The photo above is “Apples” . Watercolors over crayons by Henry
Hello Live Oak Families!
As a Fall activity, we introduced the apple unit with differents works and materials such as parts of the apple, apple puzzles, counting apples, observing different kind of apples, and making art with apples.
However, the children were more animated by cars and trucks. One stop sign and one truck drawing by Henry and Jet were enough to move the class interest into big trucks and cars
Following the children’s interest, the Live Oak teachers worked together on projects related to the theme. Fire trucks, garbage trucks, dump trucks, and pick-ups. All the activities involved fine motor skills–such cutting, gluing, coloring, hole punching work–as well focus, and sense of collaboration. And best of all they had so much fun!
The water works from the practical live shelf are very popular!
While performing a practical life work, the children try their best to follow through all the steps needed to get the work done. They make their own choice, perform the work, clean-up, and put everything back when they are done. As with all the Montessori works, these activities foster independence, confidence, sense of order, concentration, and responsability.
We are excited to see the students are discovering more works from the Sensorial, Language, and Math areas!
The classroom offers works challenges for all the ages. While they manipulate the materials they foster pre-reading, pre-writing, geometry, pre-math, socializing and sharing.
Art
The art shelf provides paper, pencils, markers, scissors, glue, watercolors, construction paper scraps for free creations, and tempera. Additionally we use fruit, flowers, vegetables and other models where the children observe, touch, smell and then create their own interpretations. Niki shares her passion and skills with the small group basic drawing lessons every week. And Julianne, the art teacher, leads small group art projects every other Thursday.
Fall self-portraits
As happens every year, Julianne encouraged each student to draw their own self-portrait. We will repeat this activity in the Spring to see the children’s growth.
Fantasy corner
The veterinary clinic is busy all the time with veterinarians, nurses, and sick puppies. Poor puppies, they get so many shots!
The fantasy corner is a great oportunitty for children to dialogue, make agreements, socialize, share, take turns and make friends.
The theme is always led by the children’s interests.
Outside time
Our beautiful campus offers areas where the children perform gross motor skills, explore, build, climb trees, meet children and teachers from other classrooms, and make more friends.
Dance and movement
In these classes the students have the oportunitty to perform directed gross motor skills and explore their body possibilties and challenges. They listen to music and follow rythms as well.
Reminders:
- November birthdays: Please let us know if you want to celebrate your child’s birthday.
- Live Oak meet up: on Saturday October 8th at 10:00am (Strawberry park 1260 Allston way).
- Pumpkin carving: October 20 and 21. Please provide your child with a small pumpkin to carve.
- October 10th, school closed
- Our next blog will be in October 14th.
Thank you
Griselda, Niki, and Catherine