Vol.  2  Issue  6 Feb.  27,  2015  

The Montestory Process By Andrew

The monthly newsletter is a favorite of

students and parents. “I like knowing what’s happening in other classes,” said fourth grader Sam. But where does that all come from?

The first week of every month, all the sixth years meet for our weekly lesson. This is decision week; we write up topic ideas on the board, eager to chose our new articles. Once the articles are selected, our homework is notes and interviewing the experts. The second week, the notes are gathered into a typed article draft. At the end of the week, there are 11 unedited articles in Google Drive. Over the course of the third week, we edit each other’s articles and redraft them into reader-friendly formats, ready for layout.

One of my favorite parts is how in control the writers get to be. In the fourth week, we even get to layout the newsletter in Microsoft Word. Along with the articles, there are generally 1-3 games, depending on the different topics. These games are happily edited by fourth and fifth grade. A few days before distribution, Mrs. McDonald, Director of Studies, approves Montestory. Once all of the paper has been edited, it’s time for distribution. On the last school day of every month, copies are handed out in Upper Elementary classes, and Upper Elementary parents get a printable email copy of all the campus news and events. The following Monday, a link is put in the school-wide weekly newsletter to OUR Montestory!

An RMS Upper

Elementary Production

Recess Time! By Lily

We all know that recess is super fun, but

why is recess important to schooling? While we just think it’s fun, there has been lots of research over the last 30 years about how important recess is. It builds social skills,

invites physical activity, and also gives kids an important break. Learning with breaks proves more effective than working for long periods of time. It’s also obviously healthy. Research shows that

children who are active at school are more likely to be active at home. Kate says, “I like recess, because it’s my chance to be crazy!”

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Valentine’s Day By Rachel

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate

love, and who wouldn’t want to celebrate that? There are many theories on how the day became a day to celebrate all kinds of relationships like friends, husband, wives, teachers, and parents. One of the many theories was that a man named Saint Valentine of Rome was imprisoned for performing weddings for soldiers, who were not allowed to get married. Their ruler believed that women distracted men while in war. Before he was prosecuted, he sent a “Valentine” saying that he loved the daughter of his captor. That was how Saint Valentine’s Day, or Valentine’s Day, was created.

RMS celebrates Valentine’s Day by trading cards and candy with the rest of the class. In upper and lower elementary, each student brings cards for everyone in the class.

Mrs. Amy celebrates Valentine’s Day with her husband. Every year, they go out to dinner and do something fun afterwards. This year, they went to a concert. She likes the day, because she thinks it’s magical, and she’s right. Cabell celebrates by going out to dinner with her family, and they all dress up very fancy-like. She likes it, because the world around her is filled with love and peace.

For the most part, everyone celebrates love on February 14th, no matter if it’s a pet or a neighbor. We all have a reason to laugh with someone, like someone, talk to someone, play with someone, hang out with someone, or even just sit with them. Isn’t it nice to have a day to thank them for being a part of your life?

What is a Montessori Education? By Cabell

A Montessori education is different

than others, because of the amazing amount of freedom and independence that is offered.

Some cool things that RMS has are multi-aged classes. Upper elementary teacher, Mrs. Fojtik says, “The students at RMS play an extremely important role in their own education, which is important to learn.” Mrs. Fojtik also says that the sixth year students learn a lot during their time in upper elementary. By the end of their sixth year in elementary, they are really ready to go off to middle school. When their time in middle school is over, they are prepared and ready to go to high school. One main focus of our education at RMS is the emphasis on problem solving skills and managing our own time, so we can learn how to get everything done in a timely manner.

Mrs. Amy, a lower elementary teacher, says that, “Montessori education is important because it allows for students to grow in a nurturing environment, which builds

confidence. It also stresses independence and encourages a sense of compassion for the world around us.”

At RMS, the education style

teaches, but also allows time to have fun. This makes it enjoyable for the students and the teachers both. One thing that Dr. Maria Montessori thought was important to learn at an early age is how to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. I think the Montessori Education has helped me mature into the person I am today.

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Montessori Model UN Part 2 By Imani

For the first time ever, RMS middle

school is doing model UN! UN stands for United Nations. Montessori schools from all over the world go to New York City, to the actual UN, and imitate what each country would do at the United Nations. This year our RMS Middle School is representing two countries, Qatar in Asia and the Dominican Republic of the Congo in Africa.

