This week was filled with some amazing accomplishments and snow days!
One of the 4 year olds, confidently said she'd like to read 312 words. I explained that this was a lot of words but if she wanted to read them then we most definitely could. Her 5 year old friend asked to count for her. And so it began! 1 1/2 hours later with a few breaks she read 312 words...and her friend kept track. This was such a wonderful moment to witness! I typed up the words that evening and sent a copy of them to her mom and her teacher at St. Mary's School in Goderich and both were very proud of her for doing this.
We also have another child reading her very first chapter book, "Nate the Great". She read 32 pages before lunch and decided to take a break and try some other activities for the afternoon.
Other children were working diligently on colouring some flags of Europe. There was a legend at the bottom of the page so they had to read the number and colour and then colour the flags properly. Once the flags were coloured they set to work looking through the "Flag Book" to find the same flag and copy out the country name.
One little guy who is 3 wanted to spell the word "monster truck". So, I carefully made each sound. He told me the letter name and I printed it out for him. He was so happy to have spelled his first word...and one that he chose himself. Next, he drew a picture of it!
There is also much work being done in the math department. Adding and subtracting...reading equations and figuring out the answer. Some children are using objects, while others are using pencil and paper. It's really quite exciting watching the way these concepts come alive for them.
Friday, 25 January 2013
Friday, 18 January 2013
Week 17 - Review
We had a good week, reviewing many concepts from previous weeks. Some of the children began to read more words - and also are working on the ability to copy them into their very own "reading book". They are very excited about this!
Other children have progressed from putting sentences together using the "shape reminders" from last week to developing them on their own and writing them out! It's also quite amusing to listen to them speak in conversation and have them identify the adjective or verb. Today, one of the girls mentioned a "spooky castle" and someone said, "spooky, that's a terrific adjective to describe the castle!"
This week, we also were able to taste a scone & tea! A proper English mid-afternoon snack. The children love being able to use the tea cups and handle them with such care. A good time to review words like delicate and fragile. With the colder weather, it was a nice way to warm up after recess as well.
I introduced to some Brothers' Grimm stories as well to the children, stories written from the country of Germany. Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and The Golden Goose. I always enjoy listening to them re-create the stories on their own throughout the day...correcting one another, or adding on to make it a bit more interesting!
Other children have progressed from putting sentences together using the "shape reminders" from last week to developing them on their own and writing them out! It's also quite amusing to listen to them speak in conversation and have them identify the adjective or verb. Today, one of the girls mentioned a "spooky castle" and someone said, "spooky, that's a terrific adjective to describe the castle!"
This week, we also were able to taste a scone & tea! A proper English mid-afternoon snack. The children love being able to use the tea cups and handle them with such care. A good time to review words like delicate and fragile. With the colder weather, it was a nice way to warm up after recess as well.
I introduced to some Brothers' Grimm stories as well to the children, stories written from the country of Germany. Hansel & Gretel, Rapunzel, The Elves and the Shoemaker, and The Golden Goose. I always enjoy listening to them re-create the stories on their own throughout the day...correcting one another, or adding on to make it a bit more interesting!
Friday, 11 January 2013
Week 16 - Review
This has been such an exciting week! We had a new friend, Carson, join us on Tuesdays & Thursdays. Now we have 2 Carson's & 2 Amelia's in the class which can make for some confusing moments for me! We began a new unit on the continent of Europe. We learned that Europe has 47 countries and over 50 different languages are spoken! We learned that Europe is divided from Asia by the Ural Mountains, the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea. We learned that Europe has many castles. Castles can be made from stone or wood. The stone castles took longer to build but they lasted longer, some are still standing today! We made a picture of our own castle using some shapes...rectangles, squares, triangles and half an ellipse. Here is a sample...
We also had a great discussion about when the Europeans discovered North America initiated by a student. They took the land by force leaving many natives dead or misplaced. We talked about how we would feel if someone came and took our homes by force...the mutual feeling was not very good. We talked about when the Europeans sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, they brought "illness/disease" with them that the natives had never been exposed to before which also resulted in some of them dying.
We learned about the parts of a sentence. That each sentence has an article (small blue triangle), an adjective (large blue triangle) a noun (large black triangle) and a verb (large red circle). The children worked on building sentences. Here are some that the children built...
We had a fun game of BINGO...which is a terrific way to introduce children to the 2-digit numbers as well as letter recognition! When I called out each number, I said the whole number, then broke it up into groups. For example, O 67, 6 tens and 7 units...so they would see the number as it's been introduced in other activities.
We also worked on letter sound review as well as phonogram blends...this work was especially meaningful for 2 friends who will both be turning 4 in March...it's so nice to see them working together and listening for the sounds and then remembering the 2 letters that work together to make that special sound!
