A kind, gentle North Austin community school
As we finish up our fall semester, we reflect on where we’ve come since August. This fall, like past years, we have enjoyed a new cohort of two-year-olds. It is lovely to watch them learn how our classroom operates while developing coordination and a sense of order. We have always incorporated two-year olds into our classroom, […]
As we approach Thanksgiving, our students are sharing their gratitude in many ways. Last week, we started a book of gratitude, in which the students can write (or a teacher may write for them) something for which they are thankful. This morning, we are grateful that the mom of one of our students came in […]
Our students have had several examples of the circle of life recently. Death can be a topic that adults hesitate to discuss with children, but in truth it is all around us. In October, we had several examples. Our students carefully planted a small garden of broccoli and kale. But one morning last week we […]
Many thanks to one of our moms who came to school this morning to help our students work with pumpkins out on the playground. Everyone had the chance to draw or stamp on a pumpkin, poke holes in it (“carving”) and/or scoop out the gooey meat and seeds. Fun times!
A couple of weeks ago, we received 10 caterpillars for our classroom. In a little over a week, they had each made their chrysalis, only this year the butterflies emerged much more quickly than they did last year. Several of them emerged from their cocoon during the school day while the curious students were able […]
Five of our caterpillars made cocoons last night, and that wasn’t even the most exciting thing that happened today! We also had not one, not two, but THREE special visitors! First, we had a special Halloween visit from one of our student’s Grandma’s, who came all the way from New York City to help us […]
Yesterday Mrs Laura stayed a bit longer than usual and joined the students on the playground for an extended music class. It was even more kinesthetic than usual, with versions of “High and Low,” “I’m a Little Monkey,” and “You Walk and You Walk and You Stop.” And, for the first time our younger students […]
Dr Maria Montessori’s curricula have been used in schools for over 100 years. One of the main concepts behind of her ideas is control of error; the material design sets the child up for success–and growth–through small, acceptable failures. After 2 years in our classroom, our students are so accustomed to accepting new challenges and learning from their […]
One of the popular themes so far this year has been our “Air, Land or Water” materials. Part of our Montessori Science curriculum, these works can come in a variety of forms; check out two of them here.
It was rainy this morning, but that didn’t stop us from our first day of fun–and learning–of the 2016-17 school year.
The reviews are in. This morning our students saw, for the first time, the tires that were set up in the playground over the weekend. “That’s cool!” said one. “So much to climb!” said another. “They’re buried?” asked a skeptical third. We think they like it…
Many thanks to one of our creative dads for our new water work. These mobile green ramps (“slides” to the kids) are fun for all. We have learned about water flow and the children quickly figured out how to conserve the water and recycle it to create the “waterfalls.” The older students are interested in […]