DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
September 14-18
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
Montessori curriculum includes a section known as sensorial learning. Research proves that we all learn best when we can use all our senses…hearing, seeing, doing, and even tasting and smelling. In traditional education, students sit at desks and are given information in a lecture format. This auditory learning style sometimes works for those who are more passive learners and can retain information when it is merely spoken. Montessori believes everyone learns best when all the senses are engaged and the students can be an active learner. This translates to a classroom where children are working in teams to do experiments, create models, discuss topics, and solve problems using hands-on materials.
KINDERGARTEN
Everyone is making a great transition as they are “Off to School” this month. In addition to academic skills, we are learning communication skills, social skills, and problem-solving abilities. This is the age when the child learns empathy for those outside their nuclear families and they develop friendships with peers. We will learn how to be cooperative through some fun games. Can you draw a picture with two friends using the same marker? Let’s see what we have in common with a ball game called, “Me, too!” Each student will make a Kindness Postbox and write notes to their friends or send pictures to one another. A copycat mirror game teaches attentive observation of what others are saying and doing and taking turns. We are team building and getting to know each other. Thank you to everyone who attended the Cool Pool Party. The food was delicious, the company was fun, and the pool was cool.
PRIMARY
Our “Rainforest” study looks at more animals of the rainforests. We will learn about Toucans and make beautiful artwork using a quilting technique called Kinusaiga. Poison Dart frogs are interesting inhabitants of rainforests; we will play a Poison d
Dart Frog game and make tree frog clingers using suction cups. Everyone loves Capybaras. We will write our own class book, Capybaras are Friend-shaped. Each student will complete a page of this book and it will be housed in our classroom library for everyone to enjoy. Fish also make their homes in the rainforest. We will learn about piranha and make some models…watch out for those sharp teeth! Thank you to everyone who attended the Cool Pool Party last week. We enjoyed getting to know each other better and the food was delicious. It was fun to make time enjoying being kids!
INTERMEDIATE
The “Animal Kingdom” unit learns about insects this week. Students will make realistic drawings of insects using a blurred graphite technique. We will learn about spiders and play a game, Electric Spiderweb, to trap our prey. Bees are such an important insect in the circle of life. Students will learn about their important job of plant pollination and then make some Honey Peanut Butter Non-bake Cookies to enjoy. Our Upper Division and High School friends will be joining us for some games this week to prepare for our Family Camping Trip. Everyone is excited to enjoy two fun-filled days of learning in the cool pines!
UPPER DIVISION
Our “Archaeology” study looks at stratigraphy, and the role layers play in dating artifacts. Students should have completed their research papers and will bring them in for a progress check on Tuesday, Sept. 15. They will now begin preparing the presentation and visual aid as well as doing the illustration, cover, and bibliography for their written report. The final paper is due on Sept. 22 and the presentations will be on Sept. 29. In addition to learning about archaeology, students are learning time management and personal responsibility when working on a large assignment. Everyone will enjoy some games with our friends in intermediate to prepare for the Family Camp Trip. Our class will also prepare the food and gear to take on the trip.
HIGH SCHOOL
We will conclude our reading of Hamlet this week and work on blocking and voice modulation for our competition pieces for the upcoming Shakespeare Competition in Utah. Everyone did such a great job on their first short film for Film Making class. We are excited to see what they create for the next assignment. This week, students will prepare the gear and food for the Family Camping Trip and join our intermediate friends for some team and leadership games.
FAMILY CAMPING TRIP FOR 4TH-12TH GRADE
We are so excited for this year’s Family Camping Trip on Thursday and Friday of this week. Meet at school promptly at 9 AM on the front lawn. We need everyone’s help in loading the gear in their vehicles to transport it to the campsite. Once everything is loaded, we will have an orientation meeting in front of school and hand out maps and schedules of activities. If you volunteered to bring an ice chest, please bring it with a bag of ice and take it to the office to load the food when you arrive. Our older students will be on hand throughout the trip to assist you and cook all our meals. We have two full days of fun learning activities planned for everyone and can’t wait to make great memories together!