Final LEW Newsletter and Summer "Homework"

Hello Families!

Happy Summer! For this last newsletter I, Ms. Jessy, would like to begin with just how grateful I am to all of you, your children and what a joy it has been to be apart of the LEW community. I will miss this community dearly and seeing the second and first graders grow into third grade leaders, but we will be neighbors and I expect to get updates on the playground:) 

Secondly, a desperate request for our buddy, Gex. As we were about to send him off with an eager third grader and her family, the bottom of Gex's terrarium cracked and an enormous hole formed. Before we go out and buy and new cage, we thought we would take a chance and see if anyone in our community happens to have an extra 3ft x 1.5ft terrarium lying around :) If you have any leads or insights, please feel free to contact Jessy.

Summer "Homework"

Some of the families have asked about things they can do with their child over the summer.  Please choose any or all of these things to do with your child over the summer!

EXECUTIVE FUNCTION:

• Engage your child in the everyday chores around the home - yard work, preparing meals, cleaning around the house, etc. This a great way to foster your child's independence and sustained attention.
  
• Make a written plan for the day, like a to-do list, and check things off as the day progresses. 
  

READING: 

• Work through the books that your child enjoys.  If the reading is above their reading level, then read to them; or practice by reading a page, then they read it back to you; or sometimes you read for long stretches, then trade off--mix it up to keep them engaged.  If it becomes frustrating, just read to your child for the joy of the story.
• Use the attached exercise for research-proven fluency building in reading.

WRITING: 

• Writing letters, poems, stories, grocery lists, vacation journals, to-do lists, anything else!  Anything, no matter big or small!  (If your child needs it, you can have her dictate to you, and the child can read it when you're done.)

MATH: 

• Most importantly, Math Fact Flashcards will do a world of good.  If you can make it into a game, all the better.  Just addition, subtraction, and multiplication facts 1-10.  We strongly recommend this one.
  

HISTORY, GEOGRAPHY, AND SCIENCE:  

• You could research together some aspect of your summer experience (animals? vacation locations? other interests that pop up?)--it doesn't matter--but we've found that the children are willing to go after knowledge greedily when 1) They're really interested, and 2) They have support.
  

OTHER STUFF

• More time to play outside!!!  (Put it on the to-do list!)
  
• More Arts and Crafts
  
• Less Screen Time!!!
  
• Trips to the library
  

That's just a few ideas, but if you would like more formal or structured examples of summer activities, please feel free to ask and we will share some more ideas.  

Finally, here are some photos from the last days of school...

Parent Appreciation Day Photos

Photos from our last days together

Once again, Erik and I want to extend our gratitude out to all of you and we wish you a beautiful summer.

All the best and more,

-- 

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Re: LEW Newsletter 6-2-2017 Important Dates!

Important information about the Camp Fire and Sing-Along!

I forgot to mention that the Elementary Camp Fire and Sing-Along is a Great Gathering and it does cost $5 as a donation to GRS.  If you are interested in attending, please contact Heather Thomas - she is a LEW parent and graciously hosting this event :) 

Heather Thomas Contact Information:  nathatddt@yahoo.com

On Sat, Jun 3, 2017 at 1:13 PM, Jessy Fabel <jfabel@greatriverschool.org> wrote:

Happy June All!

First of all, thank you to all of you that took the time to come to the Museum Project yesterday. It meant so much to the children and the guides that you could come to see all of the hard work they've done over the last three weeks.  For today's newsletter, we are just going to post the major upcoming dates, summer requests, and photos from the Museum Project, Field Day, and a fun outdoor lesson with the third years :)

UPCOMING DATES of IMPORTANCE

TUESDAY, JUNE 6: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY at 1:30-3:00

We will host you for an event that is all about You, and how wonderful you are to and for all of us.  Come and let us shower you with gifts!  Let us show you our talents in the LEW 2017 Talent Show!  The classroom opens at 1:30, and the talent show begins at 2:15.  (For parents of child in both  lower el classrooms: LEE will start their parent appreciation day celebrations at 1:00 and their talent show will begin at 1:30.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7: COMO POOL

Thanks to all those who signed up to help! Please just send sunscreen, a sack lunch, a towel, and bathing suite with your child. If your child requires a life jacket, Como pool has them or you may send your own personal life jacket. Just to be on the safe side, please let us know if your child requires a life jacket. Please do NOT send pool toys or money with your children.  Goggles are acceptable.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 9: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: HALF DAY - dismissal @ 12:00

After an official goodbye to the third years, and a final all-school ceremony, the year will be over. It's almost here!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11: ELEMENTARY CAMP FIRE AND SING-ALONG

Join lower elementary guides and families at Como Park for singing, laughing, s'mores and enjoying each other's company as we celebrate the end of yet another school year!

