At the close of this fourth week of school, we would like to again extend our deepest gratitude for the gift of a Montessori school we've built with you, our community.  It's been an exciting month of what is called in the Montessori world, normalization.  Normalization of a new classroom can take up to a year but we are already seeing glimmers of progress toward it in individual students.  

""Normalization" does not refer to a process of being forced to conform. Instead, Maria Montessori used the terms "normal" and "normalization" to describe a unique process she observed in child development. Montessori observed that when children are allowed freedom in an environment suited to their needs, they blossom."

Read more here:

This week each student was represented with many of the materials that they had already been introduced to in order to reinforce their understanding of and ‘re-intrigue’ them in the materials. We currently have both learning toys and Montessori work available to the students all day. Very soon the learning toys will be phased out and used only before and after school.  Currently the students may choose from a marble run, gear construction, puzzles, Duplo’s, blocks, Lincoln Logs and a variety of other activities to help them develop their ability to focus. With the reintroduction of our Montessori work, we saw less use of the learning toys and much more lacing, pouring, clay work, music appreciation, care of environment, drawing, table washing, and more!

Bird Watching, Binocular Use, & Nature Appreciation

In our backyard we have a beautiful spot to sit and enjoy our wild (and domestic) neighbors. We have a sharp shinned hawk, guinea hens, and a variety of sheep, goats, cows, a Great Pyrenees, vultures and small birds galore. Begin pointing out birds to your kids, if you don't already, and watch how many they point out to you.

We also spent more of our outside time enjoying our smallest critters - crickets, grasshoppers and roly-polies were part of many afternoons. Gently holding these creatures can be a true gift to a young learner as it teaches kindness and gentleness while reducing fear of bugs!

This week we also spent time working on our sounds, such as Bu Bu Button and Su Su Soap.  Click below to watch some growling and hissing as we worked on Rrr and Sss:

Every morning, our youngest learner LOVES to listen to the William Tell Overture by Gioachino Rossini.  So, every morning we ALL listen to it as we do our work - sometimes five or six times!  One thing you might enjoy doing with your kiddo is watching an orchestra play it.  It's just two minutes long and will no doubt be exciting for your little one to see the violins and trumpets bring the music they've been hearing to life. 

SPONSOR RECOGNITION

We are deeply grateful to our sponsors -

without them, we wouldn't be in our beautiful school today!

As we mentioned last week, our school was once a house which required hours of renovations. Our school was also once a vision and required the generous gift of time and belief.  Mira and Daniel Rasmussen stepped up to the plate early on. Mira agreed to serve as a volunteer Member on our Board of Directors, giving great guidance and support over the nearly 2 years it took to find our perfect location and Director. In addition, she and Daniel donated countless hours spent helping with renovations, from painting and floor work to problem solving and drywalling.

Mira is the owner of Fitness Beyond Training here in Salado. If you're looking for excellent personal training to keep your body and mind sharp and fit, do look her up: fitnessbeyondtraining.com

Thank you.

May your weekend be restful and pleasant! 

~ Ms. Webb & Ms. Alissa