SWMA Newsletter March 20, 2009 - Volume 1, Issue 3

Posted March 22, 2009 - 7:03am by Beth Brock

 

Happenings in the Toddler Cottage from Ms. Jessica and Ms. Debbie:

Hello all! Our planting day was a great success.  A very big thank you to the Hamilton, Mixon, Casas, Hilton, and Sein families for your help! Also, thank you to Thom Stein Inc., Arkon group, and Leo Casas for donating sand, use of a truck for delivery, and sweat labor of hauling the sand onto our playground.
 
The results are beautiful and the children are really enjoying caring for their plants.  We have had discussions about the things our plants need to grow and that we CAN actually over water!
 
Happenings in the Primary Class from Ms. Natalie and Ms. Cynthia:
This month, the Primary Class welcomed two new students from the Toddler Cottage, Cecilia and Gabriel. They are settling in nicely and already starting to become a part of our community. We are still studying Ireland and friends are finishing up their Quatrefoils to make four leaf clovers. Most children can identify England and Ireland on a map, even our youngest friends. The biggest event in the class this month was a visit from Kitty Bravo, one of the countries best Montessori teachers who now helps direct The Center for Guided Montessori Studies where I am currently studying for certification. She was extremely impressed with our room and thankfully gave us a few pointers. Cynthia and I implemented her ideas immediately and already see a change. More focus, more work and of course, very happy children!
 
Happenings in Lower Elementary from Ms. Catherine:
It seems that our class is really interested in math right now.  We have several children who have just started division with the Test Tubes, one of the most challenging math works in our classroom.  If you have not seen the Test Tubes work in action, you should stop in some time and ask for a demonstration!
 
Several of our younger students are almost ready to complete dynamic addition (using exchanging) completely abstractly!  The way we teach math is a great illustration of the philosophy of our curriculum.  All concepts are presented concretely first, usually in several different ways, before abstraction is achieved.  This ensures that our students have a solid base for all mathematical concepts.  This carries through from early addition concepts, all the way through algebra and calculus!
 
Please remember that our Parent Listening program has begun.  This is a great program for getting to learn about our students and their works as well as listen to some great reading.  Please let me know if you would like to join us – we’d love to have you!
 
Happenings in Upper Elementary with Mr. David:
Upper El has been busy these last couple of weeks with lots of new projects. One of our favorite works has been building Geometric solids out of paper patterns.  A truncated icosahedron is a fancy name for the typical shape of a soccer ball.  How about a rhombicuboctahedron or a dodecahedron which is made of 12 regular pentagons?  As we learn about how shapes can fit together, we learn how they can "tessellate" the way hexagons fit together in a honeycomb, or the tile work in your bathroom or the bricks in a cobblestone street.  We're putting the finishing touches on the "Punctuation play" and planning to build our own Medieval shields with our personal coat of arms we designed on them.  I would like to say thank you to Rhonda and Jaden Joodi for a wonderful Persian breakfast and presentation! 
 
Happenings in Spanish with Ms. Cynthia:
No new news in Spanish due to the fact that I am working in the Primary classroom full time as the assistant.  I am planning on singing a Spanish good morning song to the kids so they can still learn and familiarize themselves with the language.  I also would like to do a sound of the week in Spanish.  We are still looking for subs so maybe I can go over to the elementary classroom and work with them as well.  I miss teaching Spanish and the kids also miss it.  They always ask when we are going to do Spanish.  It is really nice to know they enjoy it and  that they want to learn it.
 
Happenings in Art with Ms. Rebecca:
The art show is fast approaching and our Elementary students will continue working on and creating their entries for this special event. Upper and Lower Elementary will also be taking place in the Google Doodle contest, a really awesome activity that gives students the chance to design a Google logo based on this year's theme, 'What I wish for the world.....'. This Nation wide contest celebrates and encourages the creativity of young people and winning doodles receive prizes ranging from t-shirts with their doodle printed on it to college scholarships. Our younger friends will continue to explore with paint and maybe even get their hands a little dirty!
 
Happenings in PE with Ms. Serena:
During March 6 PE, we celebrated Dr. Seuss’ birthday. I read excerpts from some of his most famous books, and we played games according to the passages. Some of the games included the Cat in the Hat relay where we balanced a Dr. Seuss hat on our head. Also from the Cat in the Hat we played a clean up relay. One person ran down the field cleaned (picked) up one object and ran back. The next friend had to carry that object that was cleaned up plus return back with another object. The last person in line had about 8-10 objects they were carrying at one time. From the famous Foot Book, we piled all of our shoes in one pile at the other end of the field. Friends had to run down the field find their shoe, put it on and then run back to their line. From the ever popular Lorax book, we played the Lorax vs. the oncelers. The oncelers cut all of the trees (cones) down and the Loraxes had to put them all back up. All friends took turns being both sides. We talked about the significance of the book and the message.   From the ABC book, we raced with which line could line up alphabetically the fastest. First we did it by first names and then by last names. Only the elementary class did the ABC game. A lot of cooperation and communication was needed for this race.
 
Last Friday, we practiced ball handling skills. We have practiced this a few times in the toddler and primary class. We do activities such as rolling the ball – rolling to a friend, rolling through cones, etc. We practice self catches. We focus on having catching hands and keeping your eye on the ball. Some friends have been practicing throwing the ball and clapping before they catch it. I believe the record so far is four claps with a completed catch.   Some friends can successfully throw to a friend as well. We have also practiced bouncing the ball and catching it. Once that has been mastered we add a walk to that. So, as we are walking, we bounce the ball and catch it. This is an introduction to dribbling. Some friends have even tried dribbling and have even been successful with about two dribbles. This is more of an advanced skill and is not truly mastered until around the age of 5 or 6. Elementary pe actually started basketball skills. We practiced passing, dribbling and defense. We don’t have a goal…yet. But, be on the lookout for one being donated to the school real soon.
 
As always, I encourage parents to reiterate these skills at home. This is a great way to spend time with your kids. They love doing all of these activities and love having an audience as well. You don’t have to be an athlete to have fun. It’s good for them to see you’re not perfect either.
 
 
Important Notes from the Board:

This is such a fun and busy time of year!  Re-enrollment has begun and we are already sending application to almost 30 new interested families for our 2009-10 school year.  I can’t believe this will be our sixth school year!  I am excited for all of the current SWMA families that will be returning next year!
 
Next Wednesday, March 25th, is our Annual SWMA Works Expo.  This is a time for your child to show off for you!  Your child’s teacher will be asking you to sign up for a time after school to come and watch your child work.
 
After we get back from Spring Break, we will be having our Annual Spring Fling.  Each class will be preparing a special performance for that day.  We will have early dismissal at 1pm after the performances.
 
It’s also time to get involved in our fund raising events!  If you haven’t already, please sign up to help with either the Yard Sale, Torre Rosa at Eden, or the Soccer Tournament.  These events should all be a blast and raise some funds at the same time.
 
As always, I am available via phone, email, or in person during carpool or scheduled appointments.  Happy Friday!

- Ms. Catherine