Chicks

Each spring, the school incubates chicken (or duck) eggs. The children are taken through the different phases of chick development, and are usually able to watch the chicks hatch! The chicks stay in the classroom for a couple weeks, giving the children the opportunity to watch them grow and see the transition from fluffy fuzz to defined feathers!

We also have a tank of fish in the Montessori classroom!

Music

Music is an integral part of our program. The music program incorporates singing, rhythm instruments, and movement. Children have the opportunity to do these activities in small groups during both of our Montessori sessions. Both Montessori and Extended Day have a variety of instruments for the children to learn and play, many of them being multicultural.

Nature and Gardening

The children have an opportunity to garden under the direction of a Montessori Guide. The children help in all aspects of caring for the garden: preparing the garden for planting in the spring, planting various seeds/plants, caring for the plants as they grow, harvesting the vegetables when they are ready, preparing them for eating, and finally, enjoying the fruits of their labor! Some of the vegetables they grow include: carrots, peas, pumpkins, radishes, and beans.

Bruce the Bug Guy

Each summer, we have a visit from Bruce the Bug Guy. He introduces various insects to the children, tells stories and interesting facts, and has interesting hands-on activities that give the children opportunities to hold and interact with insects. The live insects generally include: cercropia caterpillars and moths, millipedes, Madagascar hissing cockroaches, and his tarantula, Rosie.

Lifecycle (Moths)

The children see the complete life cycle of the cercropia moth. It is a year-round cycle the children observe. In the spring our cocoons are brought inside and placed in a large tank. The children see the moths emerge from the cocoons, mate and lay eggs. Tiny black fuzzy caterpillars emerge from the eggs. They live on and eat fresh lilac leaves. As they grow larger they turn yellow, then green until they are as large as an adult thumb. When the time is right, they spin into cocoons and stay in the cocoons for about 10 months. The next spring, they emerge from their cocoons as beautiful cercropia moths! This is a great way for the children to learn about and visually see the life cycle in action.