Kitty Class Newsletters
4/8/25
April 2025 in the Kitty Room
Kitty Room April 202512/2/24
November/December 2024 in the Kitty Room
November has been a season of rich learning and cultural exploration. In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, we delved into the lives of the Lakota people, connecting these studies to the seasonal changes around us.
Learning Highlights
- Lakota Calendars: The children compared the Kitty Room’s traditional calendar with the Winter Moon and Summer Moon calendars of the Lakota Nation, observing the rhythms of nature that guide Indigenous timekeeping.
- Habitats and Collaboration: We studied different Native American habitats, including longhouses, tepees, and wigwams. The children collaborated to build a model of a tepee, fostering teamwork and creativity.
- Cultural Symbols and Horses: The children learned about the importance of horses to the Plains Indians and explored Lakota symbols (rain, mountain, sun, friends, horse,
love), using them to express ideas and decorate objects. - Bison: The children learned about Lakota reverence for the land and this animal that provided for many of their needs.
- Talking Stick Presentation: A favorite activity was learning about the story/talking stick, a powerful tool in Lakota culture for ensuring that every voice is heard. The talking stick fosters respect and order in conversations, teaching the importance of listening and sharing thoughts without interruption. You may only speak when holding the stick. You may only listen when somebody else holds the stick.
- Lakota Language: Children practiced Lakota words, adding a layer of cultural
immersion to their studies. Words we practiced included:- Stone ax – inyan nazuspe
- Tepee –thipi
- Horse –sunka wakan
- Story/Storystick –wacinko
- Friend –koda
- Tree –canpaza
- Hands-On Exploration: The Kitty Room was filled with incredible materials on loan from an archaeologist specializing in ancient Indigenous cultures of North America. The children:
- Explored models of tepees, longhouses, and wigwams.
- Held a stone ax.
- Ground corn with a mano and metate.
- Practiced using a talking stick.
- Paged through vibrant resource books about Native American history and culture.
- Cornbread Baking: Our studies will culminate in baking cornbread using the cornmeal the children ground themselves, bringing history to life through this delicious activity!
A Seasonal Reminder
As winter arrives, please ensure your child is dressed appropriately for outdoor play.
Remember:
- We go outside every morning unless the temperature drops
below 15°F. - Snow play requires snow pants and snow boots. Children without them will stay on the sidewalk to keep dry.
- Label all clothing with your child’s name to avoid mix-ups.
There are no extra adults to supervise children indoors, so it is essential that every child is ready for outdoor fun. We all go out to the playground.
Thank you for helping us keep the Kitty Room students warm, happy, and healthy this winter! We appreciate your support!
Sincerely,
Ms. Holland
10/29/24
October 2024 in the Kitty Room
Thank you so much for your support with this month’s field trip to Curtis Orchard! It was a
wonderful day, and we could not have done it so well without the volunteer help of our families.
As October wraps up and we move into November, our classroom will be filled with the warmth
of seasonal baking. Soon, the children will put the cinnamon sticks they grated in practical life to
beneficial use by baking apple pie! Baking is an essential part of our Montessori curriculum as it
provides hands-on experience with kitchen tools, measuring, following a recipe and, most
importantly, engages the senses of smell and taste. The children practice grating, scooping,
stirring, and measuring—exercises that develop fine motor skills, precision, and an
understanding of sequence and timing.
We will be cutting a pumpkin in half to examine its structure and harvest the seeds. This activity
is rich in learning opportunities, introducing the pumpkin life cycle while allowing us to roast the
seeds together. The children will experiment with assorted flavors, comparing savory garlic and
salt with sweet spices like clove and ginger, for a fun and delicious taste test. This autumn
tradition connects our students to the harvest season and provides insights into the farm-to-
table process. They will discover how food travels from its source to our tables, building
appreciation and awareness of the natural world.