When: Sunday, June 11th 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Como Park Fire Circle on the north side of Horton Ave. and just west of Midway Pkwy and Horton Ave. 

SUMMER REQUESTS

Replenishing our Library. If you happen to have any books appropriate for first-third graders, we are looking to replenish our library. Nonfiction books about animals, science, history, geography are wonderful are always in high demand.  Poetry, picture books, and easy readers are also great to have on hand.  This can be something that you can donate to us by June 14th, so we can pack it up or we can coordinate at the end of August when we're starting to work on our environments.  

Plant Care. If you would be willing to care for some large and/or small plants this summer, our community would greatly appreciate it.

PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK

Museum Project Photos

Field Day Photos

Third Years Types of Roots Lesson Photos

All the best and more,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 6-2-2017 Important Dates!

Happy June All!

First of all, thank you to all of you that took the time to come to the Museum Project yesterday. It meant so much to the children and the guides that you could come to see all of the hard work they've done over the last three weeks.  For today's newsletter, we are just going to post the major upcoming dates, summer requests, and photos from the Museum Project, Field Day, and a fun outdoor lesson with the third years :)

UPCOMING DATES of IMPORTANCE

TUESDAY, JUNE 6: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY at 1:30-3:00

We will host you for an event that is all about You, and how wonderful you are to and for all of us.  Come and let us shower you with gifts!  Let us show you our talents in the LEW 2017 Talent Show!  The classroom opens at 1:30, and the talent show begins at 2:15.  (For parents of child in both  lower el classrooms: LEE will start their parent appreciation day celebrations at 1:00 and their talent show will begin at 1:30.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7: COMO POOL

Thanks to all those who signed up to help! Please just send sunscreen, a sack lunch, a towel, and bathing suite with your child. If your child requires a life jacket, Como pool has them or you may send your own personal life jacket. Just to be on the safe side, please let us know if your child requires a life jacket. Please do NOT send pool toys or money with your children.  Goggles are acceptable.  

FRIDAY, JUNE 9: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: HALF DAY - dismissal @ 12:00

After an official goodbye to the third years, and a final all-school ceremony, the year will be over. It's almost here!

SUNDAY, JUNE 11: ELEMENTARY CAMP FIRE AND SING-ALONG

Join lower elementary guides and families at Como Park for singing, laughing, s'mores and enjoying each other's company as we celebrate the end of yet another school year!

When: Sunday, June 11th 6:00-8:00 PM

Where: Como Park Fire Circle on the north side of Horton Ave. and just west of Midway Pkwy and Horton Ave. 

SUMMER REQUESTS

Replenishing our Library. If you happen to have any books appropriate for first-third graders, we are looking to replenish our library. Nonfiction books about animals, science, history, geography are wonderful are always in high demand.  Poetry, picture books, and easy readers are also great to have on hand.  This can be something that you can donate to us by June 14th, so we can pack it up or we can coordinate at the end of August when we're starting to work on our environments.  

Plant Care. If you would be willing to care for some large and/or small plants this summer, our community would greatly appreciate it.

PHOTOS FROM THE WEEK

Museum Project Photos

Field Day Photos

Third Years Types of Roots Lesson Photos

All the best and more,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Field Day Tomorrow! Please have your child bring the following...

Hello families!

Tomorrow, the adolescents are hosting a field day for all of elementary. They will be grouped up with students in the other elementary classes to play some fun outdoor games. It should be a blast!

