Cornerstone Montessori School Newsletter
Thursday, December 18, 2003
Holiday Break
Friday, December 19, is the last day of school before the Holidays -- it's not even a full school day, as dismissal is at 12:00 and we have all kinds of fun things to fill the morning hours! The morning will begin with an all-school sing-along in the Preprimary classroom, led by Miss Mary on the keyboards. The various classrooms then have their own activities planned -- all are sure to be busy! Please note that, due to the early dismissal, there is no aftercare tomorrow!
Upper Elementary News
By: Shawna Jones
The Upper Elementary grades are working on a lot of things the rest of this year and will start new things next year. The 4th graders are working on their Map Skills and are learning Element Facts. The 5th graders are finishing their South America Book Reports and they are starting the study of Antarctica. They are also doing their math word problems. The 6th graders are starting their European River study and are working on their math word problems.
The class is reading a book called "Liberty". It is about all the events leading up to the Revolutionary War. We take turns reading the different stories, and we also have a book we read and then answer questions about the Revolutionary War.
Next year, the 4th grade will continue their Chemistry works, 5th grade will start their autobiographies and 6th grade will start Anatomy.
The Cornerstone Holiday Concert
By: Jenna Sapsford
On December 10, Cornerstone had a Holiday concert. A magician came and after the concert he performed. We all dressed up in fancy clothes (except for the Pre primary -- they came in pajamas) and went to school. When everyone was there we all got quiet and sat down. The first through sixth grade all sat down in our corner of chairs and the preschoolers and kindergartners got up on stage and sang Simple Gifts and then White Christmas. While singing Simple Gifts, they kept the beat with wooden rods. While singing White Christmas, each child held a stuffed animal they brought from home. Then the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth graders sang Deck the Halls, Joy to the World, You’re a Grand Old Flag, and Silent Night with the bells. Then Kindergarten, First grade, and Second grade sang Yellow Submarine, Oh Christmas Tree, and Jingle Bells. Then, at the end, Kindergarten through sixth grade sang We Wish You a Merry Christmas together.
After the musical concert, the magician went on stage and explained who he was. His name was David Hennig, “The Magician with a Mission”. Mr. Hennig did tricks from a lot of different time periods and different places. The places were Ancient China, Ancient Egypt, historical France, and modern times. Emily Sherry, a third grader, said, “He was cool”. I think everyone enjoyed the show.
Wednesday, December 17, 2003
Baby Jesus
by Alicia Theis
Baby Jesus, when I get presents on Christmas,
I think of you!
And when I get ready for Christmas,
I feel warmth and love from you.
My family does too!
When I put up the star and I stare at my Christmas tree,
I think of when you were born on Christmas Eve.
When I give my cousins their toys and gifts,
I think how you gave up your life for us on the cross.
On Christmas Eve, smile and think why Jesus was born and died for us.
Have a great Christmas Eve and a Happy Holiday!
Christmas
by Kaitlyn Wharfield
People usually think Christmas is about presents. It's actually about Christ our Savior being born. We are supposed to give presents to each other because Christ was born. I've always thought the word Christmas came from the word ''Christ''. The word Christmas comes from the word ''Cristes maess'', an early English phrase that means ''mass of Christ''.
Religion is on every other Tuesday and our teacher is Miss Nancy Kenny. She teaches us about Christ, God and all the Saints.
I took a student vote about holidays, and most people said ''Christmas is my favorite holiday". Ashley Soldano, 5th grade, said, ''I like it when we celebrate Christmas because of Baby Jesus' birthday".
So, while you’re on Christmas Break, remember that Christmas is about Christ being born.
Tuesday, December 16, 2003
MORE Preprimary News!
from Miss Jenny
The Cincinnati Museum Center has visited for the third time this year. In the first program, Kevin taught us about insects (see past entries). Later, Kevin came back with Ms. Brei (pronounced /bree/) and Stuffee. With the help of the largest stuffed person we've ever seen, Ms. Brei taught us about good food choices. Children took turns "feeding" Stuffee strawberries, milk, bananas, peppers, and other nutritious foods. Next, Stuffee revealed all by allowing Ms. Brei to show us his organs. We removed his lungs, liver, stomach, large intestines, and small intestines and learned about the job of each. Finally, Kevin passed around a stethoscope for each child, and we listened to our hearts and stomachs.
A few days ago Ms. Karen visited from the Cincinnati Museum Center. She took us on a wild animal safari, visiting animals in Africa (zebra), Antarctica (penguin), the jungle and ...lions and tigers and bears, oh my! (Ms. Jenny was not in attendence, but she heard it was another high quality program.)
Thanks to Dina Velkly and to "Ms. Janice" Etherton --the P.E. teacher and a Cornerstone friend---for filling in for Ms. Jenny while she took care of her own sick children.
Preprimary News
From Miss Jenny
Thanks to all parents for attending conferences and sharing your thoughts of and ideas for our classroom. We always appreciate your input.
Before Thanksgiving break, each child was given an opportunity to peel and core an apple. The apples were then dried, over the next few days, in a food dehydrator. Of course, not everyone was brave enough to actually eat the dried apple. While the teachers told the Thanksgiving story, the entire class shared a loaf of homemade bread.
We are finishing our study of Antarctica. The next continent is TBD.
Although Mr. Bones (the skeleton) has returned to his home in the library upstairs, we continue to do works involving the parts of the skeleton, parts of the face/head, and internal organs. Our study of mammals has begun with bats and humans.
Seasonal work abounds.....punching snowmen and bells, rolling out cookies (pretend), making stars from a pentagon, counting Christmas objects (0-9, 1-5 and teens), cutting sets of Christmas trees, completing December calendars, practicing for the concert, and making surprises for moms and dads. Shhh!
Our Christmas wreath of outlines of the children's hands turned out to make a better rainbow. You'll find it on the wall near the computer. Speaking of which, we have a computer that is now in use by our children. Thus far, the children have used our fantastic Montessori program for reading (letter sounds, beginning and ending sounds, etc.) and writing work.
We have added rocks to the water table, watercolor paints to the art shelf, and a music work. If you were at the Christmas concert, you heard the upper elementary children play bells to accompany themselves while they sang "Silent Night." Two of these bells have been introduced as a work for our children.
Lunch update--Thank you for the nutritious lunches you pack for your children. There were lots of "battles" over sweets at the beginning of the year, but they have subsided.
During story time the teachers have been reading books on friendship, forgiveness, feelings, etc. The children have been very receptive.
It bears repeating.....thank you for all of the extra help you have offered to our classroom. The children benefit directly from your copying, office work, listening (to readers), cutting, special foods, photos or objects for sharing, etc.
