More Autumn Fun!

More Montessori Materials!

We are off to a wonderful start. I'm happy to say that we have a wonderful bunch of children! I recently purchased a few more Montessori materials and have been connected with a woman who is retiring her in-home Montessori school and will be purchasing more materials from her. I'm excited to delve into the real Montessori work. Below are some pictures of the new items and children at work!

We've also had fun collecting leaves, acorns and other items at the park and on our walks. Autumn is surely coming (despite all of this hot summer weather we've been having!) and we are busy talking about all of the changes in nature.

Kingfield Montessori School Handbook

Hours/days of operation:
Monday-Thursday
8:30am-3:30pm
extended day options: 7:30am-8:30am and 3:30pm-5:30pm
CLOSED FRIDAYS

Daily Schedule:
7:30-8:30am extended day arrivals. Breakfast, stories, quiet play time

8:30-8:45am morning arrivals

8:30-10:30am morning work cycle: individual and small group presentations, snack

10:30-10:35am - prepare lunch area - move tables, set tables

10:35-10:50am morning circle time -songs, finger plays, presentations, sharing,discussion, etc.

10:50-11:30am outside time

11:30-noon - lunch time

noon - morning dismissals

12:30-2:30pm- rest or quiet activity

2:00pm- afternoon snack (nappers will have snack individually after they wake)

2:30- 3:15pm - afternoon activities, free play, outside time, or projects

3:15-3:30pm - afternoon dismissals

3:30-5:30pm- extended day after school



Drop off/pick up:
As you enter the building, there is a shelf behind the door where inside shoes will be stored. Please help your child to remove outdoor shoes and put on inside shoes (older children can do this themselves). Proceed upstairs and hang coats in the coat closet. Help your child to wash his/her hands and go to the bathroom if needed before entering the classroom. Drop off is best when done quickly and confidently. Children pick up on parental anxiety. Assure your child that he or she is going to have a great day!

When picking up your child, especially at a time that is not a general dismissal, please do so with little disturbance to the rest of the classroom. We will, likely, be immersed in a project or individual work.

During class hours, the upper apartment door will be locked. Please knock and I will answer. If you do not get an answer, please check to see if we are outside in the back yard. We will sometimes take a walk to Martin Luther King park but will be back for dismissal time. I will have my cell phone at all times if you come at a time other than dismissal time and we are not there -612-859-8168.

Communication with me:
Quick comments and questions are welcome at pick up and drop off times. If you need to have a more lengthy conversation please contact me outside of school hours. The best way to reach me is through email meganlongtin@gmail.com or you may call before 10pm 612-859-8168.

Please let me know if there will be any different pick up person (I will need photo i.d. from anyone, other than a parent, leaving with your child- this applies to people on the authorization form who I have not been introduced to by a parent).

Lunch:
If your child will eat lunch at school he/she will need an insulated lunch sack (can be put into the refrigerator in the kitchen when child arrives). Reusable containers are encouraged. Real plates, bowls, cups, cloth napkins and utensils will be provided. Lunches will be unwrapped and placed on plates before eating.

Beverages (rice milk/water/or juice) and soup (store bought or prepared in class) will be provided.

*NO PEANUTS/TREE NUTS*- We have a child in the class with a non-life threatening allergy to peanuts. With the recent prevalence of nut allergies, though, we are going to avoid them altogether.

Clothing:
Please dress your children in loose fitting, comfortable clothing. We will be spending most of our time on the floor and will be doing yoga and other exercise. Elastic waists are preferred for potty training and ease in self toileting. In the winter, dress your child in layers so he/she can shed or add a layer as needed.

Send a complete set of extra clothing to be kept at school. If your child is toilet training send several pairs of underwear and pants/shorts and socks. An extra pair of slippers is also useful for potty trainers.

Inside Shoes:
Please send a pair of inside shoes/slippers for your child to change into. The shoes/slippers should have backs (no flip flops) and be comfortable. Please no big fluffy animal slippers.

Outerwear:
We will be going outside whenever possible. Your child will need appropriate outerwear. Snow pants, boots, hats, mittens, rain boots, etc.

Label:
Please label your child's clothing with your family/child's name. This is greatly appreciated as there are times when the children don't recognize their own clothing!

Nap:
If your child will be napping, send a small blanket (and pillow, if desired) labeled with your child's name. Blankets will be sent home at the end of the week to be laundered.

Children may bring comfort items from home (special blanket/stuffed animal), but they will be put into the coat closet as soon as your child is ready to part with it. If it becomes a big distraction for your child or other children in the class, such items will have to be left in the car or at home.

Sharing:
Although toys are discouraged, if your child would like to share a particularly interesting or beloved item with the class, he or she may do so during circle time. Examples of appropriate items are photo's, found objects from nature, something from a trip/vacation.