Although exciting, the trip is expensive. To be able to go, the middle schoolers have to raise money. Some of them are paying for it themselves! But fundraisers are really helping them. To raise money, the middle schoolers partnered up with local businesses. One place is a store called Ten Thousand Villages. Some of the profits went to RMS who gave funds to middle school for their trip. The second place was a restaurant named Toast. If you went and ate on Monday the 23rd, then you helped contribute to the UN trip. They are also having a garage sale. The garage sale is in March and they are getting rid of stuff the RMS community doesn’t need. The third thing they do every year is spirit wear! Even though the manatee is retired, they are selling them, but for the last time.

Students are so excited to go to Montessori Model UN. They are spending three days in New York. They are taking the train up to New York City. On the last day of the visit, Montessori Model UN is going to be in the actual building where the real United Nations meets! The real UN also looks at their ideas, and if they like them, they can use them. That is so cool!

I interviewed some of the middle schoolers about model UN. They are most excited about learning about all the other countries and, of course, going to New York. One of the days they are in New York, all the Montessori schools are having kind of like a winterfest. All the countries are setting up exhibits of their countries with food and clothing. They are most nervous about....Well,

Mrs. Ediger By Curtis

Mrs. Ediger has been at RMS for 12

years. She not only teaches here, but she teaches and is director at The Academy of Music, Virginia Choristers, The American Youth Harp Ensemble, The Summer Music Institute, and more. She teaches music class at RMS, and the students have a great time. Mrs. Ediger was born in Frederick, Maryland. That is also where Francis Scott Key lived. (Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner).

Mrs. Ediger came here in 2003. She previously taught at a Montessori school in Ohio. The director of RMS at the time was Ron Ackerman; he started the school in Ohio. Her very first week at RMS didn’t go as planned, Hurricane Isabel occurred, so she had to wait one more week to start! Mrs. Ediger is not the only musician in her family. Her husband is an orchestral conductor and travels all around the world conducting. She has a son named Lexo, who loves music too.

Mrs. Ediger loves being at RMS. She loves being able to build music programs that follow the interest of students. That’s why there is not just general music class, but Harp and Honors Choir. She does not have much free time, but she does love drinking coffee! Mrs. Ediger is an amazing and fun music teacher.

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they’re actually not that nervous, but they might have to give a speech on the podium. That’s pretty much the only thing they are nervous about.

The point of model UN is to learn more about how the UN operates and to learn about different countries. This year, Montessori Model UN started in October. We started a little late, but the students have been working on it ever since.

Model sounds really fun. All the sixth graders and I are really excited to be able to do Model UN next year. We wish this year’s middle schoolers, good luck and have fun!

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Being A New Sixth Year At RMS By Kate

I am a new sixth year here at RMS,

along with Claudia, so I thought it might interest you to know about some of our challenges and experiences.

When we came, it was a bit odd to be the only sixth year students at phase-in. Claudia thinks it wasn’t that strange, because it was easy to bond with the fourth year. She thinks that even though it is sometimes nice to be with just sixth years, it is also nice to have some variety.

I thought it was strange at first, because a lot of the fourth years were wondering whether or not I was a fourth year. Besides that, I thought it was very fun and easy to bond with the fourth years. They were really nice and inviting. Being the kind of person who doesn’t like to sit alone very often, I sat with the fourth years, and we bonded very quickly.

Neither Claudia nor I knew the set up of our classrooms, nor how they worked, so it was a while until we figured out what to do. For me, it was really weird at first, especially since I came from Desert Garden Montessori, another Montessori school in Arizona. We did many things differently from what we do here at RMS. It was also odd, because the sixth years are supposed to be the leaders and role models of the classroom, and I didn’t know exactly what to do. Claudia thought it was hard, because they had different behavioral expectations, and she didn’t really know how to do all the project work. Overall, entering RMS as a new sixth year is challenging, but once adjusted, it is a lot of fun!

Toddler Program By Anna

The toddler program is a classroom for children 24-36 months old. It is much different from most toddler programs, because they work in all areas of the classroom on overall development. Ms. Felecia, the toddler teacher, said, “We are a system of independence.”