We will be walking to McMurray Field for this fun event, so it would be wonderful if your child could bring the following:

- Water bottle 

- Running shoes that can also get wet

- Clothes that can wet and a little dirty (cotton takes a long time to dry, so clothing made of polyester would work well)

- Sunscreen. Please let us know if it is not okay to apply sunscreen to your child, if necessary. 

Let us know if you have any questions or concerns.

Should be fun!

Warm regards,

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 5-18-2017

Hello LEW Families!

As the count down for summer break begins, it's easy to indulge in outdoor lunch and daydreams about como pool... But we're still trucking on and big work is happening! Important dates and reminders listed below....

This week's lessons:

First Years:

- Time Masters

- 4 Operations (+ - x / ) Challenge with the stamp game

- Writing their first draft for the Museum Project

- Vertebrate Review in anticipation of their trip to the zoo next week :)

Second Years:

- Constructive Triangles (turning stars into polygons - ask them how many sides a dodecagon has )

- Parts of a Flower

- Abstract + and -

- Writing and completing the first drafter for the Museum Project

Third Years:

- Hierarchical Material - ask them this riddle - 1. I am red 2. I am a square based prism 3. You need 10 ten thousands to make me. Who am I? (answer: 100,000)

- Test Tube long division

- Sentence Analysis work 

- Finishing and editing their first draft of the Museum Project.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS :)

SATURDAY, MAY 20: SPRING FESTIVAL

There will be games, prizes and a dunk tank to welcome spring! The whole school is invited.

SATURDAY, MAY 29TH: MEMORIAL DAY - NO SCHOOL

THURSDAY, JUNE 1: FIELD DAY

This event will be lead by our Adolescent students and is for the kids only.  However, they will be spending extended time outside on this day, send children with sunscreen, tennis shoes and a hat if needed.

FRIDAY, JUNE 2: THE MUSEUM PROJECT - 1:30-3:00

We invite you to come and enjoy a museum experience, designed and created by your children.  This is an open house event and we hope to see you there.  More details to come as the time approaches. This event is scheduled the same day as the Upper Elementary work share for your convenience.     

TUESDAY, JUNE 6: PARENT APPRECIATION DAY at 1:30-3:00

We will host you for an event that is all about You, and how wonderful you are to and for all of us.  Come and let us shower you with gifts!  Let us show you our talents in the LEW 2017 Talent Show!  The classroom opens at 1:30, and the talent show begins at 2:15.  (For parents of child in both  lower el classrooms: LEE will start their parent appreciation day celebrations at 1:00 and their talent show will begin at 1:30.)

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7: COMO POOL

Thanks to all those who signed up to help!

FRIDAY, JUNE 9: LAST DAY OF SCHOOL: HALF DAY - dismissal @ 12:00

After an official goodbye to the third years, and a final all-school ceremony, the year will be over. It's almost here!

 REMINDERS

 

1. Picnic Lunch. As we move through the end of the year, with this lovely weather, we often like to be spontaneous and head outside for lunch.  You can help make this a convenient choice for all by helping your child pack a lunch that does not need to be heated.  Please keep this in mind when it works for your family.  Thanks!

2. Thursday Folders.

 Please remember return your children's Thursday folders each week.

SUMMER HELP NEEDED

1. Gex, our Beloved Bearded Dragon, needs a home for the summer. We appreciate all those families who have helped in the past and look forward to sending them off for a great adventure with a family this summer.  He is quite easy to care for, and this a great opportunity to commit to a temporary pet if your family is not ready for a pet of your own.  Please email Jessy if you are interested in taking in Gex for the entire summer or if you're interested in taking in Gex for a portion of the summer.

2. We're Moving! Would you like to help us pack? We will need to be all packed up by June 14th. If you're interested and enjoy heavy lifting, we would love the extra help.  

3. Volunteer Sign up for September 2017 (can you believe it?!).  We are already looking ahead to September and looking for volunteers to do laundry, snack and flowers. If you're interested please type your name on the "September 2017" slots here. 

4. Replenishing our Library. If you happen to have any books appropriate for first-third graders, we are looking to replenish our library. Nonfiction books about animals, science, history, geography are wonderful are always in high demand.  Poetry, picture books, and easy readers are also great to have on hand.  This can be something that you can donate to us by June 14th, so we can pack it up or we can coordinate at the end of August when we're starting to work on our environments.  

