Week of March 14th-18th Summary

March 18, 2011

Important Upcoming Dates:

• The 6th-8th Graders will be hosting a fundraising babysitting session on Saturday, March 19th from 10 am to 1 pm for potty-trained Primary students up to third year Lower Elementary students.

• Friday, March 25th Pizza Lunch order forms are due with payment on Tuesday, March 22nd. The pizza lunch is offered to Upper School students and staff.

• There is a Technology Committee Meeting on Wednesday, March 23rd at 8:30 am.

• If you would like to receive a box of organic produce on March 29th, please sign up here by Friday, March 25th.

• Re-enrollment forms for the 2011-12 school year are due in the front office with a $500 family deposit no later than the end of the day Friday, April 1st. If you have not received your form in the postal mail, please click here for an online form. Enrollment for new applicants will begin April 2nd.

• More calendar events here.

School Notes:

• A BIG THANK YOU goes out to the SPMA staff who hosted the March 17th Parent Appreciation Supper. The food and fellowship were delightful and a good time was had by all.

• SPMA Shutterfly photos!

• Your child’s Gullah artwork is on Artsonia.com! Fun product with your child’s artwork can be ordered through Artsonia.com and SPMA will receive 15% of your purchase. Please email Carla Golden with questions.

• Watch WHHI/Lowcountry Child SPMA videos here.

• Order forms for Bess’ lunch are due each Friday by 10 am for the following week. Lunches can be ordered for 1 to 5 days per week. Call Bess at 785-2377 with questions and for full menu options.

• Every Friday is Spirit Day! Go to ShopSPMA to click into Land’s End school uniform shop.

Ask Maria:

Q: What is the difference between Montessori and traditional education during the First Plane of Development?

A: For children under six years old, the Montessori Method emphasizes learning through all five senses, not just through listening, watching, or reading. Children in Montessori classes learn at their own, individual pace and according to their own choice of activities from hundreds of possibilities. They are not required to sit and listen to a teacher talk to them as a group, but are engaged in individual or group activities of their own, with materials that have been introduced to them 1:1 by the teacher who knows what each child is ready to do.

Children choose their work from among the self-correcting materials displayed on open shelves, and they work in specific work areas. The materials and exercises are designed to stimulate independent exploration. More experienced children share what they have learned while reinforcing their own learning. Because this peer group learning, there is often more conversation in the Montessori classroom than in conventional early education settings. Learning is an exciting process of discovery, leading to concentration, motivation, self-discipline, and a love of learning.

Do you have a Montessori Method question? Please email it to “Dr. Maria Montessori” and we’ll get it answered. Your question will be posted anonymously.

Class Notes: