September
Welcome to September at Sunshine House Montessori! This month, our primary focus is on laying a peaceful foundation for the school year through our "Grace and Courtesy" lessons. Children will explore what it means to be a good friend by practicing how to share, take turns, and listen intently to one another. We will intentionally practice using our manners, such as greeting peers and saying "please" and "thank you," to foster a respectful community. Beyond our social interactions, our daily activities will emphasize caring for each other and our environment, teaching the children how to gently handle classroom materials and maintain their surroundings.
Alongside these social foundations, our young scientists will dive into biology by exploring the differences between living and non-living things in our world. We will also begin an exciting study of our bodies, learning the names of different body parts and discovering how our amazing senses help us explore our classroom. Through these combined lessons, we aim to build a compassionate, curious, and harmonious environment where every child feels valued, safe, and connected.
October
In October we are expanding our horizons by learning about community helpers and the vital roles different people play in keeping our neighborhood safe and strong. In our science and practical life areas, we will explore good nutrition to discover how eating wholesome foods fuels our active days. The children will also deepen their self-awareness through hands-on activities centered on the five senses, learning how we perceive the autumn world around us. Finally, we will dive into zoology and anatomy to study the skeleton, introducing the concept of vertebrates and how our bones create a strong framework for our bodies.
November
During November at Sunshine House Montessori we are focusing our hearts and minds on giving thanks, gratitude, and friendship, helping the children reflect on the blessings in their lives and how to be deeply supportive peers. In our science curriculum, we will explore the animal kingdom by learning about the unique characteristics of mammals, while also studying the changing season through hands-on activities with autumn leaves. Finally, our cultural studies will take us on a journey to honor the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the Indigenous Peoples of North America.
December
December at Sunshine House Montessori we embrace the cozy winter season by exploring the four seasons and learning how nature shifts throughout the year. Our science lessons will focus on animals in winter, teaching the children how creatures survive the cold through hibernation, migration, and adaptation. We will also embark on a beautiful cultural journey celebrating winter holidays and traditions from around the world, exploring the unique customs of the winter solstice, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas to foster a deep sense of global community and respect.
January
Welcome to January at Sunshine House Montessori! This month, we are soaring into the new year with an exciting study of our feathered friends, focusing on bird characteristics and their parts, from feathers and beaks to wings and claws. Our geography and science areas will come alive as the children explore land and water forms, learning how islands, lakes, peninsulas, and gulfs shape our planet. We will also turn our eyes to the skies to investigate the weather and clouds, discovering how different cloud formations create the daily weather patterns we see outside our windows.
February
In February our classroom will be filled with warmth and appreciation as we focus on love and kindness, helping the children practice caring actions and thoughtful words toward one another. In our science curriculum, we will explore the fascinating world of zoology by studying the characteristics and body parts of reptiles and amphibians, learning how these cold-blooded creatures differ and adapt to their environments. Finally, our cultural area will come alive with the study of famous artists, inspiring the children to explore their own creativity through open-ended art appreciation and hands-on projects.
March
During March we are joyfully welcoming the arrival of springtime and exploring all the beautiful changes happening in nature. Our science shelves will feature the wonders of weather and earth science as we dive into the water cycle, learning how rain falls, evaporates, and flows through our world. The children will also explore light and color through hands-on activities with vibrant rainbows. Finally, our zoology studies will take us underwater to learn about fish, exploring their unique anatomy, life cycles, and how they breathe and swim in their aquatic habitats.
April
Welcome to April where our classroom will be filled with rhythm and harmony as we explore the world of musical instruments, learning about different sounds and families of music. As nature wakes up around us, our botany shelves will blossom with studies on flowers and trees, teaching the children about their lifecycles, parts, and importance. This ties perfectly into our celebration of Earth Day, where our primary focus will be on learning how to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle and Regenerate. Through these hands-on lessons, the children will discover how they can be good stewards of the Earth by caring for our planet every single day.
May
And finally in May we are filling our classroom with love and appreciation as we celebrate mothers and special caregivers for Mother’s Day, reflecting on the deep care and support they give us. Our biology shelves will buzz with excitement as we study the honey bee, learning about their incredible life cycle, how they work together in hives, and their vital role as pollinators in our ecosystem. Finally, our geography and science studies will head to the coast to explore the seashore and tide pools, discovering the fascinating, resilient creatures like sea stars, anemones, and crabs that live where the land meets the ocean waves.