Wishing you all so well. Apologies for the long-winded newsletter. We're enjoying these last weeks with your children and are looking forward to all of the celebrating!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Snack and dress warmly up for the park tomorrow

Hello LEW families,

The LEW is currently still looking for a snack volunteer for the month of May and the first week of June. If you're interested in volunteer, please let me know or sign up here.

Also, weather permitting, we will still go to the park tomorrow and it looks like the next couple of days might be cold and soggy, so if you could help make your kiddos are dressed appropriately, we would greatly appreciate it.

Warm regards,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 4/21/2017

Hello LEW Families!

This week has been filled with concentration, determination, spring fever, hours of play time outside, dodging the rain, and poetry!  Erik and I found ourselves holding back more and letting the children go deep into their work. Having a sustained and uninterrupted work is one of the hallmarks of a Montessori classroom, but at the beginning the children need lots of assistance to get to that kind of concentration.  It gave us a sense of joy to see the children naturally going to the big cultural work, huge math problems, poetry (so much poetry!), and science projects with little to no guidance from the guides.  This is a sign of a classroom that is maturing and strengthening its culture.  

This Week's Lessons...

First Years:

- Triangle Math - relationship between + and - 

- River Study

- Poetry - line and shape

- Seed to Plant

Second Years:

- Multiplication Board

- Continued work with the Timeline of Life

- Poetry - line and shape

- Parts of a Stem

Third Years:

- Mississippi River Interest Project - the students are creating displays about animals, plants, invasive species and some are creating broadcasts! Our work will end with a trip to the Mississippi River Exhibit at the Science Museum on Friday, April 28th. 

- Dictionary Booklets

- Mabel Marble (Ask them what they had to construct for this)

- All third years have completed their MCAs! Hooray.

Announcements and Reminders

1. Parent Partnership and Homework

Lower Elementary is going to start sending games and activities in your child's Thursday Folders in order to practice math facts and spelling (for some).  Some of the ideas are as simple as using a deck of playing cards to practice addition facts.  We have noticed that the children are truly beginning to understand the concept of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, but learning the quick facts for these operations is incredibly helpful as they learn more and more complex concepts.  They do math fact work and spelling work in class, but the added (and hopefully fun) practice that you do at home will help enhance this learning and help the students get them down solidly.  We were thinking that this would something that you could do together around 3 times per week.  No need to turn anything back to us.  If you have any questions about this change, please feel free to contact us.  

2. School Lunch

If your child needs school lunch for May and June, please make sure to contact Natalie Yaeger at nyaeger@greatriverschool.org.  The school is trying to get an accurate record of who needs lunch as a result of ending up with a lot of extra, uneaten lunches.

3. Gardening on Mondays 

We'll be choosing a small group of students each week to go to lessons for about 30 minutes on Mondays in our community garden.  They will be guided by two experts - Tami Limberg (Adolescent Science Guide) and Cate Williams (Upper Elementary Guide) - on how to care for and maintain the garden. We've let them know to bring clothes that they don't mind getting a little dirty, but please keep this in mind of Monday mornings :)

That's all for now. Have a joyous weekend!

Jessy Eaton Fabel

 

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 4-7-2017

Hello LEW Families!

Hope you are all going to get the chance to bask in the sunshine this weekend. We thoroughly enjoyed our outside time and have every started our Yoga specialist (which happens on Tuesdays) outside with mats on the playground.  Our art specialist, Jenny Kordosky, will be doing specialist with us on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays.  Glad to hear some of you got the chance to go some the children's artwork at Can Can Wonderland!

Work from this week...

Some specific Big Work that's happening includes various timelines, including the Timeline of Life through the history of the Earth and the Timeline of Plant Evolution and the Coming of Life to Land.  I told the story of how life has developed since the Earth came to be.  (This is one of Montessori's "Great Lessons," that aims to add fuel to the fire of a child's interest.  It seemed to successfully echo a few of the lessons of the week.)  There has also been some activity around used and broken electric objects, which have been meticulously dissected and examined.

First Years:

- Knowledge of Animals (classification work)

- Money Equivalence (different the ways to make 10 cents, 25 cents, etc. See if you can practice this with them!)

