Dear Montessori Families,
Welcome to lower elementary. Below you will find valuable information about our classroom policies, what to expect, and just about anything else! If you have any questions, please contact me at anytime.
Mrs. Alicia Olson
*Email – olsonal@tcaps.net
Classroom Phone Number – 933-6573*
School Phone Number – 933-7860
Classroom Assistant – Mrs. Rosie Teeter (Mrs. Rosie)
* Please be respectful of our peaceful work environment and call only when absolutely necessary – even the ringing disturbs the children’s concentration. See the information below regarding the parent-communication folder.
Recommended Supplies
*Indoor shoes (please no slippers; they can be gym shoes)
*Gym shoes
*Communication Folder (2-pocket plastic-coated folders work best)
Requested Supplies
Environment Expectations
The following are the community rules.
*Please use quiet voices
*Please do not interrupt others
*Please use walking feet
*Please respect materials and others
At this age level, we are working with your child on personal responsibility. We try to teach that each individual is responsible for his or her own actions, words, and work. If we allow children to live out the natural consequences of their actions, we are helping them develop the mental and moral independence they will need. Children are expected to follow these rules. If a child chooses not to, we will remind them of our rules. If the behavior continues, there will be a natural consequence, such as working away from a friend.
Environment Work Philosophy
Maria Montessori says to “follow the child,“ because they have the innate sense to seek the work that will aid their development. Our environment is prepared as a learning lab with many beautiful, expensive materials. These numerous materials should appeal to your child and meet their needs. Please note that during work time I expect them to work. They are also encouraged to complete a variety of works and to challenge themselves. As the directress, it is my job to observe the needs of your child and steer them toward work that will meet these needs.
Students will receive lessons in all curricular areas. These lessons are intended to spark the child’s interest and encourage independent follow-up work. I may suggest many extension activities following the lesson to encourage them to continue exploring the concept. Students record their lessons and work in various composition books, and won’t regularly bring work home. These books are mini-portfolios of your child’s work and progress in the Lower Elementary environment.
As students use their work journals or planners as guidance, I may remind and encourage them to expand those lessons. Children may or may not choose to go in-depth into the area at that time. However, we work with a three-year curriculum and the children will be exposed to important concepts several times. Therefore, if it did not spark their interests the first time, it should at a later time. After a child completes a three-year cycle, the majority of Montessori children meet or exceed state and local benchmarks and they also love learning! If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s learning, please let me know. To help you understand the Montessori classroom, I also encourage you to read Montessori Today, by Paula Polk Lillard, any of Maria Montessori’s books, or Montessori websites.
Communication Folder
Please remind your child to bring her/his communication folder every day. This gives us the opportunity to talk daily. You will also find important information from TCAPS Montessori.
Student Work Planners
Your child will use a personal planner to record and plan his/her lessons and work in the classroom. This practical tool helps the students begin to develop the lifelong skills of organization in time and effort, as well as balance among their chosen work. I will meet with each child to check planners and guide them when needed in making appropriate choices for their follow-up work in the classroom.
Indoor Shoes
The children spend much of their time working on the floor. Therefore, in order to keep our environment clean, I strongly recommended indoor shoes. These shoes can be kept in their lockers and worn only in the classroom. Please also note that gym shoes can be used for indoor shoes. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding of this important need. For safety reasons, we are prohibiting slippers.
Spelling
Children are encouraged to use inventive spelling of unknown words in their daily writing until they have learned the pattern or rule for the correct spelling of the words. However, learning conventional spellings of words is important, so spelling is a part of our curriculum. Our spelling program is sequential and based on Orton-Gillingham. It begins with simple phonetic words and progresses through sound patterns one at a time to encourage mastery of the rules. New students will be assessed in the fall to determine where they will begin on the spelling sequence and returning students will be given a review test to verify retention of previously learned words. While the lists may seem simple, even too simple for your child at times, the goal is not to memorize the words to pass the test, but to internalize the rule so that it carries over into daily writing. Please help find a permanent spot to keep the spelling words each week and encourage your child to study them.