With colder weather on its way, our Montessori science and geography shelves will feature
activities on seasonal changes, the Earth’s journey around the sun, and various weather
patterns. The Kitty Class will explore these topics with hands-on materials such as globes and
the calendar chain, which helps the children visualize the passage of time and how the Earth’s
movements bring about the seasons. To enhance this experience, children will collect fallen
leaves for closer examination, learning about photosynthesis and the life cycle of trees. These
nature collections will inspire both scientific discussion and creativity as the children make
nature necklaces.
Finally, as temperatures drop, please remember to dress your child for the weather and label all
outerwear with their name to keep things organized.
Thank you for your continued support of our Kitty Room and for entrusting us with your child’s
learning journey.
Sincerely,
Ms. Holland
9/12/24
September 2024 in the Kitty Room
The children have been introduced to the amazing world of apples through engaging science and
practical life activities. This month, your child has explored nature while learning key concepts
about living vs. non-living things, plants vs. animals, and the wonders of the apple tree.
Living vs. Non-Living
We began our exploration by distinguishing between living and non-living things. Children
learned that living things grow, need food, and water, and reproduce, while non-living things do
not. This foundational concept helps them categorize the world around them. Thank you to Julian
for volunteering to be compared to a chair to help us master this concept!
Plants vs. Animals
Next, the class compared plants and animals, focusing on their differences and similarities.
Through fun, hands-on activities, children learned that both plants and animals are living, but
plants make their own food through sunlight, while animals eat plants or other animals.
Parts of an Apple Tree
Your child studied the parts of an apple tree, including the roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers,
and apples. This helps them understand how each part plays a role in the growth and life cycle of
the tree. Thank you to Mia for volunteering to dress up as an apple tree as an awesome visual
aid!
Parts of an Apple
We explored the inside and outside of an apple, identifying the peel, flesh, core, seeds, and stem.
This helps children observe how each part is connected and contributes to the growth of a new
apple tree.
Parts of Seed Pods
Some children dissected different seed pods to observe, to discuss, and to label the parts of seeds
such as coat, embryo, and stored food. We will continue to look at how seeds are protected and
dispersed, connecting back to our apple exploration. Thank you to Oscar’s family for the lovely
donation of seed pods!
Taste Testing Apples
Soon a basket full of various apple species will be introduced onto our Sensorial shelves.
Children will explore the assorted colors, sizes, and shapes of different apples. These apples will
enable us to have a fun apple taste test, where the children will try several types of apples, such
as sweet, tart, and crisp varieties. This will develop their sense of taste and help them appreciate
the diversity in a single fruit.
Apple Cider vs. Apple Juice
This week, the class met as a group and discussed some of the fundamentals of the scientific
method: making a hypothesis, evaluating the hypotheses, and gathering evidence to support or
dispute the hypothesis. They guessed if apple juice or cider would win our taste test. After each
child sampled juice and cider (with a palette cleansing saltine between drinks), we voted for our
favorite drink. This allowed the children to analyze their hypothesis and the outcome. We
compared the drinks based on characteristics such as color, flavor, and smell. This activity also
precipitated a discussion about the process of turning apples into various products.
Slicing and Sharing Apples
In the weeks to come, apples will become part of our Practical Life. Children will practice slicing
apples and sharing them with their classmates. This will not only teach them about healthy
snacks but also improve their fine motor skills and coordination.
Grating Cinnamon and Nutmeg to Make Applesauce
Children will grate cinnamon and nutmeg to add to homemade applesauce. This is a sensory-rich
activity that connects them with the scent and preparation of spices. Applesauce making will be a
fun group cooking project!
Apple Art
Kitty students will be slicing apples and enjoying the print each slice makes after it is dipped in
paint and pressed on paper!
Focus on Science and Practical Life
These apple-themed activities are designed to engage your child’s curiosity in science and nature
while also building practical life skills. From slicing apples to comparing juice and cider, they
are enjoying hands-on learning that connects them with the world around them. Many of these
activities (and extensions of them for kindergarten students) will remain on our Science and
Practical Life shelves for the fall.
Upcoming Events
The culmination of this month of apple studies will be a trip to Curtis Orchard on Friday,
October 4th. Details will be forthcoming in the next couple of weeks.
