Montessori Happenings

A Visit to the County Fair

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Published: Friday, 06 September 2013 03:38

The Montessori Charter School of Flagstaff took their first outing to the Coconino County Fair Friday, August 30th. Students explored the fair in small chaperoned groups, traveling from building to building learning about animals, crafts, arts, and science. There was a little entertainment too in the form of a ventriloquist, music, and comedy!

This is always our first field trip of the season, and we can always count on MCSF students to represent our school with honor and integrity.

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Becoming Buddies: A1 and B2 Bond

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Published: Friday, 06 September 2013 03:37

At Switzer Mesa, classrooms from Upper Pod are paired with a Lower Pod classroom as buddy classes. The intent is to have a mentoring relationship to foster a sense of camaraderie and move the Montessori philosophy beyond our individual classrooms and into our small campus community. On a recent Friday morning, A1 students and their B2 buddies met for the first time when the Upper Pod came down to read to Lower Pod students. I'm sure everyone was a bit nervous at first, but as you can tell from these engaged learners and big smiles, they eased into their roles just fine!

A1: Hard at Work!

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Published: Wednesday, 04 September 2013 19:46

Welcome back to school!

A1 got right back into the swing of things during the first week of school! See the photo evidence below!

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We're looking forward to a great year!

WELCOME BACK TO SCHOOL!

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Published: Wednesday, 04 September 2013 19:44

Welcome to all new and returning families of the Sunnyside Campus! 

 Please make sure you are continually visiting our site to check for updates and information! We will post newsletters and reminders, along with photos and information about what's happening in our classrooms.

We're looking forward to a successful schoolyear!

ADMINISTRATION: Ms. Patti

FRONT CLASS: Ms. Bethany with Ms. Ali & Ms. Carly

BACK CLASS: Ms. Felisa with Ms. Blair & Ms. Katie

PRIMARY-AGED LUNCH/LATE DAY: Ms. Michelle, Ms. Murphy, Ms. Brittany & Ms. Elizabeth

YOUNG CHILDREN: Ms. Cindy with Ms. Sina, Ms. Ellen, Ms. Lauren & Ms. Emma

Montessori Climbs to Conquer Cancer!

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Published: Wednesday, 04 September 2013 19:44

On August 17, staff and families from several of the Montessori School of Flagstaff campuses participated in the American Cancer Society's Climb to Conquer Cancer! The more than 3,700 participants in this year's Climb raised nearly $250,000 to help fund cancer research and MSOF was proud to be a part of the success! The weather was clear and breezy and the beautiful forest scenery made the long climb up Snowbowl Road a bit easier! Thanks to all of the families who participated!

Asian Country Studies

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Published: Monday, 27 May 2013 08:35

The Lower Pod classrooms at Switzer Mesa campus dedicated their continent study this semester to Asia. While activities and studies were done in the classroom, students also chose a country on which to do an in-depth study at home. This week those students revealed their weeks of research to a packed house of friends and family.

As always, it is such a treat to see the many ways in which students choose to present their findings. Some children were dressed as if they had just landed from that very country while others provided food samples and recipes. Some students focused on the animal life of his or her chosen country, while others zeroed in on the cultural mores. The presentations were as varied as the countries themselves.

All in all it was a busy and exciting morning that taught everyone in attendance something new about the large continent of Asia.

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A-3 Trip to the Arboretum: Macro-Invertebrates and Their Adaptations

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Published: Monday, 27 May 2013 08:32

On May 21^st, 2013 the A-3 Class at Switzer Mesa went to explore the Arboretum and learn about macro invertebrates! We had a fun-filled day of discovering what the Arboretum has to offer, learning about the animals that we have in our backyard and lastly exploring pond studies! The pond is where we learned about different adaptations that insects possess in order to survive in the water in our climate. We experienced an interactive study of macro invertebrates by having students dress up as one – complete with the many adaptations you might see on these different insects. We even had one student pose for us with gills, eyes, a net for a head and other adaptations that make these insects unique.

Our Own Charming Cellist

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Published: Monday, 27 May 2013 08:31

One of the Front Class students had an upcoming cello recital and requested to practice his performance for our class! How could we say no to learning more about this fascinating instrument?!

The students practiced their audience etiquette while our soloist performed two songs. Then he answered some very tough and interesting questions from the audience about his practice of the cello. He showed the other children how to make low and high notes and how pressing his finger on the strings changed the pitch. The students had some great questions about the parts of the cello, which our musician was able to easily answer! For example, one student asked about the "stick" at the bottom of the instrument. Our cellist explained that it is an endpin and even showed how he could raise and lower it depending upon how high he was sitting. He also explained how the stickers on his fingerboard helped him learn where to put his fingers to play certain notes. 

After asking many penetrating questions, the attentive crowd requested one last song. He performed another memorized piece beautifully. Then, our musician took a bow and showed us how he carefully packs his cello away. 

The students were very interested in musical instruments after this concert, and many asked if they could bring in their own instruments to play. We seem to have a class of budding artistes!

Future First Years Visit the Lower Pod

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Published: Wednesday, 22 May 2013 18:02

A group of very excited kindergartners from the Westside and Sunnyside Campuses visited the Switzer Mesa Campus last week, in order to learn more about their future classrooms. The teachers and current elementary students who welcomed the kindergartners were just as eager to meet the new members of their classroom communities. 

The students played a game in order to learn their new friends' names and then worked together on a creative project. A couple of the classrooms did a folding and cutting lesson, while another tried origami. The older children did a great job helping the future first years with their projects and many new friendships were made! After taking a tour of the school, the students headed outside to learn more about the playground. The future first years were very eager to try out the much bigger playground equipment. When it was time for the kindergartners to leave, many were sad to go. It won't be long before these students are official First Years at our campus and we are looking forward to them joining our community!

Here are some photos from their visit to the Switzer Mesa Campus:

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Shakespeare Sonnet

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Published: Wednesday, 22 May 2013 10:54

On April 7, 2013, all the students from our Montessori Middle School memorized and presented a Shakespeare Sonnet. We were able to pick any sonnet we wanted.  We had four weeks to memorize the original sonnet. Part of the project was to re-write the sonnet in our own words, copy it onto colored paper and include art to make it uniquely our own.

On April 7^th, we had a little café for our performance of the sonnets. When it was your turn you stood up in front of the school and performed your memorized sonnet.  When I presented I felt scared at first, but in the middle, I began to calm down. By the end I felt so good I wanted to say my sonnet again. We were graded on our eye contact, if we dressed up and if we were a good audience for the other students. This project helped build my confidence, increased my ability to memorize and taught me to be attentive to other performers.

Paloma, Eighth Grade Student