- Ecology webs

- Parts of a River

- Addition Math Facts

Second Years:

- Stamp Game Division

- Fraction Addition

- Timeline of Life (Huge work!)

- South America Political Map Study

- Subtraction Math Facts

Third Years:

- The Story of Plants coming to Land

- Final Algebra Work, using equality through subtraction

- Writing Dialogue

- Mississippi River Study (A fun study that ends with a trip to the Mississippi River Exhibit at the Science Museum!)

- MCA Math practice - the children will take that last MCA Math test on Wednesday, April 12th. 

- Also there's an enormous checkerboard multiplication problem occurring right now ---- pictures to follow :) 

Friendly Reminder

Water Bottles - With the weather warming up, it's especially important to send a water bottle with your child if you haven't already.  

Have a wonderful weekend!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Announcements. Welcome back!

Hello LEW Parents!

Spring has sprung and we are all back in the swing of things. Hope you all had a chance to relax and rejuvenate last week.  Here are a couple of time-sensitive announcements...

1. Volunteers are needed for...

- May Snack

- April Flowers 

- Food for Gex in April and May

If you're interested, please sign up here.

2. An invitation to see elementary artwork at Can-Can Wonderland from Jenny Kordosky, our art specialist.

What - A low-key reception at Can-Can Wonderland for the GRS community, students with art in the show will get a little treat and a Can-Can button for participation, some chose a different piece to share, so there will be a sweet mix of projects along with UE's homage to the Guerrilla Girls and LE's homage to women-identified artists. (FYI: not all elementary students wanted to have their art in the show but all GRS students are welcome to attend the reception, and all elementary students will get a button.) This show will be up for a full month, displayed on a floating wall near the mural that A2 student, Olivia Reinhart painted, so if folks can't make it on Thursday they'll have other opportunities to check out the show!

When - Thursday, April 6th from 6-7:30pm

Where - 755 Prior Ave N, St Paul, MN 55104, in the large hallway just to the side of the main entrance.

Hope some of you can make it!

Warm regards and welcome back!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Care for Gex over spring break :)

Hello Families,

We are looking for any family that would be willing to care for Gex, our beloved bearded dragon, over spring break.  If you are interested, please let me know.

Warm regards,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 3/19 A Note of Thanks

Hello, Dear Families,

Erik and I are so grateful to have had the chance to meet with so many of you last week. The both of us look forward to conference time -- to have the chance to reflect about each child, their growth, to laugh about a funny anecdote, to feel touched by challenges overcome, or to move forward and be ready to continue to guide the children to tackle on new challenges. We feel so fortunate to have the opportunity to work with you and your children.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.  

Dates and Reminders

iRace - Wednesday, March 22

On Wednesday, March 22, we will celebrate our unique iRace (Identity, Race Awareness, Cultural Education) event at Great River.  From 12:00 to 1:00 there will be a potluck lunch, featuring dishes derived from cultures all over the world.  Each year, the event would not happen without generous volunteering from parents and community members like you.  It is a time of celebrating community and being together with good food.

If you are able, please send a healthy dish to share with our community.  A main dish or side is appreciated.  Items could reflect your cultural heritage or be a favorite family recipe.  If you wish for your dish to be returned, please send it to school in a clearly labeled container. Crock pots needing heat are fine...just send heating directions along.

Spring Break - March 27-31 - No School

Enjoy the remainder of your weekend and here's to the beginning of Spring! 

With Gratitude, 

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Reminder: Noon Dismissal today!

Good Morning!

Just a friendly reminder that the students will be dismissed at noon today! Buses will be coming, but no Big Canoe. 

Apologies if this was not clear.

All the best,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Elementary iRace Potluck - Wednesday, March 22nd

Dear LEW families,

🌎       🌍       🌏

On Wednesday, March 22, we will celebrate our unique iRace (Identity, Race Awareness, Cultural Education) event at Great River.  From 12:00 to 1:00 there will be a potluck lunch, featuring dishes derived from cultures all over the world.  Each year, the event would not happen without generous volunteering from parents and community members like you.  It is a time of celebrating community and being together with good food.

