Blog

The Scientific Method

March 15, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

March 15, 2016
Dear Science Fair Family Project Participants,
Happy Tuesday!
We would like to thank you for your interest in participating in this year’s Science Fair. It is stated in the Science Fair Guidelines that the scientific method will be used in making the science project. Scientific method is a way of doing a science experiment or hands-on demonstrations.
Doing a science experiment is a wonderful opportunity to introduce children to the concepts of observing, predicting, investigating and testing. It is important to give the children the chance to experiment where they need time to investigate things on their own and generate their own questions. Brainstorm with your child prior to starting the science project.
A sample of the scientific method: With guide and instructions
Topic or Title: Soil Exploration
Problems or Questions: What are the living things and non-living things that are found in the soil? (Before the children can test their ideas, they need to discuss possible questions.)
Prediction or Hypothesis: This is the possible answer to the question. (Answer the question/s). I think that there are things found in the soil. Children can make their own predictions. Whatever was discussed should be written in their paper or notebook.
Materials: Tray or bowl, Wood stick, Backyard soil, Magnifying lens, Notebook and Pencil
Procedure/Do the experiment: Give the children a tray and collect soil from the backyard. Let the children dig in some soil and put it on the tray. Parent may dig in, too. Our goal is to let the children make their own discoveries and observations. Slowly and little by little use a stick to see if there are things mixed with the soil. Use a magnifying lens to enlarge the tiny or small things.
Observations: Watch anything that moves, describe the shape, color and texture, even the smell, identify and record in the notebook. Ask the children to tell something about what they observe and see. Children can make their own interpretations.
Drawing: The children may draw what they saw, label the names of the living things or non-living things they identified.
Conclusion: Discuss outcomes. How did the living things (ants, earthworms, leaves, twigs) go in the soil? Where do ants come from? Ask the children to go to a different spot in the backyard and dig in soil again. The children may compare the first soil with the second soil. Children relate and compare experiences with what’s happening to increase their understanding. Pictures of the science experiment may be posted as highlights onto the bulletin display board.
On the day of the Science Fair, Wednesday, March 30th, all projects will be displayed in the courtyard. When it is the child’s turn to present his/her project, the teacher will bring in the project into the classroom.
Classroom participants will have their space to display their science projects in the courtyard. All projects will be taken home at the end of the day.
The class presentation for rooms 2, 3, 4, and 5 will start at 9:00 A.M. Class presentation will be for the children only as the classroom has limited space. Parents are welcome to view the family projects at 1:00-4:00 P.M. in the courtyard on Science Fair Day.

St Patrick’s at Niles!

March 10, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

Dear Families and Friends,

This is just a friendly reminder that next week, Thursday, March 17th, the children may come to school in green in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. In the classroom at cultural studies time, the children will make projects that depict the life and history of St. Patrick, the teachers will read stories about Irish-American culture and heritage. Making booklets about a leprechaun or counting for the pot of gold are interesting and fun activities the children will enjoy.

We welcome parents to come for a class presentation about Irish population to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. The children are excited to hear your stories and learn more about this celebration. Your ideas are welcome and your child will be proud seeing you present a lesson. Please speak to your child’s teacher to schedule for a class presentation.

Please let us know your questions and concerns. Have a wonderful day!

Teacher’s Appreciation Luncheon

March 4, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

Team Niles, enjoyed a lovely and a pleasant luncheon, to herald all our teacher’s hard work and support.

Science Fair Project Guidelines!

March 4, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

Happy Friday!

Our goal of holding a Science Fair Family Project is to give our children the opportunity to discover how things work using the scientific method. It stimulates their imagination and critical thinking that build their confidence and learn to appreciate the world around them.

• Registration: Register the name of the child and write the topic by signing up in the science fair project sheet in your child’s classroom. Deadline for registration: Friday, March 18, 2016.

• Family Science Fair Project: A family member or an adult is advised to assist the child complete this project.

• Science Project Participants: Pre-K and Kindergarten children only. (Four and a half years old and above.)

• Follow safety procedures in doing the experiment: Safety first before you begin your experiment. Wear goggles and hand gloves and make sure that the child is supervised by an adult. Wash hands after doing the experiment and clean the area to avoid any contamination. Participants MAY NOT bring dangerous or hazardous chemicals, flammable materials, and live animals to school.

• Experimental Method: Do an experiment using the steps of the Scientific Method where the child must do a test or experiment to determine the answer to a question.

• Parents encourage their children to do an experiment as opposed to demonstration or model project.

• Display board: The scientific method will be mounted on a small sized tri-fold display board (28 in. x 40 in.) or 71 cm. x 101.6 cm.) that can be purchased at office supply stores. A sample of the science fair project will be displayed in the lobby.

• Contents of the display board: Topic, Materials Used, Problem/Question, Testable Hypothesis/Prediction, Observation and Outcome/Results.

• Family Science Project Presentation: On Wednesday at 9:00 A.M., the children will bring their display board to the classroom to be presented to their classmates.

• Science Fair Open House: The science fair projects will be displayed in the courtyard in the afternoon for our families and friends to view from 1:00 P.M.- 4:00 P.M.

• Display Boards Clean-Up: The display boards and all the materials used in the Science fair will be taken home at the end of the day.
Science Project Guidelines will be emailed and posted in your child’s classroom. Thank you for encouraging your child to participate in this event.

Please let us know your questions and concerns. Have a great weekend!

March Event Guideline

March 2, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

We are delighted to announce that March is our Science Fair month! Children will be learning interesting science and technology facts by experimenting with different materials they see around them. Preparing a science fair project is a good example of what Dr. Montessori calls active learning or “hands-on learning” in a prepared environment. It is an effective instructional method that every child needs to develop science literacy skills.

