Morningside Montessori School

Spring is in full bloom in our classrooms and our children are experiencing the rhythms of the season firsthand by observing the life cycles of different objects. 🌸

Kids planted and cared for their own flower bulbs, watering and waiting as the shoots begin to emerge from the soil. We also received caterpillars for each classroom, and the children have observed them building their chrysalises while learning about their life cycles.

Ms. Natalie celebrated Cherry Blossom Day and our children created delicate cherry blossom works of art and shared them with friends.

These moments of wonder reflect the beauty of change, growth, and renewal that spring so naturally brings.

In true Montessori fashion, the children are not just learning about nature, they are participating in it. Through hands-on exploration and responsibility, they develop a deep respect for living things and an understanding of their place within the natural world.

A season of growth, both in nature and within each child 🌱

All our classrooms had recent visits from local dental hygienists for a lesson in dental care! Through hands-on learning and conversation, the children explored how to care for their teeth and why healthy habits matter. 💙🦷

In Montessori, Practical Life experiences help children build independence and confidence—and learning to brush, floss, and care for their own teeth is an important part of that work. Empowering children with real skills helps them take pride in caring for themselves, one small step at a time.

We love to celebrate cultural traditions and holidays through meaningful, hands-on work 🧧🥟

As part of our Lunar New Year celebration, students in one of our early childhood classrooms worked alongside a teacher to peel and prepare vegetables, carefully form dumplings, and share the meal together in the classroom. Cooking activities serve to strengthen fine motor skills, build independence, promote collaboration, and foster a sense of community.

Art with Heart 💗

As the children created Valentine’s-themed artwork this week, our classroom was filled with lessons of grace and courtesy, peace, and love. Through kind words and respect for one another, our children are learning that kindness is something we offer with our hands, our words, and our actions.

This week was all about penguins! Our toddler class made collage-style penguin art and at the sensory table, they enjoyed water play with icebergs and penguins. They also used their fine motor skills to melt arctic animals from blocks of ice. Our early childhood classes learned how penguins have built-in protection from the cold called blubber. They experimented with “blubber gloves” (vegetable shortening inside a plastic baggie) that the children wore and discovered that their hands stayed warm when dipped in ice water! It was a fun week of arctic themed work and exploration!

This week, our classroom paused to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Alex, our Head of School, visited the classrooms and taught the children about King’s I Have a Dream speech. She explained this dream was like a wish, and her wish for the school is peace and kindness. Then she encouraged the children to share their own dreams. Some wished to be with old friends or to play together. They also talked about how we choose our friends based on common interests, and not on how we look.

In a Montessori environment, even our youngest learners are encouraged to reflect, express their thoughts, and listen to one another with respect. We are proud to celebrate Dr. King’s legacy by nurturing empathy, community, and hope, starting right here in our classroom.

This week, our children returned from winter break and joyfully settling back into their rhythm—returning to familiar materials and deep concentration. This week, math work has been in full bloom as hands explore numbers in meaningful ways.

From building quantities with Montessori color beads and number rods, to discovering place value with the decimal tray, the children are making abstract concepts concrete. The 100 board and addition strip board invite careful problem-solving, while sandpaper numbers support a tactile connection to numerals.

We love seeing the confidence and focus that emerge as children reconnect with these foundational materials—learning at their own pace, one discovery at a time. 💛