This week brought us the great gift of rain and cooler temperatures! What a relief as the children enjoyed their time spent outdoors! Our week held many opportunities for community building games, stories and moments for cooperation and relying on the support of our elders who rose to the job and were observed supporting second and first year friends by inviting them to work, editing and supporting follow up work and meeting their personal work goals! Today binders were organized and sent home to become a window into your child's work habits and how time is spent in class. Please leave ALL work and items in the binders to return back on TUESDAY. Trust that there is so much more going on than what you see in the binders! Here's what to look for and question starters to have your child discuss with you:

1. Is there more work in the completed section than in the Works In Progress section?

- Work In Progress section is work that is in process or has been forgotten or a child got bored and moved on (ask them), it also symbolizes who is using ALL the paper, they must complete work before being invited to pull out more work to start new projects. This will be wonderful to refer to when they are saying " I have nothing to do" or " I don't know what to do"

2. What do the dots next to the math problems or marks on the writing represent?

- These are editing marks as children return their work in math for accuracy and it shows me if we need to revisit lessons again, is there progress, do I need to make accommodations? Editing marks will be found on Writing Workshop entries and may also contain your child's story in my cursive handwriting to offer additional support. You can check to see if they recorded the story in their own handwriting 

3. Is the Daily Work Journal used daily or is there a pattern in usage?

- This is a great tool of responsibility and is used to support and guide your child on building and strengthening those executive functioning skills, throughout the class are supports for Day of the Week along with the Date, writing at least 1 daily goal is the minimum and I enjoy hearing children sharing when they meet their goal!

4. Word Study Journal is blank, why is that?

- Ask your child! Every 2nd and 3rd year friend has been gifted a book for recording their Word Studies, personal words for studying and recording Grammar box work (1st year children are working up to using this tool)

5. Take a look at the handwriting progression and note the change since their first week!

- Lots of growth and progress! We are encouraging cursive handwriting in class so please help us at home! Here is the link to a Handwriting Without Tears book that I base my cursive writing conversations off of. This could help you to encourage cursive and give you moments to build and converse with your child over the benefits of cursive! If you share this joy at home they will share it in class too! The second grade edition is a base standard that is used with all grades. This is NOT required but it is a fun tool for car rides too!

https://shopping.lwtears.com/LWTstore/s/product/cursive-kickoff-2022-student-edition/01t4V000006fRzfQAE

Juniper has many systems in place with our community of 24 children and we enjoy each day with your child. Please rest up and enjoy your weekend! I will respond to emails on Tuesday morning. This weekend I shall be celebrating my daughter, Lourdes, turning 17! I started my Montessori journey 17 years ago and I am grateful to join you on yours! Ciao!

Reminders:

* Please keep all toys, jewelry at home (analog watches ok but please no digital watches)

-Things get lost, broken and these items are recommended to stay home

Calendar:

• Monday, October 9th - School Closure Day
• Saturday, November 4th - International Festival: 10am - 12pm. 

Warmest Regards,

Veronica and Sarah