A few odds and ends to complete my flurry of news and other information tonight!
Holiday Gift Shop
If students missed out on the opportunity to shop today and want to go back to the gift shop it will be open on Friday morning from 9-11:30 a.m. Students just need to let one of us know they want to shop that morning.
Spiritwear
If you ordered Waukazoo spiritwear student council is anticipating the order to be in at the end of next week.
Online Viewing of Lunch Account
Contact the West Ottawa Food Service office at 786-2100 to receive your child's account number. You will then use that number to register at www.lunchdeposit.com. Entire families will be able to register on one account!
West Ottawa Youth Sports Program: 3rd-6th Grade Boy's Basketball
Literature went home earlier this week and registration is currently taking place. Contact West Ottawa Athletics at 616.994.5030 with additional questions.
Classroom Holiday Project
The students have spoken! Rather than bringing in gifts to each other [or me], we will be collecting donations for the Harbor Humane Society. (click here for a wish list). If you are interested, each student is asked to bring in an item for the Humane Society on or before the classroom Christmas party. I will drop off all items on Friday, December 18 in the afternoon after school.
Holiday Pet-Sitting
If you are interested in "pet-sitting" over the holiday break and will be staying in Holland this Christmas, please let me know. We have several classroom pets that need a holiday home: Spotz the gecko, hermy the hermit crab, one guppy, one beta, and everyone's favorite...the cockroaches! First come, it's yours!
I believe that IS the latest; have a wonderful week!
--Mrs. Perrien
08 December 2009
Guest Speaker highlights!
Thank you, Christy Watkin, for your visit today! Please visit the Photobucket site for additional photos from Miss Watkin's visit.
06 December 2009
Math in the Upper Montessori Classroom
Earlier this school year I discussed on this blog the importance of doing daily and weekly math fact assessments in the classroom. This post will give parents a little more information about our overall classroom math program.
When I first started in Montessori education over 12 years ago I was introduced to the Albanesi math program. The program provides an organized, systematic method for the students to work through math concepts while continuing the use the materials developed by Montessori and her associates. Over the years I have carefully supplemented in areas that I felt needed more study or were lacking based on the state of Michigan's grade level content expectations.
Students begin by taking a pretest that covers a set amount of concepts. The results of the pretests are used to determine what work students should do and what they have already mastered. From there students work weekly on their mathematics work, sometimes individually and sometimes in small groups. When students have finished a set amount of concepts they will take a post-test to determine if the concepts are mastered or if further work is needed.
Students sit for lessons throughout the week. These lessons, in both math and geometry, provide instruction in new concepts and demonstrate for students how to properly use the Montessori materials. Sometimes lessons will show students how to move away from the materials into abstraction. However, a student is never pushed to do a work abstractly until he or she demonstrates readiness. It is for this reason that we only do math homework in areas that have been mastered abstractly.
How can parents help at home? Encourage your child in his/her mental math and remind him or her of your weekly expectations regarding the workplan and its completion. The weekly workplan is a document provided weekly to the child to guide his or her learning. The workplan should be completed each week. Students are given "workplan time" in the classroom to complete their required work--including the workplan assignments. (I will be posting further about the workplan this month.)
Other ways to help your child develop mental math skills including helping mom or dad maintain a budget when grocery shopping, calculating tips when eating out, plus assisting with baking or home improvement projects around the house (measurement). One final thought about math at home...please encourage and practice mental math!
Students will be taking math tests this week or next. Results will be shared with parents in January. Have a wonderful week!
When I first started in Montessori education over 12 years ago I was introduced to the Albanesi math program. The program provides an organized, systematic method for the students to work through math concepts while continuing the use the materials developed by Montessori and her associates. Over the years I have carefully supplemented in areas that I felt needed more study or were lacking based on the state of Michigan's grade level content expectations.
Students begin by taking a pretest that covers a set amount of concepts. The results of the pretests are used to determine what work students should do and what they have already mastered. From there students work weekly on their mathematics work, sometimes individually and sometimes in small groups. When students have finished a set amount of concepts they will take a post-test to determine if the concepts are mastered or if further work is needed.
Students sit for lessons throughout the week. These lessons, in both math and geometry, provide instruction in new concepts and demonstrate for students how to properly use the Montessori materials. Sometimes lessons will show students how to move away from the materials into abstraction. However, a student is never pushed to do a work abstractly until he or she demonstrates readiness. It is for this reason that we only do math homework in areas that have been mastered abstractly.