If you are able, please send a healthy dish to share with our community.  A main dish or side is appreciated.  Items could reflect your cultural heritage or be a favorite family recipe.  If you wish for your dish to be returned, please send it to school in a clearly labeled container. Crock pots needing heat are fine...just send heating directions along.

On this day, a few special things will happen.  Adolescents will be coming in to read a story about peace and equity and create a mural with the class.  The third years will eat with upper elementary students...a time to bridge the transition that will occur at the end of this year.  And the first and second years will eat with their same grade level peers as a way to mix things up!  We will end the day with a visit to the park in the same configuration.

We're all looking forward to this day very much and thank you in advance for your support (and delicious food). 🍜

Warm regards,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 3-3-2017

Hello Families!

We just got back from the Ordway and watched a performance called "Dancing Earth." There were themes of the circle of life, birth, nature, conservation, and more. The dancers used hula hoops to carry the circle theme and did incredible choreography. We also got to see aerial silk performers do impossible-looking moves on a line of silk, suspended in the air. When we got back to school, the children journaled and reflected on what they saw and it was wonderful to see the pictures and writing that the children produced.  

On another note, this week was Montessori Education week! The Montessori Network of Minnesota (or MNMN) has loads of resources for guides and parents to use as we reflect and rejoice about the work of Dr. Maria Montessori.  Next week, I hope to show some pictures of Dr. Montessori to the children and have discussions about Montessori education and prompt them about what makes our school different or similar to a traditional school. Something like, "I like Montessori because..." or "Montessori education helps me to..."   If you feel inspired, check on the MNMN website at MNMN.org and have a discussion about Montessori at home :)

This week's lessons

First Years:

- Introduction to number lines and using them for addition and subtraction facts

- Vertebrate Classification

- Prepositions (ask them about the post-its)

- Indigenous Symbols

Second Years:

- Create a Culture Final Project (ask them about this!)

- Triangle Detectives

- Adverb Grammar Box

- Indigenous Symbols

- Trip to Rainforest Exhibit at Como Zoo next Friday 3/10 to follow up on their rainforest study. I will contact chaperones this weekend.

Third Years:

- A Different Way of Life

- How to take notes for research

- Input/Output boxes

- Introduction to Algebra

- Editing special program proposal to work with Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)

Reminders of Upcoming Dates and Requests

- Parent/Teacher Conferences on March 16-17:  Noon dismissal on Wednesday, March 15th. No school on March 16th & 17th. 

- Donations for school supplies: if you are willing and/or able, the LEW community would greatly appreciate the following items:

1. Packs of pink, pearl erasers
2. Table wipes
3. Child-sized scissors
4. 4 x 7 Notecards (need lots of these)
5. Black sharpies
6. Scotch tape refills

If you are interested in donating something to our class, just let Jessy know and Thank You in advance :)

Enjoy your weekend!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 2-18-2017

Hello all on this sunny Saturday!

We had an incredible time at Dodge on Thursday. All the children got to explore the grounds and they spotted tracks, a deer, coyote remains, golden rod galls, and muskrat lodges.  Some students jumped in hay, made homemade butter, kissed horses, dissected owl pellets... it was a wonderful way to cap off the week and the first and second graders are already looking forward to returning next year. Huge thank you to our chaperones for joining us! If you happen to have any photos from the trip, please share them with me and I can share them with all of the families :)  

Lessons this week

First Years

- Measuring animal tracks

- Stamp game subtraction of four-digit numbers, without borrowing.

- Writing about a favorite gift (these were great stories)

Second Years

- Seven triangles of reality (there are seriously only seven! Ask them if they can remember which types of triangles are impossible to make)

- Bar graph word problems

- Writing about a favorite gift

Third Years

- The commutative property of multiplication

- Owl study writing

- Classifying invertebrates

Volunteer opportunities

1. Flowers: Bringing in fresh flowers weekly or biweekly for the month of April and/or May.

2. Food for Gex: we're looking for volunteers to bring in food biweekly for our bearded dragon for March, April, May and June.

If you're interested, please sign up here.

We truly hope you all get the chance to enjoy your long weekend together. It was a gift to be able to spend quality time outside with all of your children at the Nature Center, and just so you know, Dodge is open to the public! If you are interested in taking your family (I highly recommend it), then just check out their website and schedule a visit! 

http://www.dodgenaturecenter.org/

All the best and more,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Information for Field Trip to Dodge TOMORROW

Hello Families!

