Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of September 9th

Sisters of the New South
Please join us to help raise money for the Ellis PTA and eat a delicious meal while you're at it! Thursday, September 13 get your dinner at Sisters of the New South, mention that you are from Charles Ellis, and they will donate 20% to the PTA!

Friday-Picture Day
Friday, September 14 is Fall picture day. It is a free dress-up day for all students.

Field Trip Forms
Field trip forms went home with students on Friday. Please fill out all forms and return to school with $20 on or before Monday, September 17. Our first field trip will be September 21. If your family is unable to pay for field trips at this time, please just send back the forms with a note and we can work something out. Thank you! 


Reading Logs 
Reading logs went home Friday. Your student should try to check off as many different ways to read in one week as possible. Please email us pics of your student reading and we will share them with the class and post them to the blog. 

Heroes Around Me
Please visit the following site for more info on the PTA Reflections Program. All entries are due on October 5.  
https://www.ellismontessoripta.org/single-post/2018/08/24/Reflections-Heroes-Around-Me




Worldwide Spin in Public Day
Bring your spinning wheel or spindle to Wormsloe Historic Site to celebrate Worldwide Spin in Public Day. If you are interested in learning, they will provide you with a spindle. This is a great extension for the work of wool lessons that are happening in the classroom!

 


Homework Options
If you need login information to access Moby Max or XtraMath please send us an email and we will get it to you. Login information for Khan Academy will go home after we collect data from the math MAP assessment.The weekly reading log is double sided, so it is good for two weeks. Please turn it in on Monday, September 10th. 

The Learning Community is Reading

Volunteering

Are you interested in working with our students this year? We could use your help with science experiments, reading with students, and doing art projects. If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our community, please send us an email and fill out an Operation Beacon volunteer form.

http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/PR/Pages/OperationBeacon.aspx

The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 10- Reading Log Due
September 13-Ms. Jazmin Returns
September 14-Fall Picture Day-Free Dress Up
September 15-Worldwide Spin Day-Wormsloe
September 21-Field Trip
September 24-Reading Logs Due
September 27- Birthday Celebration
October 5-PTA Reflections Due

Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of September 2nd

MAP Testing
There was an issue with the MAP server when we were testing last week. We have received word that the issue has been resolved and we will most likely complete MAP testing this week. More info on this to come.

Heroes Around Me
Please visit the following site for more info on the PTA Reflections Program. All entries are due on October 5.  
https://www.ellismontessoripta.org/single-post/2018/08/24/Reflections-Heroes-Around-Me


Ms. Jazmin's Absence
Ms. Jazmin will be out of school for a week beginning this Thursday, September 6. Her substitute will be Ms. Pat Priestly, a recently retired teacher from our school. We are happy to have Ms. Pat during this time, but are hoping for a speedy recovery from gallbladder surgery for Ms. Jazmin!

Homework Options
If you need login information to access Moby Max or XtraMath please send us an email and we will get it to you. Login information for Khan Academy will go home after we collect data from the math MAP assessment.The weekly reading log is double sided, so it is good for two weeks. Please turn it in on Monday, September 10th. 

The Learning Community is Reading

Volunteering

Are you interested in working with our students this year? We could use your help with science experiments, reading with students, and doing art projects. If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our community, please send us an email and fill out an Operation Beacon volunteer form.

http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/PR/Pages/OperationBeacon.aspx

Ms. Lisa-Kindness Read Aloud

Ms. Marissa-Working with Wool Lesson

 Dress Up for Oatland Island

The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

guinea pig  food

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

September 6-12-Ms. Jazmin Out
September 10- Reading Log Due
September 14-Fall Picture Day
September 24-Reading Logs Due
September 27- Birthday Celebration
October 5-PTA Reflections Due

Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of August 26th

MAP Testing
Most students completed their Reading MAP test last week. Some students were unable to login or did not complete the assessment. These students will complete the Reading MAP test this week. Our community will take the Math MAP assessment on Wednesday. If your child is in first grade, they need earbuds to hear the assessment. Please send in earbuds for your student if you haven't already.

August Birthdays Celebration
We will celebrate our August birthdays this Thursday afternoon. If your child was born in August and you would like to send in a treat for the class, please send in 25 healthy treats on Thursday.

Dress Down August 31st
There will be a $1 dress down on August 31st for Oatland Island. Students are encouraged to dress like their favorite plant or animal! All proceeds will be donated to help the recovery effort at Oatland Island. 

Homework Options
We sent homework options with students on Friday afternoon. If you need login information to access Moby Max or XtraMath please send us an email and we will get it to you. Login information for Khan Academy will go home after we collect data from the math MAP assessment.The weekly reading log is double sided, so it is good for two weeks. Please start using the new reading log this week and turn it in on Monday, September 10th. 

