Thursday, January 28, 2016

What we've been doing...

Wet January weather filled the rain barrel and lots of water activity is taking place! Scrubbing the fence is a full-body exercise.

It was so rainy that we found things to do on the covered patio - hopping spots!

Filling the wagon with water.

Geography is intensely interesting to young children who are learning about their place in the world.


Examining a colored globe, exploring the continents.

Learning to write numbers on a chalkboard.

Sensorial work occupies many children on some days.


Outisde our growing collection of "loose parts," such as logs, boards, and beams has finally caught the attention of the children. These natural items provoke lots of building and storytelling.

Here an obstacle course has been created.

Taking off his own boots, learning to care for himself and his school!

Monday, January 25, 2016

Happy Tu b'shevat from Tree of Life Montessori!


To celebrate we gathered forest materials from our local park last week & then built collages that represent trees and all their beauty.  





Honoring Tu b'shevat by building baskets full of chestnuts, almonds, pecans, and walnuts!




Tuesday, January 19, 2016

An afternoon of artful creation...


Creativity & Happiness 
Poopcicle Stick Mosaic 



 Watercolor & International Puzzle Creation 



Global Thinker!


Back to school with a wintry start!

We are back in action after winter break, and winter definitely came to Portland this year! We closed for a day before reopening because our world was encased in ice. By the next day there was enough of a thaw for the roads and our play area to be safe for everyone. 



Snow and ice gave us lots of opportunities to explore the changing environment.

Catching sleet on his tongue!

Tasting the clean ice!

Slippery ice makes walking on these logs quite challenging!



Playing with the remaining chunks of ice.



A wagonful of ice to explore.


Our new afternoon teacher, Dustin, started the year in the best way - with worms! The children built a worm bin and fed them with food scraps from the compost bucket. Nothing wins the hearts and minds of young children sooner than a handful of worms.


Dustin tells a story during aftercare.

Check back frequently for art projects completed in the afternoons!

Friday, January 15, 2016

Thursday, January 14, 2016

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

Worm Composting Project

Worm Composting Bin!
Everyday we add our daily compost into our worm-bin. Red worms turn the compost into worm castings and organic liquid fertilizer that we feed our plants with.   

Adding red worms...

Feeding the worms crushed eggshells...

                                                    Building second layer..more worms!

                                                      Hard at work building worm substrate...

                                           Getting our hands dirty preparing worm bedding

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Colorful Collage Art Project

                                                       Thoughtful collaboration at work!

                                                                Look at our creation!