We're all very excited for our trip to Dodge Nature Center tomorrow. Here's what I told the students (I just missed the bussers and Big Canoe Kids, so this will be the first time they hear this):

*Please bring appropriate outdoor clothing - boots, snow pants (more for mud and slush rather than snow), jackets, gloves, and hats.

* NO BACKPACKS necessary tomorrow. 

* Bring a lunch. Please only pack foods that don't need to be microwaved.  

* It should be a short ride to Dodge, so the students will not need activities or books for the ride. 

If you could help prepare your child for tomorrow and go through this list with them, we would greatly appreciate it.

Should be a fantastic trip. Have a wonderful night. 

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 2-10-2017

Hello LEW Families!

It was nice to have a full week. It feels like it has been a while. This gave us time to meet with all of our specialists in the afternoon for art, music, and handwork. Detailed portraits, guitar playing, drum beats, and knitting ... beautiful things to witness the children practicing and mastering.  

Also, next week on Thursday, February 16th, Lower Elementary will be taking a field trip to Dodge Nature Center. We've been preparing the children by studying and focusing on topics they will be exploring further at the center. Each group will get to do 2 activities. Here's what they'll be doing at Dodge:

- First years will be focusing on reptiles and amphibians and studying animal tracks and signs. 

- Second years will be focusing on milk makers and animal adaptations.

- Third years will be dissecting owl pellets and learning about winter survival.  

We started the tradition of going to Dodge Nature Center last year and the children that attended are very much looking forward to returning.  

Lessons from the week

First Years

- Constructive Triangles

- Animal tracks work session

- Verb Grammar Box

- Mammal Study

- Rocket Math +

Second Years

- 7 Triangles of Reality

- Animal Adaptations work session

- Preposition Grammar Box

- Platyhelmithes (flatworm study) 

- Rocket Math +

Third Years

- Owl Study

- Our connected waterways models (ask them to present this to you!)

- Invertebrate Classification

- Skip counting practice by 2, 3, 4, and 5 (it would be great if you could help them practice this at home - just up to x 10)

Reminders and Announcements

We hope that you will all make it to the Soiree tomorrow night at Como Dockside from 7:00pm-10:00pm.  Thank you all so much for your generous donations for our homeless shelter basket. It's getting packed and ready for the event. It promises to be a fun time! A parent and occasional substitute teacher, Heidi Grayden-Kangas, wanted me to put the following Great Gathering on your radar. You can sign up at the Soiree - event likely to sell out. Click below for more details...

Hair Braiding and Hair Do Party

Enjoy your weekend!

Warm regards,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Calling for Flower Donations

Hello again!

I just noticed that we don't have anyone to bring in flowers for our classroom for February. They definitely bring that extra something to the room and it would be a shame to not have some colorful flowers around to help us get through the doldrums of winter.  If you're interested in helping us out in February, just let me know. I also noticed some other months are available. You can sign up here.

Enjoy your weekend!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 1-27-2017

Dear LEW families,

We hope that all of you will get to enjoy the long weekend together. If you get the chance, the A1 show "Migra" will be performed at the Mixed Blood theater this weekend. It was completely written, directed, and produced by the A1 community.  Check the GRS website if you'd like more information.  

Today, our community had the opportunity to reflect and think on our classroom beliefs we wrote together at the beginning of the year - namely:

1. "We believe we should be kind and help one another."

2. "We believe that our classroom should feel safe and peaceful."

3. "We believe in our work and that we should be allowed to focus on our work." 

We had a really nice discussion about how it feels when our beliefs are being followed and what gets in the way of our beliefs being followed.  It was not surprising that the students had many of the same observations as the Guides. It is the job of the community to follow our beliefs and it is indeed the Guides job to make sure that the beliefs are being upheld. We'll be using a system school-wide (Sam will be sending an email out with more information) that will make it very clear when a behavior goes against our community's beliefs and very clear what the consequence will be for that.  Last thing I'd like to say about this discussion, is that we are coaching the children to understand the meaning of "consequence."  A consequence is not synonymous with a punishment. A consequence literally translates into "what comes after." Erik used a nice example - "When you pour water into a glass, then the consequence is that the glass is full of water."  Basically, we want the children to understand that we are all here to support one another, that all behaviors (appropriate and inappropriate) have consequences, and that is not a bad thing - it's just a fact. If you have any further questions or concerns please feel free to contact us. 

