A kind and gentle North Austin community school
October brings not just the cooler weather, but we are finally settling in after the start of the school year. We get to go camping together. We enjoy the playground more and more. Of course, October also means Halloween our classroom turns orange and we start to see witches and ghosts and pumpkins everywhere!
One sunny afternoon last winter, our playground saw a group of children spontaneously gather each other for a game. Not just a simple imagination-type-game, but this group of children between the ages of 2 and 5 decided to play a game of charades. The rules of the game were that one child would get up […]
It is a stage and so much more…
Springtime is such a wonderful time of year – on the playground and inside our classroom.
Today may be Valentine’s Day, but we’ve been talking about it for several days already and no doubt it will last into next week. Here is a glimpse are saying and doing this week…
Thought we’d stop by to share what’s been happening at Antonia’s art table (and easel) the last few months… Back in August and September, art was often outside in the shade. As the kids concentration improved and they got used working with a variety of media their work got more complicated, including sculptures and our Christmas […]
We had so much fun making our Jack-O-Lanterns this morning! It definitely takes a village of varied talents to accomplish carving 7 pumpkins in one morning. Above all, you need an amazing parent community. Many thanks to the two parents who were able to help. Their patience and organization made it all possible. It takes […]
The sun has set on another wonderful weekend together in nature. Those who know us know that we love the outdoors. From time to time we get the opportunity to extend that beyond our playground and birthday parties and go camping! Besides just enjoying the beauty of the central Texas outdoors, our camping trips are […]
One of the most-cited phrases used about a Montessori education is “follow the child.” So, just how much do we actually do that? And, how is that even safe? We Montessorians often speak of independence. We want the child to be able to choose what she or he wants to do. But, of course, we […]
our students have been asking about the rain, where it comes from, where it goes. And why it’s now gone?!?
As we move around our playground, we keep finding math lessons! Dr Montessori observed that “Children display a universal love of mathematics,” and we have definitely found that this spring. From simple quests like “go find five different leaves” to doing impromptu lessons with wood cookies and sticks (at right, and above) Of course, we […]
All year long, we’ve been expanding our outdoor classroom, and this month was no exception. We’ve brought outside a full compliment of Practical Life materials for kids of all ages. These activities, such as pouring water, spooning rice, watering the flowers and sweeping (both practice and actual) are things that we do every day. These […]