The study of geography in early childhood Montessori programs starts with the whole and graduates to the part: earth-continent-country-state- town.  Initial presentations introduce concepts such as the elements that comprise our earth (land, water, air), land forms (island/lake) and what our planet looks like as a whole (globe).  Each month we will expand on these topics, delving deeper into the study of physical geography as well as exploring more abstract concepts such as cultural and political geography. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Air/land/water animal sorting & island/lake landform work

U nique to Children's House, we also integrate the study of Nantucket starting at the beginning of the year because the children are already so familiar with the shape, name and geography of the island.  The goal of this year-long study is to promote an awareness, understanding and stewardship of Nantucket's natural beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Third year student choose to either "punch out" or trace the shape of Nantucket in their journals and then label each area of the island. 

Coinciding with the International Day of Peace on 9/21,  a  wonderful new book, The Everything Seed by Carole Martignacco, has been added to our library and is on display for the month of September.  It tells one version of the story of the universe, where it begins as a tiny seed that held the dreams of everything.  The story conveys the message that we are all connected and are a part of something bigger that started long ago.

Another material offers ways to meditate using pebbles, designed for young children by Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh, as described in his book  A Handful of Quiet .  

 

Children have also had lessons in the  Love Light  activity created by Montessorian Sonnie McFarland.  This activity illustrates that we all have a light within us that shines brightly or dims, depending on our experiences and thoughts.

Children's meditation book & love light activity

 

The  Show Your Emotion  cards promote emotional literacy as s tudents practice reading emotions on the faces of others and learn how to  positively  change their own feelings from upset or angry to happy again.

 

Our art room philosophy is to prepare the environment with materials that inspire creativity. Here, students have the option to draw, cut, glue, and paint.  Children are given lessons on how to use art tools safely and properly along with lessons in Care of the Environment, which demonstrate how to leave materials clean and ready for a friend to use. 

 

As the children master the use of the basic materials and process, project orientated trays will be added in order to build on their knowledge and guide their progress.

 

. ..painting & drawing 

& Third Year students who offered to help care for our classroom by cleaning the painting aprons!

Collages from the first week of school!

Our third year students have been meeting for an additional small group instruction time each morning. 

So far, they have been working on:
Learning a "word of the week", acting out favorite stories, Art Appreciation with Linda Zola, third year math instruction, and playing the guessing game "What is it?"

Children can choose to work alone, in pairs or in groups during work time.  This provides opportunities to navigate a variety of social situations.