Upper Elementary students are learning about matter, its properties, and states. They are going down to an atomic level to study atoms, molecules, and base elements. Using adorable plushie models of protons, neutrons, electrons, and quarks is not only fun, but will help solidify their understanding and memorization through tactile learning. 

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Lower Elementary students went on a field trip to Leonard Howell Park where they conducted a science experiment. The purpose of the project was to give students an idea of the scale of the universe. Since a model can’t show how far away Neptune truly is, students used a measuring tape to scale the distance of the planets from the sun and then illustrated the planets along the track.

Mercury, Venus, Earth and Mars are nearer to the sun and so are clumped together. Other planets gradually start getting further away. (Disclosure: Pluto is a dwarf planet but after a unanimous vote was included in the project.)

In the final picture, we see the sun and then the planets going back, back, back along the walking path ending with Pluto.

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We are happy to be collecting for the Kiwanis Holiday Food Drive again this year. Donations will be accepted at Parent Teacher Conferences and in car line starting Wednesday, October 28 through the morning of Friday, November 6.

• Instant mashed potatoes (any flavor)
• Stuffing mix
• Gravy pouches
• Soup (cream of mushroom, cream of chicken)
• Canned vegetables 
• Hygiene items (body wash/bar soap, toothpaste & toothbrushes)

Thank you to Ex Day students for creating the glorious sign along with Frankie. 

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Focus has been in the media quite a bit and strengthening the ability to focus has long been a part of Montessori classrooms. Here’s an example from the Primary classroom, ages preschool-kindergarten. During the morning each day, there is a two to three hour work period when students have self directed time. It’s during the work period we see the Montessori work cycle. The steps are choosing a work, transporting and setting it up, focusing and exploring the work,  satisfaction, and cleaning up the work. Uninterrupted time to complete the work cycle multiple times allows children to reach a deep state of focus as well as build independence. 

In the photos above, we see a kindergartener choosing to squeeze an orange for a glass of juice. The work was previously presented and she remembers how to set up the work. We can feel her focus as she squeezes and transfers the juice to a glass. The satisfaction as she drinks the juice she made herself is undoubtable and is followed with cleaning the juicer. 

At McGuffey, we know little and big students are capable of huge things. We have carefully designed an environment in which each child can be responsible for themselves and their work. Furniture, sinks, and supplies are scaled to allow each child to get what they need when they need it. This allows independence during the work cycle to build confidence, self esteem, and focus.

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Lower Elementary students went on an all day field trip to Leonard Howell Park and Miami University. They held morning meeting and took a hike in glorious fall weather. After lunch and recess on the playground, students walked to Miami University to watch a field hockey game against the Kent State team holding hand-made signs.  Miami won the game! 

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Middle schoolers used iron filings and compasses to make the invisible magnetic field visible. They are another step closer to figuring out how a maglev train works!

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Grammar Sense is a hands-on Montessori work that supports the internalization of the functions of parts of speech. The game uses a board that incorporates the parts-of-speech symbols. For example, a verb is a red circle that implies motion. Each student has their own board and takes turns picking a card from the deck and placing it over the correct symbol on their board. In this case, the word is “pompously.” As an adverb, this card is placed on one of the orange circles. If you look closely, you will see a dictionary used to look up unknown words. 

As the game is completed, a silly yet grammatically correct sentence is created. On this day, it was, “The obese toddler rolled pompously over the dusty musical.” The absurdity is part of the fun. Instead of memorizing dry definitions, sensory exploration allows students to experience how words act as building blocks in both ridiculous and logical sentences.

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Our Partners program is in full swing. Upper Elementary and Primary students have been learning to create collaborative art in preparation for a giant community art project—more on that soon! Middle School and Lower Elementary are at the beginning of a year-long quest to create Rube Goldberg machine.

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After designing a ‘vehicle’ that can move forward and backward using only magnetic forces, Middle School students are one step closer to learning how a maglev train works.

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Upper Elementary students have been creating a type of block printing called linocut or lino print in art. The first picture shows the stages of this art. Initially, drafts of designs are drawn on paper. A linocut is begun by carving a design into a sheet of linoleum using tools that have v-shaped blades. When the design is complete, ink is rolled over the surface, clinging to the raised parts only. The linoleum is then pressed onto paper and lifted to reveal the print.

An added bonus is a Halloween specific game of “Would You Rather” in the background! 

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