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Offering a small school atmosphere for the Corvallis-Philomath community since 1984

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Winter Break Fun

I know that the Winter Break all teachers love can try the souls of parents everywhere. As much as we love spending time with our children, a two week stretch in the dead of winter weather can leave us wondering "what can we do now?" Here are a few humble ideas.

String things! For the Christmas tree or for the birds outside, one can string popcorn and cranberries (fresh or dried) using a needle with a large eye and dental floss or sturdy thread. Don't be a hero. Use a needle threader. If you don't know how to use one, ask for a demo at the fabric store where you buy your needles. Even easier, string Cheerios or Froot Loops and you won't need a needle.

Cut paper snowflakes. I recommend doing this over a basin or large tray to help contain the scraps. Hang your snowflakes up on the windowpanes with clear tape.

Make ornaments or present toppers out of pipe cleaners and colorful beads.

Polish the silver and brass. Use small rags for small hands and a paste of baking soda and lemon juice.

Clean the windows with a spray bottle of a vinegar/water solution and newspapers.

Paper plate ice skating. This works best on wall-to-wall carpeting. Just place each foot on its own paper plate, put on some cheesy music and move the coffee table to the side.

Make paper chains. Any color of construction paper will do or use old magazines. A glue stick works nicely.

Cut up stuff. Children are so curious about what it is like to cut fabric. Perhaps they've taken a swipe at their own shirt. It is fun to cut material, so bring out some worn out clothing and let them have at it!

My favorite idea: Centerpieces. Go outdoors with a laundry basket and collect greenery, pine cones, rocks and moss. Give each child his/her own large tray on which to create a natural landscape. One can add ornaments or a pillar candle. The centerpieces can be re-created each day if one wishes and because they are portable they can be whisked out of the way to make way for the turkey or game of Chutes and Ladders!

We at the Philomath Montessori School wish you all a wonderful Winter Break and a very happy holiday season.

Best regards,
Doni

Friday, December 10, 2010

Sir Ken Robinson

He was the keynote speaker at a Montessori conference that we attended and somehow he was able to be both very funny and very profound.

I was moved to blog about him today because one of our former parents (from way back) sent me the link to a recent video by him called Changing Education Paradigms: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDZFcDGpL4U

And then you'll want to watch his TED video which is very entertaining and yes, enlightening, too. http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html

Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Santa Lucia Day

Here at school, we are learning about Sweden. Our big celebration will be Santa Lucia Day, which traditionally ushers in the Christmas season in Sweden, Italy and Bavaria. Lucy was a devout Christian girl martyred by the Romans. Today the celebration is a joyful one. Many towns have pageants and contests to select the most worthy girl to represent Lucia. Most families call upon their eldest daughter. She rises early, dresses in a white gown with a red sash about the waist and wears an evergreen crown topped by glowing candles. She may be accompanied by junior attendants, the girls dressed similarly, the boys wearing a conical hat decorated with stars. "Lucia" serves her family a traditional bun called Lussekatte or "Lucy cats."

At school, Raine, who is our eldest girl, will be our Lucia girl. She will wear the traditional costume including a crown made by our very handy dad, Bill and she will serve buns baked by our domestic goddess mom, Barbara. We have been making blue and gold paper chains to adorn the classroom as well as cut paper snowflakes. The kids have been making the starboys' signature hats and star-topped wands, too. We will carry these as we dance in celebration of Sweden and Santa Lucia and Christmas.

Sweden is fascinating. We have told stories about life near the arctic circle and the cold and sparse population which is very similar to the northern Canadian experience. We studied Canada earlier in the year. We have told stories about hotels made of and furnished with ice, the artist Carl Larsson, Swedish gnomes called "tomte" and Vikings. We also discussed how Sweden enjoys a high standard of living including generous vacations and maternity leave, no slums, health care for all and the 50% taxes that pay for all that. Swedes are some of the most content people on earth and they also have a high level of democracy and civic involvement. Go Sweden!