First School Dayton

Summer reading starts now! Did you know that reading together every day helps little ones hold onto everything they've learned and start the new school year ready to shine? We're so excited to kick off our Summer Reading Program for our youngest readers (ages 2–5), and we'd love for your family to join in the fun!

The key to keeping little ones engaged all summer? Books they actually love! Look for titles that match your child's interests, whether that's animals, trucks, fairy tales, or silly characters. Don't worry about it being "too simple." At this age, familiar, repetitive, and fun is exactly right. Reading the same favorite book over and over is not only okay, it builds real early literacy skills! Stay tuned each week for more tips to make this the best reading summer yet!

In our Montessori-inspired classrooms, the Rough and Smooth Boards introduce children to the sense of touch in a structured, intentional way. By running their fingers across different textures, preschoolers develop sensory discrimination skills that lay the groundwork for writing and fine motor control. Every material has a purpose.

When children play house, run a pretend restaurant, or take care of a doll, they are practicing language, problem-solving, and social skills all at once. Dramatic play is one of the most powerful forms of learning in the preschool years. We intentionally design our classroom spaces to support it every day.

One of the beautiful Montessori math materials used in our Montessori classroom at First School is the Number Rods, a set of ten wooden rods that give children a concrete, hands-on understanding of quantity and sequence. By physically handling and comparing rods of different lengths, children build an intuitive sense of number that goes far deeper than memorization. This tactile approach to early math lays a strong foundation for abstract thinking as children grow.

Freedom isn't just a word, it's a gift passed down to us by those who served. Today we honor their courage and teach our little ones to never forget. Happy Memorial Day!

Looking for a fun and educational activity to try at home this weekend? All you need is baking soda, vinegar, a container, and a curious child to explore a classic chemical reaction up close. This simple experiment introduces elementary-age children to basic science concepts like cause and effect, observation, and the scientific method in a hands-on and exciting way.

1. Place a bowl or deep container on a flat surface. Put it on a tray or newspaper to catch any overflow.
2. Spoon 2–3 tablespoons of baking soda into the bottom of the container.
Make a prediction. Before adding vinegar, ask your child: "What do you think will happen?" Write down their guess!
3. Slowly pour about ½ cup of white vinegar over the baking soda and watch the fizzing reaction begin.
4. Watch the bubbles and foam. Ask: "What do you see, hear, and feel? Was your prediction right?"
5. Try it again— try more or less baking soda, or add food coloring to the vinegar for a colorful effect.

We are heading into the last few days of school!

Here are details for Clap Out & Last Day of School for classrooms.
Last Day of School &Clap Out-May 19th- Mrs. Meadows and Mrs. Spitler
Last Day of School & Clap Out-May 20th- All Wednesday classrooms

We had a spectacular Touch a Truck event! Our drivers were wonderful with the students, answering questions and letting them explore each vehicle up close. The air was filled with honking horns and flashing lights, and the smiles on our students’ faces made it all worthwhile!