The month of October brought us a sense of “now I know where that goes, what I am supposed to be doing, and I am liking this Willow Room” feeling. The students have been out of this world…great as humans and studying the universe. Planet research, independent projects on galaxies and black holes were explored. A favorite has been to receive the coveted purple constellation star gazing bag. Each child is scheduled to take a turn to star gaze, record their
Read more →
“What we need is a world full of miracles, like the miracle seeing the young child seeking work and independence, and manifesting a wealth of enthusiasm and love.” ~ Maria Montessori Dear Primary Parents, The Cedar and Oak rooms have both had wonderful starts to the school year! The children are engaged with each other and their work. We have a very independent, capable, and industrious group of young children this year. We are focused
Read more →
Welcome to the Willow Room! It is so good to be back in the classroom with all the enthusiasm and spirited students to remind us all why we do what we do. The month of September has been a time of review and assessment. Each of the students has been adjusting to the routine of the day with schedules, choices, and where everything is located and filed upon completion. That is a lot of new
Read more →
Dear Willow Room Families, The end of the school year is always bittersweet for us. We marvel in how much the children have learned and grown, and take pride in the community that they have built. We are saddened to have to say goodbye to those who are moving on to new schools in the fall, but we are excited for them to start a new part of their school lives. We know that the skills that the children
Read more →
Dear Willow Room Families, “Sewing seeds, picking stones, we are made of dreams and bones, need a place to call my own for the time is near at hand. Grain for grain, sun and rain, find my way through natures chain, tune my body and my brain to the music of the land” Thank you, thank you for to all of our families for bringing in plants, seeds, and flowers to celebrate earth week
Read more →
“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy, they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom”. – Marcel Proust The month of April brought beauty and love into the classroom and school. Thank you to everyone who brought in flowers and seeds for the school grounds and outdoor classroom. Laura Meisel worked hard with the children planting and landscaping the front area. The children really loved learning about different ways they can help the earth. It
Read more →
Dear Willow Room Families, Thank you to all of our families for meeting with us to discuss your children’s progress at our Parent Teacher conferences. It was a pleasure to have the opportunity to sit and chat with each of you! The children have all grown so much since September. We enjoyed showing off their work and discussing their unique strengths. One theme that we encouraged at all of our conferences was use of email to contact us. Often
Read more →
Dear Willow Room Families, We made it through the last week in February without a snow day! We hope this trend will continue and warmer weather will come our way! The children are desperate for routine and the chance to move their bodies outside. When we stay inside for a day or two the children can adjust, but when we have days on end of being inside everyone’s body just wants to move! Move! Move!
Read more →
This article in the Economist explains how positive parenting techniques will teach children to solve their own problems whereas “negative” discipline like time outs and naughty corners rob the child of the opportunity to make choices and learn from mistakes: IN THE old days parents followed a simple rule: spare the rod and spoil the child. These days less violent forms of discipline are favored. Supernanny, a television toddler-tamer, recommends the “naughty step”, to which
Read more →
Dear Willow Room Families, Welcome back to school! It seems so long since we saw each other last at our Winter Celebration. We were so proud of how the children sang for you! They really showed their stuff! We had to laugh traveling back and forth from CTMS to the Legion holding on to the rope. We never knew the children could walk so slowly!! We entertained ourselves with all sorts of songs as we shuffled along. Christmas carols, camp songs, school
Read more →
