HERMOSA MONTESSORI COMMUNITY TIMES

by Sheila MARCH/APRIL 2015 I invite you to follow your flips. We would want to be as pre- up. Lack of independence and con- student’s school activities on Inside This Issue: our Facebook page. Look for pared as possible. centration can take on a variety of photos and text which can Removing Obstacles to forms, much like water in a river. give you a window into your Development...... 1-2 In the course of our lives, we will For the child with high energy and student’s day at school. Preschool and Kindergarten...... 2 experience a variety of challenges, strong personality, obstacles may Lower Elementary...... 3-4 some as fast and treacherous as rap- precipitate turbulent and explo- Choir News...... 4 ids, waterfalls, whirlpools, or hy- sive behavior. For the quiet child, DATES TO REMEMBER draulics; or as monotonous and slow the obstacle may thwart the child’s Upper Elementary...... 5-7 as pools and eddies. progress, as if he or she were caught Fri Apr 10 Middle School...... 7 Spaghetti Dinner in a backwater eddy. Everyone is invited! Fundraising Art News...... 8 event for Middle School trip Isn’t life like that? We want it to be 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Hermosa Day of Service...... 9 challenging enough to be exhilarat- External factors. Looking at exter- Mon Apr 13 AzMERIT Testing ing, to feel like an adventure. When nal sources of obstacles, we need to (Writing; grades 3-8) events happen abruptly, things can ask the following: State testing is mandatory. Do not schedule vacations or other non- become dangerous or overwhelm- emergency appointments during this time. ing; too slow and we are bored out 1. Does the child’s environment of-

