From Director's Desk: posted on 10/30/08

Dear Parents:

I would like to encourage all of you, who haven't already done so, to sign up for the November Observations. This is a great opportunity to watch your child at work.

To make the experience a success, I suggest that you discuss your visit with your child the day before, so your child will know what to expect. It is important to let your child know that you are coming to "watch" her work. Make sure your child understands this is not "playtime" with mommy or daddy and you will not be staying the entire day. On the morning of the visit, review with your child what you discussed the day before. Make sure she understands that you will only be staying "part of the morning," so other mommy and daddies can have a turn.

Of course children will be very excited to have their mommy and/or daddy in their classroom. They might act shy and cling to you or try and show off by acting very silly. If this happens, you should be able to redirect your child's focus by showing interest in the work that other children are doing. If your child sees that the only way to get your attention is by doing work, she will most likely get out some of her favorite materials.

While it is important to help your child stay focused, make sure you let your child take the lead in the classroom.  Ask her questions, such as where should I sit? If it is snack time, ask her if she could also get a plate of snacks for you. In other words, let your child be the tour guide. This is her school and when you aren't in the room, she is very independent. Try to refrain from helping your child. Part of the fun of observing is seeing how young children manage such tasks as washing tables by getting the bucket, filling it with water, placing all the other materials in sequence on the mat and then proceeding to wash and dry the table. Even more amazing, and probably rarely observed at home, is watching the independent cleanup of the materials in an orderly fashion and returning it to its proper place on the shelf!

Lastly, make notes about questions that you would like to ask your child's teacher about the materials and work that your child enjoys and then engage your child by asking her questions or request she demonstrate those materials.  The teacher will be available to discuss any questions you may have at the end of the day.

I hope everyone enjoys their visit and remember that parents are always welcome to observe the classroom on a drop-in basis on Fridays at 8:45 a.m. and can stay until 9:45 a.m. We must insist, however, that parents come at the designated start time, so as not to disrupt the morning routine.

Ellie

From Director's Desk: posted on 10/24/08

Welcome back, we hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. The school staff is excited to be back and eager to take our classes to the next level. Most of the children have completed or almost completed the Transition Period (separating from mom and dad, and adjusting to their new class). Now that the children have found their new environment comfortable and cozy, they are ready to discover a little more.

In the primary classroom, more materials will be introduced to the children. The number of tutorials will increase, and children will be busy working with peers and older children.

• AMI Infant  - Toddler Consultant: On October 28, AMI Consultant, Terri Allen will observe the Alef Bet Montessori School Toddler Community class. The Primary community will host a consultant later next year, in pursuit of the school’s accreditation with AMI (Association Montessori Internationale), the most stringent of the Montessori organizations.

 We look forward for a fruitful autumn, and enjoy the Fall season,

Ayelet 'Ellie' Lichtash

Observation Schedule Posted: Sign up sheets for observation dates are posted inside the doors of the upper and lower school entrances. The dates will run Nov. 3 through Nov. 21 from 9:15 to 11:15 a.m. We allow two parents per time slot in each classroom.

Save the Date 11/20: We have a very special guest speaker, Janet McDonell, coming to speak at the school, Thursday, Nov. 20 at 8 p.m. Parents, this lecture is a must, if you want to understand what Montessori is all about. To read more about the lecture look in the parents class section on our website. Please make all efforts to attend and take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to learn about Montessori from a real expert.

From Director's Desk: posted on 10/10/08

Dear Parents,

We hope everyone had a special and meaningful Yom Kippur. Though October is a tough month to settle into a routine because of all the holidays, the children have still manged to take great strides in their Montessori work. Please take a look at the pictures we took in September and see how happy and busy your children are at school. The photos are posted in Parents Place/Photos.

Also, we are very excited to announce a very special opportunity for our parents to hear a leading expert in Montessori education, Mr. David Kahn. Mr. Kahn is the founder of one of the most important organization in Montessori Education NAMTA .

Mr. Kahn will be speaking about From infancy through adolescence - "Growing Up Montessori" at 7:00 pm on Wednesday, October 22 at the Smithsonian National Zoo Visitor's Center Auditorium in Washington, D.C.

This is a very special event for the Washington D.C. Montessori community and one that should not be missed! Also, don't forget to sign up for Observations in November and look at our school calendar for more important dates that will be coming up after the holiday break.

Ayelet 'Ellie' Lichtash

From Director's Desk: posted on 10/03/08