Hemlock Class

The whole class worked together to prepare the vegetable beds for planting. They participated in planting, weeding, and watering the garden.

We also learned about worms that help enrich our soil, such as earthworms and redworms, and how they improve soil by adding nutrients.

In science, we’ve been exploring the life cycle of plants—from seed to germination to seedling, and beyond. We’ve learned what plants need to grow and how they make their own food using sunlight, water, and air through a process called photosynthesis.

We also studied ladybugs and their life cycle.

In the circle we read stories like Caps for Sale, and the students had a great time acting out the story.

With the school year coming to a close in just a few weeks, we’re heading into a busy time—including our annual all-school walk to St. Edwards. A big thank you to the parents who have volunteered to help on those days!

Buckeye Class

May was a month full of wonder, discovery, and growth in our Montessori classroom. With the arrival of spring, we embraced the season both indoors and out, diving into hands-on learning experiences that sparked curiosity and joy.

One of the highlights of the month was gardening. The children enjoyed getting their hands in the soil, planting seeds, watering our garden beds, and watching the first signs of growth appear. This work has not only nurtured a love for nature but also encouraged responsibility, patience, and care for living things.

In our science studies, we explored both beneath our feet and above our heads by learning about the layers of the Earth and the layers of the atmosphere. The children made their own booklets to represent the Earth’s layers—crust, mantle, outer core, and inner core—which helped them understand these concepts in a concrete way. We also talked about the layers of the atmosphere, introducing big ideas like the troposphere and stratosphere in simple, accessible ways.

We also learned about the water cycle and how water moves through our environment in a continuous loop. The children were introduced to key concepts like evaporation, condensation, precipitation, and collection, and we used visual aids and movement-based activities to help make this cycle come to life. Many of the children enjoyed pretending their hands were water droplets on a journey through clouds, rain, rivers, and oceans.

We spent time learning about pollinators, with a focus on bees and butterflies. The children were fascinated to learn how these tiny creatures help flowers grow and how important they are to our food systems. They asked thoughtful questions and showed a growing awareness of the interconnection between living things.

Adding to our study of butterflies, we’ve had a very special opportunity in our classroom—we’ve been raising caterpillars! The children have been observing them closely each day as they grew and entered the pupa stage. We are now eagerly waiting for them to emerge as butterflies, and the anticipation is high! This has been a beautiful, hands-on way for the children to witness the butterfly life cycle in real time.

We also explored the salmon life cycle, learning about the incredible journey salmon make from egg to spawning adult. The children enjoyed learning each stage—egg, alevin, fry, smolt, adult—and were especially interested in how salmon return to the same place they were born to lay their own eggs.

It’s been a joyful, active month filled with meaningful learning. Thank you for sharing your children with us each day—we’re excited to see what June will bring!