Our Lovely Classroom

We have a lot of activities coming up this month and hope that everyone is able to fully participate.  Please mark these events in your calendar and let us know if you can help us out in any way. Show-Me Night: Thursday, October 5th We invite you and your child to come into our classroom any time between 5 and 7 to show their work in the classroom and perhaps even give a Montessori Lesson or two.  They will also talk to you about their story boards. Childcare is available for younger siblings. Tutoring will be canceled that day because of show-me night. Mercado: 5-7 PM, Friday, October 27th This year, our first big fundraiser will be our Halloween Mercado, where our students will be able to earn real money to help us pay for the bus to Camp Surf.  Everyone has planned some high quality products and activities that will be available to the general public.  Please invite your friends and family to what will be an unforgettable experience of food, games, ...

It's hard to believe that September has arrived.  We have been busy in multiple creative endeavors in the classroom.  Last week, our students filled their portfolios with poetry and this week they have been collaborating with a partner on creating a script for a short play, skit, or commercial.  The partnerships were carefully chosen to expand every child's circle of friends and build a more cohesive classroom community.  Our students will be performing their plays next week in class.  We are able to record the performances and place them on the homeroom app for those whose parents have a photo release on file.  We also began more formalized Spanish and art lessons this week, which have been received with enthusiasm.  We have talked about how learning a second language is able to change the structure of the brain to make greater connections in language, math, and even music.  Everyone was introduced to our new artist brushes and their purpose...

Important Dates and Activities for 2017-2018 Activities take place during the school day unless otherwise noted August 4 Open House 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. August 7 First Day of School – school starts promptly at 8:30 a.m. August 24 Curriculum Night 5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. September 8  Field trip to ASU Natural History Collections September 21 Show Me Night 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. September Field trip to Library (students need a valid Mesa Library card) October 27 Fall Mercado in the evening October 31 Storyboard Presentations, morning and evening November Trip to library for science research November 13 Parent Conferences begin November 22 Thanksgiving Feast in class December 8 No school, Parent Conferences December Science fair presentations December Concert December 11-15 Student-Made Holiday Shop open for business January Field trip to library for ancient cultures research January 18 Moving up/Big trip parent meeting 5:00 p.m. – 6:3...

Dear Parents, Our Curriculum Night was so well attended that we ran out of chairs!  We are so glad that so many of you were able to take time from your busy schedules to support our work in the classroom.  For those who missed it, we have sent handouts home.  I have also attached the handouts via email from our meeting.  The document also includes important dates and activities for the remainder of the school year. Other handouts being sent home include a permission slip for our next field trip, a going out permission slip, and a Camp Surf form. We are happy to meet individually with any of our parents, particularly our new ones, who need more guidance.  Going Out Forms This year, our insurance company requires that you submit your insurance information with  your permission for going out.  Goings out, are trips planned by small groups of children to the library, pet store, and other places for further research and exploration.  While mo...

Dear Parents: We are pleased to announce the dates for our “Big Trip” to Camp Surf in San Diego have been solidified for the week of April 23 rd thru April 27 th , 2018.    Camp Tuition cost per student will be $300.00. Transportation fee is approximately $100.00 per student.  We will be traveling to and from Camp Surf on a charter bus.   Fundraising opportunities will be available for students to help defray the cost of transportation.   Camp fees can be paid for with Arizona State Tax Credit donations ($200.00 per individual or $400.00 for married).  All fees are due on April 2, 2018.  Payments of $50.00 per month can be made as installments.  Chaperone camp tuition fees are $150.00 per adult chaperone. Please indicate below if one or both parents would be interested in chaperoning, or assisting in fundraising opportunities. Thank you, Ms. Liza, Mr. Larry, Ms. Adrienne, Ms. Kathy and Ms. Ally Please return bott...

Our Curriculum Night was so well attended that we ran out of chairs!  We are so glad that so many of you were able to take time from your busy schedules to support our work in the classroom.  For those who missed it, we will send handouts home.  I have cut and pasted the handout from our meeting.  Other handouts being sent home include a permission slip for our next field trip, a going out permission slip (for small trips to the library, pet store, and other places) and a Camp Surf form.  We are happy to meet individually with any of our parents, particularly our new ones, who need more guidance. Thanks again for supporting your child's Montessori education! Upper Elementary Curriculum Night 2017-2018 Practical Life The hallmark of the Montessori philosophy centers around practical life.  In primary, the first lessons a child is taught come from the practical life shelf.  In upper elementary, the  first assigned homework given to your ...

Win this Solar Telescope! Dear MEC Families: The Upper Elementary Classes( Room 101 and 102)  will be hosting a special solar viewing with this powerful telescope.  For just $2, your child may purchase a raffle ticket that gives them a opportunity to view the solar eclipse more closely and safely.  Additional raffle tickets are available at a discount.  Students will be able to view the eclipse between 10am and noon on Monday, August 21.  Parents are welcome to take a quick peek as well. Raffle Tickets 1    for    $2 4    for    $5 10  for  $10 Raffle tickets will be on sale in the office and also during recess.  Please fill out the form below and we will make sure your child’s  name and room number are filled out on each ticket before the drawing.  Students will view the eclipse at the best time for their respective classroom. Some may get a second chance to view ...