// Curriculum Update: First Week in December //

   This week in Circle Room, we continued talking and singing about hibernating animals.  The children enjoyed working on a special hibernating bear art project. They were able to reinforce their newfound knowledge by looking at photos of hibernating, adapting, and migrating animals.  We are looking forward to Hibernation Day, next Friday!

        The traditional Montessori math material known as the Number Rods, or the Red and Blue Rods, was presented. This material gives the student a visual and tactile impression of the quantities one through ten.  It is a foundational material upon which many numeral and quantity based extensions will be centered in the future. 

        The Red Rods Maze was also introduced. It is an extension activity that builds upon a mastery of the introductory Red Rod work. This activity is truly a “big work” drawing upon a student’s ability to follow multi-step instructions,  to use self-control in handling the materials, and to stay focused throughout all of the building and cleaning up involved. 

        It is an exciting time of year with so much growth evident in the classroom!