DOBSON MONTESSORI SCHOOL NEWS
January 12-16
WHAT IS MONTESSORI?
While Montessori focuses on high academic expectations for children, it also includes subjects that encourage the child to think, problem solve, and
“think outside the box”. Learning to look for inferences, symbolism, and make connections between ideas is more important than memorizing facts. Opportunities to express ideas in discussion groups and solve problems in teams build real life skills. Children are given creative assignments in which there is not just one right or wrong answer but hundreds of possible solutions. Writing is also encouraged as a way to express creative ideas and develop communication skills. We want to teach the student how to think, not what to think.
KINDERGARTEN
“Body Works” looks at or heart and lungs this week. We will use balloons to make models of our lungs and make a painting of the bronchi or branches inside our lungs by blowing paint through a straw. Using a real stethoscope, we will listen to our hearts after running and then again after resting. Students will create a model of the heart and do an experiment to see how it pumps blood to our organs. Everyone will enjoy baking heart shaped cookies. While waiting for them to bake, we will read My Heart by Corinna Luyken and learn how to take good care of our hearts, physically and emotionally.
PRIMARY
We continue “Cooking Up Literature” as we read Spaghetti for All and then enjoy cooking and eating spaghetti for snack. We will also read A Squiggly Story to learn the importance of clarity in a story, a recipe, or when talking with friends. Students will begin developing ideas for writing an original story. A good outline helps keep the story on track! Students will create characters, a setting, and a plot problem to solve before beginning to write a rough draft. As a fun writing prompt, everyone’s story must mention a food at some point. We will print and publish a book of the student written stories at the end of the month titled Food for Thought. Parents will be able to get their own copy to keep. Also this week, we will read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie and then make chocolate chip cookies to enjoy. Yum!
INTERMEDIATE
Our “Kids and Cash” entrepreneurs have brainstormed ideas for products to produce in their businesses. This week, we will begin production and learn to work with others to accomplish a goal. In our Pocket Change curriculum, we will see short videos and complete assignments about It’s As Good As Gold, Minting Money, and What’s a Bank? Students will learn about money in other countries and how money is printed. Did you know we will no longer be making pennies? We will discuss this topic that has been in the news. Our sale day for businesses will be Tuesday, January 27th before school, at lunch, and after school. Parents will be invited to stop by and shop.
UPPER DIVISION
Our student “Vikings” have constructed a village in our classroom. Each day they have new problems to solve imagining how they would have lived in the far north during the period of 700-1000 AD. This week, they will learn to weave a belt and fire their ceramic mugs in the school kiln. We will learn about Viking mythology and hear some of the stories that were told around the hearth on cold winter nights. Students will then write their own sagas and illustrate them On Thursday, there will be a research project check. Students should have finished their 500-1000 word papers and will now begin the illustration part of the project. On Friday, students will enjoy a writing workshop with Elizabeth Agans from the University of Arizona in conjunction with the Poetry Out Loud project. In addition, students are holding a Silent Auction to raise money for their end of the year trip. Everyone is asked to contribute three items so this is good time to clean out the garage and help our students!
HIGH SCHOOL
Our first Government assignment is due on Friday. We are learning about the different forms of government around the world. What is a republic? How does a representative democracy work? Students are also working on an essay to submit to the 9th Circuit Court Civics contest. We will discuss the topic and begin our rough draft this week. On Friday, students will welcome Elizabeth Agans from the University of Arizona who will present a writing and poetry workshop for our students in conjunction with Poetry Out Loud. Our high school class continues work in Marine Science. They are working on a lab to measure water quality and will go on a field trip to the Gilbert Riparian Area to sample water and analyze the results. What are scientists learning about our planet’s ocean water? Our college Astronomy course begins next week. We will assemble our materials from the syllabus, so we are prepared to begin. In addition, students are holding a Silent Auction to raise money for their end of the year trip. Everyone is asked to contribute three items so this is good time to clean out the garage and help our students!
ELECTIVES
Time to sign up for our second selection of elective classes. We are proud to offer these learning opportunities for our students to delve into a subject of choice. Please print your attached form and turn it into the office by Thursday of this week. Electives will start January 21.
SILENT AUCTION
The fun Silent Auction is coming the week of January 26-30. The new year is a good time to clean out your closets and garage so if you have any gently used items, please bring them to the office. The older students use the funds raised for their end of year study trip. Thank you for your help!
MLK HOLIDAY
No school on Monday, January 19th this month in honor of Martin Luther King Day.
SEEF
Don’t file your taxes until you have made your donation to Scholarships for Educational Excellence Foundation at www.seefaz.org. This nonprofit organization donates the money to Dobson Montessori School families to cover tuition not covered by ESA. Your donation is returned to you, dollar for dollar, on your state income tax so it costs you nothing! And you will truly make a huge difference in the life of a child!