Dear Chai Tots Families,
The start of spring season is perfect for the students to observe the activities of birds and connect with their bird unit lessons. We always enjoy learning about birds, from eggs to feathers to nest. There is a lot to explore, for example, comparing the colors of eggs, relating to the types of birds, their unique techniques in building nests in and around the backyard, and learning about various types of birds around the world. In our art area, we look forward to the children spontaneously creating art inspired by observing birds in nature!
The Montessori Bead Cabinet is a quintessential Math material, which provides concrete experience to practice counting the bead chains. Our young, three-year-old friends are attracted to the beauty of these colorful glass bead chains long before they are ready to use the bead chains. They develop a respect for the materials and understand how special they are. Often three-year-olds will watch in awe as their older classmates learn how to carry, layout, count, and label the bead chains. Four and five-year-olds solidify their understanding of the numbers as well as quantities from units to tens, to hundreds, to thousands. Eventually the focus of work with the bead chain shifts from linear counting to skip counting (multiplication) as children begin to focus more on the labels that indicate the end of each bead bar. This concrete learning paves a way for future understanding in the lower Elementary classroom. We are witnessing our kindergartners choosing and completing these activities with independence and confidence and even documenting them! Their “Aha” moments are a joy to behold!
Our study of Europe, the second smallest continent, continues with a lot of interest in creating flags of various countries and locating them on the map of Europe. Also, our older friends are engaged in lively discussions about food, artists and famous landmarks in Europe, using references from books.
Thanks to Ben, Zach, and Jojo who provided beautiful flower bouquets for our flower arranging activity!
Have a wonderful week!
Morahs Kara, Uma, Kenzie, and Chaya