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"The A3 lower elementary students did a lesson on the election process to decide which seeds to sprout in a windowsill garden. Students queued, signed their names on our voter registration record, and voted in our private voting booth. We first had a primary election to narrow choices down to three.
Last week, the Westside Campus culminated a month-long study about world cultures with a UNICEF Day celebration. The students participated in a morning of fun crafts and activities representing cultures from around the globe.
Each October, the elementary students from the Switzer Mesa Campus undertake a top secret task: they must learn all they can about an individual of their choosing, only to be revealed on October 31st! This is the annual Mystery History celebration, where students research a historical figure and become that person for a day.
By: Ms. Kristen, A1, Switzer Mesa
There is a lot to say about traditions, but in my opinion there are little other places like a Montessori classroom in which traditions build community. Take for instance the first writer's workshop lesson I do each year with first grade students. Each year we begin with "small moment" stories by writing about a shared event. And each year I create a small moment by (shh) "accidentally" spilling a bucketful of markers right before the lesson. Each and every year the older students giggle and say the same thing. "Ms. Kristen, how come you always spill the markers?"
Each semester, the Primary and Young Children's classrooms at both the Westside and Sunnyside Campuses host a very special Back to School Night for families. Students proudly bring their parents, siblings and even grandparents into their classrooms and become the presenters of their lessons. Parents enjoy seeing what their children work on during the Montessori work cycle, and students seem to be especially focused and careful with their materials. Even the youngest students at 18 months old take pride in sharing their classroom work with their families. We had a great turnout this year at both campuses and look forward to showing families how much students have grown and progressed at the next Back to School Night in the spring.
The kindergarten students from Westside were invited by the Northern Arizona University Athletic Department to tour the NAU Walkup Dome. The students bundled up for their mile walk from school to the Dome and set off first thing in the morning. They were greeted by Mr. Carlos, the head equipment manager for all of the sports teams at NAU.
Light a candle for peace
Light a candle for love
Light a candle that shines
All the way around the world
Light a candle for me
Light a candle for you
That our wish for world peace
Will one day come true
On International Peace Day 2018, Montessori School of Flagstaff joined hundreds of children from Montessori schools across the globe to "sing peace around the world."
In September, the kindergarten students from the Westside and Sunnyside Campuses united for their very first field trip! It was a beautifully sunny day and perfect for a visit to the Arboretum. The bumpy bus ride down the dirt road was an exciting way to start the morning!
The following is an excerpt from Flagstaff Family Food Center Volunteer Director, Michael Van Ness' correspondence with the school,
"On behalf of the Flagstaff Family Food Center: Food Bank and Kitchen I want to say "Thank You!" for having your students come and build emergency food boxes with us this morning. I seldom see such dedication and focus from the ADULTS who come and volunteer with us - it was a pleasure to host."
A group of students from Montessori School of Flagstaff's Cedar Middle School spent time at the Flagstaff Family Food Center packing emergency food boxes for those in need. From the photos and Mr. Van Ness' response it is clear that all those involved had a great time for a great cause.
It was hard to get lost along a segment of the Flagstaff urban trail near Coconino High School while it was littered with seventh and eighth graders during a trash cleanup last Friday morning.
The students of the Montessori School of Flagstaff Middle School sported their brightest vests and most comfortable shoes to collect the empty beer bottles and left-behind dog droppings that were scattered along the Sego Lily Trail, which winds up the hill behind the high school to the crest of McMillan Mesa.
“It’s pretty fun, but it’s sad that there’s a lot of trash out here,” said Kevin Willden, a seventh grader at the school.
Every seven weeks, the students rotate for a chance to sit on a planning team – made up of a group of four – to research, make phone calls and strategize a community service project. So far, they have made sandwiches at the Northern Arizona Food Bank and landscaped at the other Montessori campuses.
“We haven’t done too many yet but it’s really fun,” said seventh-grader Alyssa Prager. “It’s a fun way to end the week.”
The Sego Lily Trail was previously known as the Sixth Avenue Trail; the new name reflects the presence of sego lilies, a small, white wildflower native to the West.
The Montessori Philosophy encourages children to develop their observation skills through activities that use the five senses, kinetic movement, spatial refinement, small and gross motor skill coordination, and concrete knowledge that leads to later abstraction.
The 2015 Arizona School Tax Credit lets your donation go directly to a public school of your choice! A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar reduction of your tax liability. Any Arizona taxpayer may contribute, regardless of whether your child is attending school.
To meet the needs of working parents, we offer a before- and after-school program designed for children 18 months–12 years. The older children can sign up for the many special classes offered after school such as drama, art classes, and music lessons.