Welcome to SY 2019-2020!

Hello Room 101 families, 

Welcome to the new school year! We already know that it is going to be a great year! The children have been so busy making friends and trying out new works. Our class is making sure we practice our procedures and expectations. Last week, the whole school went on an Expectation Walk. We reviewed the expectations in all of the common areas at Suder. In the classroom, we have created our rules together. We discussed 3 questions: "Why are we here?",  "What do we need to do together?" and "How can we make that happen?" In the Montessori philosophy (and at Suder), the practice of care is very important. We care for: ourselves, others and the environment. Room 101 has been discussing this idea daily through books, Morning Meeting, role playing, etc.

It was so nice meeting new families! I know some are still adjusting from separation anxiety, learning Montessori or adjusting to a new school. We are all in this together! Ms. Bouye and I are working diligently in making sure we assist our families and students. We welcome your questions and we will try our best to come up with answers together.

Most of the questions I had received last week was about the Montessori philosophy. I am so excited to here that families are really trying to learn about our beautiful learning method. Coming up soon are the Parent Ed Nights. They are thoughtfully planned by some of the Suder teachers and I. I am hoping to see you at any (or all!!) of the Parent Ed Nights. I am also sharing some of my favorite Montessori books below:

• Together With Montessori by Cam Gordon (very easy read, Montessori in a nutshell)
• The Discovery of the Child by Maria Montessori (my favorite read going through training. So many aha! moments)
• Montessori: The Science Behind the Genius by Angeline Stoll Lillard (if you want to read about research)
• The Secret of Childhood By Maria Montessori (another favorite of mine)

I also had some parents ask about nap. Children in the 3 and 4-year old cycle are required to go to the nap room. Nap time is approximately 1 1/2 hours including transitions. If your child does not nap, he/she can relax and quiet their bodies while reading a book. There is a saying in Montessori to "follow the child." In my opinion, nap is an essential part of our preschoolers day. As the year progress, we shall follow the child and see where he/she is developmentally. Click here to read an article about the importance of nap time in preschool.

Lastly, here are some photos from last week. Enjoy!

See you at school!

                                                                                     Always,

                                                                                    Ms. Guerrero

Falcon gives her picture full concentration.

Lea sorted some rhyming words.

Delilah carefully carries her tray.

Oliver and a tonging work.

Olivia and Ariana plays I Spy. 

Community building

The Kindergarteners started their Guided Reading groups.

Andy put the Pink Cubes in order to make a tower.

Ariana and Olivia in the Library/Peace Corner.

Making new friends

The Kindergarteners "read" the whole school during Reader's Workshop.

Estela feeling the Pink Tower.

Making sets with our collection of pebbles.

RJ and Nicholas completed the Teen Board.

Haylie, RJ and Lea building words using inventive spelling.

Kindergarteners practiced "private" reading (independent reading).

...and partner reading, too!

Hudson carefully toning objects to another container (hand-eye coordination)

This is Room 101!

We are working!

Afternoon work time.

Oona and our new balancing work.

Alexander matched objects and pictures.

Friday Science! We discussed force using a basket swing.

Our classroom 3 Cares book.

We sorted the pictures between care for ourselves, others and environment. We will also add new pictures of this year's class.

We all agree to our rules!

Carlos gave a lesson on carrying a tray and walking around the rugs.

Some of our friends presenting how to roll a rug.