Giving Thanks 2014

November marks the start of the holiday season, and at school and Mrs Carolyn's the focus begins on how the kids can give back. Also there are A TON of turkeys in our house, we have paper ones, laminated ones, painted ones, ones with feathers, ones that make noise... turkeys are everywhere folks. It's fantastic.

Michael and Penny have been very busy this month participating in a number of things to help them give back and give thanks. We took a trip to Mariano's to purchase food for Michael's room at Montessori. Each year the class put together a a basket for a family in need. It was interesting to see what the kids picked and why they picked the food they did.Its important to me that they learn the value of giving back in conjunction with being an active participant. Penny helped me fill the bag of food and Michael brought it into the class.

At school Michael also put spent sometime thinking about what he was thankful for. and documenting it....way to go Darth.

The children took a trip to the Arlington Heights historical society  where they participated in the story of thanksgiving using Orff Technic of music.Carl Orff (1895-1982) was a German composer and educator who developed a unique approach to music education. Orff defined the ideal music for children as "never alone, but connected with movement, dance, and speech—not to be listened to, meaningful only in active participation." Orff said, "Experience first, then intellectualize." Based on this ideal, the Orff approach builds understanding of concepts and skills through connecting students with the music by experiencing it on all levels. These levels include speech/chants, movement, singing, drama, and by playing pitched and un - pitched instruments. 

Lastly, they prepared a feast for each class. Michael contributed pumpkin pie this year. All the children passed, poured and ate together.

We also took a trip to Bloomington for turkey number 1! It was great to see everyone!

The kids have such a great time with their Aunts and Uncles. Thanks to Uncle Steve for letting us stay. Its always a pleasure with this group, they are the most kind, caring people I know.

Pumpkin Farms and Costumes 2014

We went with the family to Stades, my sister posted a great video on this of the kids going on the mini farm Ferris wheel. A very cool addition to the farm this year. 

Road the train all be herself! 

Big slide with Dad, A Stades tradition! 

We ended it all with tick o treating and a great Halloween party put on by Grandma and Grandpa Rowan. It was super special this year as we now have a fifth little one to add to the mix, little Kate! She has been trooper though the fall winds of Stades and the craziness of her cousins and sisters! I cant wait to see her next year toddling along with the others.

TRICK O TREAT ITS FREEZING OUT HERE! 

This pic says it all. FUN 

Penny couldn't get enough of "rella"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

A Piece of History and A Few from the Present

Montessori school played a big part on my sister and I development. I have been sharing my blogs with Aunt Kathy whose children also went to Montessori. In fact they went to the very school that Michael ( and Penny soon to be) go. Here is Jim on the line in 1975....when the school was at 1212 Sigwalt in Arlington Heights.

Over the past several weeks the children have been doing amazing things. They have harvested the herb garden, gone to the pumpkin patch, created scary decor for Halloween, partied at the middle school, and welcomed in a few new faces to Room 2. All the while they continue working diligently on their practical life, geography, geometry, and most importantly their brain work. Michael has discovered the pink tower and brown stair and speaks about them frequently to us. I'm so glad to see him opening his eyes to new work in the classroom.

Lastly this week I had the pleasure if being the reading mom to the kids in the class. I thought was going to just read a book to them, how could i be so naive! THIS IS MONTESSORI ! You were expected to sit individually with the children offer them a choice of books and then list the book, child and progress on the notebook provided!! I was anxious at first, but had a FABULOUS time with the children. It also allowed me to get to know these amazing kids that are in Michael's class.