Community Snack
As part of the ‘practical life’ curriculum, every child will be invited to supply a weekly morning snack for the whole class (approx. 28 children) a few times per year. This enables your child to be a host or hostess and to set up the snack area with their choice of decorations. In order to achieve this, we ask that snacks be supplied on a donation basis. Please remember that snacks should not be elaborate or costly. Your child should bring the food unprepared and then invite a friend to help get it ready. Each day we hope to have a fruit/vegetable and a grain. Acceptable food choices are listed above. Remember, this is an activity for you and your child to plan and purchase together. If your child is assigned a week that is inconvenient for you, or if this provides a challenge to your family, please let us know. (Please, no meat.)
Grains
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Bagels
Whole Grain Cereal
Whole Grain Crackers
Rice Cakes
Pretzels
Popcorn
Low Sugar Muffins
Low Sugar Quick Breads
Low Sugar Granola
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
You may also send cheese, peanut butter, or other healthy additions.
Fruit/Vegetables
Apples
Carrots
Celery
Berries
Melon
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Applesauce
Raisins or Dried Fruit
Oranges or other citrus
Bananas
Grapes
Cherry Tomatoes
Pears
Peppers
Birthdays
For your child’s celebration this year, she or he will be asked to work with your family to create a personal time line. You will receive additional information about this near your child’s birthday. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate on the half-birthday. You may also choose to send a birthday treat. These ‘treats’ should be nutritious, following the same guidelines as the morning snack.
Conferences
There will be two parent/teacher conferences this year. The first in November and again in March. Your child will be asked to partake in his or her conferences this year.
Observations/visitations
Parents are encouraged to observe in the classroom, but only after the first six weeks of school. This allows the child time to become comfortable with the environment. You will need to call the office to schedule an observation after the appropriate number of weeks.
A Final Note…
As you begin to prepare your child for the return to school it is very helpful to readjust their sleeping schedule to match school hours. The first weeks of school are often quite stressful for children, especially first graders. Switching from the relaxed pace of summer to the serious business of learning, following school expectations, and managing peer interactions can be challenging. In September, children are often exhausted by lunchtime, leaving you with an overwhelmed child in the evening. Preparing them ahead of time for an early morning day will help them feel strong and successful.
Welcome to lower elementary. Below you will find valuable information about our classroom policies, what to expect, and just about anything else! If you have any questions, please contact me at anytime.
Mrs. Alicia Olson
*Email – olsonal@tcaps.net
Classroom Phone Number – 933-6573*
School Phone Number – 933-7860
Classroom Assistant – Mrs. Rosie Teeter (Mrs. Rosie)
* Please be respectful of our peaceful work environment and call only when absolutely necessary – even the ringing disturbs the children’s concentration. See the information below regarding the parent-communication folder.
Recommended Supplies
*Indoor shoes (please no slippers; they can be gym shoes)
*Gym shoes
*Communication Folder (2-pocket plastic-coated folders work best)
Requested Supplies
- 3 speckled black and white composition notebooks (without child’s name, please)
- tissues
- Napkins
- Band-aids
- Colored pencils
- Markers
Environment Expectations
The following are the community rules.
*Please use quiet voices
*Please do not interrupt others
*Please use walking feet
*Please respect materials and others
At this age level, we are working with your child on personal responsibility. We try to teach that each individual is responsible for his or her own actions, words, and work. If we allow children to live out the natural consequences of their actions, we are helping them develop the mental and moral independence they will need. Children are expected to follow these rules. If a child chooses not to, we will remind them of our rules. If the behavior continues, there will be a natural consequence, such as working away from a friend.
Environment Work Philosophy
Maria Montessori says to “follow the child,“ because they have the innate sense to seek the work that will aid their development. Our environment is prepared as a learning lab with many beautiful, expensive materials. These numerous materials should appeal to your child and meet their needs. Please note that during work time I expect them to work. They are also encouraged to complete a variety of works and to challenge themselves. As the directress, it is my job to observe the needs of your child and steer them toward work that will meet these needs.
Students will receive lessons in all curricular areas. These lessons are intended to spark the child’s interest and encourage independent follow-up work. I may suggest many extension activities following the lesson to encourage them to continue exploring the concept. Students record their lessons and work in various composition books, and won’t regularly bring work home. These books are mini-portfolios of your child’s work and progress in the Lower Elementary environment.
