DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
May 4-8
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
“Our care of the children should be governed not by the desire to ‘make them learn things’, but by the endeavor always to keep burning within them the light which is called intelligence.” ~ Maria Montessori
KINDERGARTEN
We will observe our caterpillars as they spin a chrysalis, and we will make a countdown calendar as we wait for them to emerge as butterflies. Students will create a pupa/chrysalis to hang in our classroom tree and add drawings of their observations on the Wonder Wall. Also this week, we will make gifts and prepare for Mother’s Day Tea! We can’t tell you more because it’s a surprise!
PRIMARY
Our “Weather: unit for May will discuss the seasons and types of clouds. What causes the weather to change? We will make season art using oil pastels and cloud art with cotton balls. Students are also busy making special gifts and preparing food for the annual Mother’s Day Tea this week. Join us on Friday!
INTERMEDIATE
Students are working on a variety of topics for their Independent Study unit this month. On Wednesday, we will enjoy a special field trip to the Herberger Theater to see the “Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane”. Our students have read this book and will love seeing the play version of this heartwarming story. We have a limited number of chaperone tickets at $16. In the classroom this week, everyone is busy making gifts, decorations, and food for the annual Mother’s Day Tea. See you on Friday at 2 PM!
UPPER DIVISION
Our unit in May, “Transitions”, is wrapping up work from the year and looking forward to goals for the future. Everyone will create a floating flower garden to decorate our room for Mother’s Day Tea and make some surprise gifts! Our cooks will be busy in the kitchen as we prepare some delicious sweet and savory treats for our moms. We are concluding Treasure Island in literature and finalizing work in our math groups.
HIGH SCHOOL
Students will study and take the final exam for their semester long Astronomy course from Rio Salado Jr. College. This lab science class will give them four college credits. We are also concluding literature study and wrapping up math levels. And our creative students will make flowers to float on our ceiling for Mother’s Day Tea and create handmade gifts. Everyone is helping cook a gourmet tea for their moms on Friday. Students will go on a five-day study trip on May 11-15. We are excited to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific for a dissection lab and ocean ecology class, Griffith Observatory for astronomy study, La Brea Tarpits, the Academy of Motion Pictures Museum, and the Los Angeles County Museum of the Arts. Just for fun, we will also enjoy a day at Huntington Beach, an interactive Pirate Dinner Theater, and a day at Disneyland! Students raised their own money for this trip through their fundraisers this year!
MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Two sold out shows and standing ovations for our outstanding production of this delightful Shakespeare’s play. Thank you to everyone who attended for making it two special nights. If you would like to order a copy of both nights’ presentations, they are available on flash drives for $20 in the office.
TEACHER’S APPRECIATION DAY
On Thursday, May 7, we celebrate our wonderful teachers with a special luncheon. You can help by making a donation or volunteering to send food or helping monitor the students while the teachers have this one day each year to eat lunch together. Stop by the office to sign up or contact Heather Taylor: 480-522-6609 meenaraka@gmail.com. Thank you for helping to honor our teachers.
MOTHER’S DAY TEA
Children are usually the receivers of gifts and attention. But discovering the joy of giving is important in developing empathy and ability to care for others. This week, all our students will be creating a special event in honor of Mother’s Day! They will decorate their rooms, make gifts, and prepare a gourmet tea. Mothers and grandmothers are welcome to attend. See the attached invitation!
YEARBOOKS ARE COMING!
Time to order your beautiful yearbook and save the memories of the year with your friends. Hardcover and full color, there is a half-page devoted to each student with interesting quotes and a color portrait. Plus, pictures of our teachers, classes, and even the school pets. But there are a limited number of yearbooks ordered so reserve you copy now. $40. We will have a yearbook signing party on the last week of school so you can have your book signed by your classmates. See the attached form.