Summer Enrichment 6: Africa

 I enjoyed all the new things I learned about the regions of Africa for this week's theme. 

Introduction to Africa 

Monday connection video - after the continents song, we'll start our exploration of AFRICA! We look at the biomes on the Africa biome mat (from Waseca Biomes). 

Suggested read-aloud is one of our class' favorite books - "Give up, Gecko" A Ugandan Folktale with a theme of perseverance. 

Here's a beautiful 2 minute video tour of Africa

Do you know how to play Mancala? This game has been around for thousands of years and is easy to learn. You can make your own game from an egg carton!

Southern Africa

Tuesday connection video - Today we visit Southern Africa! We'll start with the continents AND oceans song, make sure we can find Africa on the globe and the oceans around it. What are the biomes are in Southern Africa? Let's see a piece of art, a song ("Siyahamba" - our much loved "We are marching" song we sung when walking to the park for recess), and a preview of today's read aloud (link below). 

Activity - hand trimming grass!

And since we're learning about grasslands... need an activity to keep your child occupied outside for a bit? Invite them to trim the grass with scissors! 

Song: Siyahamba (In Zulu, English, and Spanish)

Song/dance: Bicycle Song (from South Africa) - see if you can learn the dance!

Today's Read-aloud: Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters

 

A video about Zimbabwe (lots of animals around minute 8, the incredible stone work of the City of Zimbabwe (in the read aloud) around minute 14)

East Africa

Wednesday connection video - In Eastern Africa, let's explore the savannah (the Serengeti) and mountains of Ethiopia - animals that live in each place and a little about the people groups there too. 

Read aloud: "Masai and I" 

Movement: Let’s move like animals on the savannah - elephant (stomp, trunk), cheetah (fast), lion (tip toe/stalk), gazelle (leap!) - What other ideas do you have?

Cooking with kids: Feeling adventurous? Try making chapati, a Kenyan flat bread (all you need is flour, salt, water, and oil) How-to chapati video

Videos: 

Maasai through the eyes of a child 

National Geographic Kids has many videos about animals that live in Africa (mostly savannah, a few mountain or forest - Giraffes, Gorillas, Lion, Hippos, Secretary Bird, Cheetah, African Elephants, Big-headed mole rat, black rhino)

Bible story: this week's story is about someone from Ethiopia - watch the video: Philip and the Ethiopian

North Africa 

• Thursday connection video: We continue our exploration of Africa today with the desert of Northern Africa and a focus on Egypt. 
• Video (National Geographic Kids)  - Join two kids exploring the Nile river   
• Video (Lonely Planet Travel Video) - Learn about the Berber people of Moroccan desert
• Song: "Go down, Moses" - a spiritual sung by Louis Armstrong
• Today's suggested read-aloud (From East Africa) - Waangari's Trees of Peace: A true story from Africa

West Africa

Friday connection video: We conclude our week of exploring the continent of Africa with West Africa. Do you know all of the continents and oceans now? Interested in exploring more? Here are some follow-up videos: 

West African folk tales: 

Anansi and the Sky Kingdom (animated story)

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People’s Ears (read aloud) 

Compare the sound of the tabla drum (from Egypt) with the West African djembe 

Find something to use as your own drum and dance and play along with this song

Video: Tropical forest animals

Montessori Classroom News March 28, 2018

There was a lot happening in this very short week of school!

 On Wednesday we prepared egg dyes and each child dyed an egg in the color of their choice.

A new science material - sorting natural & human-made materials

Enthusiastic samplers for dragon fruit!

A new collage work choice on the art shelf - adding cherry blossoms to the tree branches

Springtime

We’ve watched the daffodils in front of the school progress over the past few weeks and were excited to see the first few flowers open last week. We have read books about daffodils (“That’s not a Daffodil!” by Elizabeth Honey & “The Bulb: See How it Grows by Pamela Nash) and examined the bulbs of onion, garlic, and flowers. This week the children helped plant some flower bulbs in the park.

The children enjoy this silly poem where we imagine that the daffodil is a person.

Daffodowndilly

by A.A. Milne

She wore her yellow sunbonnet;

She wore her greenest gown

She turned to the south wind

And curtsied up and down

She turned to the sunlight

And shook her yellow head

And whispered to her neighbor,

“Winter is dead!”

Lent & Easter

We have heard several bible stories during lent. We often tell a simple version of the story, focusing on the most important details and the aspects that children can relate to. Children readily understand emotions, so we sometimes pause to discuss what the characters might be feeling.

         In past weeks we heard about Jesus healing Bartimaeus of blindness and Zaccheus of greed & loneliness.

This week began with Jesus riding into the city of Jerusalem on a donkey. Many people welcomed him with palm branches, hoping Jesus would become their new king and throw out their mean, unfair rulers. Instead of a big, fancy horse like a king would ride, Jesus chose a donkey. We looked at a photo comparing a donkey and horse, and then had our own processional with palm branches.

We retold the story of Jesus' last meal with his disciples, when he told them to remember him as they shared bread together, and then we each received a piece of bread (tortilla) to eat. We also heard the sad part of the Easter story, when Jesus died. We assured them that the next day we would hear the exciting ending to the story, about how God's love is stronger than everything, even death.

Pennies for Peace

We have a jar of coins in the classroom. You can continue collecting at home and bring in the coins after Easter. Let us know if you need a replacement penny collector! 

Montessori Classroom News Feb. 14, 2018

Ash Wednesday & Lent

Ash Wednesday (today) is the first day of Lent, the 40-day season of the church calendar preparing for Easter. There are 3 practices that are part of observing Lent: prayer, fasting, and generosity. In our classroom, we will sing a simple prayer song each day:

Breathe on me, breath of God

Fill me with life anew

That I may love as you have loved,

And do what you would do

We will hear several stories of Jesus and what he teaches us to do, and have a few small service projects as a class.

Enrollment for next year

Do you know families with 3 year olds who might be interested in enrolling next year? Please let them know to apply by Friday (2/16) for priority consideration! (Apply online at MontessoriSprouts.com)

Black History Month – Rosa Parks

Last week we read a story about Rosa Parks, who had the courage to break a rule that wasn’t fair. We talked about how God loves all people the same and wants all people treated with love and respect.

Notes & Reminders

 

Thurs. Feb. 15 – Valentine’s Celebration

Your child may bring in Valentine cards for their classmates. This is optional! If you choose to give cards, please have enough for every child (16 students). Each child will decorate a bag to be their “mailbox” for receiving Valentines. We will provide a special snack and do some group activities.

 

Sorting wood, foam, and plastic hearts

Mixing red and white paints at the easel

Each child decorated their own 'mailbox'  to receive Valentines from their classmates

Many children helped to make a special snack. Several took turns using the mechanical whisk to make whipped cream.

Others worked on washing, hulling, and slicing strawberries

Finally ready, with a little sprinkle of cocoa powder on top (after everyone had a chance to smell it!)

Friday, Feb. 16 – Love & Justice Prayer Service at 10am, led by 3^rd & 6^th grades. Parents welcome!

Friday, Feb. 16 – Half day (12pm dismissal for everyone)

Monday. Feb. 19 – President’s Day – NO SCHOOL