Montessori Curriculum

Montessori curriculum is divided into 5 separate categories. The Christmas break was spent reorganizing and bringing in the New Year with a stronger focus on each of these curriculum categories. The goal with this short blog is to bring a better understanding of what children may be discussing when they go home. More information about specific lessons will soon be uploaded to the Parent Resources tab.

Sensorial

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The senses: see, touch, smell, taste, hear, & touch with movement.

Sensorial materials are often referred to as self-correcting.

Practical Life

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Generally, the introduction into Montessori is done with lessons in this category.

Care of Self- buttoning, zipping, washing hands.

Care of Environment- watering plants, sweeping, wiping tables.

Language Arts

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Mathematics

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Numbers, numbers, and more numbers!

Cultural Studies

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Subjects covered include zoology, geography, science, botany, foreign language, and the study of counties, religions, and holidays.

 

Winter Solstice

The air has been a buzz with all of the holiday celebrations along with questions about why it’s so dark! We’ve done some experimenting with working in different lights and explored a little of what’s happening from outer space. Today we closed out 2018 sharing in a tradition of bringing in Winter Solstice with warmth and light with ice lanterns. This is going to be a continual topic as it has peaked interest in every student. We look forward to the coming year and watching young minds flourish and grow!

Food Drive Follow-up

We had a chance to tour the Fairbanks Community Foodbank where we donated our 154 lbs of food! They do amazing work and are truly so grateful for all the support they receive from around our area. We too are grateful for all of those who helped bring awareness to our students about the importance of caring for those around us and giving back. Please consider volunteering or donating to this amazing organization if you are offered the opportunity! Thank you!!!

Holidays Around the World

North Pole Montessori will be hosting an open house event Wednesday 12/12 from 5:00pm-7:00pm. We will be celebrating winter holidays from around the world, an extension of our current curriculum. We will also have homemade gingerbread cookies to decorate. We welcome you to come experience the excitement of Montessori and maybe learn a little as well! More details under events on our Facebook page!

Happy Holidays from all of us to you!!!

What’s Happening?

With the holiday season quickly approaching I wanted to share some additions, changes, and fun we will be experiencing at NPM!

The website now has a “Parent Resources” tab which will be updated with upcoming events, contains a list of required snow apparel, and will soon have some great information about lessons children are likely coming home talking about. Please make sure, as a parent, you are checking in on this somewhat regularly 🙂

We also received our amazingly comfy beanies and adult hoodies. Our supply is quickly diminishing so if you are looking for a stocking stuffer idea or simply want to get one for yourself, get your payments in under the “Pay Here” tab or directly to the school. Also if you are struggling with gift ideas for your children (or family members are asking for ideas), I have added gift certificates to the “Pay Here” tab. There is no better gift for parents and children alike than education, instead of another item which may only hold its luster for a short period. These certificates will be printed so there is a tangible item for the children to receive.

I have reviewed our attendance and payment options and starting 2019 there are a few changes to ensure the children are getting enough time in the classroom. Along with this, I want parents to be able to receive consistent billing each month as well as have a clearer picture of funds I can use for school expenses such as staffing and maybe getting into a larger space. I know these changes may come as a shock to some, but I promise I am only making changes in the best interest of NPM and its students!

Tomorrow, Tuesday 11/20 we will be having Pie Day! This is an amazing experience my family was able to share at a different school and we loved it so much we wanted to pass along the fun. The children will spend time making their own pumpkin pies which will be ready to take home at pickup on Tuesday! Parents are welcome to attend. It should be a great day!

The month of November is quickly coming to a close and we are about to pick up all of our food donations at our various locations! The children and I are excited to sort, count, weigh, and distribute our final tally. This has been a great topic of discussion and the learning opportunities continue to grow from this event. We appreciate you for your donations if you’ve already had the chance to participate and we welcome you to get those last minute donations in as we are just about 10 days from closing it out.

Personally, I just want to say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for such an amazing start here at North Pole Montessori! We have all learned a lot together and the bonds formed just continue to grow. I appreciate each and every person who has been a part of this tremendous experience so far!

November- Food Drive

One of the best parts of the Montessori curriculum is being able to apply real-life aspects to lessons. When thinking of a subject to dive into for the month of November, food quickly came to mind. There is so much to learn about food to include the need for nutrition for many people in our community. This is going to be a really great month and I cannot wait to see the enjoyment the children find when we are able to tie everything together and lend a helping hand! Thank you to the local businesses who agreed to assist by being collection sites!!!NPFD Flyer

The 3-Hour Work Cycle

The concept of a 3-hour work cycle is something which can only truly be understood by being in the environment. Observation is something highly encouraged in the Montessori world. Parents are welcomed into the environment where children get to be themselves, explore their interests, and become a part of a bigger community. I was introduced to Montessori thru a course at UAF and once I was intrigued I began to do some additional research. The amazing video link below was something I found, have witnessed at other schools in Fairbanks, and have the privilege of experiencing on a daily basis in my own classroom. I invite you to take a look at the amazing morning of a young child to offer more clarity on the 3-hour work cycle.

I hope you enjoy!