“Today in the town of David, a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.” 

The children had a busy and exciting month of December.  They practiced for the combined Montessori, Elementary and French School concert that began at 6 in the evening on Dec. 9th, Friday.  The Montessori children opened the program on the stage of the Saint Maur Fine Arts auditorium, singing  “Mary’s Little Boy Child” and “Jingle Bell Rock” in front of a full house, gaining valuable experience while sharing the joy of Chirstmas.

On the last week, Mr. Agnew, the school’s religion teacher, invited our children to the Chapel to share the Christmas story.

The children also enjoyed a pizza luncheon.

Christmas craft-making was also a lot of fun.

For this season of gift-giving, as when the three kings brought incense, Frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus, the children learned  how to give cards and presents, how to receive them, and what to say to each other in the exchange of gifts and written Season’s Greetings.  They also discovered how to hold the present with both hands, practiced looking into the person’s eyes, and express simple phrases such as “Merry Christmas. This is for you” and “Thank you, (actual name). Merry Christmas”—all with a smile.

.

Please have a memorable, fun-filled, and meaningful Christmas holidays with the family, your relatives and dear friends. We look forward to a great second semester in 2017, which will be in the Year of the Rooster.   Merry Christmas to you, one and all!

“Thank you for the food we eat, thank you for the world so sweet.
Thank you for the birds that sing, thank you, God, for everything.
Thank you for my family, thank you, God, for loving me.
For each and every child, I pray
And thank you for this special day.  Amen.”

(“Thank you prayer,” adapted by Josephine Page)

Everyday is a special day.  Children are growing daily—socially, emotionally, academically, and physically.  They laugh, cry, play, learn together, and help each other.  In a mixed-age environment of Montessori, inside and outside the classroom, there is “Collaboration and Communication,” as is the school’s theme this year.

Thanksgiving Day is a time to reflect on all the wonderful things that God gives us. The children took turns in sharing what they are thankful for.  Mommy and Daddy, friends, jumping spiders, rainbows, lunches, warm beds, boots, and so many other people and things.  Each child made a turkey puppet for “Happy Thanksgiving”.

In November, 13 of the first graders from 1P and 1G came to our classroom to share the stories they had written.  Among them were 7 students who were in our class last year.  They each were happy to be back to share with their former classmates. My, have they grown in just one semester! They were proud to be in their school uniforms and to read to their younger friends; they felt older and more responsible in being back.

Related to reading, we had Sena’s dad volunteer to come by to read a story to the children at an Early Dismissal day on Wednesday.  We enjoyed listening to a parent read to us.  We’d love to have more moms and dads come and share a story.

Time for recess now. Let’s go out and play!