Photo Link
I have had technical difficulties uploading recent photos but will continue to work on it. Thank
you for your patience.
The children are settling in, learning, and becoming more independent! Happy 5th Birthday to
Ophelia!
Sincerely,
Ms. Holland
8/29/2024
Kitty Room Notes, August 2024
Third Week in the Classroom:
Welcome to the third week of our school year! We are excited to share some of the wonderful
progress and experiences your children have been having in the Kitty Room!
Routine Mastery: Our students are becoming more confident with their daily routines. Children
are improving their independence at morning drop off. Please remember “confidence is
contagious” and send your child in with a hug and cheerful goodbye. The class is mastering the
art of self-care, from tidying up work areas, to wiping up spills, and to transitioning smoothly
between activities. It’s amazing to see their independence grow!
Exploring Montessori Materials: This week, children have been engaged with various
Montessori materials. In Practical Life, they practiced pouring, sorting, and using utensils, which
are helping them build fine motor skills and concentration. Activities using water have been
presented. In Sensorial, they explored textures, shapes, and colors, enhancing their sensory
perception. In Math, our youngest children are working from the one to ten shelves, while older
students explore more abstract mathematical concepts. In Language, younger children are
practicing literacy skills such as sequencing a picture story and part/whole relationships. Many
children have had presentations about phonetic sounds (which are presented through
multisensory materials). Kindergartners have a focus on the correct formation of letters to
improve writing as well as daily reading practice. Geography materials have expanded with the
introduction of air, water, and land. Some children are working on Montessori puzzle maps.
Science materials have included categorizing plants versus animals and living versus non-living
things. Some children have had presentations about the life cycle of plants and animals.
Social Development: We are noticing wonderful social interactions among the children. They
are learning to share, cooperate, and solve problems together. Our group activities have
fostered a sense of community and teamwork. We practice the peaceful resolution of conflict
through words, rather than physical contact of any unkind nature!
Individual Learning Paths: Ms. Dinh and I are closely observing each child’s interests and
developmental milestones. This helps us tailor our approach to meet their unique learning
needs and ensure they are engaged and challenged appropriately.
Looking Ahead: September will usher in studies with an apple theme. The children will learn
the life cycle of the apple tree, slice apples, parts of the apple tree, parts of the apple, make
applesauce, and even create art with the fruit…..in addition to many other apple adventures!
Please note that newsletters will be shared once a month beginning in September. Thank you.
New Photos:
[redacted this link for the privacy of students whose families request us not to post their image. If you are a family in this classroom, check your email for this link. – webmaster]Sincerely,
Ms. Holland
8/16/2024
Kitty Room Notes, August 2024
First Week of School in the Kitty Room:
As we conclude the first week of school in the Kitty Room, we are delighted to share some of
the wonderful experiences our young learners have had. This week was all about settling in,
exploring our environment, and beginning to understand the rhythms and routines of our
Montessori community.
Welcoming Environment:
The Kitty Room was carefully prepared with Montessori materials, inviting children to explore
and engage with activities at their own pace. Ms. Dinh and I happily and warmly welcome the
children in the morning to foster their sense of security and comfort in the class.
Hands-On Learning:
The children spent time getting to know the different learning areas, such as Practical Life,
Sensorial, Language, and Math. Each child was encouraged to choose activities that interested
them, fostering independence and a love of learning from the start. From pouring and spooning
exercises to early language activities, the children began to develop new skills while also
practicing concentration and coordination. Kindergarten children mentored younger/new
students as the feeling of being a “school kind of family” began.
Grace and Courtesy Lessons and Ground Rules:
A significant focus this week was on grace and courtesy, with teachers modeling and guiding
children in using polite language, sharing, and respecting each other’s space. These
foundational lessons help build a harmonious classroom environment and support the
development of social skills. We practiced our Rules for Peace in the Kitty Room: 1. Use
walking feet in school. 2. Use quiet indoor voices in the Kitty Room. 3. Always try to be a kind
and respectful friend.
