issue of inadequate parenting. Generally, we work in a redirecting way, focusing on what is the desirable behavior. Growing children have a new day every day. They are bigger, stronger, more competent, and have new ideas every day. They experiment with their new competencies as well as what their new limits might be.
When an undesirable behavior needs some positive re-direction at home is when we would normally ask for your support. Sometimes we might ask you to reinforce appropriate table manners, love for math, interest in reading, or grace and courtesy toward our neighbors. We are not looking to you as a parent to control your child for the long periods that she is with us, but instead for you to be supportive in a value system we have come to call Montessori. As the parent, you are the strongest influence there is on your child. You are absolute in his eyes. We find that your positive role model is the most powerful teacher, far surpassing words or lessons.
Being a supportive parent seems very difficult at times. When we are unable to solve our children’s problems, we may feel inadequate. It is easy to overlook our value as good listeners and role models. When we listen and express that we hear the pain, anger, or frustration, we are providing a time and place for our children to be heard and to be safe. In addition to providing support by just hearing, we are allowing discussion of various alternative solutions, but we don’t need to always provide a solution. We really don’t even know what is the best solution for the child. Every person has coping patterns that are totally individual. What is right for one person can be a totally wrong fit for another person, even when that person is only three feet tall. We are supportive to the extent that we help the child face the problem and work with her to understand her pain. You might even suggest a couple of possible courses of action. Then after a while, even a day to two, follow up and ask how it went.
We all grow by struggling with issues, not by being given solutions and certainly not by being punished. For us to express the confidence that our child is capable of doing the excellent thing is the greatest motivator in the world.
On the Calendar
Christmas Holiday – The school will be closed December 21- 25 and Thursday, Dec. 31, for New Year’s. As we go into this holiday season, take a deep breath and think “peace”.
Assistant Teacher – We will have a new assistant teacher joining our family on Monday November 30, this will allow administration to better focus on enrolling new students and interviewing new teachers.
CLASSROOM NEWS
In the classroom Luke is learning to put things back in the same spot. Organization is an important part of the classroom everything has its own place so the students always know where to find their favorite work. With just a bit of redirection Luke is learning to pick things up and put them back.
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