Ms. Carolyn's April Newsletter - 2010

Dear Parents,

Happy Spring to all of you! We finally have nice weather.

In April and May, we will be learning about Rain Forest animals and plants in addition to exploring insects.

Please remember, we will be having our parent-teacher conferences on Thursday, April 22. There is no school for the children on this day. We will be posting a sig- up sheet for your individual time. We are looking forward to talking with all of you regarding your child’s progress.

Sensorial:

In the Montessori classroom the seven general direct aims with the sensorial materials are:

To refine and educate the senses.
To train the child to be an accurate observer.
The child will be able to make comparisons and associations between objects.
The child will learn to form judgments.
The child will train himself to reason.
The child will learn to make decisions independently.
All the above will result in auto-education for the child.

Indirectly the aims are:

Preparation of reading and writing.
Nurturing the mathematical mind-acquiring math skills.
Control of movement.

The function of the sensorial materials is not to present the child with new impressions but to bring order and system into the myriad of impressions he has received and is still receiving. Each of the sensorial materials, rightly used, focuses the child’s mind on a particular attribute. The child is led to study such qualities as length, breadth, height, color, texture, weight, size and also such geometric forms as squares, triangles, circles, trapeziums and many others. All of the sensorial exercises carried on day after day and month after month collectively form a sure and broad foundation for the child’s subsequent mental life. A full, varied and ordered sensorial life is the best preparation for the life of the intellect in years to come.

See you on the 22nd!
Ms. Carolyn & Ms. Rene