As students use their work journals or planners as guidance, I may remind and encourage them to expand those lessons. Children may or may not choose to go in-depth into the area at that time. However, we work with a three-year curriculum and the children will be exposed to important concepts several times. Therefore, if it did not spark their interests the first time, it should at a later time. After a child completes a three-year cycle, the majority of Montessori children meet or exceed state and local benchmarks and they also love learning! If you have any questions or concerns about your child’s learning, please let me know. To help you understand the Montessori classroom, I also encourage you to read Montessori Today, by Paula Polk Lillard, any of Maria Montessori’s books, or Montessori websites.
Communication Folder
Please remind your child to bring her/his communication folder every day. This gives us the opportunity to talk daily. You will also find important information from TCAPS Montessori.
Student Work Planners
Your child will use a personal planner to record and plan his/her lessons and work in the classroom. This practical tool helps the students begin to develop the lifelong skills of organization in time and effort, as well as balance among their chosen work. I will meet with each child to check planners and guide them when needed in making appropriate choices for their follow-up work in the classroom.
Indoor Shoes
The children spend much of their time working on the floor. Therefore, in order to keep our environment clean, I strongly recommended indoor shoes. These shoes can be kept in their lockers and worn only in the classroom. Please also note that gym shoes can be used for indoor shoes. Thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding of this important need. For safety reasons, we are prohibiting slippers.
Spelling
Children are encouraged to use inventive spelling of unknown words in their daily writing until they have learned the pattern or rule for the correct spelling of the words. However, learning conventional spellings of words is important, so spelling is a part of our curriculum. Our spelling program is sequential and based on Orton-Gillingham. It begins with simple phonetic words and progresses through sound patterns one at a time to encourage mastery of the rules. New students will be assessed in the fall to determine where they will begin on the spelling sequence and returning students will be given a review test to verify retention of previously learned words. While the lists may seem simple, even too simple for your child at times, the goal is not to memorize the words to pass the test, but to internalize the rule so that it carries over into daily writing. Please help find a permanent spot to keep the spelling words each week and encourage your child to study them.
Community Snack
As part of the ‘practical life’ curriculum, every child will be invited to supply a weekly morning snack for the whole class (approx. 28 children) a few times per year. This enables your child to be a host or hostess and to set up the snack area with their choice of decorations. In order to achieve this, we ask that snacks be supplied on a donation basis. Please remember that snacks should not be elaborate or costly. Your child should bring the food unprepared and then invite a friend to help get it ready. Each day we hope to have a fruit/vegetable and a grain. Acceptable food choices are listed above. Remember, this is an activity for you and your child to plan and purchase together. If your child is assigned a week that is inconvenient for you, or if this provides a challenge to your family, please let us know. (Please, no meat.)
Grains
Whole Wheat Bread
Whole Wheat Bagels
Whole Grain Cereal
Whole Grain Crackers
Rice Cakes
Pretzels
Popcorn
Low Sugar Muffins
Low Sugar Quick Breads
Low Sugar Granola
Whole Wheat Pita Bread
You may also send cheese, peanut butter, or other healthy additions.
Fruit/Vegetables
Apples
Carrots
Celery
Berries
Melon
Broccoli
Cauliflower
Cucumber
Applesauce
Raisins or Dried Fruit
Oranges or other citrus
Bananas
Grapes
Cherry Tomatoes
Pears
Peppers
Birthdays
For your child’s celebration this year, she or he will be asked to work with your family to create a personal time line. You will receive additional information about this near your child’s birthday. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate on the half-birthday. You may also choose to send a birthday treat. These ‘treats’ should be nutritious, following the same guidelines as the morning snack.
Conferences
There will be two parent/teacher conferences this year. The first in November and again in March. Your child will be asked to partake in his or her conferences this year.
Observations/visitations
Parents are encouraged to observe in the classroom, but only after the first six weeks of school. This allows the child time to become comfortable with the environment. You will need to call the office to schedule an observation after the appropriate number of weeks.
A Final Note…
As you begin to prepare your child for the return to school it is very helpful to readjust their sleeping schedule to match school hours. The first weeks of school are often quite stressful for children, especially first graders. Switching from the relaxed pace of summer to the serious business of learning, following school expectations, and managing peer interactions can be challenging. In September, children are often exhausted by lunchtime, leaving you with an overwhelmed child in the evening. Preparing them ahead of time for an early morning day will help them feel strong and successful.