How can parents help at home? Encourage your child in his/her mental math and remind him or her of your weekly expectations regarding the workplan and its completion. The weekly workplan is a document provided weekly to the child to guide his or her learning. The workplan should be completed each week. Students are given "workplan time" in the classroom to complete their required work--including the workplan assignments. (I will be posting further about the workplan this month.)
Other ways to help your child develop mental math skills including helping mom or dad maintain a budget when grocery shopping, calculating tips when eating out, plus assisting with baking or home improvement projects around the house (measurement). One final thought about math at home...please encourage and practice mental math!
Students will be taking math tests this week or next. Results will be shared with parents in January. Have a wonderful week!
29 November 2009
This Week at School
Welcome back from a long holiday weekend! I hope everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving break.
Next week at school the holiday gift shop will be set up for interested children to do their Christmas shopping. We have a preview day at the beginning of the week and children will have the opportunity to shop mid-to-late in the week. This is a PTA-sponsored activity.
Also, Dads and Doughnuts is this week! Dads are welcome to enjoy coffee and a doughnut this Friday morning from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. This is a Perrien-only classroom activity.
Although parents will be asked to sign a spelling pretest Monday evening, there will be no reflection to sign this week. We did not "reflect" on last week's short week. Last week was an intense week of writing, writing, and more writing! In a few short weeks, parents will be able to see the fruits of our intense writing efforts!
Have a wonderful week...welcome to December! (If you haven't had the chance, please be sure to review Perrien's Winter Weather Policy blog post from last week.)
Next week at school the holiday gift shop will be set up for interested children to do their Christmas shopping. We have a preview day at the beginning of the week and children will have the opportunity to shop mid-to-late in the week. This is a PTA-sponsored activity.
Also, Dads and Doughnuts is this week! Dads are welcome to enjoy coffee and a doughnut this Friday morning from 9 a.m. - 10 a.m. This is a Perrien-only classroom activity.
Although parents will be asked to sign a spelling pretest Monday evening, there will be no reflection to sign this week. We did not "reflect" on last week's short week. Last week was an intense week of writing, writing, and more writing! In a few short weeks, parents will be able to see the fruits of our intense writing efforts!
Have a wonderful week...welcome to December! (If you haven't had the chance, please be sure to review Perrien's Winter Weather Policy blog post from last week.)
25 November 2009
Happy Thanksgiving!
Today I am thankful for the opportunity to work with 25 dynamic, hard-working, kind-hearted students! Thank you, parents, for your hard work and dedication as you support your child's efforts at school and at home.
I have uploaded more photos into the Photobucket account, enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving!
--Mrs. Perrien
I have uploaded more photos into the Photobucket account, enjoy!
Happy Thanksgiving!
--Mrs. Perrien
23 November 2009
Giving "thanks" opportunity!
A wonderful opportunity for students and family members to give thanks to those that won't be able to join their families this week for Thanksgiving. Please take a few moments a consider sending a card!
Perrien's Winter Weather Policy
It's not freezing and snowing YET but soon enough we will have snow on the ground! Typically in the 4th and 5th grades children begin to resist the idea of wearing pants or boots on the playground during recess. There seems to be an issue with taking the time to get dressed for outside recess as well as interfering with being "cool."
The problem created by this resistance is that children then come inside from recess with wet clothes and shoes that make a mess in the classroom. Therefore, the following policy is intact in the Upper Montessori classroom: If students don't wear winter gear outside and come in wet & soggy they will automatically miss the next recess. Children that make this a pattern will be required to bring winter gear from home before they are allowed outside again.
What is winter gear? Winter coat or jacket, hats and mittens/gloves, boots...these are the minimum! Snow pants are optional BUT students that do not wear snow pants will not be allowed to sled on the hill outside. While this may seem harsh, it is not meant to punish. Wet clothing and shoes in the classroom are a hazard to carpet, furniture, and our expensive Montessori materials!
***Please review this policy with your child before snow is falling!
The problem created by this resistance is that children then come inside from recess with wet clothes and shoes that make a mess in the classroom. Therefore, the following policy is intact in the Upper Montessori classroom: If students don't wear winter gear outside and come in wet & soggy they will automatically miss the next recess. Children that make this a pattern will be required to bring winter gear from home before they are allowed outside again.
What is winter gear? Winter coat or jacket, hats and mittens/gloves, boots...these are the minimum! Snow pants are optional BUT students that do not wear snow pants will not be allowed to sled on the hill outside. While this may seem harsh, it is not meant to punish. Wet clothing and shoes in the classroom are a hazard to carpet, furniture, and our expensive Montessori materials!
***Please review this policy with your child before snow is falling!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)