My girl spends her day floating between two large classrooms in an 1800's schoolhouse. Her Primary Class consists of 24 students (ages 2 to 5) and 2.5 teachers. Two full time plus one part-time mom helper. Plus an art teacher. Plus a music teacher. Plus a Spanish teacher. Only 13 of the students stay full day, and this year my girl is one of them :)
Because Montessori is broken into three-year cycles Bleu already knows her classroom, teachers and friends from the previous year. It gives her great comfort and allows a more seamless transition into learning. (I suppose if I didn't love her teachers, it would be a different story, but I adore them!) She even got to keep the same locker, which was lucky.
Bleu is eating lunch at school for the first time. That's a huge step, and so far she's enjoying it. Sydney is her lunch buddy. Each night Bleu gives me her lunch box wish list for the next day, which never looks anything like Buby's list. (By the way, preparing lunches takes me forever, but I'll get faster.)
We are three days in, and thankfully her only complaint is feeling apprehensive about nap time. She hasn't napped or been in the same room with nappers since she was about 16 months old. So even working quietly while others (who really want/need it) snooze around her will take some adjusting. Today she complained that someone snored. Ha! All in all we are off to a fabulous start. I've promised her some library hill time with her best friend Ella, who is still a half day-er. I'm sure she misses the usual routine from last Spring, but I can also see how proud she is to skip out alongside her big brother at 3pm. It's pretty cool.
Buby's required materials, thus far.
I cannot believe we're already discussing back-to-school. My children don't return to class until Monday, September 10, but after playing hard for the last two months it's time to focus on straggler paperwork, activity registrations, and school-issued checklists. Buby is entering 2nd grade and Bleu her second year of pre-k, both at the same Montessori school down the street. They are so happy there.
I hit Target with the kids on Sunday and managed to get all but one item on each of the classroom lists. (I know! We did good.) The superstore was short one PRIMARY composition notebook and one acrylic paint set. As for bags, Buby chose the Comic Strip ClassMate with matching lunch box and canteen from Lands' End. Bleu prefers familiar and worn, so she ultimately decided on Grace's hand-me-down kitten back pack (coincidentally also from Lands' End) and one of her brother's old lunch boxes. This is her first year staying full day and eating lunch without me (sniff, sniff!), so I insisted she pick out a fabulous new lunch box to call her own. She respectfully declined my offer.
Tomorrow I will try to convince her to wear a pair of shoes this Fall. Nothing against Crocs (they've been a LIFESAVER), but they can only take you so far in the Northeast. My girl struggles less with her tactile defensiveness than she did but still refuses new footwear. She has difficulty with anything remotely restrictive; including shoes, socks, leggings, layers, buttons, zippers, ties, collars, necklines, cinches, gathers, adornments, hair clips and bands, etc. Honestly, I don't have it in me to update her wardrobe right now, even though she could definitely use it. Buying clothes for a four year old with sensory issues is no fun for anyone, and you always waste money even after returns. I'm absolutely fine with tank dresses and slightly stained tees until Mother Nature forces the issue. Bleu is happy and comfortable (enough) in them. But those size 11 feet are growing! Buby will get sneakers, socks and a new Sherpa-lined hoodie. Other than that we are in good shape.
Per usual we asked each child to choose just one activity/sport to start. Things have a way of getting onto our schedule throughout the season. Buby registered for tennis on Mondays and Bleu for a dance/gym combo class with Ella on Thursdays. Ollie will get to join a mommy + me type class, but I'm not sure yet if it will be gym, swim or music/movement.
I mentioned that the last several days were fantastical, right? Well, it all started with the Annual International Day at Buby and Bleu's school on Friday morning. The community came together to celebrate diversity, respect for other cultures and dreams for global peace. Such a cool event. This was my third or fourth experience with some type of International Day festivity... it's very common in Montessori schools especially.
In preparation, the elementary students presented their country projects, learned new songs, painted shirts, prepared a recipe in the kitchen, arranged flowers, and choreographed a traditional folk dance from Punjab, India. Families graciously volunteered their time, talents and culinary skills so we could all feast on exquisite dishes from around the world.
