Wonder and Worry

I'm hoping that you are reading this post days after it's written!  That means you are playing outside, going for ice cream, at the beach...etc.  However, you may also be online because like me you're a news junkie!

West Ottawa Public Schools has already put steps in place to find a new Upper Montessori teacher.  Please know that they are committed to finding someone with Montessori experience who will be excited to teach at Waukazoo.

Several years ago when Mrs. Sale was first hired to begin her Montessori training and open a new first through third grade classroom we had many parents that called and emailed administration and other WZ Montessori teachers telling us they "only wanted Mrs. Klinger, not the new teacher," and that we needed to carefully develop this new classroom.  Today, Mrs. Sale is a well-loved and hard-working Montessori teacher!  Her students come into 4th grade prepared to work hard and they are excited about learning through Montessori.  Mrs. Sale succeeded because she was committed and because she was supported by her parents and fellow teachers.

I've heard rumors that parents are planning to leave the Montessori program to go into a traditional classroom, that parents are contacting other Montessori teachers about what to do... my first thought was to leave this all alone.  However, I wanted to write this post to simply say that I hope you will stay with the Montessori program and that you will support the new teacher.  We don't know who this is yet, but West Ottawa Schools will do everything in its power to make sure that this person is a good fit for the Montessori program, just as it did with all the other teachers that have been hired for WoMo Montessori.  I can also speak from experience and tell you that when a child moves from a Montessori classroom to a traditional classroom...they aren't challenged in the same way.  They just aren't.

I began my Montessori career at a charter Montessori school in 1997.  When I started I was not yet trained in Montessori and I wasn't supported by many of the parents.  This is a tough place to be when you're in a new program.   I persevered because the staff I was working with believed that I had it in me!

Please be that parent that allows the other Montessori teachers to enjoy their summer, that supports the program, that stays with the program!  I hope you will be around to help the new teacher join Waukazoo Montessori!

All the best-

Mrs. Perrien

More photos!

Thank you again, volunteers, for all you did this school year!

Discovery Days

Spring Projects

These include dioramas, body projects, and pulling Garlic Mustard with our kindergarten buddies.

Discovery Days

Great photos!

Body Rap!

Thanks Mr. Burkholder!

5th Graders Year End!

Pictures from our Day at the Park

Summer Work! Are you kidding Mrs. Perrien?

Parents-

It's been a week.  Your kids are home every day, playing outside, playing games, watching TV, arguing, and even telling you they're bored.

Gasp...!

If they're not bored yet, they will be soon!  So, what recommendations does Mrs. Perrien have for summer work?

1.  The Perrien kids each do a summer math workbook.  I buy these at Barnes and Noble.  The kids do 2 pages per day.  (Well, at least Abby.  Evelyn's work is advanced enough that she uses her online math textbook and reviews weak areas.)  These are done first thing in the morning after breakfast.

2.  Abby also does Moby Math each week--the same 30 minute weekly requirement is in place for the summer.

3.  Read.  http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com

4.  Play outside!  The Perrien girls have even gone to Grandpa's house to swim and care for his chickens.  Grandpa just had surgery, the girls helped me feed and water his chickens in return for pool time.  Chickens are hilarious!

5.  We are growing a nice vegetable garden this year.  I've planted cucumbers, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.  Combine that with our berries and asparagus and we're doing okay!  We've already been dealing with ninja bunnies (Fence?  What fence?) and the girls have helped me research how to get around these challenging creatures.

I'm sure there's more you do with your kiddos in the summer.  Aside from day trips to the beach, the zoo, and the Meijer gardens what else do you do for fun and education?

Mrs. Perrien

What to do this summer?

Activities to beat summer boredom:

• Take a walk.
• Teach your child a new sport: golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, etc.
• Play with your pets!
• Research something new and different--visit the library or go online!
• Learn to play a new board game or card game.  Last summer we taught our girls to play Rummy.  It's a fun family game!
• Teach your son or daughter how to cook a few easy dishes, or better yet, teach them to cook some of the family favorites.
• Limit television viewing (!)
• Ride your bicycle (Wear a helmet!)
• Play family games--Sorry, Monopoly, Uno, ...these are all great fun!
• Go to a movie! (I use BoxOfficeMom for kid friendly movie recommendations.)
• Spend a day at the beach
• Pick strawberries, blueberries, green beans...whatever is ready this summer and U-pick
• Visit the Farmer's Market
• Plant a summer vegetable or herb garden (This is so much fun!)
• Go to the Ionia Free Fair (July 18-27, 2013)
• Great day trips:  Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, the Detroit Zoo.
• Visit the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo
• The Grand Rapids Picnic Pops are well worth the 45 minute drive! It's a great family evening.
• Visit Lansing and tour the state capitol, plus tour the Michigan History Museum.  I've done this tour many times and it never ceases to fascinate me.  I'm proud to be from the state of Michigan!
• Finally, how about camping?  I am a confirmed "hotel camper" meaning it's where I'd rather be.  However, I can appreciate an evening here and there, sleeping in a tent, sitting around a campfire, and getting to tell my children stories of their family's history.

No matter what, be sure to enjoy every moment of summer, it really goes so fast!

More on Preventing the Summer Slide

The following link takes you to a nice handout on preventing the summer reading slide.  Great ideas are in this handout!

http://blog.maketaketeach.com/preventing-the-summer-slide/

--Mrs. Perrien