Tracking the Sun and Moon
Upper El Students Start the New Year With Astronomy
Wondering about all those chalk marks in the parking lot? Well, students took advantage of the bright winter sunshine to spend a few minutes each hour measuring their shadows. Then, back in the classroom, they graphed those measurements. In addition to this they are keeping a moon journal for the next month. I know we all have our fingers crossed that the rain will return, but meanwhile these clear skies make observing the sun and moon possible…and fun!
Each of Us is One Small Light
Shalom Chaverim (essentially…peace friends, until we meet again)
This week was full of music sung by the sweet voices of the students at Six Rivers: Christmas carols, “Shalom Chaverim” an Israeli folk song, and, of course, “Down with Darkness” in honor of the upcoming solstice. Whichever holiday your family embraces this season may you all have a happy one, go in peace until we meet again, and remember that we are each one small light.
Giving Thanks and Sharing a Meal
Made possible…
By the children who grew the beans, and brought in the veggies for Stone Soup; By the parents who prepped food the night before; By the volunteers who helped the children cook; And, of course, by the teachers who provided the space and time for this beautiful tradition. We have much to be thankful for this holiday.
Art and Music
In Abundance This Week… and Every Week
Art and music are an integral part of a well-rounded education. In addition to the daily art and music provided for the students, once a week the children have an art lesson, participate in handcraft, and make music together with xylophones and recorders.
A Special Performance
For a Neighborhood Preschool
Upper Elementary Students walked to Strongbridge Montessori this week and performed for their students. Six Rivers students composed original pieces on their recorders and performed both individually and together.
SRM is now registered with eScrip
Click on the eScrip link to register and see what stores participate in the program. Wildberries is a local participant and there are hundreds of online stores to choose from.
Fantastic, Fun, Fieldtrips*
New Lower El Students Went to Patrick’s Point and the Upper Elementary Went to the Sequoia Zoo.
Expanding learning beyond the classroom is an important part of a students’ education. This week the younger children toured the Sumeg Village, a reconstructed Yurok village. Sumeg Village was built by the Yurok using modern tools but with traditional materials and is used by the local Yuroks for education, ceremonies, and to share their culture with the public. After the tour the children made traditional necklaces with dentalia shells.
The Upper El Students spent part of their time at the Zoo on a tour learning about the mammals housed there. Part of their zoology curriculum is to explore many habitats, including those with animals living in captivity, and compare and contrast those environments.
The experiences of both trips will be drawn from throughout the year and beyond as the children develop their sense of place in their community and their responsibility to their surroundings.
*Ask your Upper El Student the name of the literary device used in the title.
Butterflies!
A Lesson in Quiet Observation, Life Cycle, and the Joy of Watching Them Fly Away
The Lower Elementary students had the pleasure of observing the life cycle of the butterfly while a pair of students worked on their butterfly research project. I think watching the butterflies fly away might have been the best part.
Pastels on the Plaza!
Our School’s Labyrinth of Six Rivers’ Stones Represented in Pastels
Pastels on the Plaza! A community event that we were all proud to be a part of. This event was a benefit for the North Coast Children’s Services. It was held on the Arcata Plaza on this past Saturday, October 4th. The Upper El students met at 8 AM, and worked until 11 AM. The idea for our square came out of the collaborative team work and planning the week prior to the event. We drew the labyrinth to represent the one in our school garden. Everyone had a great time participating in this event.
by Elizabeth and Melina
Older Than the Stars
You are older than the earth.
Older than the sun and all the planets.
Older than the stars.
You are older than the universe itself.
Last week the Upper Elementary presented a play to the Lower Elementary students about the origins of the Universe. Using literature, music, art, and dance to present a science concept is just one fabulous example of the interweaving of ideas that happens in a Montessori classroom.
Start of a Day
By Upper Elementary
I wake up
All my dreams are gone, but my thoughts surround me
The start
See the Sun rising over the mountain
As the Sun rises we sing for the Sun is order. We welcome the Sun.
The Sun rises Mmmmmm Sun rises Mmmmm…
Sun goes up Moon goes down, round and round.
Watching the sunrise fade into blue sky
Hear the birds singing a song to the morning
Listen to radio
Watch fish
Stay in bed until it’s time to eat. Stay face down in bed.
Read books until I put on my pajamas.
Play with brother.
My ritual is to try to get the socks away from my dog because he try to eat them.
Dew
Apple blossoms
Feel the mist on my face as I go outside
Bound along after my dog in the morning dew.
Dance with leaves.
The students wrote this together inspired by the book The Way to Start a Day by Byrd Baylor.
We start our day with this poem.
The Garden Committee
Garden days with Callie, Alicia, and Hope!
Non-Profit Status!
We are now a federally recognized 501 c3 non-profit organization! This means we are exempt from most federal and state taxes and can receive tax-deductible donations.
SRM would like to recognize Autumn Feral and Aaron Weiss for their ongoing attention to the non-profit application process. It was a path covered with bureaucratic hoops and both Autumn and Aaron graciously and intelligently maneuvered our organization through them. Excellent work!