Tue Apr 14 of our minds. fer an opportunity to work in peace AzMERIT Testing and dignity to develop him or her- (Reading & Math; grades 3-8) What are some of the hazards we’ll self? Wed Apr 15 AzMERIT Testing meet in our children’s develop- (Reading & Math; grades 3-8) ment? 2. Does the environment offer a Fri Apr 17 wide social experience? 7th year Research Presentations There are two basics kinds of ob- Fri Apr 17 H.O.P.E. Meeting Removing Obstacles stacles. One type is external to us. 3. Does the environment offer pro- Hermosa’s Parent Organization External obstacles act like the water, tection from physical and psycho- welcomes your participation! to Development 3:15 p.m. in the Middle School rock and boulders in a river. logical harm? by Maren Schmidt Mon Apr 20 AIMS Science Testing; Internal factors, such as personal- 4. Does the environment offer ad- grades 4 & 8 If we wanted to raft the Grand Can- ity, knowledge, experience, attitude, equate challenges for personal Thu May 07 yon, how would we prepare for the Young People’s Concert TCC character, etc. make up our other ob- growth? Lower Elementary field trip - Your trip? structions. extracurricular dollars at work! 9:45 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. Internal factors. When consider- Depending on our experience level, Sat May 09 How do we recognize that a child is ing internal factors, ask these ques- Hermosa Choir Performance we might arrange for a guide to navi- Rincon Congregational Church facing a challenge? tions: Everyone is invited gate us down the river. We’d want to 7:00 p.m. learn about the nature and force of the When a child is not developing 1. Is your child an optimist or a river. We would want to be familiar concentration or independence, we pessimist? An introvert or an extro- with dangerous parts of the river. We should begin looking for a source, vert? Research shows that parental might practice some drills in case of either outside the child’s control, or guidance can help a pessimistic or mishaps, such as what to do if the raft as part of the child’s internal make- quiet child develop a cheerful or cont. on p. 2 1 Removing Obstacles to Development Preschool and Kindergarten cont. from p.1 Mary’s Class more outgoing life. tion. We can stop the behavior by The class is really humming this mish note, children had fun col- removing the obstacle, or by taking time of year with the sounds of lecting dead insects and bringing 2. What developmental stage is the child away from the obstacle. engaged students at work! This them into the classroom to be your child? last month has been a particu- “fossilized” in resin. (This was so Johnny was failing math, until he larly active and fun month for fun for the kids that we will be do- 3. About every three years in the started using graph paper to keep our students! Kids continued to ing this every year, so returning growth of a child, there are pro- the numbers in line. Kayla missed found changes in how and what weeks of school due to being aller- be hooked on bones, which was a students, save your cool insects!) the child learns. Be aware of these gic to the classroom rabbit. Kevin natural transition into fossils and We did a brief artist study of Andy stages. had given up trying to read be- dinosaurs. We began our study Goldsworthy, and on our nature cause his best friend called him of fossils with a “fossil dig” in the walk, created our own art using 4. Is the child having a physical re- stupid. Mary’s grades dropped in a sandbox, in which the kinder- various items that we found in the sponse to the environment? nine-week period while she com- garten students dug for dinosaur desert. (Many of you have already plained she couldn’t see the chalk- skulls, trilobites, ammonites, and seen postings of your student’s art Is the lack of concentration or in- board. Steven started a fight every shark teeth. (Some of these were on Facebook!) dependence due to allergies, ill- night at bedtime with his father real fossils, but mostly replicas ness, learning or perceptual differ- when his dad had been out of town gifted to the classroom - some of Our cooking Fridays will con- ences, hearing, vision, diet, sleep, the previous week. Deena threw you saw your paleontologists in tinue, but Nature walks will have changes in routine, visitors in the tantrums about toilet training be- action on Facebook!) Children to end, due to warming weather. house, family member out of town, cause she was afraid of falling into have been reading and writing BIG THANKS to Kari, our 7th death in the family, birth of a sib- the toilet. Obstacles are common, about dinosaurs, tracing their grade intern who spent a week ling, arguments in the family, tele- varied, and frequent. bones, and doing dinosaur re- assisting in our classroom! It was vision viewing, or video/computer lated math. (For a family game, wonderful to see these pre-teens games? With planning we can avoid many ask your child to lead you on our so actively involved in the class- obstacles, and there will be situa- version of the Hokey Pokey, using rooms of their past - True com- Observe the child at work and tions we cannot anticipate. Un- bone names!) On a more squea- munity-building! play. Is the child’s observable be- derstanding the nature of obsta- havior inhibiting independence cles, and the nature of the child, Ruth’s Class or concentration? If yes, examine may help us “row, row, row our We wrote our names the external and internal factors of boat, gently down the stream.” in Chinese callig- the situation. Decide a plan of ac- raphy. A big thank you goes out to News from Sally, Sherri and JoAnn’s Class Sedona & Neytiri’s We decided to play the Question Esther – Language booklet because mom for helping all Game for this month’s newsletter I’m already starting to sound out of the students with article. The question was, “What is words this activity! something you really like learning Adelaide – Reading in school?” Cecilia – I like learning the planets Eli – Playing “Doggie, doggie, Except for the three students who where’s your bone?” at school were absent, here are the children’s Ethan – I like playing outside on the answers: porch Grady – Reading! (and then he did Adam – The marble work with a a big split jump) spoon, the one that goes around Isabella – Lessons! and around J.T. – Reading Aiden – Playing with my friends Jackson – I like learning about fos- Brendan – Painting sils Chi Chi – Sorting the Chinese beads Jeffrey – The world map Emily – Doing art Jon – Math … division Luca – Doing my journal Maia – My journal … doing the Madison – Learning about the earth drawings. The second thing I really Micah – Building with the colored like is the art table because I really disks like drawing. Nathanael – The easel (painting) Massimo – Reading Nia – Painting Max – Numbers! Wyatt – Building with the “connec- Noah – Math … actually every- tor shapes” thing! Giovanni – Doing my math Nolan – Doing porch work. Doing Kaya – My math. I love math les- blocks! sons. They’re fun!

2 Lower Elementary by Maiella One of our virtues is Kindness. at school and the posters are great. different kinds of math problems A few weeks ago we had elections. Some ways that we can show kind- +, -, x, ÷ and more. 3rd years also It was a tie between Eve and Cam- ness are: If somebody falls, ask by Lyla went on a field trip to the Gem and bria for president, Sofie for vice them if they are okay and help A project is when someone choos- Mineral show. We learned, looked president, John for treasurer, Ava them up. If somebody has a lot es a topic and then they ask some- and shopped at the Gem Show. for secretary, and Scarlett, Joe, of stuff in their hands you could one else to do it with them. The IT WAS FUN!!! We learned how Rylee, Jett, Maiella, and Brenna for show kindness by helping them projects for our class were a project to spend money wisely and what sergeant at arms. These people will carry some of their things. There on Iran by Jett, a project on lions made minerals green and blue. We be helping with our class meetings. are also many other ways to show by Lyla and Martina, a project on looked at beautiful gems and min- kindness. dogs by Carter, and a project on erals. We shopped for treasures. The third graders are learning how the ocean by Nina and Connor. I think I can speak for all the 3rd to write paragraphs. We do one by Mia years when I say the Gem Show type of paragraph for two weeks I have been seeing people helping by Amelia was awesome. and then we switch. This week we people at school and it is very nice, 3rd years are at the end of their are learning how to write a letter. and a lot of projects are going on math3! Math 3 is a binder full of

