The child looks for independence first, not because he does not desire to be dependent on the adult, but because he has in himself some fire, some urge, to do certain things and not others."
-- Maria Montessori, The Theosophist
Monday, October 31
Happy Halloween to our little pirate, flower, Elsa, jack-o-lantern, witch, Mirabel, wizard, Pikachu, Spider Woman, Spider Man, Jack Skellington, and (not pictured) Bat Girls and king! Also present were a grownup witch, cowgirl, and The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
This morning, a playdough bluebird was waiting for us in the classroom, courtesy of the Upper Elementary.
After a short work period, we had dance and movement class. The class warmed up to the old favorites, and then they made a witches' brew. Ms. Jenny and the children stirred to a steady beat, and each person suggested a spooky addition to imaginary cauldron.
I'm stirring and stirring and stirring my brew,
Ooooh, oooooh
I'm stirring and stirring and stirring my brew
Ooooh, oooooh,
What should we put in the brew?
A hair,
An eyeball,
Skeleton bones,
Chicken tenders,
Witches' tails,
Heads,
Blood,
Crocodile nails,
Cobwebs,
A pumpkin,
a head,
Ladle and sip,
Ladle and sip,
Tip toe,
Tip toe,
Tip toe,
Booo!
They also sang and clapped to another Halloween song (to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"):
The owl goes hooo,
The owl goes hooo,
Hi ho on Halloween
The owl goes hooo!
The bat goes eeeeeeee....
The black goes meow....
The ghost goes booo...
The scarecrow waves hello.....
The witch goes heeeeeehaaaaa
Other dance class candids:
"Oh! Belinda"
"Standing Like a Tree"
For a Halloween Monday, the rest of the day seemed to pass by peacefully. Here a little wizard and princess are working and snacking:
Tuesday, November 1
This morning we welcomed the month of November at calendar time. Ms. Sarah taught the children a new song, "These are the Months of the Year" (sung to the same tune as "Here Comes Mrs. Macaroni").
After our morning work period, we had music class with Ms. Ida. The children practiced repeating rhythms that Ms. Ida clapped. They also listened to a piece from Mozart's opera The Magic Flute, and raised and lowered their hands to match the high and low voices of the characters. Next, Ms. Ida brought out a xylophone, and the children identified more high and low notes as Ms. Ida played "Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill." Finally, Ms. Ida played the nyckelharpa, and we all sang "Lila Sniga" again.
In the afternoon, many children enjoyed exploring some of the new November preliminary exercises in the Practical Life Area, such as the acorn transfer work, the turkey transfer and sorting work, and the turkey baster work. Other children played alphabet bingo with Ms. Kristen, or worked on their math booklets.
Other Tuesday Candids:
Making Maps
Working on the Continents Map
Apple Tree Transfer Work
Making a Card
Raking the Leaves
Building a Nest
Wednesday, November 2
The weather today was quite warm, and we enjoyed some long recesses. We had two busy work cycles, and several children enjoyed using some new early language activities such as a rhyming game, counting syllables, identifying initial sounds, and isolating middle sounds.
The Early Language Shelf:
Playing a Rhyming Game
Other Wednesday Candids:
Matching Upper and Lower Case Letters
The Turkey Sorting Work
Wednesday's Circle Time Book
Revisiting the Circle Time Book
More Fun with the Continents Map
Working with the Addition Strip Board
Exploring the Scale
Passing the Talking Stone: What do you like to practice?
Thursday, November 3
Though the morning was chilly, by afternoon, the children were running around without coats. Snapshots of our busy work cycles can be seen below.
Working with Letters
More Fun with the Addition Strip Board
Working with the Colored Beads
The Animal Continent Map
The Sea Floor Puzzle
Playdough Time
Thursday's Circle Time Book
The Turkey Work is Popular
Friday, November 4
Today we had more warm weather, and much playtime outside. Ms. Laura helped out in the classroom today, and we welcomed our second Pizza Friday! Below are snapshots of our work:
Sharing at Circle Time
More Work with Upper and Lower Case Letters
Fun with the Scale
The Knobbed Cylinders
Identifying Middle Sounds
A Book about a Young Artist
Work of a Young Artist
Alphabet Bingo
Dry Pouring
Wet Pouring
The Turkey Workey
Pizza Friday! Week 2!
Showing Sis the Ropes
Making a Map
At the Easel
More Fun with Addition
School Girls with their Slates
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