Volunteering

Are you interested in working with our students this year? We could use your help with science experiments, reading with students, and doing art projects. If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our community, please send us an email and fill out an Operation Beacon volunteer form.

http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/PR/Pages/OperationBeacon.aspx

Environment Observations

The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

guinea pig  food

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 30-August Birthday Celebration

August 31-Maria Montessori's 148th Birthday
August 31- $1 Dress up for Oatland Island
September 3-Labor Day-No School
September 14-Fall Picture Day

Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of August 19th

Dress Down August 31st
There will be a $1 dress down on August 31st for Oatland Island. Students are encouraged to dress like their favorite plant or animal! All proceeds will be donated to help the recovery effort at Oatland Island. 

Homework Options
We will send home information this week regarding homework options for your student. All students should already be reading nightly. Please be on the lookout for more information regarding these options!

Continent Boxes
Thank you for your kind donations to our continent boxes! These boxes are really coming along due to your generosity. If you come across any items from any of the continents in the future we will gladly except them!  

Volunteering

Are you interested in working with our students this year? We could use your help with science experiments, reading with students, and doing art projects. If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our community, please send us an email and fill out an Operation Beacon volunteer form.

http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/PR/Pages/OperationBeacon.aspx

Composting

We found that our wiggly friends needed more air, so the children shredded paper to add to the vermicomposting bin.

The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

guinea pig  food

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 23-PTA General Information Meeting
August 30-August Birthday Celebration

August 31-Maria Montessori's 148th Birthday
August 31- $1 Dress up for Oatland Island 

Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of August 12th

Thank You

Thank you for sending in an abundance of supplies! Our community is able to work because of all your generosity. 

Remind App

We often use the remind app to text important information to families. If you haven't already joined the class, please use the following link to do so.

https://www.remind.com/join/ac3c9

Continent Boxes

We are collecting artifacts from all of the continents for our continent boxes. If you have artifacts from your world travels that you are willing to gift our community, please send in with your child. Thank you!

PetSmart Gift Cards

We are still in need of gift cards to help us purchase supplies for the leopard gecko's habitat. Please give if you are able.

Paperwork

If you have not done so already, please return all paperwork that went home at Open House or during the first week of school. These forms include student information sheet, code of conduct, HPE-physical education form, and allergy information for the school nurse.

Volunteering

Are you interested in working with our students this year? We could use your help with science experiments, reading with students, doing art projects... If you have a special talent that you would like to share with our community, please send us an email and fill out an Operation Beacon volunteer form.

http://internet.savannah.chatham.k12.ga.us/district/PR/Pages/OperationBeacon.aspx

Compost

Our community began composting last week using red wigglers and the organic fruit and vegetable scraps from snack! We are thrilled to be using this nutrient-rich fertilizer in our garden this year!

Observing Nature

 The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

guinea pig  food

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 23-PTA General Information Meeting
August 30-August Birthday Celebration

August 31-Maria Montessori's 148th Birthday

Weekly Newsletter 

The Week of August 5th

Welcome back to Charles Ellis!

We are happy to welcome back so many smiling faces to the Learning Community! We met many new friends as well and are looking forward to getting to know each and every one of you. 

Remind.com

We often use the Remind app to communicate with families. Please use the following code to sign up and receive messages from us via text.

https://www.remind.com/join/ac3c9

Class Pet

Our community has been gifted a leopard gecko and we need supplies in order to provide an appropriate habitat for our new friend. An aquarium has already been donated, but we are asking for Petsmart gift cards to buy food and other necessary items. Please donate to our new class pet if you are able.

Birthday Celebrations

As is customary in the Montessori classroom, our students celebrate their birthdays by “walking around the sun” for each year they have been alive. Parents and families are invited to come and tell their story, one year at a time, through the presentation of personal timelines. This can be done on the student’s actual birthday.

 As far as treats go, we prefer healthier treats such as fruit cups etc, but if you would like to send in something on the sugary side we do ask that they are mini cupcakes or perhaps a cookie per student etc. Please do not send in goody bags. Because we will have around 45 students in our community, we will have a monthly celebration with treats for the birthdays for that month. We will do this on the last Thursday of each month, unless something comes up that would necessitate a change in day. On this day we ask that if parents wish to send in a treat, that they send in 25 treats, and the students will choose one or two treats depending on how many birthdays we have.

Personal Timelines

We would love for students to share their personal timelines when we do their “walk around the sun” on the day of their birth. Timelines are used in the Montessori classroom extensively in the cultural and cosmic curriculum, first seen in the Great Lessons. This preparatory activity of creating their personal timeline readies the students to work with the extensive timelines that are presented throughout elementary.

Personal Timeline:

1. A timeline can be as short as one page or as long as a wall.

2. To make a short timeline, draw a vertical line down the middle of a sheet of paper.

3. Write your child’s birth date on the left side of the line at the top of the page. On the right side of the line, write the corresponding event. (“I was born!”)

