Hello My Name Is...

Regina Collins

  Primary Montessori Teacher

Check out Mrs. Regina's blog!

Because there is not time for me to write notes throughout the day, do not hesitate to call me or e-mail me specific questions or concerns about your child's day.


Talking to Your Child About Their Day
In our class, we refer to the materials and activities mostly as "work."  This is just kind of a Montessori thing.  Many or most of the materials wouldn't necessarily be called "toys", nor would the children necessarily think that they "played with" things.  So if you ask them questions like, "What did you play with?" or "What toys did you play with?", you are unlikely to get much of a response.  However, if you say, "What did you work with?" or "What work did you do?" or "What did you take off the shelf?", you may yield better answers.

Also, if you aren't getting a lot of specifics about the "work" your child is doing, don't give up on trying to have a conversation with them about their day.  It may be that their "work time" is not standing out in their mind as the most salient or "important" part of their day.  That doesn't mean they aren't learning or busy during work time.  Rather, there just may be other parts of our day that are more preferred by your child.  If this is the case, you could ask them things like, "What songs did you sing on the line today?"  I will try to post most songs that we sing during our line time.  So you could specifically ask them if they sang the "Bakery Shop" song, for example. 

Only these items should be labeled with your child’s name:

•   1 backpack large enough for a three ring binder (NO cartoon characters or commercialized TV actors, NO rolling backpack)   If your child will be bringing a lunch box, please make sure that it is labeled with name and no cartoon characters or TV stars also.

•   1 set of clothing in a gallon sized zip lock bag—write name clearly on the front of the bag (Please include shirt, pants, socks, underwear and an empty grocery bag for the soiled clothes)

•   1 pair of soft soled indoor shoes (It must have a soft sole. NO flip flops, NO cartoon character and/or large, fuzzy house- shoes/slippers, PLEASE.  Good examples:  crocs style, Lands In, etc.)—These shoes will be left at school and used daily.

•   4 year olds only—One folding nap mat, king-sized pillowcase, towel or small blanket (label child’s name on each item)

• 1 pack of Pink Pearl erasers—Last names A-M (usually come in a pack of two or three)
• 1 bottle of Elmer’s glue 4oz.--Last names N-Z                        
• 1 box quart sized zip-lock bags—Last names A-M
• 1 box gallon sized zip-lock bags—Last names N-Z
• 1 package of glue sticks (2or 3)                  
• 1 family sized box of facial tissue                                                                              
• 1 package of baby wipes
• 1 Marble composition book