Springtime at SUIMA 

Springtime has brought us blooming trees, daffodils, and rainy, sunny weather. It is a time we all look forward to. The students have been learning about plants, caring for seedlings in the grow dome, and some have been noticing butterflies. On May 3, we invite parents to come and help us move mulch, topsoil, and sand as well as placement of playground equipment from 9a.m. – 1p.m. Food will be provided throughout the morning. Please bring wheelbarrows and tools if you are able. With your help, we are going to enhance our playgrounds and care for our large elm tree.  

 

Montessori Tidbits 

 

Contrary to traditional schools, Montessori classrooms mix children from three age groups. Dr. Montessori pointed out that, with her method, the advantage of being able to teach in one room, children of different ages, provides leadership for the older students in the room. Children are able to cooperatively work with one another as they play the roles that correspond to different social positions in the classroom community. Additionally, the teacher and the child spend three years working together while forming a special relationship.  

We view the Montessori classroom as a community in which children of different ages cooperate instead of competing with one another. This inevitably leads to feelings of respect for each other and creates a productive work environment. Naturally each position carries with it unique responsibilities. In general, the youngest child is the observer. The middle one has the pleasure of no longer being the youngest but is kept humble by the oldest child, who, in turn, tends to be the leader. The multi-age classroom, therefore, sets the stage for a great amount of indirect learning. The various roles and responsibilities that the Montessori child can experience teaches them tremendous social skills. You can say, the multi-age classroom foreshadows what the child will one day experience in life.  

 

Early Release Days are every Friday at 2 p.m.  

 

Upcoming Events  

• April 18: No school for students. 

• April 22-25: Upper elementary students collaborate lessons with Natural Resources. 

• April 24: PE classes will be cooking with Lisa Smith. 

• May 3: Parent Workday at SUIMA.