This week in lessons:

First years:

Study of the U.S.A. part II - learning about animals that live in different parts of the country

Stamp Game Addition Word Problems

Absorption Experiment (which paper towel is the quicker picker upper?)

Bird Study

Second years:

Liquid Density Experiment

Bead Frame Multiplication Word Problems

Cursive Practice

Fundamental Needs Chart

Third years:

Our Connected Waterways

Checkerboard Multiplication (Some are creating their own HUGE checkerboard)

Fundamental Needs across Cultures

Study of a Nation Interest Project

Upcoming:

GRS Soiree at  Como Dockside - February 11th

The Soiree is a Great River tradition and a way for us to fundraise for opportunities that are important to our mission as a school.  This year, we will continue our tradition of creating Homeless Shelter Baskets. During the Soiree, people will bid on the basket, the proceeds will go to GRS, and the person who places the winning bid may donate the basket to a charity of their choice. Please have your child bring donations by February 3rd. We could still use items - our basket looks pretty empty at the moment...

Here are some donation ideas:

- soap

- shampoos/conditioners 

- socks

- hair brushes

- toothbrushes

- toothpaste

- floss

- wash clothes

- deodorant

- great clips or target gift card

- diapers

- baby powder

Feeling fortunate for all of you,

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

LEW Newsletter 1/13/2017

Hello LEW Families,

Greetings and hope you're enjoying the fluffy stuff outside as much as we are. The children have been sledding, building, and sliding to their hearts' content and we are so grateful that we've had the chance to make the most of it (i.e. no indoor recess this week!).  

The work continues on and the children are diving right in...

First Year Lessons:

- Triangles by side

- Introduction and work with stamp game +

- Verb

- Continuing to work on classification

- Rocket math +

Second Year Lessons:

- Curved figures

- Stamp game x

- Continuing to work on animals and plants from different North American biomes

- Creating cultural folders (ask which culture they're focusing on!)

- Rocket math -

Third Year Lessons:

- Rounding to the nearest 100 and 1000

- Double digit multiplication with the checkerboard

- Triple digit multiplication with the checkerboard 

- Study of a Nation (lots of progress here!)

- Rocket math -

Event coming up...

GRS Soiree at  Como Dockside - February 11th

The Soiree is a Great River tradition and a way for us to fundraise for opportunities that are important to our mission as a school.  This year, we will continue our tradition of creating Homeless Shelter Baskets. During the Soiree, people will bid on the basket, the proceeds will go to GRS, and the person who places the winning bid may donate the basket to a charity of their choice. Please have your child bring donations by February 3rd. 

Here are some donation ideas:

- soap

- shampoos/conditioners 

- socks

- hair brushes

- toothbrushes

- toothpaste

- floss

- wash clothes

- deodorant

- great clips or target gift card

- diapers

- baby powder

Enjoy your three-day weekend!

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori    

Reading Buddies & Thursday Folders

Happy New Year!

Hoping the transition back to school has gone smoothly for all of you. Now that we're getting back into the swing of things, we're hoping to get reading buddy volunteers back for our early readers.  The times we do reading are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 1:00-2:00. If you are interested in continuing to be a reading buddy or to get started, please just let me know or sign up on the LEW volunteer opportunities google form.  

Also, if you haven't done so already, please make sure your child brings in their Thursday Folder. Work is already being completed will be ready to send home soon!

Finally, thanks for sending all of your children to school with all of their winter gear. It looks like we may not go to the park tomorrow (very low wind chill), but we will still try to get outside for a little recess on our playground.

Stay warm out there!

Warm regards,

--

Jessy Eaton Fabel

Lower Elementary Guide

"Our aim therefore is not merely to make the child understand, and still less to force him to memorize, but so to touch his imagination as to enthuse him to his inmost core." ~ Maria Montessori