4. Add other important dates and events, such as when your child started to walk and talk, when siblings were born, when your child started preschool, when you took family trips, and so on, in chronological order.

5. To make a long time line, cut a length of paper from a large roll or tape several sheets of paper together. Draw a horizontal line across the middle of the banner.

6. Write the dates and events of your child’s life from left to right.

7. Glue on photos or let your child illustrate each event. 

Read Nightly
All students in our community are expected to read for at least 20 minutes a night. 

 The Learning Community Wish List (bold items are more pressing)

PETSMART gift cards

Model Magic-all colors

Guinea pig and hamster food

Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap

Seventh Generation dish soap

Water colors

Oil pastels

UPCOMING EVENTS

August 8-The Gifts Parent Workshop 6-8 pm

August 30-August Birthday Celebration

August 31-Maria Montessori's 148th Birthday

Dear Families,
Welcome to Ms. Jazmin and Ms. Marianne’s classroom community! As time is moving on, our summer is coming to a close. It is time to begin to think about the opening of the 2018-2019 school year. We would like to extend a warm welcome to you and your child into our 6-9 Lower Elementary classroom, grades 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, whether they are brand new or returning. Throughout this school year, each first, second, and third year student will be experiencing many new and different avenues in their education with the Montessori philosophy leading the way .
First, we want to help you understand our goals for our community. We have built one cohesive classroom with two Montessori certified and trained lead guides; Ms. Marianne Howze and Ms. Jazmin Corbell, and one Montessori trained teachers’ assistant, Ms. Marion Rockett. Ms. Marianne will focus on the English/Language Arts and the Social Studies side of the Cultural curriculum, while Ms. Jazmin will focus on Arithmetic, Geometry, and Science side of the Cultural curriculum. Departmentalizing the curriculum allows us the ability to guide the students into deeper understanding of the curriculum. 
While each of us have a set number of students on each of our rosters in an official capacity, we will treat our roughly 40-46 students as a community. We conduct our parent teacher conferences in tandem so that we may better communicate your child’s needs and tendencies in each area.
Our field trips will function in a different manner than they have in the past. Now, rather than the entire grade level or even developmental levels going on different days, we will go on field trips in pods. Our pod consists of our classroom community with the inclusion of Ms. Kirsten’s community. This allows us greater flexibility on the types of field trips we go on etc. because of the greatly reduced numbers.
Our main mode of communication is via our classroom blog, as well as email. Because we are functioning as a unit, we will send all emails with either teacher copied on the email. Generally speaking you will receive the original email from the teacher that has your child on their roster.
We realize that guiding and teaching your child is a privilege, as well as a tremendous responsibility. We will do our best this year to ensure that each student has a motivating and safe learning experience in the classroom. However, we cannot do this alone: we need your help. The four of us; teachers, parent, student, need to be partners in the learning process. We need families to encourage their child at home by helping to ensure that they are making the best choices they can make in the classroom; whether it be academic choices or social choices.
        We look forward to meeting each of you during Open House as well as welcoming familiar faces. Please join us in rooms 27 and 29 during the Lower Elementary Open House on July 31st from 3pm-5pm, drop in style. Enjoy your last days of vacation. Ready or not, here we go!



Materials Needed
       
1st Year

4 composition notebooks (labeled: 2 Language, Math, Cultural)
1 1” 3-Ring Binder (labeled with name)
1 pack of 5 tab dividers(labeled: Science, Social Studies, Math, Language, Writing)
4 packs of (20) Ticonderoga pencils
2 packs of lined loose leaf paper
3 boxes of Kleenex
4 rolls of paper towels
1 pair scissors
$20 (or $40 for the entire year) KROGER gift card for the first half of the school year of daily, organic, snack.

2nd and 3rd  Year
 4 composition notebooks (labeled 2 Language, Math, Cultural)
 1 1” 3-Ring  Binder (labeled with name)
1 pack of 5 tab dividers (labeled: Science, Social Studies, Math, Language, Writing)
 4 packs of (20) Ticonderoga pencils
2 packs of lined loose leaf paper
 1 bottle liquid school glue
 3 boxes of Kleenex
 4 rolls of paper towels
Distilled Vinegar
 $20 (or $40 for the entire year) KROGER gift card for the first half of the school year of daily, organic, snack.

 * Earbuds for Technology class and classroom use for ALL STUDENTS

**Please have all binders and composition books labeled with first and last name, and also please label composition books and dividers as asked above as it makes the beginning of the year run much smoother!

Wish List
Guinea pig and hamster bedding and food
Dr. Bronner's Liquid Castile soap
Seventh Generation dish soap
Model Magic-all colors
Water colors
Oil pastels
Sharpies
Whiteboard markers

Thank you,
Montessori Lead Guides-Ms. Marianne and Ms. Jazmin
Montessori Teachers’ Assistant- Ms. Marion

Marianne.Howze@sccpss.com
Jazmin.Corbell@sccpss.com