Looking Forward:
As we move into the next week, we will continue to build on the foundations laid this week,
introducing new activities and lessons that align with each child’s individual interests and
developmental needs. We are excited to see how the children will grow and flourish in the
weeks to come! We strongly encourage using the school drop off in the circular drive. After
saying goodbye, please allow your child to enter school independently. Parents that walk
students into the Kitty Room make separation more difficult for the child. Ms. Dinh and I promise
to be of comfort to any children in need. Together, we can help the children by nurturing their
confidence and independence. Thank you!
Photos:
Please use this link to view photos of our first week.
Thank you for a wonderful start to the school year!
Sincerely,
Ms. Lynn Holland
8/6/2024
News for Kitty Room Families
2024-2025 School Year
Welcome to the Kitty Room! We are excited to begin a new school year! My name is Ms.
Holland, and I am your child’s Montessori head teacher. I have been an American Montessori
Society certified teacher for over thirty years. Ms. Dinh is your child’s assistant teacher. She
completed her Montessori training at the Seaton Montessori Institute and is a certified
Montessori teacher.
Your children will be learning and growing in a Montessori prepared learning
environment. The Kitty Room encourages daily opportunities for emotional, social,
physical, and intellectual development. Our daily schedule includes work time with the
Montessori materials and group time (academic demonstrations, music, movement,
stories). The children enjoy free play outside and a healthy morning snack. In the
afternoon, kindergarten students will attend lessons in a separate classroom. Napping
children will enjoy lunch and a resting time in the Bird or Butterfly Room. Children in the
Kitty Room during the afternoon, participate in activities such as American Sign
Language, literacy skills/phonics, art, yoga, and games. As our oldest class members,
the kindergarteners fulfill an essential role as peer mentors and classroom leaders.
Kindergarten students are always truly kind and helpful with our new and youngest
class members. This is a beautiful characteristic of our mixed age Montessori
classroom.
Below please read important notes with essential
information for your child and family.
On the first day of school, please have your child bring these items:
1. A backpack large enough to accommodate artwork/notebook papers.
Label it clearly with your child’s name!
2. Two reusable bags clearly labeled with your child’s name.
Bag One: Include a COMPLETE set of undergarments/clothes clearly
label each item of clothing with your child’s name!
Bag Two: Leave empty and clearly label with your child’s name. This
bag will transport dirty clothes to and from school as needed.
3. The class is on the playground in the morning. Dress your child for the
weather!!!!! Please check the weather and make sure your child has the
appropriate items needed for playing outside. Children without
rainboots and raincoats (rainy day) or snowpants, snow boots, hats,
and mittens (cold, snowy days) …. etc. remain on the sidewalk for play
time to avoid being wet and cold for the school day. Thank you!
Important rules to remember:
1. No food or water bottles/drinks are allowed from your home into MSCU.
MSCU is a NUT FREE CAMPUS! We have children with life threatening
allergies in our school. Please, for their safety, respect this rule.
2. Children that are ill must STAY HOME the following school day! Do not
send your child to school if he/she has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or
severe cough/congestion. Sick children are isolated in the office until a
family member comes to MSCU to take them home. Please refer to the
MSCU Parent Handbook for additional details. Thank you!
3. MSCU school drop off in the circular drive takes place from 8:15am to
8:30am. Unless a family is enrolled in the Early Dropoff Program, they
may not enter the school before 8:15am. If you are interested in the
Early Dropoff Program, please contact the MSCU office for enrollment
information. Please be on time for school so your child does not miss
anything in the Kitty Room.
🙂 Thank you very much for your time and attention to this valuable information!
For addition information/details, please visit our MSCU webpage at
montessorischoolofcu.org. and read your MSCU Parent Handbook. Thank you so much for
sharing your children with us in the Kitty Room! We appreciate our wonderful MSCU
families! I will be in touch weekly for the first month of school, and from then on, please
look for a monthly newsletter. It will be a great school year!
Sincerely,
Ms. Lynn Holland, Head Teacher Kitty Room of MSCU
lholland@montessorischoolofcu.org