Upper El Celebration of Learning

After the Montessori Musicale, families of Grades 4 and 5 were treated to an up-close view of their student’s classroom and examples of the work they’ve been doing all year, a great chance to celebrate growth and the things students are most proud of.

Montessori Parents Uncover the Mystery

Montessori Parent Orientation has not taken place in person in 2 years at VIMSIA, and the night was a magical return. Parents and teachers alike felt overwhelming pride and excitement over our Montessori program. Teachers shared anecdotes and explained how we teach independence, self control, and conflict resolution through our daily routines.

Parents also had a chance to see and understand materials around the room and the work of the students. The mystery of what your children do all day was uncovered! If you were unable to attend, we invite you to reach out to our teacher. They are more than willing to catch you up and encourage you to ask. Keep an eye out for upcoming Montessori Parent Education and Classroom Observations sign-ups. This year is one about being together and learning together.

Stay tuned for more!

Ms. Boyle sharing the daily routine (Primary)

Ms. Lopez, Ms. Sandy, and Ms. Fisher speaking on supporting Independence in the classroom and at home (Grade 4/5)

Ms. Bolinger previewing language materials in the Montessori classroom and the purpose behind learning cursive (Primary)

Señor Araujo leading Elementary children through red light green light during Parent night childcare

Ms. Burkett orienting parents to the Prepared Environment (Primary)

Mr. Ben classroom previewing the children work (Lower Elementary)

Ms. Lemar discussing their weekly Class Council on Fridays (Lower Elementary)

Black History Month Presentations

As they do every year, the Upper Elementary students worked very hard for the entire month of February to research, write an essay and prepare a speech about a black person that has made a significant contribution to society.

Lower Elementary and Full Day Primary students were invited to these presentations on Wednesday under the Solar Awning. They walked around listening to Upper Elementary students’ performances of the biographies they prepared.

The following notable people were represented this year!

Kwane Alexander. Performed by Amar

Mohammed Ali. Performed by Jahan

Wally Amos. Performed by Jakobi

Maya Angelou. Performed by Kiere

Josephine Baker. Performed by Morgan

James Baldwin. Performed by Jeremiah

Chuck Berry. Performed by Rowan

Simone Bile. Performed by Evelyn

Chadwick Baldwin. Performed by Eli

Octavia Butler. Performed by Rhea

Bessie Coleman. Performed by Kareena

George Crum. Performed by Mason M.

Frederick Douglas. Performed by Luca

Emile Milo Francis. Performed by Mason G.

Leyma Gbowee. Performed by Mae

Kamala Harris. Performed by Akella

Mathew Henson. Performed by River

Mahalia Jackson. Performed by Tanya

Lebron James. Performed by Hassan

Mae Jemison. Performed by Arielle

Michael Jordan. Performed by Will

Percy Lavon Julian. Performed by Tendaji

James Lafayette. Performed by Milo

John Lewis. Performed by Aidan

Nelson Mandela. Performed by Gabo

Garrett Morgan.  Performed by Chayne

Barack Obama. Performed by North

Jessie Owens. Performed by K’Myi

Rosa Parks. Performed by Xander

Rhianna. Performed by Delilah

Paul Robeson. Performed by Mensah

Wilma Rudolph. Performed by Aven

Bill Russel. Performed by Oliver

Peter Salen. Performed by Amor

Nina Simone. Performed by Avalene

Harriet Tubman. Performed by Jordan

Madame CJ Walker. Performed by Shaneya

Phillis Wheatley. Performed by Chloe

Oprah Winfrey. Performed by Lamy’r

Stevie Wonder. Performed by Asa

Granville T. Woods. Performed by Grey

Malcolm X. Performed by Aiden

Just a "Fraction" of Pizza

Everyone in Ms. Satter’s class received a fractions lesson recently using the Montessori fraction metal inset material. Of course, during the lessons pizza was referenced several times, so the children were treated to pizza last Friday to celebrate fractions. Lots of happy faces!

Pop Up Science Fair!

PGIA hosted a pop up science fair and invited students from the Montessori Elementary classes to view their work.

Creativity and Play

Students in Ms. Summer’s Primary class demonstrate creativity and teamwork during their outdoor play time.

PGIA/Montessori Collaboration

Ms. Kessler (Science Teacher in the PGIA) visits Ms. Satter’s class to give a lesson on how to use the compound microscope.

A Week in Photos - Upper Elementary

Ms. Mattingley's Class - Spooning Work

"Today was our 3rd day of zoom lessons and the children's engagement and enthusiasm is blowing us away. We are so grateful to our parents for their support in setting up their children's environments at home and then allowing their children to do it for themselves. This is how the child begins to build their independence by doing it for themselves (even when it isn't perfect). Thank you Montessori parents, you are amazing!" - Ms. Mattingley

Sea Lion Excursion

Dalton, Eli and Micah journeyed to Coral World to get up close and personal with Sea Lions.

This excursion was a “going out” an off campus experience that ties in with a research project they are working on in class.

Did you know that sea lions have one more whisker on the right side than the left?

MMUN Students to Represent: Burkina Faso, Ecuador, and Italy

MMUN Students holding the flags of the countries to be represented. Left to right: Italy, Burkina Faso, Ecuador.

MMUN students have spent the first part of the year studying the United Nations, what the UN does and how the UN makes a difference in the world. Students will be representing Burkina Faso, Ecuador and Italy at the Montessori Model UN conference that is being held in New York City in March. In the coming weeks students will be researching these countries in preparation to write position papers on the assigned topics (to be announced soon!).

Students Begin the Journey to the Montessori Model United Nations

Each 6th year student spent a week researching 3 different counties, in the MMUN meeting they shared what they learned with each other.

Primary Swimming Program Starts with a Splash

Ms. Boyle's Class Enjoys a Sweet Treat!

This week Ms. Boyle's class community got to enjoy a sweet treat together. They have been caring for their pineapple plant all year long, and it ripened at just the right time. Picked and eaten before the summer break!

Nobel Prize Winner’S thoughts on Montessori

“I do not believe there is a method better than Montessori for making children sensitive to the beauties of the world and awakening their curiosity regarding the secrets of life.”

— Gabriel García Márquez, Living to Tell the Tale

From Montessorieducation.com

Gabriel García Márquez was a Nobel Prize winner in literature. In his autobiography, Living to Tell the Tale, he talks praisingly of his time there. Read the full article from Montessorieducation.com.