Free art in Sheila’s class Ryleigh absorbed in a preposition work

Creative spelling sentences by Sabine and Sofie 3 Lower Elementary continued Students are learning about the characteristics of poetry. They really enjoyed writing their own limericks after studying the limerick pattern and many can even recognize the AA BB A rhyme pattern. Here are some of the students’ limericks.

Students have also been enjoying geometry lessons using the many il- Choir News by Sabrina lustrative Montessori materials. Here is a creative version of the lesson he Hermosa Children’s Chorus and Hermosa Singers will cel- on equilateral triangles. Tebrate with singing on Saturday, May 9th, at the Rincon Con- gregational Church. The church is located at 122 N. Craycroft – behind the Hobby Lobby store. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and, although there is no entrance fee, we will “pass the hat” as usual to purchase music materials for the choir and the general music program.

Each year the choir tackles more difficult and interesting pieces and we are excited to show you what we’ve learned. Come with a song in your heart so we can share an evening of music.

4 Upper Elementary by Gabby The Upper Elementary 6th grade class recently went on a fieldtrip to The the shell that the squid used to have. When the squid dissection was over University of Arizona. On our fieldtrip we went to the Flandrau Science we went and looked at the wonderful collection of rocks in the Rock and Center and Planetarium and watched a showing called “Dynamic Earth.” Mineral museum; which is one of the top ten rock and mineral collections During the showing we learned about the stars and the constellations. The in the country. When we finished looking at the rocks we met up with showing also compared our wonderful Earth to the planet Venus. After our wonderful assistant Kristian, a student at the U of A, and had lunch the “Dynamic Earth” show, we went downstairs to the marine discovery with her at the student union. Kristian gave us a tour of where she attends center and learned about the squid and got the opportunity to dissect it. classes. We had the opportunity to sit in a real college classroom. We also As we were dissecting we got to see what is called a squid pen. The squid visited the admission office and got a pamphlet on what the university has pen looked like a clear bird feather. The squid pen is a part of the squid to offer. The trip to the university was one to remember and a great way to that is no longer necessary to its survival. But, at one time it was part of experience a college campus.

A Peek at Some of the Poems Written in Upper Elementary This Past January Autobiographical Poems

Blake Christian Skinny, mid-height, loyal, kind. Son of Sherri and Kent brother to Brooke, Sheria, and Ellie I love animals, engineering, sketching and reading. I feel happy, tired, and awesome. I feel most happy when I can find a quiet spot and do one of the things above. I always have water, food and try to always have shelter. I help my friends, give my parents a pain in their necks, and I think my sister’s fun. I fear having another world war, not making it to U.H.S., and having lots of bills to pay. I would like to become a successful inventor/engineer, getting a good education, and having a good life. I most enjoy eating Mexican food, Asian, and sometimes bar-b-que. I like to wear basketball shoes, athletic clothing, and jackets One day I will be a successful inventor. 5 Autobiographical Poems continued

Catherine Creative, nice, tall, and observer. Daughter of Susan and Stephan, sister of Ethan. I love art, smiling, and thinking. I feel interested, happy, and content. I am most happy when I am sketching, laughing, and being able to think in peace. I need water, oxygen, and food. I give an interesting conversation, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend when you need one. I fear large open spaces, strangers, and being alone in the future. I would love to see DC cupcakes in Georgia, (a cupcake shop that has its own TV show), world peace, and an end to global warming. I really enjoy drawing, learning, and questioning. I like to wear leggings, ballet flats, and headbands. One day in the future I would like to not be in any debt, and be a video game designer for Bioware.

