While Grades Five and Six discussed realistic fiction in ELA, other classmates were having a blast in math!
Language + Math
Posted in Upper Elementary
Corn Husk Dolls
Grades 1-3 had a visit from Emily Legg, McGuffey parent and member of the Cherokee tribe. This is always a great way to remind students that Native American people are still living in this country. Emily told us a story about corn husk dolls which explained why they have no faces. After she shared the story, she helped students make their own dolls. These dolls were a huge hit, with students crafting and sewing clothes for their dolls. Emily also shared a traditional bean bread, made from masa harina and cooked in corn husks. We are so fortunate to have community that helps bring our lessons to life!
Posted in Lower Elementary
Snow!
Maria Montessori encouraged teachers to “follow the child.” It’s a statement that guides us each day and drives our work in very particular ways. We believe each child has innate qualities that lead them to learning, and it is our job to prepare the path and then get out of the way.
At McGuffey Montessori, we are flexible and listen to the needs of our students. During our first snow of the season, which arrived much earlier than usual, students asked if they could go outside. Because our schedule can be malleable and teachers are willing to adapt, the indoor work period was moved outdoors. Work plans could wait for later in the day to make space for the joy of being a kid in the snow building a giant snowball with friends.
Posted in Lower Elementary, outside
Scholarship Fund Drive
Our Scholarship Fund Drive is about to begin. If you live in Ohio, please consider donating to our Scholarship Fund and receive an equal tax credit up to $750 making your donation free. Every donation will help us reach our goal. See the Support Us tab on our website for more information.
Posted in Uncategorized
Balloon Rockets
Middle School science has been focused on physical science. Part of that study called for building a balloon rocket that must travel from one place to another along a fishing line. And on costume day, no less! Building the rockets helped demonstrate Newton’s Third Law of Motion (explaining how the air escaping from the balloon pushes against the surrounding air, propelling the straw forward), thrust and air pressure.
Posted in Middle School, science
Falling Leaves, Happy Students
Jumping and raking is always a blast and our students have plenty of time for this play. In fact, in a Montessori school, we think of it as work. Notice that children are raking and piling leaves together. Notice that each student is getting a turn while others happily wait. This teamwork not only builds community and deep bonds, it prepares students to work with teams in high school, college and beyond. The play is work and the work is fun.
Posted in Lower Elementary, partners, Primary, Upper Elementary
Election Day
Primary and Lower Elementary got into the action of Election Day. The vote was on whether to use special scissors or markers at a future event. Lower Elementary students lobbied for their favorite with reasons why they preferred one over the other. After the presentations, everyone voted. In a surprise twist, scissors won the day. Although it may seem trivial, Election Day at McGuffey brings understanding that votes matter, hearing opinions can sway our thinking, and whether you’re disappointed or elated, another vote will happen again next year.
Posted in Lower Elementary, Primary
Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands)
As Primary continues their exploration of South America, they turned to Argentina. A large country, Argentina stretches across the southern half of South America, which means its landscape has a range of climates and geographic features. With a mix of indigenous people and European immigrants, the Argentine culture is rich in music, dance, food, and traditions. Our students have the opportunity to explore many of these characteristics through the manipulatives on the shelves. They are exploring gourd cups that hold the Argentine tea, mate. They also talked about the delicious milk caramel, dulche de leche.
Cueva de las Manos (Cave of Hands), a series of caves located in Santa Cruz, Argentina, was a fascinating topic. It is known for its paintings of hands which are estimated to be between 13,000 and 9,000 years old. The cave also has paintings of humans, animals, and geometric patterns. For this Social Study unit Art History installment we decided to make our own version of the Cave of Hands. Creating this experience makes the connections so much more meaningful!
Posted in Primary, social studies
A Week in Middle School
Middle School students had a busy week! They created origami versions of the water cycle and started a pond. They built fairy gardens around the pond as decoration as well as benefits like winter housing for insects. They guided their Lower Elementary partners on a year-long activity of observing an assigned tree on the school grounds. In preparation for Upper Elementary’s return from Glen Helen, Middle Schoolers wrote welcome home messages on the Upper white board and filled their calssrroom with tiny hedge hogs to find. At the end of the week, they stayed at McGuffey for a late night hang-out and had a ball. What a wonderful place to be a Middle School student.
Posted in Middle School, partners, science
