DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
November 9-13
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Education is much more than memorizing facts for a test. Learning how to solve problems with others, manage time to complete goals, try a new solution when our first efforts prove fruitless, handle frustration, make inferences, develop critical thinking…all these and more are not measurable with a percentage on a test but are an important part of our curriculum each day at Dobson Montessori.
KINDERGARTEN
“My Tactile World” will continue as we listen to Hedgehugs by Steve Wilson and then make hedgehog art using textured materials. We sill do bark and leaf rubbings and observe the textures in the natural world by making prints. Using clay, students will do texture impressions of pinecones, shells, rocks, and sticks. Also this week, students will create suncatchers using items found in natures such as leaves, flower petals, and pebbles. Our students are learning through all their senses!
PRIMARY
“Geography” continues as we learn about major landforms such as mountains, lakes, peninsulas, isthmuses, plateaus, and more. Each student will create an imaginary continent using salt dough and build and label their landforms. What would you name your mountain range? Students will create their own atlas this week. What is the difference between a political map and a geographic map? We will use different mediums for each continent in our books. Students will use page protectors to build a book from the individual pages. We are exploring the world through geography.
INTERMEDIATE
Our “US Government” study looks at the Judicial branch this week. Students will learn about our courts and hold a mock trial based on Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Students will act the parts of lawyers, jury, judge, witnesses, and defendant as we see if Goldilocks is innocent or guilty. Students will discuss issues relevant to laws in the US today and form debate teams. In a debate, you are sometimes asked to make convincing arguments for a side that may not be your own opinion. This causes you to be open minded to the point of view of others and to use facts to back up opinions. Students will draw a topic and the pro or con of that topic from a hat and then do research to back up their side before holding our debate on Thursday. Our topics for the debate are “Should capitol punishment be allowed?” and “Should zoos and aquariums be phased out?” Students are asked to do some research as homework to prepare. On Monday, November 16, we will go on a field trip to the Arizona State Capitol. Students need to arrive by 8:45. We need parents to chaperone; please sign up in room 3 if you can help.
UPPER DIVISION
“Word Up” continues with exploration of developing writing styles. Each student is keeping a writing journal and completing pages each day reflecting their own thoughts. In class this week, students will work in small groups to write a short play. Using dialogue to move a story along requires a different set of skills than narration. Students will then present their short plays to their classmates on Thursday. Perhaps you will want to make costumes or props? Next week on Thursday and Friday, students will go on an overnight trip to inspire their writing. See the attached itinerary.
HIGH SCHOOL
For US History, students will investigate Imperialism and learn about our acquisition of Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and Puerto Rico. What was Seward’s Folly? The late 1800’s were also a time of invention. We will learn how the inventions of Alexander Graham Bell, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison changed the face of our country. Our students are becoming competent film makers. This week they will create a character and then develop a plot point that hooks the action. They will film and submit a one-minute scene on Friday depicting this character. Everyone is doing well in the Healthy Living college course. We continue to look at ways to make healthy choices in our everyday life. On Thursday of this week, we will go on a hike to Hole in the Rock in Papago Park. We are finding ways to be more active which is good for our physical and emotional health.
VETERANS’ DAY
No school on Wednesday, November 11 in honor of Veterans’ Day this week.
CONFERENCES
Parent teacher conferences conclude this week. Contact your student’s teacher if you forgot to sign up.
SAVE THE DATE
Family Game Night is coming on Thursday, December 3 from 5:00-7:30. There will be a delicious dinner prepared by our upper division and high school students, games to play with other school families, and our annual “Are You Smarter Than a Dobson Montessori School Student?” game show at 7:00. Watch for more information coming soon.
Our “Music Festival” will be held on December 17 at the Guild of the Vale auditorium. Every student will be showcased on stage! Make sure to arrange your work schedule so you won’t miss this much anticipated event. Invite your friends and relatives, too.