Rice Creek Newsletter_December 2017

​​Hello Rice Creek Families,

We had a great week last week and look forward to one ahead.  We have been busy with so much great work of all kinds: engineering and building, visual art, botany, party planning, play writing, sculpting, history of humans, discovery of number patterns, categorizing the physical word, and so much more.  I took some time last week to observe and rediscovered the importance of the variety and creativity of work available to the children.  In our classrooms we intentionally design lessons and work options to foster learning based on the sensitive period of students in Lower Elementary.  Characteristics of the second plane child include a sensitivity and gift for imagination and reasoning.  As you may well know they want to know "why" and "how" about the world and everything in it.  Their imagination and reasoning mind work in partnership, for when the child's questions are answered about the "why" or "how", their minds have the power to imagine the explanations and discoveries.  Maria Montessori explains, "Touching for the younger child is what imaging is for the older one" (To Educate the Human Potential).  So, take the time, when you can, to listen to all those questions, do some discovering together, and have fun!  

These last weeks were filled with hard work and some fun too.  We were treated to great stories from our Mystery Guests on Wednesday afternoons.  We enjoyed stories from two elementary staff members, Jenny and Agymah, in the form of physics and music.  Jenny shared a story through the language of physics, demonstrating chemical bonds and how physics reveals the beauty and wonder of the design of our universe.  Agymah shared a story through music, and how we communicate not just in one voice, but in many, both orally and through rhythms and sound.  It is through the varied stories of our community that children develop empathy, perspective, and innovation in thought.  Some pictures and videos are attached for you to enjoy.

Reminders and Updates:

Winter Solstice Celebration:

The children are in the process of planning a Winter Solstice party.  This is a party initiated, planned, and executed by students.  There is no need to plan differently for this day.  However, many children have signed up to help and may be volunteering in varied ways.  You will hear from me about any specifics regarding this party, and if your child has volunteered to help.

Winter Gear and Policies:

It has been mild thus far...however, the cold is coming.  Look to your GRS Student & Family Handbook for details on winter safety policies.  You can find it here.

Nutritional Guidelines:

We aim to guide children in making healthy nutritional choices.  This is why we give guidelines for providing a healthy snack and for leaving candy and sugary treats at home.  In addition, we encourage children to drink water with their lunch, in an effort to keep them hydrated and energized for their afternoon here at school.  We know that families have varied eating habits and traditions at home.  We value this difference, and also ask our families to partner with us by saving sugary drinks and snacks for home.

Resource:

Ideas for packing a lunch with your child...

https://www.forsmallhands.com/ideas-insights/pack-a-childs-lunch-montessori-style

The importance of stories in Montessori classrooms...

http://www.chesapeakemontessorischool.com/storytelling-montessori-classroom/

Book list for teaching empathy and telling varied stories:

https://socialjusticebooks.org/booklists/roving-readers/

In Graditude,

Nadine McNiff 

​​Video here:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1E6mvoGD72GovGvo0NKc20trD-IRMMUUo/view?usp=sharing

Wednesday and Conference Details

Hello All,

Here are some important details for this week:

We will not have lunch at school on Wednesday.  We will provide children with an additional hearty snack just before dismissal.  

There will be no Big Canoe on Wednesday after school.
Look for bus information sent out from GRS office in your emails.

We will be meeting in the East/Main campus for conferences (due to construction in our classrooms during this time).  We will not meet in our classroom.  Please sign in as you come into the East building and staff will direct you to our conference space.  Look for details in your email from the GRS office.

Conferences are attended by parents and teachers only.  Please bring some activities for your child if they will be waiting during our conference.  

Check lost and found on your way in or out to collect your child's belongings.  All remaining items will be donated after conferences.

Please look for full details in the email sent out to families yesterday.

Thanks so much,

Nadine

--

Nadine McNiff

Lower Elementary Guide

Great River School

1326 Energy Park Drive

651-305-2780

"The child's development follows a path of successive stages of independence, and our knowledge of this must guide us in our behavior towards him. We have to help the child to act, will and think for himself. This is the art of serving the spirit, an art which can be practiced to perfection only when working among children." (The Absorbent Mind). 

Rice Creek Newsletter

Hello Dear Families,

I hope this finds you well and ready for the week ahead.  I look forward to seeing each of you at conferences this Thursday and Friday.  I deeply value this time together to share all the wonderful gifts your child brings to our community and to  continue to partner on behalf of your child.  Children in the second plane of development often loose their sense of physical order and are, instead, building a strong sense of moral order.  They become keenly aware and interested in justice and fairness.  Children in this plane of development are also developing great mental growth in the form of unparalleled imagination and interest in the universe around them.  During our time in conferences we will focus on both their social/emotional development and their academic interests.  For more information on the characteristics of the lower elementary child look here.

