September at Marlowe

One month in, and the classroom is already running smoothly! Routines are becoming more familiar, friendships are growing, and we are starting to see longer periods of concentration as the children move confidently from one activity to the next.

Throughout the month, the children created art both inside and out, explored the natural world, and worked with a wide variety of our beautiful Montessori materials. We have loved watching them become more independent as they choose their work, care for the garden and classroom, and take pride in mastering new skills.

Our unit this month was all about the human body. We talked about the difference between living and nonliving things, vertebrates and invertebrates, what makes us mammals, our five senses, ways to keep our bodies healthy, and some of the amazing things happening underneath our skin. Below are just a few of the books we enjoyed as part of our study. The children learned so many fascinating facts about their bodies—be sure to ask them the questions in this month’s newsletter!

Music and movement were also a big part of September. We danced with colorful scarves and rhythm sticks and practiced listening carefully for changes in tempo and rhythm. These activities gave the children a fun way to work on coordination, rhythm, listening, and self-control.

It has been such a fun first full month, and we are excited to see all the learning and growth October will bring. Don't forget to sign up for Parent-Teacher Conferences. I can't wait to brag about your child!

Back to School!

What a wonderful start to the school year! Our older children had a few days' head start, and our youngest students joined us on Monday. Somehow, after only a few days together, the classroom is already beginning to feel settled, with new friends learning the routines and returning children happily showing them the ropes. 

We always spend the beginning of the year making plenty of time for art, stories, music, movement, and just getting to know one another. This year has been no exception! 

The children have been cutting, gluing, painting, drawing, and creating some amazing art along the way. It's so fun seeing how differently children can interpret the exact same project.

We have also been doing lots and lots of reading. A Bad Case of Stripes, The Library Dragon, and The Spiffiest Giant in Town have already been requested for re-reads.

Of course, no Marlowe morning would be complete without plenty of singing and dancing! We have pulled out the rhythm sticks (and glow sticks), learned new songs, practiced old favorites, and moved enough to make sure nobody leaves with too much extra energy. 

We even practiced turn-taking by passing the baton, with each child adding the next letter of the alphabet or the next number as we counted.

And then there is all the incredible work! One of my favorite things about the beginning of every school year is watching twenty-four children walk into the exact same classroom and immediately begin two dozen completely different journeys.

I am so delighted that our students have jumped headfirst into geography, language, math, writing, and other wonderfully ambitious work.

One of the wonderful things about the Montessori classroom is the children's ability to work side by side, compare discoveries, and turn a lesson into a two-person project simply because doing it with a friend is always more fun. :)

After one week all together, the classroom is already humming along. I'm excited to see where this year takes us!