W E D N E S D A Y  W E E K L Y
April 26, 2017
 
In this Issue


Upcoming Events


This Week!
Auction Fire Sale
Front Lobby
Last chance to bid on unsold auction items at new, low prices!


April 27
Community Coffee
8:15-9 a.m. in the Learning Commons

Poem in Your Pocket Day 
3 p.m., Peace Park Stop by to share a favorite poem! 
Learn more about Poem in Your Pocket Day


May 2
Moms' Day
Drop-off time until 11 a.m. 


May 4
9-12 Maker Morning
7:45-8:30 a.m., Room 30

Community Coffee
8:15-9 a.m. in the Learning Commons
  

May 5
Lead Teacher Professional Day
Pre-registered child-care only. 

Integrating the Arts with "Moo-sic"

Message from 
Head of School Lisa A. Lalama

Read more from Lisa on the Montessori Message blog.
Last week WMS's Primary (3-6) students performed in the musical, "The Sound of Moo-sic." It was an opportunity for our young students to dress as farmers, play a variety of instruments and sing songs such as "Down on Grandpa's Farm" and "My Dog Rags," complete with motions. This show required a team effort. The classroom teachers, specialists, facilities crew and older students helped make this show a reality.

As I worked at my desk during the dress rehearsal, I was drawn to the gym by the cheerful lively voices of the children rehearsing for their big show. It was delightful. I stood in the back of the gym, watched, smiled and yes, even chuckled a bit. Children moved to the music, watched Heather as she conducted another great show, and were enticed by "Bubbles the Fish" if they veered off track.

We can learn more about each other through different experiences. The classroom's walls are less confining than when most of us were children. I can recall a student who was a nature lover and noticed things many of us didn't. Once we were hiking on a path and he said, "There's a garter snake." Those of us who had just passed by didn't believe him because we saw nothing. He had an eye and an ear for the natural world. We returned to the site and, sure enough, there was a snake just watching us. He proved himself to be an expert on the outdoors. Others came to him with their questions and asked him to help them navigate the unfamiliar. The same can be said for the arts. Some of us consider ourselves consumers of the arts. We appreciate music, theater, dance and the visual arts, but most of us don't sing, act or show our paintings in a gallery. But these things move us. We notice them, feel them and enjoy them. They give our lives meaning and provide joy.

Just as our naturalist relished all the outdoors has to offer, providing musical and performance experiences allows our students to joyfully share their love of the arts. Our goal is to provide many opportunities for them to have these experiences as part of their school days, for it is these experiences they will remember most of all.




 
News & Notes News
Join us on Tuesday!moms
 
Moms' Day is always a wonderful day at WMS - a time for children to show off their classrooms and share their excitement about all that they are learning. Your children will be thrilled to show you the interesting and important work they tackle each day here at school. 

We look forward to welcoming you to WMS!

Please note that  your child is welcome to bring any special adult friend - his or her guest does not need to be a mom! 
Magnus Update Window  - May 1 through July 1
 
For most of us, it's hard to believe that the end of the school year is right around the corner. And of course, we look forward to savoring those moments of summer when, perhaps, life slows down just a bit. Or at least involves warmer weather!
 
Before sliding into YOUR summer mode, please take a few moments to update the Magnus Health System in preparation for the 2017-18 school year - and for Camp Montessori 2017, if that's a part of your summer plan.  
 
Once logged in to the system, you will find the information that you previously entered is still there. For most requirements, you will simply need to verify that each section is still current (or make any necessary updates). If you need to have your log-in information re-sent, please email colleen_lamiet@wmsde.org.
 
All requirements must be updated by July 1 (or June 1 if your child is attending camp), but don't delay! If you can find a few moments now, you won't have to take time out of your warm-weather activities later. Bonus! Thank you in advance for your time and attention to this important task.
 
Click  here to go to Magnus Health.
Save the Rain Bracelet Fundraiser - Next Week!
by Addie, Eva & Lydia

The sixth-graders are making one last effort to support Save the Rain. We will be selling handmade bead bracelets from Tanzania after school during the week of May 1, and on the morning of Moms' Day. The bracelets are only $2! Help us bring clean water to families in Tanzania and own one of these beautiful bracelets!




 
Today's Learners learner
Art in the 9-12 Program
by Art Teacher Laurie Muhlbauer

The other day a friend asked me about teaching students at the 9-12 level. What are the expectations for the children and me as the teacher? How do I work with children that age as opposed to younger students?  


 

Here is the wordy answer - WMS's official art curriculum:

  • The children continue to build from their previous experiences sharing with each other in large and small group exchanges, increasing their personal understanding and use of materials and techniques.
  • The children are encouraged to work at an independent level.
  • The children are expected to and work to complete four projects: drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture/fibers.
  • The children are encouraged to and supported in following their innate drive and interest (mindful that they are young individuals and need support from the facilitators/teachers in their lives).
  • The children are respected at all levels for their knowledge, experience, ability, interest and desire.
The short answer is: 

My job is to encourage them to develop their own ideas and to help them achieve their goals for their work. T
hus, there is ALL kinds of work happening in the art room during a 9-12 class.  
 
A week or so ago, a sixth-grade student, Eva, came to me wanting to create a sculpture based on a piece that she had seen at the National Liberty Museum.  The work was an installation by Sandy Skoglund, "Jelly Bean Children."  

"We are different on the outside but we are all the same on the inside" was the message Eva saw and relayed to me. 

"OK," I responded, "how do you envision this being made, what steps do you need to take?"  and I stepped back.  
 
She listed what she needed to do: make the body forms that the jelly beans will be attached to, purchase jelly beans and adhesive, and much more.  I mentioned some things she would need to consider: 
  • How much time will it take to make the human forms?
  • Beyond the Plaster Craft, where are you getting the materials from?
  • Who are you going to cast with the Plaster Craft?
A few days later, the project had become a collaborative piece. Sage, a fourth-grader, had joined the project. There would be two jelly bean figures - Eva would cast Sage, and Sage would cast Eva. At this point, the girls sat down and planned the piece out as thoroughly as they could, from figuring out how to cast each part of each person to calculating how many jelly beans they would need to cover both figures.  It was a delight to watch other students offer advice and help in calculating the number of jelly beans. Talk about collaboration!

I'm looking forward to watching this project progress and can't wait to see the final work of art. Be sure to stop by the lobby, beginning on May 8, to see a variety of student work on display during our annual art show.
The Wednesday Weekly shares WMS news and events that are relevant to the families in our community.  

Please send submissions to wednesday-weekly@wmsde.org by 4:30 p.m. on the Friday prior  to the issue in which you wish to include your information. Content may be edited for length and style and may be held for a future issue due to space constraints.  

For more information, contact Noel Dietrich, Director of Communications.

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