Our Lovely Classroom

Cannot wait to see everyone tonight!  Everyone has worked so hard for this night!  After the performance, we will have a brief presentation and time to enjoy the refreshments made by the children.  Here are some links for some good articles on parenting that support our Montessori approach as well as resources for homework: How to Land your Kid in Therapy Involving Children at Home Montessori FAQ Practical Life Kahn Acadamy Typing Web Watch Nova Science Online

This week, the children have been constructing arguments for a persuasive essay about something they would like to change about the school.  We have looked at the pros and cons of each issue and talked about constructing counter-arguments in order to form a solid persuasive position.  Next week they will continue to refine their work and eventually we will post our work online to vote on it!  If anyone is skilled in the area of web publishing, we would love your help and/or input with our project! Also today, the students formed groups to choose a recipe to make in class on Wednesday, November 27. They will be deciding on the recipe on Friday and may start bringing in ingredients as early as Monday, November 26.  Please encourage your child to choose a simple recipe that they could share with their group as a cooking possibility for next week.  We have crockpots, breadmakers, cooktops and the use of the oven for part of the day.  Parents are welcome to join us at noon on the big fea

I am proud to announce that students have an opportunity to learn to type at school and home via a website called typing web. Click here to find out more!  If anyone is interested in volunteering in the classroom, I am looking for someone willing to give private lessons to small groups of students for about 20 minutes per group, preferably in the afternoon or late morning.  To login to typing web, please use your first name and then mec for the username and 123456 for the password. For example, my username would be Lizamec and my password would be 123456.   Try it out with your child at home if you can.  The accounts are connected to my email account and I am able to track everyone's progress in learning to type!

Tomorrow we will be watching a science related movie in the afternoon because the children worked hard in class for weeks to be able to earn a reward of their choosing. Students are allowed to bring pillows for the movie as well as their own personal stash of movie treats (aka junk food) or enough to share with the entire class if desired. They may not bring out the junk food ahead of the scheduled movie or they will lose the privilege.   Please remember to sign up for conferences! Ms. Liza and Kathy

Parent Conferences November 25-December 6, 2013 Sign up sheets are located in the office, please email if you need a morning appointment, phone conference, or alternate time.   We are so pleased with the tremendous progress of each student, both socially, and academically.   We cannot wait for the opportunity for your child to show all the amazing work they have done this year!

Dear Parents, Here are a few dates to remember where you are invited to come to room 102! Tree Planting! Wednesday, November 13,  10-11am Our class will help plant apple trees and help with other improvements in the outdoor environment.  Please make sure your child comes to school with closed-toe shoes and work clothes if they wish to fully participate November 26, 5:00pm:  Performance/Parent night, room 102 and 101. We will be talking about strategies to improve independence and homework success. November 27, 12:00pm:  The students will prepare a Thanksgiving lunch for themselves and any guests who wish to join us.  Students in both rooms will choose recipes and cook them at school for a delicious feast at lunch! December  13, 1:30pm:  Students will make gingerbread houses! December 20, 1:30pm:  We will have a holiday celebration where we will take home our completed stockings and holiday projects and have some fun.  Please bring a used book that others might enjoy

Greetings everyone, The AZ Opera has invited anyone affiliated with the Phoenix Boys Choir to see a preview of their production of the Flying Dutchman in their final dress rehearsal at a reduced price.  The performance is  Wednesday, November 13 at 7pm  at the Phoenix Symphony Hall.  If you're interested, please email me ASAP so I can fill out the group form.  (MECroom102@gmail.com) Tickets are $5 for kids and $10 for adults, with a 5 dollar handling fee for the entire reservation. Sorry for the short notice but reservations need to be completed in the next couple days.  This offer will apply to upcoming AZ Opera shows as well to include La Boheme in January and La Traviata in February.   Enjoy the show if you can come!

Since the start of the school year, students have been introduced to polymer clay.  I love the never-ending possibilities that can be made from this multi-colored clay that can be baked in the oven! Students have made necklaces, figurines, ornaments, and today learned about the intricacies of caneworking.  I am so impressed with what they have mastered so far.  When finished, students bring their creations home and bake them at 275 degrees Fahrenheit for 10-20 minutes or longer depending on thickness. (10 minutes per 1/4 inch is a good rule)    Click here for more project ideas and instructions.