And...one of my most favourite moments is when a child learns to read a book...and that they do so independently without any persuasion from me! This happened this week. On Wednesday, our dear 5-year old friend, spotted a book that her 4 year old friend brought in. She asked, "Do you think I could read this book?" We all said yes, we think you can...so as I was putting lunch on the table...she began to read. "Green Eggs and Ham", you may think - oh she has this memorized, many children can recite it. But this was different. She read it. She sounded out words that she didn't know the look of. And what was even better was that the other children listened as she read this book, they ate their lunch. I ate my lunch. When she finished reading she said, "My mouth is kind of sore, I've never read that many sentences at once!" When she began to eat, she said "Mrs. Kerr, my carrots, potatoes, beans and chicken are cold". I read so long, my food went cold, could you warm them up?"
This is what I love - the ability to have a child read in the moment and not have to tell them to put the book away because the bell went and it's time to eat. If that had happened, she may not have picked up the book again and lost this wonderful opportunity.
So, today when she returned she read "Ten Apples Up On Top" another book by Dr. Suess but one I had never read to them. This was not a familiar story. She read it. Up for a challenge I asked if she'd like to read part of a chapter book. Her response, "Of course!" So, we sat down and she read the first 3 pages of a Magic Tree House Book, "The Knight at Dawn". Her proud self said to one of her younger friends..."Did you know that I can read a chapter book, just like Mrs. Kerr? Except I'm only 5!"
I just love being able to witness this sort of thing each day!
We also had a great discussion about when the Europeans discovered North America initiated by a student. They took the land by force leaving many natives dead or misplaced. We talked about how we would feel if someone came and took our homes by force...the mutual feeling was not very good. We talked about when the Europeans sailed across the Atlantic Ocean, they brought "illness/disease" with them that the natives had never been exposed to before which also resulted in some of them dying.
We learned about the parts of a sentence. That each sentence has an article (small blue triangle), an adjective (large blue triangle) a noun (large black triangle) and a verb (large red circle). The children worked on building sentences. Here are some that the children built...
This is what I love - the ability to have a child read in the moment and not have to tell them to put the book away because the bell went and it's time to eat. If that had happened, she may not have picked up the book again and lost this wonderful opportunity.
So, today when she returned she read "Ten Apples Up On Top" another book by Dr. Suess but one I had never read to them. This was not a familiar story. She read it. Up for a challenge I asked if she'd like to read part of a chapter book. Her response, "Of course!" So, we sat down and she read the first 3 pages of a Magic Tree House Book, "The Knight at Dawn". Her proud self said to one of her younger friends..."Did you know that I can read a chapter book, just like Mrs. Kerr? Except I'm only 5!"
I just love being able to witness this sort of thing each day!
Sunday, 6 January 2013
Update - Authentic Montessori School of Huron
Thank you for your interest in Authentic Montessori School of Huron.
The results of the surveys were positive. There are many families who are interested in an alternative education model for their children. Authentic Montessori School of Huron will be both a licensed child-care facility and an independent school registered with the Ministry of Education of Ontario. Authentic Montessori School of Huron will not receive any funding from the government and will rely solely on the tuition received from families to operate.
Families are looking for individualized attention and education plans for their children, low student-teacher ratios, improved academics that include sport, music and the arts, as well as the development of critical thinking skills. Families have also said that green space, field trips, second-language studies, meal plans and age-appropriate sports are important to their child’s development. Families have also noted that they are interested in a facility that offers care for children younger than the age of 3.
Authentic Montessori School of Huron will follow the traditional school year, September through June, Monday through Thursday. The school day will begin at 8:45AM and cease at 4:15PM, with additional childcare prior to and after the regular school day for those families that require it (at an additional cost). Authentic Montessori School of Huron will also be offering Summer Education Day Camps beginning in July 2014 at an additional cost to families.
Authentic Montessori School of Huron will be offering the following classroom settings.
Toddlers & Twos (children who are 1 – 3 years old)
Casa (children who are 3 – 6 years old)
Lower Elementary (children who are 6-9 years old)
Upper Elementary (children who are 9-12 years old)
It is expected that if you are enrolling your child in a Montessori program you are committing to a 3-year term. The benefit to your child is immense and you will truly appreciate the Montessori method of learning by witnessing the growth and development within your child during these three years.
The results of the surveys were positive. There are many families who are interested in an alternative education model for their children. Authentic Montessori School of Huron will be both a licensed child-care facility and an independent school registered with the Ministry of Education of Ontario. Authentic Montessori School of Huron will not receive any funding from the government and will rely solely on the tuition received from families to operate.
Families are looking for individualized attention and education plans for their children, low student-teacher ratios, improved academics that include sport, music and the arts, as well as the development of critical thinking skills. Families have also said that green space, field trips, second-language studies, meal plans and age-appropriate sports are important to their child’s development. Families have also noted that they are interested in a facility that offers care for children younger than the age of 3.