The two-hour event included: a piano and recorder recital; a Bhangra dance by the elementary students; Frere Jacque by the primary class; Earth Song by the primary class; Obwa Sumi Saa Nana {an African rock-passing song} by both classes, Dreams of Harmony by the elementary class, Under the Rainbow by the upper elem; lunch; and free play.
I must admit I was a shocked and amazed when Buby walked out in front of a crowd of 70+ and played a short piano piece titled The Zoo. Performing in front of others is his GREAT FEAR, and he conquered it right there and then. Even I had no idea he was going to do that. Later he braved a dance solo with two classmates in front of the same crowd. Wow!
Also worth noting, Bleu isn't quite comfortable in front of an audience either. When she first filed out of the building with her class and saw everyone waiting with cameras she sort of broke down. Her face turned bright red, and I could tell from across the parking lot that my girl was going to cry. I ran to the seat directly behind her, and she squeezed my hand tight until it was her turn to take the "stage". But when the time came she pulled it together and sang her heart out. She did it on her own. It was a GROWING MOMENT for her.
Here are a few mixed snapshots from the morning.
After the recital Buby's music teacher told me he actually asked her {moments before taking the stage} if he could play TWO pieces. She knew how reluctant he was initially and said let's see how this one goes.
Buby's Indian dance troupe about to begin..... I will try to share the video in a separate post.
Bleu and her classmates make their way out. She looks pretty nervous here.
Getting ready to sing their first number.
Bleu had a few costume options but finally went with the dress Daddy brought back from Ghana. 
Buby went as a Native American.
Buby and his classmates ready to sing.
It was chilly for 5 minutes during setup and then the sun came out and the sweaters came off. It was a beautiful day! I'm wearing the patchwork skirt and jewelry Tom gifted me from Africa.
Here's a small portion of the food and country posters during setup. We added all the refrigerated items after. There was also soups, stews, dips, and cold salads.
When I was in elementary school we didn't tackle the Country Project until 5th grade. My country was France, and I vividly remember the red-white-blue poster board I created.
Buby is a six-year-old 1st grader and already has absorbed a tremendous amount of knowledge on other countries and cultures. His class is wrapping up the Country Project now, in preparation for their International Day festivities on May 18. I'd say Buby's enthusiasm and thirst for these subjects matches mine at age 15, when I entered the exchange program as a teenage diplomat. It makes for good conversations.
Yesterday he turned in his own poster board on Brazil and then stood before his class and presented. I know how uncomfortable he is speaking in front of others, so I thought about him extra all morning. It gets a little easier every time.
I'm seeing this photo for the first time today, but it was taken a couple of weeks ago during Sewing + Craft Club. This is Buby's total concentration face, and I love it!
(Thank you, Parinaz!)
Buby {center} with some of his classmates. Don't they all look like super heroes?
That's my Buby second from the front in the light blue shirt. Love these little glimpses.
Photo courtesy of Buby's teacher.
Each student in Buby's class was assigned a different style Native American home {wigwam, longhouse, teepee, grass hut, chickee, adobe, igloo, wattle + daub}. The task was to construct their own version using a variety of materials--sticks, leaves, grass, etc.--and turn it in by Monday, December 5. Buby's teacher just shared a few pics.
Aren't they cool? I'll post a more detailed look at Buby's longhouse later. His fave parts of this project were the nature hikes he took with Daddy to collect bark, sticks and moss; and researching 10-20 facts for the written assignment. His least favorite parts were me chasing after a fussy Ollie while he built it {he would have loved my undivided attention}; and the oral presentation of his written paper to the rest of the class.
Bleu came home from school raving about the twinkle lights and ball ornaments hanging in the lobby. I don't always go in at pickup time, so I checked the parents-only FB page.
Sure enough they are decking the halls. Love little white lights, don't you? I know they are busy planning the upcoming "Gallery Night" on December 16. The children's artwork will be displayed throughout the school, donated paintings from local artists raffled off, hors d'oeuvres served, etc. Should be a wonderful evening for the whole family.
If you're local and would like to attend {anyone can come!}, it's from 5-7pm and just $10 per family. The money goes to art materials for the children. You must purchase your admission ticket in advance. Let me know and I'll hook you up.
*Photo taken by the school directress.
