M&A’s are very busy for our Autumn Semester all the children are now very settled into the Montessori routine, the children are learning about the importance and beauty of Autumn time and this is achieved through Art, Music and Poetry along with our lovely Autumn Nature and Interest table. The Montessori children are also making lots of new friends and have started their lessons in Language, Maths Sensorial, Practical Life and Circle Time. We have also covered the themes of Manners and Hygiene, Our Families, Our Communities, Autumn Leaves and Shrubs throughout the first semester. All themes are fun and educational and are based around the Montessori Curriculum, Siolta and Aistear.
Our Music Classes which are held after school during the academic year are in full swing; all the guitar students are working hard practising Wagon Wheel, Knocking on Heavens Door and Avicii- Wake Me up! The Voice, Violin and Tin- Whistles classes are all go with a mixture of contemporary, traditional and folk pieces being thought to the students .Due to popular demand we are starting a new Guitar Class for beginners after the Mid – Term break along with a new Violin and Tin-Whistle Beginners class. If you are interested in any of the classes do let us know and we will be happy to give you further information, however pre booking is essential as class numbers are limited.
In our Saturday Art Class ( 11am-12:15pm), the children are busy completing their Autumn Art project and moving on to their Halloween Crafts, Children have being encouraged to bring in leaves from home and to discuss which tree they came from and incorporate these into their Art Project. Familiar Trees we discussed where the Oak, Sliver Birch, Beech, Scots Pine, Hawthorn, Maple, Sycamore, Ash, Hazel and the Horse Chestnut.This has proved to be fun and exciting as both children and parents have enjoyed collecting these leaves, many families have spent a family day out collecting leaves and nuts and the children enjoyed telling us about their lovely family days .One boy collected a fantastic leaf from the grounds of Birr Castle, on research I discovered this leaf is believed to be from the Magnolia Delavayi Evergreen tree originally from China, we used his leaf for unique rubbings in his sketch book and his Leaf design project he was thrilled with the creation, it was lovely to see how great Nature and Art complement each other to make children have fun and still learn about the world around them!
All the leaves that the children collected have being used in their Autumn Art Projects such as Relief Rubbings, Leaf Creative Design,Autumn Creative Writing and College work. We are now moving onto our Halloween / Autumn Craft Cat and Scarecrow Project, children are painting, colouring and using fresh straw to create a very festive Halloween project .This week the Art Children have a special job to do with the help of their families, they are to collect a small amount of fresh straw that is if they live near a farm, of course we have to go with our Mum , Dad … and ask the farmers permission first , if any of the children can’t get straw, we won’t panic I’m lucky that my Father in Law is a farmer and has giving me lots of straw to help with our Art Class but it is always nice to go on the nature walk with our families and find out from the local framer why they use straw and a little about Harvest time on their farms but as I have told the children must wait till they are with parents etc and ask the farmer first as farms have lots of machinery and animals and children cannot go unsupervised on to a farmers land, this is so important!
For this week’s Art Homework all children have to do research on all the Autumn Harvest Vegetables and Fruits that we see in our local supermarkets, looking forward to hearing what the children document? I’m thinking Monkey Nuts, Hazel Nuts, Pumpkins, Pomegranates and Grapes…, creative minds at work!!!
We also discussed how we make Barn Brack and the children have to ask their Families what surprises can be found in the festive brack….
Halloween Camp 2013
It is hard to believe that it is nearly the time when we are running our Halloween Camp this Mid- Term Break, during the camp we will be making Halloween Crafts, playing lots of Autumn games, Nature Walks, Art, Music, a Voice Workshop, Music Instrumental Workshop, Making Some Halloween Treats to take home and of course we will be having our Halloween Fancy Dress Party!!!
The Halloween Camp is held from 10am- 2pm /9:30am – to 3: pm-Tues the 29th October – 1st November 2013. Parents can avail of a daily session or they can avail of the four day camp and they can choose a time that suits them from the above sessions, family rates are also available! If you are working and want your child to be kept busyor if your child just likes to be on the go this Mid-Term then give M&A’s a ring and we will ensure that your child/children are kept busy in a safe, friendly, fun and educational environment. Parents pack a healthy lunch for their child as in school and we will provide treats and refreshments throughout the day! Children also wear comfortable footwear such as runners as we will be busy busy all day!!! Parents must pre book for the Camp as places are limited, this can be done by contacting the school where you will receive a booking Form / Application Form this can also be downloaded from the Home Page.
If your child is interested in starting Music we will also be running a little Music Workshop for the children interested on the wed 30th of October during the Halloween Camp, so buddy enthusiasts are welcome….
Keep checking our blog to see what Classes we will be running for the Winter and of course are Festive Christmas Art Craft Classes these have being a massive success the last few years, I will keep you updated to what will be happening next term very soon………..
