September Newsletter

The Montessori Schoolhouse1301 E. Ft. Lowell, Tucson, AZ 85718www.themontessorischoolhouse.com T: 520.319.8668

Dear Friends,

It is wonderful to be back in the classrooms, buzzing with curious students explaining million cubes, the History of the Earth, Synonyms, and Pangea, among many other things.We thank you for the continued support you give to your child’s education!

Open House

Open House will be Wednesday, September 30th, 4:45-6pm. We will have brief presentations by Lower Elementary and Upper Elementary teachers with Q & A to follow. Think of topics you might have wondered about: the Montessori classroom methodology, the academic materials, the social classroom, anything- don’t be shy. If you have a question, chances are others do as well.

SuppliesWe absolutely cannot thank all of you enough for your supply contributions! In light of Arizona’s school funding policy, your supply contributions are invaluable and very much appreciated.

Awards

We would like to congratulate Nola Gelling for her winning stamp design!

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Upcoming EventsOpen HouseWednesday, Sept. 30th, 4:45-6pm

Parent/Teacher ConferencesOctober, TBA

Columbus DaySchool ClosedMonday, October 12th

Veteran’s DaySchool ClosedWednesday, November 11th

Thanksgiving HolidaySchool ClosedNovember 25-27

Important RemindersLunch Utensils

Please remember to pack any needed utensils with your child’s lunch, such as plastic spoons, forks, and knives. Thank you!

Pick Up

Pick-up time for Lower El is 2:15-2:30; Upper El is 2:30-2:45. Please pull as far forward in the turn-around as possible. Thank

Classroom News

Lower ElementaryStudents are laying out the Rope Timeline of Life with its swirling, forming Earth, real

trilobite fossils, and Cenozoic wooly mammoths. Ask your child to tell you about the Paleozoic Era.

Our students have also been creating elaborate Compass Roses and discovering that a natural lodestone really does point north.

Our Timeline of Life, as well as our Big Bang presentations, both lay the groundwork for the big units coming up: Astronomy and the Universe, as well as Geology, and the study of the Earth. These units will be combined with our first big cultural study: Italy, past and present (Galileo, Discovery of the Planets, etc.). So, you may enjoy discussing these topics ahead of time, if you wish!

In math, Lower Elementary is enjoying all forms of addition, large numbers and expanded notation of numerals, as well as symmetry and asymmetry, with much geometry on its way.

The class recently came up with numerous synonyms for the word “big” in a study of synonyms: large, enormous, huge, and humongous!

Upper Elementary

In Upper El, our amazing students have once more started the year with great vigor and enthusiasm! We have begun the semester with the “big” ideas of science, language, and geography. In geography, students have opened their minds to such concepts as the Fundamental Needs of Humans, the Compass, Types of Maps, and Continents, Countries, and States. Science presentations have been exploring the many levels at which scientists can observe The World of Living Things, from the macro to the micro. Upper El Scientists can regularly be seen researching their favorite biomes, and observing animal and plant tissues under a microscope. In math, students have been diving into the foundational concepts of Place Value, Expanded Notation, Rounding and Estimation, and Multiplication with our engaging hands-on materials. Language study has begun with an in-depth look at the History of Writing, followed by the Elements of a Story and Components of a Plot. In addition, students have been eagerly writing original personal narratives each week on a range of topics, from “The first day of school…” to “A time I was hurt…” Come in anytime to read one of your student’s incredible works of writing! Last but not least, our Practical Life shelf is bursting with appealing and useful sensory-filled activities, including Coffee Grinding and Spice Identification. It’s no wonder we regularly hear students saying, “I love school!” Choir is in full swing, with the students’ lovely voices filling the classroom on Friday afternoons. **Information on ordering this year’s choir shirts will be coming soon, stay tuned!**

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Regine, Olive, Maddy, Dana, Perla, Judi, Emilie, Joel

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