Category Archives: McGuffey

High School P.E.

Our high school students have enjoyed a variety of activities for Physical Education this fall. We’ve been outside for most of it- barring a few rainy days. We’ve had fun while practicing the skills for numerous lifetime sports, including bocce, … Continue reading

Posted in field trip, High School, McGuffey, Montessori method, outside, physical education, sensorial, Uncategorized

Music in the Fall

Recently in music, first graders completed their study of both “Carnival of the Animals” and percussion instruments. We learned about the composer Camille Saint-Saëns (he loved a good joke!) and what makes an instrument a percussion instrument (they make a … Continue reading

Posted in intermediate unit, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, music, Uncategorized, Upper Elementary

Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time to celebrate with family and friends, but the history of the holiday is complicated and often misunderstood. Based on the book “1621: A New Look at Thanksgiving”, Lower Elementary had a chance to discuss what actually … Continue reading

Posted in community, gratitude, language arts, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, social studies, Uncategorized

France

We studied France in the Primary classroom for the past two weeks and ended this unit with an Art History lesson about ballet. We discussed how ballet was brought to France from Italy, where it developed into the performance art … Continue reading

Posted in art, community, guest speakers, language arts, McGuffey, pre-primary, preschool, Primary, primary unit, sensorial, social studies, Uncategorized, upper unit

Gratitude

Each November at the high school, we talk about gratitude. Last year, we read about and listened to speakers explain the importance of practicing gratitude to cultivate a happy life. We engaged the topic through our Seminar discussions. This year, … Continue reading

Posted in foreign language, High School, language arts, McGuffey, Montessori method, Uncategorized

Election Day

Costume Day at McGuffey is always the day after Halloween, which happened to coincide with the day before Election Day. In Lower Elementary, we combined the two subjects and held an election about candy! Based on personal preference, the class … Continue reading

Posted in community, democratic process, language arts, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, pre-primary, preschool, Primary, primary unit, social studies, Uncategorized

Boris the Mantis

Our students discovered a visitor living on a plant that recently came into our classroom.  Watching and learning about this beautiful mantis became a daily practice. The students even put democracy into action to choose a name. 

Posted in community, democratic process, High School, insects, language arts, McGuffey, Montessori method, science, social studies, Uncategorized

1800s Day

1800s Day is a McGuffey tradition where the Primary and Lower Elementary classrooms go back in time. All modern materials are put away, leaving only items they would have in the 1800s. Other than toilets, they do not have access … Continue reading

Posted in language arts, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, outside, practical life, pre-primary, preschool, Primary, primary unit, social studies, Uncategorized

SOARing!

The yearly tradition of SOAR (Students Outside Active and Running) wrapped up last Friday. Students from each grade band had the opportunity to get out and run, or walk, for two weeks to rack up miles and score feet for … Continue reading

Posted in community, fundraising, McGuffey, Montessori method, outside, partners, physical education, pre-primary, preschool, Primary, primary unit, Uncategorized, Upper Elementary, upper unit

Partners

Everyone has been thrilled to see our Partners program start this year! Partners is a program that pairs older and younger students. Older students have an opportunity to be the expert, while younger students benefit from having a mentor. Both … Continue reading

Posted in community, intermediate unit, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Montessori method, partners, Uncategorized, upper unit