Birthday celebrations:
Please send pictures of your child at various ages. Write a bit on the back about what's going on in the picture and we'll read them together in class. You may send a special treat, but fresh fruit or a nice loaf of bread are preferable to sugary sweets. The children find any kind of different snack brought from home on their birthday to be a treat. We will sing together and make wishes for your child! Parents are more than welcome to attend the little ceremony (around 10am).

Optional Supplies:
We are in need of certain consumables on an ongoing basis. If you happen to see a sale or buy in bulk, we would appreciate any and all donations!:

facial tissue (plain- fragrance free/non lotion)
toilet paper
cellulose/kitchen sponges
paper towels
drawing paper
construction paper
brown rice
multi-purpose flour for making play dough
salt for making play dough (regular salt)
food coloring
plain rice milk
band aids and other first aid supplies

From time to time I'll give notice of things we need for the classroom that you might have in your garage or would consider purchasing for the classroom. Some are things you can find at a garage sale. Here are a few items we are looking for right now:

dish towels/wash cloths
food storage containers with lids
small household plants (non poisonous of course!)
stainless steel mixing bowls and cookware (pots/pans)
flat sheets (any size/color for fort making)
outdoor play equipment -sidewalk chalk, hula hoops, gardening tools, balls etc.

Volunteer opportunities:
Please let me know if you have a special skill you'd like to share with the class. We are also more than happy to have parents come and help with raking, gardening, painting/making shelving, cleaning, material making, sewing and more. Let me know what you do, and I'll put you to work!

Parent education:
Many parents have shown an interest in learning more about the philosophy and methods of Maria Montessori. There is a wealth of information on the internet (just google Montessori) and I have available a small library of books that you are welcome to borrow. In the future it would be possible to have evening workshops/information nights. It's fun to have a chance, as parents, to play with the materials and find out what it's all about, first hand!

Necessary paperwork:
I will need the following paperwork in your child's file within the first 30 days of attendance

Admission and Arrangements (including emergency info) NEEDED ON THE FIRST DAY
Enrollment contract signed (if your child attends more than one day)
Travel and Activity Authorization
Hennepin County Provider Policies form signed
Immunization Record
Permission to administer medication form (if necessary)

Day one!

Yesterday was our first official day with one 2 year old friend! Here are a couple of pictures of our very first snack. Brown rice and apples (from a recent trip Tyler and I took to the Minnetonka Orchards). YUM!





Table cloth made by my good friend, Annik (of www.lemonadebags.com), and napkins crocheted by yours truly!

The latest pictures...

We started painting the dining room and it's already starting to look brighter, lighter, and clean!

Movin' right along...

A House For Children

I got quite a bit done yesterday and today. I picked up some things at Ikea, rummaged through the garage, "stole" things from my children's bedrooms (shhh!), and had fun choosing items, keeping in mind of all of the criteria I'm working with. Everything is for children. Must be baby safe, so no glass and no tiny pieces. Must be natural materials, so no plastic (or very little!). And of course I pulled out my Montessori materials and still have some to get out.

So, here it is so far! I've still got tables and chairs to put together that I bought at Ikea (they match the set that is in the picture). Thanks for taking a look!

Humble Beginnings!

I set up a small part of the living room just to give an idea of what I have in mind. I plan to work on making/painting new shelving this weekend as well as gathering more of my materials from the garage and basement. Then I'll figure out what I need to buy and/or make for the space. I'm very excited and this is a long time coming. I have been gathering and purchasing materials for the last several years, in addition to thinking about how I would run my own school.

I'll post more information about the curriculum and schedule as soon as possible! Please stay tuned!

In Home Montessori School Coming Soon!

Hi,

I am looking to start a small Montessori community in a vacant upper lever duplex apartment that we own. This space would be dedicated only to the program and will be licensed for in home childcare. It's located in S. Minneapolis in the Kingfield neighborhood - near Nicollet and 39th street.

I am a certified Montessori trained teacher for 3-6 year olds and taught for 3 years as a lead teacher (and several years assisting) before I stayed home with my two children for seven years (they are now 7 and 4.5). I have current CPR and First Aid training.

The idea is to have a small mixed age group of children infant-5 years old (no more than 3 children under 2 years old and no more than 8 children total). I own many Montessori materials and will be making and purchasing materials based on the ages of children I will be working with.

I also plan to have a daily schedule, monthly curriculum and activities such as baking and soup making in addition to art activities. We will spend lots of time outdoors and have a garden next spring.

It will be open 5 days a week 7:30am-5:30pm with some flexiblity for varying schedules. Full or part time hours possible. Not sure about the rates I will be charging and am open to reasonable offers. Let me know if you are interested in meeting and seeing the space or if you have any questions.

Thanks for your interest so far!

Megan