Gabriella Francis Drake Fun, smart, loving and awesome. by Wyatt Daughter of Mellanie and Chace, sister to Kaitlynn, Aaliyah and Shea. I love school, my friends and my family. Francis I feel happy, energetic and sleepy. Son of Edmund Drake I am most happy when I’m with my friends, my family and when I’m at church. Adventurous, pirate, captain, I most need my family, my friends and food. Who searched for gold, sailed the seven Seas, and lived in England I give my time to volunteering, unconditional love to my family and love. Who felt anger, sadness, and pride I fear deadly stuff, getting in trouble and being alone. Who feared losing to Spain and dying a painful death I would love to see The Eiffel Tower, New York and the Northern Lights. Who circumnavigated the world and helped defeat the Spanish Armada I most enjoy candy, spending time with my family and school. Who wanted revenge on Spain and wanted to be famous I like wearing a smile, clothes and computers. Who basically lived on his ship, but his real home was in Europe One day I’m going to be an Obstetrician. Drake

Thomas Jefferson Biographical Poems by Torie Jackie Robinson Thomas by Max Smart, willing, good writer Son of Peter Jefferson Jackie He loved his wife, freedom, and liberty Good, athletic, wealthy. Experienced love, anger, and sadness Loving brother of Mack Robinson Feared public speaking and strong governments Who loved baseball and track and field Remembered for being the third president of the United States Who hated stress, loved excitement, and Wanted to see religious freedom Hated that white people had more rights Lived in Virginia He feared going to jail, playing in the white Jefferson League, and getting beat up by white people. Who was a great baseball player Born in Cairo, Georgia, and died in North Stamford. Dragon Poems Robinson Mystic Laura Ingalls Wilder by Fiona by Althea My dragon’s name is Mystic Laura And she lives in the land of Artistic Adventures, loving, caring, brave, Daughter of Caroline and Charles Ingalls Mystic’s favorite colors are pink, purple, and royal blue, Loved Rose and Almonzo, And that is her skin color too! Who rejoiced and at certain times was scared and angry. Who feared Indians and their noises Six rows of scales down the middle of her body, Who wrote descriptive books with care And the rest is smooth as silk. Who only wanted the happy simple things in life, Lived in the United States Hears from miles away and breathes ice, Wilder She also loves to eat mice.

6 Dragon Poems continued Middle School Anker by Grisman Presentation from a Holocaust Survivor Anker is heavy but small and polite, by Gabby She also has a very big appetite. Anker chatters and makes a squirrel sound, A couple weeks ago the 6th, 7th and 8th graders got the privilege to She also likes to dig tunnels underground. get a presentation from a Holocaust survivor named Wanda Wolosky. Anker’s skin is green and black, She told us about her life in the Warsaw Ghetto and events that hap- Her teeth are rough on the sides but smooth on the front and back. pened, not just her personal expe- riences. We were honored to have Anker’s eyes are dark, dark red, But unfortunately she can not get on to my bed. her come and tell us about her per- sonal experiences, especially since Anker sometimes likes to eat grass, And whenever I am thirsty, sprays water in to a glass. it is such a rare opportunity to have now. The students were very

Midnight excited to have her come and were by Holly intrigued by her story and experi- ences. It was a once in a lifetime Midnight is not a she, My dragon is a he. experience for the students and we are so grateful to her for coming. He really loves gold, Can breathe out fire, but not cold. Midnight’s tail is very long, Colorado River Trip He is also very strong. by Julia His eyes are black as the night, He likes to fly in the moonlight. Recently, you may have seen the Middle Schoolers fundraising such He glides and roars in the sky, as with the Valentine’s Day sale, or the Carnival. The reason for this is Is brown and gold like a butterfly. the super fun trip Midnight growls when he is mad, we have planned I tell him to be quiet, to not wake mom and dad. for the end of the year. It is going Blue to be a kayaking by Korben trip, starting at Let me tell you about my dragon Blue, the Hoover Dam. Just a few things before we go to the zoo. The trip will be He is big and he has wings, for five days, and He is my friend and plaything. we will camp out Blue is thirty feet tall, beside the river. When afraid, he can build an ice wall. The point of the When Blue moves he can make a scream, trip is to build Blue and black is his color scheme. stronger community and learn to get yourself out there in a safe envi- ronment. Each kayak will be for two passengers. The people in each Blue’s teeth are as sharp as teeth from a shark, His eyes are black and dark. kayak will be randomly selected, so no one gets hurt feelings. Mostly, we will kayak down the river, but sometimes we will get to go to natu- When it is very hot he keeps me cool, Likes to float on his back in the swimming pool. ral hot springs, and enjoy the warm water. We are super excited and can’t wait to go! Before we go to bed we have a cup of tea, When I go to bed he protects me. Land Lab Trips

