DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
December 1-5
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Cross-curriculum learning is a key to Montessori education. Children are not just learning math during math lessons or developing reading during reading class. Students engaged in a science experiment are doing math as they measure and record data. Acting in a play develops reading comprehension. Doing a craft from pioneer days develops fine motor skills, focus, ability to follow directions, and acknowledge of history. Music develops the math part of the brain. Gardening teaches science. Playing soccer develops communication and team and leadershi8p skills. In Montessori education, all children participate in in-depth academic and enrichment activities to develop the whole child.
KINDERGARTEN
Students will begin work on this year’s “Celebrate Music” festival. We will memorize lyrics and dance movements and create props. We will also work with our high school mentors on a special number. Our students are also making wonderful progress on their academics. Everyone receives individualized lessons in reading with a strong phonics foundation and works at their level of challenge in math each day.
PRIMARY
Everyone is excited to begin working on our “Celebrate Music” this month. Students are learning to read notes and play the recorder. We will also practice songs and dance moves and make props for the upcoming show. Even when we are busy with rehearsals, we make time each day for reading and math lessons. Thank you to our parents for reinforcing academics with homework completion at home.
INTERMEDIATE
“Celebrate Music” is everyone’s theme for December. Our class will present a musical play this year. Each student will receive a part to memorize, and we will create props and costumes as we memorize songs. Students continue to work in academic groups and are making progress with individualized math and reading.
UPPER DIVISION
We are excited to work together on songs, skits, and dances for the upcoming “Celebrate Music” presentation. Everyone will have an integral part in developing a heartwarming and entertaining show for our parents. In reading, we have completed Fahrenheit 451 and will now begin the classic, Silas Marner.
HIGH SCHOOL
We will memorize our parts for the “Celebrate Music” show this week. Students are leading a song with their kindergarten mentees and will create original choreography to accompany the music. We are concluding our Economics course and will sell our stocks. Did you make money? Our student-run businesses will do final bookkeeping. Our Sip and Style high school business students are holding a final event for their business. See the attached flyer and stop by to support these deserving students. We are also wrapping up our Culture of Rock college course and will now enroll in Astronomy for second semester. This is a four-credit college course with a lab.
SECRET FRIEND ACTIVITIES
Students in K-6th grade will enjoy a secret friend activity this month. They will draw names of a classmate and then do kind deeds anonymously for their friend throughout the month. They will then bring a gift for their friend on Monday, Dec. 15 for a party and gift exchange. Students will bring home details about this project this week.
Students in 7th-12th grade will have a White Elephant gift exchange. This funny activity asks each student to bring an upcycled gift for a grab bag type activity. We will explain the details in class.
WINTER PERFORMANCE
Celebrate Music
Thursday, December 18
9:15 and 1:00
200 N. Macdonald
All students will be on stage for two performances. Tickets are $5 and will go on sale next Monday, December 9 in the office at 8:30 AM on a first come, first serve basis. There are a limited number of seats for each performance so invite your friends and family now. This is an amazing show and we promise to warm your heart and lift your spirits in a wonderful morning of community.
HOLIDAYS
School will conclude for the holidays at 3PM following the Winter Performance. There will not be extended daycare after the show. Winter break is Dec. 19-January 2. Classes resume on January 5.