Below is our March event guidelines:

March 2, Wednesday: Dr. Seuss birthday celebration: The children will make book projects or activities that support reading and writing skills.

March 7, Monday –March 10, Thursday: Lifetouch Picture Taking Days: The schedule is in your child’s classroom and also to be emailed soon.

March 17, Thursday, School Day: St. Patrick’s Day: The children will come to school dressed in green! They will have fun and exciting activities related to St. Patrick’s history and origin.

March 24, Thursday: Egg Hunting Day: Parents are welcome to donate plastic eggs for their child’s classroom. Donations will be dropped off in your child’s classroom any time starting today. The schedule of Egg Hunting will be emailed and posted in your child’s classroom. Children may bring their own Easter baskets for egg hunting, unless the child’s classroom has a special project such as Easter basket crafts to use for this purpose. Please speak with your child’s teacher to confirm whether or not an Easter basket is needed for your child.

March 30, Wednesday: Science Fair Project Presentation in the classroom: This is an optional project for Pre-K and Kindergarten classrooms only. A sample of a science fair project will be displayed in the lobby. A family member is required to help the child complete his/her project. The teachers will discuss more details to the children on how to prepare this science project. Science Fair guidelines will be emailed and also posted in your child’s classroom. Please speak to me, to your child’s teacher, or to the front desk for your questions and concerns.

Helpful Websites for Science Fair Family Projects:
https://.education.com/Science-fair/kindergarten

www.education.com/activity/preschool/science
www.prekinder.com/science-experiments-in-preK

20 Science Projects for Preschoolers

www.parenting.com/gallery/easy-science-fairprojects-kid

Maria Montessori week

March 1, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

To help celebrate the Montessori Week, we asked our parents to give us their precious thoughts and views on their children being at LAPMS. Some of the feedback that we got from our parents was truly inspiring! Here are a few words that our parents had to say about us…

“Responsible, caring, high quality staff and excellent program, teachers not only do academics but also teach about ‘Life.’

I wish Learn and Play went all the way through Junior High!!!”

“What can I say about My Favorite Preschool, which both of my Kids Attended? I simply love everything about LAPMS!”

“LAPMS, Focuses on development, milestones, co- operative play, child-centered learning, inspiring creativity, hands on learning, self- discipline, self- confidence concentration and motivation”.

March Madness at LAPMS Peralta

March 1, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

March is a month of celebrations….
We will be celebrating Dr. Seuss’ Birthday and St. Patrick’s Day.
To celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday, we invite our children to come to school wearing their favorite pajamas. And we also encourage them to bring their favorite books to share with their class.
For St. Patrick’s Day, we will be wearing green (in spirit of Irish Luck) and the school will be serving Leprechaun Punch!
We nourish not only the children’s minds, but also their spirit through fun activities like Egg Hunting in our play yard.
Lastly, we cannot forget that, Daylight savings time will begin on Sunday, March 13th, 2016, at 2:00 a.m. That means it’s time to spring forward!
We are so excited for the month of March and all of the fun activities!

Asian Artifacts & Cultures

February 29, 2016 by Learn and Play Montessori

In the month of February, our children at LAPMS in Dublin learned about the continent of Asia. They focused on geography and its different cultures. They loved the various mountains, rivers, and lakes as well as deserts, grasslands, landscapes and its temperate forests. Learning Asian maps, flags and animals are their favorite time of the day.

On Friday, February 26th, our children brought their own artifacts, pictures and clothing from different countries in Asia. Each child had a chance to talk about what they brought during their show-and-tell. Everyone was excited and had a wonderful day of learning different things from their own Asian countries and cultures.

FACTS ABOUT ASIA: Asia is the largest continent, and has an endlessly varied landscapes and an interesting array of animals. Its densely populated cities are home to some of the world’s tallest buildings and largest shopping malls. There are many different cultures and religions in Asia, giving rise to a wide range of traditions, rituals, laws and beliefs.

3 Interesting Facts about Asia:

Asia is Home to 9 of the world’s 10 tallest buildings

One of the most astounding Asia facts is that 9 of the world’s 10 tallest buildings are located on this continent. The tallest building currently is the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, which stands at an impressive 2,717 feet. This is closely followed by the Shanghai Tower at a no less imposing 2,073 feet. However, both these buildings will be dwarfed by another Asian skyscraper in 2019. The Kingdom Tower in Saudi Arabia is currently under construction. When it is complete, which it is projected to be by 2019, this tower will stand at a whopping 3,300 feet. That’s one kilometer high!

The Japanese are the second oldest people in the world

Of all the Asia facts about population, one of the most striking is that Japan has the second oldest population in the world. The only other country with an older population is Monaco. The median age of the Japanese population is 44.6 years old. Incredibly, there are over 50,000 people living in Japan who are over 100 years old!

India produces 12 million tons of mangoes every year

India produces more mangoes every year than any other country in the world. The fact that it produces 12 million tons of mangoes every year is one of the most astonishing Asia facts, when you consider that mangoes are available for just three to four months of the year. There is a huge market in India for mango flavored drinks – so much so that people regard mangoes as a national obsession in India!

Asia Has the Most Varied Landscape

Although any continent has a great variety in its landscape, one of the indisputable Asia facts is that this continent can be said to have the greatest diversity of all. When you stop to consider it, it’s a remarkable fact that Asia is home to both the highest and lowest points on Earth. These points are Mount Everest at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters) and the Dead Sea at -997 feet (-395 meters), respectively.