Authentic Montessori School of Huron will follow the traditional school year, September through June, Monday through Thursday. The school day will begin at 8:45AM and cease at 4:15PM, with additional childcare prior to and after the regular school day for those families that require it (at an additional cost). Authentic Montessori School of Huron will also be offering Summer Education Day Camps beginning in July 2014 at an additional cost to families.
Authentic Montessori School of Huron will be offering the following classroom settings.
Toddlers & Twos (children who are 1 – 3 years old)
Casa (children who are 3 – 6 years old)
Lower Elementary (children who are 6-9 years old)
Upper Elementary (children who are 9-12 years old)
It is expected that if you are enrolling your child in a Montessori program you are committing to a 3-year term. The benefit to your child is immense and you will truly appreciate the Montessori method of learning by witnessing the growth and development within your child during these three years.
I am currently looking at space located within the Municipality of Central Huron that can
address all of the needs outlined above. I am awaiting approval from the Ministry of
Education regarding this site and will keep you posted with exact details.
Understandably, tuition is a deciding factor for the majority of families. Most families felt it was important to have a tuition based per child with additional sibling discounts. Tuition can be paid in full, monthly or bi-weekly with post-dated cheques. There is a program registration fee of $300 to be dated for June 30, 2013, which is to accompany each “Expression of Interest for Enrollment Form” (see attached). Please note that the cheques will be returned if the school does not become operational, no later than July 15, 2013.
Tuition includes all aspects of school life. It covers all classroom materials, field trips, sports activities, and meals including snacks. Philanthropy and volunteerism will be promoted and encouraged. Any fundraisers to benefit a not-for-profit will be an extra expense to the family if they choose to support it. In the past, we have had cookie bake sales, hosted an art auction, and cooked “A Taste of ...” Meals, supporting agencies such as Children of the Promise (a Haitian orphanage), Autism Ontario, Down Syndrome Association of Canada, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Tuition is the same for all programs and ages. It has been set at $7850 for 10 months, September through June. This will equate to 170 instructional days per calendar year. Discounts of 10% for one sibling, 25% for the second sibling, 50% for the third sibling and if you have more than 4 children attending Authentic Montessori School of Huron, your additional children are complementary.
Child 1 - $7850 Child 2 - $7065 Child 3 - $5887.50 Child 4 - $3925 Child 5 – no cost
I am asking that you carefully consider whether this is a cost you are willing to commit to. Please inform me by sending me an email and I will forward you the “Expression of Interest for Enrollment Form”. I ask that you return this to me no later than February 15th, 2013 to the mailing to the address below. I am asking for all interested families to submit this form as this will be how I will move forward with plans for teacher hires, class sizes, menus, etc. You will receive a complete Enrolment Package via Canada Post no later than March 21st, 2013 with pertinent information for the upcoming school year.
With sincere thanks,
Angela Horbanuik
Box 1509
Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
519-482-8697
authenticmontessoriofhuron@gmail.com
Understandably, tuition is a deciding factor for the majority of families. Most families felt it was important to have a tuition based per child with additional sibling discounts. Tuition can be paid in full, monthly or bi-weekly with post-dated cheques. There is a program registration fee of $300 to be dated for June 30, 2013, which is to accompany each “Expression of Interest for Enrollment Form” (see attached). Please note that the cheques will be returned if the school does not become operational, no later than July 15, 2013.
Tuition includes all aspects of school life. It covers all classroom materials, field trips, sports activities, and meals including snacks. Philanthropy and volunteerism will be promoted and encouraged. Any fundraisers to benefit a not-for-profit will be an extra expense to the family if they choose to support it. In the past, we have had cookie bake sales, hosted an art auction, and cooked “A Taste of ...” Meals, supporting agencies such as Children of the Promise (a Haitian orphanage), Autism Ontario, Down Syndrome Association of Canada, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Tuition is the same for all programs and ages. It has been set at $7850 for 10 months, September through June. This will equate to 170 instructional days per calendar year. Discounts of 10% for one sibling, 25% for the second sibling, 50% for the third sibling and if you have more than 4 children attending Authentic Montessori School of Huron, your additional children are complementary.
Child 1 - $7850 Child 2 - $7065 Child 3 - $5887.50 Child 4 - $3925 Child 5 – no cost
I am asking that you carefully consider whether this is a cost you are willing to commit to. Please inform me by sending me an email and I will forward you the “Expression of Interest for Enrollment Form”. I ask that you return this to me no later than February 15th, 2013 to the mailing to the address below. I am asking for all interested families to submit this form as this will be how I will move forward with plans for teacher hires, class sizes, menus, etc. You will receive a complete Enrolment Package via Canada Post no later than March 21st, 2013 with pertinent information for the upcoming school year.
With sincere thanks,
Angela Horbanuik
Box 1509
Clinton, ON N0M 1L0
519-482-8697
authenticmontessoriofhuron@gmail.com
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