DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS

March 2-6

 KINDERGARTEN

         “Watch our Plants Grow” is our focus for March. This week, students will learn about seeds. What are living things? Through a hands-on sorting activity, we will identify living and non-living attributes.  What do plants need to grow? We will conduct seed experiments to see what happens when water and soil are added to seeds in a ziplock bag. We will read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle and The Carrot Seed by Ruth Krauss and then create a seed life cycle model. In the garden outside our classroom, students will plant sunflowers and vegetables. We will record the growth throughout the coming weeks. Students will learn to label the parts of a plant; we eat seeds, stems, leaves, and even flowers!   On Monday, March 16 after spring break, we will go on a field trip to the Desert Botanical Garden. We need parents to chaperone. (There is a discounted entry fee of $20 for adult helpers). We will leave at 9:15 and return by lunchtime. Please see Leslie if you can drive.

PRIMARY

“Astronomy” is our cross-curriculum unit for March. What planets are in our Solar System? How big is the universe? What does it contain in addition to planets? What is a star? Black hole? Nebulae? Students will use salt dough to create a model of the moon and learn how craters are formed. Why does the moon have phases? We will create moon phase booklets…go outside and look at the moon! What phase is it in tonight? From earliest time, people have looked at the stars and tried to explain what they saw in the sky. Constellations were named and stories told to explain them. We will learn about some of the most popular constellations including the Big Dipper, Orion’s Belt, and Pisces, and then make our own star arrangement and write a story about it. What will you name your constellation?

INTERMEDIATE

         “STEM” is our hands-on science unit this month. Science, technology, engineering, and math come together as we solve problems and experiment in class. Working in teams this week, students will try to build the tallest free-standing balloon tower using 30 balloons and one roll of tape. Using popsicle sticks, teams will be challenged to build the strongest bridge that can support one or more heavy dictionaries. What makes a stable structure? Our next challenge asks teams to create towers using mini-marshmallows and raw spaghetti. As a month-long project, students will create an original invention! See details emailed separately. We need quart jars with lids and 2-liter bottles for upcoming projects. Thanks for your help!

UPPER DIVISION

         “Practical Life” is the foundation of our work this month. Students will participate in activities and discussion groups to learn appropriate manners in social situations, solving issues of peer pressure, making good choices, being and choosing good friends, navigating relationships with family members, and more. We will enjoy taking personality inventories to learn more about ourselves…are you an introvert or extrovert? A visual learner or auditory learner? We will also learn to be more personally responsible. How do you do the laundry? Sew on a button? Invite a friend to go to the movies? Write a thank you note to grandma? Greet adults? Also this week, we will read this year’s Shakespeare play, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. On March 23-26 students will be traveling to San Diego for their spring study trip!

HIGH SCHOOL

         Our Astronomy students are preparing for the midterm exam. We will take this test in person at Rio Salado Community College on Monday, March 16. For government, students will look at laws in place in the US. What new laws should be enacted? Are there laws you feel you would like to change? Students will complete a written essay on these topics. We continue reading “Project Hail Mary” in English. The novel includes factual science that reinforces what we are studying in Astronomy and has an engaging plot. We will also read Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” this week. This is the bard’s funniest play!  

TAKE CREDIT

         Please make your tax credit donation to SEEF, Scholarships for Educational Excellence Foundation. This organization provides scholarships for needy families to attend our school, and you receive the donation back on your state income tax, dollar for dollar. Just go to www.seefaz.org and donate now. We’re counting on your help.

OPEN HOUSE

Thank you to everyone who attended Open House last Saturday! It was heartwarming to see the support of our community for our school and students! Congratulations to our teachers and students for their hard work during February. Their work is amazing! 

PRIORITY FALL ENROLLMENT THIS WEEK

         Only during the week of March 2-6 can you be guaranteed a place in the next school year. After Friday, March 6, any remaining openings will be given to those on our extensive waiting lists. Registration materials are attached to this newsletter. The $195 material fee is due at registration. Registration fees are waived for continuing students. 

STANDARDIZED TESTING

         Students in 3^rd-11^th grade will take the Stanford 10 exams this week. Please make sure your student arrives on time, is well rested, and has a substantial breakfast to do their best. Results from the tests will be made available to families during upcoming conferences.   

SCHOOL PICTURES

         School pictures are being taken this week! If you forgot to order your packet, please stop by the office to order yours now. Satisfaction guaranteed or your money cheerfully refunded.

SPRING BREAK

         No school March 9-13 for Spring Break! Classes resume March 16.