The toddlers start off their day at school when they arrive at 8:10 in Parsons Hall. When they arrive at the classroom, they put their belongings away and start with class presentations from the teachers. Then they have group snack. Next, the toddlers start work cycle and show-and-tell in small groups. Following that, they do playground/dance movement in class. After that it is time for dismissal/lunch. The remaining toddlers have their nap from 12:30 to 2:15, and when naptime is over, they have story time.

I asked former toddler students, Will B. and Zoe (5th years), what they remembered about the toddler program. Will said, “It was really fun because Ms. Felecia was always nice to me, and one time she helped me make globes.” Zoe remembers learning about the transformation of the tadpole, playing with little cars, and playing on the playground. She said her favorite part of toddler class was “Ms. Felecia.” Ms. Felecia has been teaching in the toddler program for several decades. The toddler program would not be the same without Ms. Felecia and Ms. Lavell.

Vol.2,  Issue  6-­‐  page  5  

Favorite Books By Claudia

Are you into fantasy and fiction, sci-fi

and nonfiction, or even action and horror? I interviewed some 6th years to find out what genres and books they are enjoying currently, and what books they found entertaining as a child. Whether you are reading Doctor Seuss, or maybe some Haddix books, reading will always take you to a place in your imagination that you can’t access on Earth.

When I interviewed the sixth year girls, I found that the majority of them favored realistic fiction books. But there is a huge variety of favorite books that they have read recently including, Kingdom Keepers by Riley Pearson, Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix, and the Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom. As a child, Cabell preferred Rattle Trap Car, Anna found Skippy John Jones entertaining, and Lily enjoyed a classic Doctor Seuss book, Go Dogs Go. On the other hand, currently my favorite book is Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, and I was absolutely obsessed with Amelia Bedelia when I was young.

When I interviewed the boys, I found that they enjoy extremely different books than the girls. Andrew and Curtis both like The Maze Runner by James Dashner, and Will enjoyed Foul Trouble by John Feinstein. A few of the boys loved the book Parts when they were children, but Andrew enjoyed Wacky Wednesday.

Most everyone has a unique favorite book, and many also enjoy good old classic

books as well. Whether you are across the globe in Australia, strolling around England, going on a safari in Africa, or right here in America, there is almost always an accessible library right around the corner, and you can always go in to find what is best for you.

Black History Month

By Celia

Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is a month each year dedicated to celebrating the achievements of black Americans and to recognize the role of African Americans in U.S. history.

Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, today known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASAALH.) ASAALH is an organization devoted to researching and promoting achievements of black people and others of African descent.

In 1926, the ASAALH sponsored the

first Black History Week in the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, inspiring schools and communities nationwide to organize celebrations, establish history clubs, and host performances and lectures. By the late 1960’s, Black History Week had evolved into a month on many college campuses. In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month, hoping that people would “seize the opportunity to honor the too often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, every president has designated February as National Black History Month.

umich.edu  

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Art At RMS By Will

Richmond Montessori School’s students all learn about art as part of the school curriculum as well as have the opportunity to create their own art. The person who makes this happen is Mrs. Mo. She is our art teacher and is very creative and artistic. Every year we learn about famous artists, styles of art, and art history. Some different things we have done this year are: Zen Tangled Hearts, Earth Art, Aboriginal Art, and Aztec Metalwork. Many people enjoyed the Earth Art, because they thought it was cool to use only natural items from the wishing woods and other outdoor settings instead of store bought materials. As most people know, we are in the second year of being in our new art room. The room was originally used as the science lab, but since there is a new lab on north campus, it became the art room. Everybody was happy to be in the new room for one main reason MORE SPACE. Mrs. Mo was ecstatic when she was able to have more room. It was hard work to move everything, but it has been worth it. Last year, we did not just get a new room, but we also joined the program Artsonia. Artsonia is a digital

The  2014-­‐2015  Montestory  Creative  Staff  

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library of the art our students create. It also is an art gift shop. Family members and friends can purchase students’ art on shirts, mugs, and canvases and other products. The school receives a portion of the money and it is designated for the art program. From the purchases last year, we were able to buy a venting system to attach to our new kiln. Who knows what we can get next from the proceeds? Mrs. Mo teaches art to share her love of creating things and to inspire others. She was inspired by her elementary school art teachers to become an artist. Mrs. Mo is happiest in art when she sees her students love what they have created. She says that her students, and all of their creative ideas inspire her. Our school is truly lucky to have Mrs. Mo as our art teacher.