Hail by James by Leah My dragon’s name is Hail, Middle school Land Lab trips are educational community building She has a very, very long tail. experiences which occur at the end of a cycle. A cycle at Hermosa’s middle school is a period in which specific sections of Science, Health, She breathes a lot of ice, And she is very, very nice. Social Studies, Language, Reading, and Writing are carried out in what is usually a one and a half month time period. During these She loves ice so much, And is very soft to the touch. Land Lab trips, Hermosa students engage in activities to improve the area for future classes and sessions, engage in community building She sleeps on a fluffy patch of snow, but dreams of hail although. games and activities, and experience nature, as well as other learn- ing experiences. These experiences include things such as creating She loves to play scissors, paper, and rock, adobe, an ancient durable substance used in construction by Native And plays the tuba at six o’clock. Americans, and scavenger hunts, including trivia and team challenge She loves climbing with her ears, activities. The trips are run by Chandon Thorell, who leads outdoor I’ll love my dragon Hail all through the years. education programs for numerous Arizona Montessori schools. 7 Art News by Carol The Chinese New Year’s festival and art show was a huge success on a beautiful day with a large audience. Thank you to all the parent helpers and thank you to the fourth grade hosts and hostesses. And thank you to Mike and André for arranging the sound track.

Lower Elementary artists marched with their dragon puppets. PreK made sheep masks for year of the sheep. Fourth year students exhibited dragon collages and poems on handmade paper. Fifth year art elective students exhibited their handbuilt ceramic pieces.

For Valentines Day Lower Elementary students made valentine cards using their own hand painted paper. This month they also looked at the work of Miró and created paintings in the style of Miró.

Fourth grade students looked at the work of Jim Dine, a contemporary New York artist who works in many media, focusing on the image of the heart. They were asked to take a large heart and divide it into three sections. In one section they were asked to paint a radial design, in another section a diagonal design, in another section a vertical design. After painting the background they were asked to do the same on a smaller heart which was then collaged onto the larger heart. We hung these in Upper Elementary as a valentine to their classmates.

8 Hermosa Day of Service

Greetings Hermosa Montessori community, rocks to slow the erosion, sanded and repainted Mary’s rocker, collected balls from over the playground fence, attached sliders to Sheila’s class- Congratulations on our first ever Hermosa Day of Service! Many volun- room chairs, attached Sheila’s bead frame to the wall, & caulked the sink teers showed up and contributed to our efforts on MLK Day. Here’s a re- in Michael’s classroom. In addition, the Hove and Celani families built cap of what was done: a brand new bridge that is now installed outside of Lower Elementary!

We: picked up trash, trimmed the plants surrounding the playground, Perhaps the most challenging project of the day was attempting to scrape repaired the fence on the east side of the playground, replaced the rotting off the old mural from the wall next to the elementary basketball courts. sandbox wood outside pre-K, installed gutters outside of Ruth’s classroom H.O.P.E. is still working on resolving this...That old paint is tenacious! (so that they will no longer get soaked when it rains), weeded and amend- ed the soil in the gardens, sanded the rust on the front gate and recoated Again, thank you to everyone (including children!) who contributed to the worst parts with Rustoleum, installed a new doorbell system to the the Day of Service before, during, and after. You truly enhanced your front office, bought and assembled a new task chair for the front office school and community and should feel quite proud. parent helper, sanded and sealed many of the wooden benches, washed the windows in the Lower Elementary and Pre-K buildings, assisted Sally Thanks again, in cleaning her classroom, filled the deep rut outside of Don’s porch with The H.O.P.E. team

H. O. P.

E. 9