Over the past weeks we have witnessed the children take a greater sense of responsibility for their classroom, their work, and each other.  This has come in the form of offering to be student tutors and experts for their peers, reflecting and finding solutions when they recognize we are not living up to our community beliefs, taking care of our physical environment and spaces, and succeeding and  failing graciously together each day.  One example of this follows:

In our classroom teachers use a chime to call the attention of the whole class.  We do this for different reasons, one of which is to signal for quieter voices if it is getting too loud.  However, in these past weeks I have used the chime less and less for this particular reason.  Not because we are always peacefully quiet, but because the children have been asking for this peace and quiet themselves, without any request from adults.  Often the children even ask for two minutes of silence if we are particularly loud at that time.  They do so by holding up the peace sign, waiting for the class' attention, and then stating their request for peaceful quiet.  I am delighted to see they are taking this initiative and asking for what they need.  I always refer to the classroom as "our classroom", and am impressed with the responsible stewardship of this community of children; in times of success and in times of difficulty and challenge.  

Cultural work is always a big hit with lower elementary children.  First grade students are creative in their work with plant studies and calendars.  Second grade children are nearly lost in their volcano work (make room for these final projects to come home in the weeks ahead).  Third-grade students are exploring STEAM work through a study in push/pull forces (they will soon get to put their learning and ideas into action though an engineering project).

Reminders:

• We have a short week ahead.  Please note that Wednesday is a half day, ending at noon.  More details on end-of-day transportation and lunch will come tomorrow (note: there is no Big Canoe after school this Wednesday).  
• You will see some classroom donation requests posted on our door during conferences.  If your family is able to help in this capacity we are grateful and are happy to have those donations in the coming weeks.  
• Don't forget to check the lost and found for any missing items during conferences (lost and found can be found just inside the entry door of the elementary building).  Items remaining after conferences will be donated.
• Next week is a three-day week as well.  On Wednesday afternoon, we will enjoy some time reflecting on our gratitude for friends, family and the Earth, doing some crafts together, and having some fun along the way.  There is no need to plan differently for this day.
  

We are, as always, grateful for the honor to spend our days in community with your children.  They never fail to inspire us and show us the best of what humanity can be.

In Appreciation,

Nadine

Below are pictures of one of our 3rd grade students, presenting her self-designed recycling project that aims to help us all be more informed and responsible stewards of our planet.

Classroom Update 10/27

Hello Rice Creek Families,

We had a great, full week after our MEA break.  The children have been enjoying a variety of work this week.  This has included: The Story of the Four Brothers, decomposition of multiplication problems on the Large Bead Frame, and an introduction to a study of the Earth.  

Writing lessons, given last week, have resulted in a flurry of passionate story-telling.  This work takes many different forms, depending on the development of the author.  Emerging writers are often telling written stories with pictures and labels. Developing writers are able to add details, order, and a clear story line to their pieces.  Where fluent writers are moving into rich stories that require a first draft and a final edited draft.  This writing reveals the voice of each author and we hope you are able to enjoy the writing and stories that come home with your children. We all certainly enjoyed them during Author's Chair today. 

Reminders:

Conferences are on Thursday and Friday, November 16th and 17th.  I look forward to taking some time to connect and share with each of our families.

Wednesday, November 15th is an early dismissal day.  Dismissal will be at 12:00pm on this day.  

Winter is coming.  Please remember we do prioritize time outdoors for students, each day and in all weather.  We follow our school policy for colder temperatures, but will regularly be out in all types of weather.  Please send your child with appropriate outdoor gear for comfortable, safe play outdoors.

Updates:

Many of the children are excited for Halloween.  We will be doing harvest related activities with the children on Tuesday, October 31^st. These will vary from classroom to classroom, but all will involve some fun, hands-on activities and experiences to celebrate this time of year. Some classrooms may do activities with the Upper Elementary students who will be doing presentations on famous individuals and biography stories.  Please make note of the following if your family celebrates Halloween:

• Please do not send the children in costumes; regular school dress is expected.
• Please do not send candy to school in lunch boxes or as gifts to share both on Halloween or in the following days.

A special note for third-year students is here.

Our room is warm and cozy.  Please encourage your child to wear layers, as we find it is often warm enough for a light, short-sleeve shirt in the classroom.

You may begin to see paper books come home with your child.  Please take the time to have your child read these books to you and talk with your child about the book.  These books come home after your child has done work with them in their reading group.  They can also be a great guide as you help your child select other books they can read independently.  Reading each day with your child is vital for their growth as a reader.  Here are some tips for reading with your child at home and understanding how children become readers.

Here is a website that can be used to help your child work on math fact practice each week.

Finally,  have a wonderful, cozy weekend.

In Appreciation,

Nadine McNiff

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