A busy start to the year means this newsletter is running a little behind schedule – it’s no longer September – we are firmly in October! Last month the class had a steady hum to it as everyone tried out the new materials that our teachers put out to start the school year. We added a new sensory table with sand, a balancing scales work, weaving block and lots of science related works, amongst many other things.

We made the most of the Santa Cruz sunshine by running and riding bikes around the newly painted rainbow track, enjoying the color it brings to our playground but protected by the shade of our nice new huge umbrellas.

As Fall is now upon us we read books such as Growing Vegetable Soup, a book about the life of a Bumblebee, and have been singing Oats, Beans, and Barley Grow. At our listening station we have been playing Animal Bingo, listening to animal sounds played randomly and placing a marker on the corresponding image. Fittingly, Duck Duck Goose was a popular game in September.

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As part of our discussions about plants and animals we started to talk about vertebrates, learning about distinctions between Mammals, Reptiles, Fish, Birds, and Amphibians.

To mark the change in the seasons we sang a song about falling leaves. We have started to have visits from children from the Chrysalis classrooms with one of their teacher aides. We also enjoyed a shared music and movement time together in our classroom.

Don’t worry, we haven’t forgotten about the garden! One of our popular new works last month was grinding eggshells with a mortar and pestle. We then took the crushed shells out to the garden to use as nutrients for our plants.

Due to the air quality from smoke, we had a week where we remained indoors and kept the windows shut more than usual. We spent time doing group activities like art projects, stories, songs, and games. We monitor the air quality and adjust our outside time accordingly when it is fire season.

We have lots to look forward to in the coming month including our field trip to Live Earth Farm, an Open House where our families visit the classroom and get to see all of the things the children have been working on, plus our annual (and very popular) Trunk or Treat.

We are now open from 8.30am to 5pm Monday through Friday.
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Sarah

Ps. You are receiving this newsletter because you joined our waitlist or contacted us through our website. It is a snapshot of the weekly emails that our headteacher Joe sends out to all parents at school, keeping them updated on life in the classroom. Previous month’s newsletters can be found on our website.​
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sarah@midtownmontessori.com

A: 987 Bostwick Lane, Santa Cruz, CA

P: (831) 423 2273

C: (858) 226 3107

W: www.midtownmontessori.com​

CCL #444417036