DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
March 23-27
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
In Montessori schools, you will find a unique tone in the classrooms and on the playground. Classrooms are filled with a busy hum of engaged activity. There is no shouting, chaos, rigid rules, or students lined up in rows. The students work with the teachers and their peers and are excited to share their projects, questions, and observations with one another. They tidy up each project before beginning a new one without prompts from the teachers. On the playground, you will find children engaged in active learning in a large, natural environment where every day invites the child to explore in new ways. Students are inclusive; not exclusive. They invite one another to join games and activities of their own invention, and everyone is part of the community.
KINDERGARTEN
As we “Watch our Plants Grow”, students will investigate flowers, fruits, seeds, and pollination this week. Students will learn the names of the flower parts and how plants reproduce using real Peruvian Lillies. We will play “The Cheeto Pollination Game” to learn how nectar attracts bees and butterflies and see how the pollen (Cheeto Dust!) then fertilizes another flower which produces seeds. We will add flowers to our poster plants hanging in our classroom. To celebrate our unit, we will have a plant party where students will visit stations to taste the different parts of plants we have studied: stems=celery, leaves=spinach, flowers=broccoli, seeds=sunflower seeds, and fruit=strawberries.
PRIMARY
Our “Astronomy” unit discusses how astronomers look at planets, constellations and deep space objects using telescopes. We will complete our satellite models and use them to collect space debris. Did you know you can watch satellites orbit the earth without a telescope? Go outside and look at the night sky tonight. What do you see? What is a light year and how do scientist measure the distances of objects in space? On Monday, March 30, we are going on a field trip to the Mesa Community College planetarium to see a show presented by an astronomer. If you wish to attend, please sign up this week in room 3. We will depart at 9:30 and return by lunchtime.
INTERMEDIATE
Our “STEM” students continue experiments with science, technology, engineering, and math. We will check our classroom wormery to record changes. Worms make soil that is enriched for plants to grow. On Thursday, students will present their Makers’ Fest. Each student became a “maker” this month and has been creating something original. We are excited to see what you made! On Monday, March 30, we will be going on a field trip to the AZ Science Lab for a workshop about solar energy. Students will build and race solar cars under the direction of our mentor scientists. Parents are welcome to attend. We will leave at 9:15 and return at 3 PM. Please sign up in room 3.
UPPER DIVISION
“Practical Life” includes learning to be independent! Our class is off on an amazing study trip to San Diego this week! Students raised their own money this year to cover the expenses and did all the planning including booking the hotel, making dinner reservations, and scheduling the activities. They will visit Whaley House Historical Landmark and do a haunted night tour, visit the San Diego Zoo, explore the USS Midway Aircraft Carrier Museum, swim at the beach, ride all the attractions at Belmont Park, explore the tide pools, and descend into the Sea Lion Caves. What an amazing trip! We will post photos on our Facebook page so you can follow our daily fun.
HIGH SCHOOL
We will finish reading Project Hail Mary and plan to see the movie together the following week. Students will add photos and writing to their scrapbooks about our Astronomy trip to Flagstaff last week. We got to view Jupiter and four of its moons through the Clark telescope! This week, students will complete two personal narrative style writing assignments, work on math lessons, complete a creative maker invention project, participate in a fencing workshop, and complete lessons in our college Astronomy course.
Reminder…only a few more weeks to make your tax credit donation to Scholarships for Educational Excellence Foundation!
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCES ARE COMING
Spring parent teacher conferences will be held in April. Sign-up sheets will be available beginning March 30.
APRIL BREAK
Mark your calendar; no school on Friday, April 3.
SUPER SUMMER 2026
Summer is just around the corner, and we have a full schedule of amazing experiences waiting for your student! Sign up for the whole summer or just one week but don’t miss out on all the learning and fun. Enrollment is limited so sign up early to save your spot! ESA funds can be applied. See your brochure attached here.