Tree Of Life

February 11, 2026


Now that they have discussed energy, air, water, and soil, first and second grade Biomes are discussing life on Earth, including both plants and animals. They have explored this through several manipulatives. The Second Great Lesson is a presentation that follows life from the first microscopic life to the plants and animals we see on Earth today. Students built the Timeline of Life, which explores the emergence and extinction of life over time. This week they have been building the Tree of Life, which is a graphic representation of modern life. The branches help students visualize how different species are connected.

Posted in Lower Elementary, science, social studies

Simple Machines

February 9, 2026


In the Primary classroom, simple machines are taught with hands on work involving the lever, inclined plane, wheel and axle, pulley, wedge, and screw. These simple tools make work easier. Presentation on simple machines begins with concrete sensorial work, showing how ramps can be used for cars, building levers, and exploring doorknobs.

Posted in Primary, science

Kanji

February 6, 2026


As part of their study on Asia, Primary students are being introduced to languages that use symbols other than our alphabet. Students are using a wet/dry board to try to replicate Kanji, Chinese characters used in the Japanese writing system which represent ideas and words rather than just sounds.

Posted in Primary, social studies

Using Drills in Upper Elementary

February 2, 2026


Upper Elementary students are getting ready to help out around the house as they begin using power tools. Using a cordless drill, students determined which drill bit to use to drill a pilot hole,  then switched bits to drive a screw into a piece of wood.

Posted in practical life, Upper Elementary

Photosynthesis

January 30, 2026


Lower Elementary used movement, signs, and their bodies to study photosynthesis, the process plants use to create their own carbohydrates as food. Students stood on a green mat representing chloroplast which absorbs the sun and held signs representing the sun and other molecules. By making carbohydrates, plants break down molecules and releases the “leftover” oxygen which benefits animals around them. Movement and acting out scientific processes help ingrain knowledge, in this case why plants need water, carbon dioxide and energy from the sun to create a carbohydrate.

Posted in Lower Elementary, science

Transfer Activities

January 29, 2026

Montessori transfer activities develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, concentration, and independence in the Primary classroom. Materials used include liquids, dry items such as beans, and transfers that require a tool like the tongs above. In this work, tongs are used to transfer beautiful glass leaves from one container to the next. We can observe the utter focus of this student who has the freedom and time to pass the glass leaves back and forth as often as they would like.

Posted in Primary, sensorial

Cosmic Question

January 28, 2026


Middle School students offered argumentative summaries, presentations, and various discussions on bringing back extinct animals last week. They explored possibilities and any unforeseen complications based on recent scientific research using various reading passages and resources. In this presentation, a few students took a playful approach to the idea of designing the return of a couple of prehistoric dinosaurs with some alterations, while considering a possible foreseen habitat, food sources, and survival rate. This exercise could be considered a “cosmic question.” In the Montessori philosophy, a “cosmic question” is an existential question meant to spark wonder and curiosity.

Posted in Middle School, peace, science

School Closed, 1/27

January 25, 2026

McGuffey will be closed January 27.

Posted in Uncategorized

Lungs

January 23, 2026


Using a cup, straws, balloons and tape, Middle School students created lungs. The cup represents the chest cavity and tape which seals around the straw is the nose and mouth. Inside the cup, the straws replicate the bronchi and trachea. Lungs are placed at the bottom in the form of balloons. The bottom of the cup is covered with a large balloon to stand in place of the diaphragm. When pulled, the lungs inflate!

Posted in Middle School, science

Celebrating Dr. King

January 21, 2026


The Oxford NAACP hosted its annual MLK Jr. Community Celebration and Creative Arts Exposition at the Oxford Community Arts Center. We are grateful to the NAACP for the extraordinary opportunity for our students to know they are a part of the celebration of Dr. King. Thank you to McGuffey staff for fostering student participation and for the families who could come see all of the wonderful art.

Posted in Lower Elementary, Middle School, peace, social studies, Upper Elementary