DATES TO REMEMBER
-FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH
-EARLY RELEASE TEACHER PREP & GRADING: Thursday, February 4th
-NO SCHOOL, PRESIDENT'S DAY: Monday, February 15th
-PEACE EDUCATION WEEK: Monday, February 21st - Friday, February 25
-PARENT TEACHER CONFERENCES: Wednesday, February 24th & Thursday, February 25th
-NO SCHOOL, TEACHER COMP DAY: Friday, February 26th
-NO SCHOOL, SPRING BREAK: Monday, March 29th - Friday, April 2nd
-MWMA/s 2020-2021 Calendar: https://www.mwmacademy.org/uploads/document/attachment/179/2020-2021_MWMA_AMENDED_School_Calendar__BOARD_APPROVED_7-23-20_.pdf
Ms. Angie
The Skill, Will, and Thrill of Reading
There is no more important academic subject to master than literacy. Reading and writing are how we communicate with one another—pertinent to every area of study and every potential profession. So how can you best help your student increase their literacy skills?
The first thing kids must do is learn the SKILLS required to read. When they are learning basic skills, reading can be hard and require effort. Teachers are experts at introducing the skills, whether phonological awareness, decoding, or strategies for comprehension. What can parents do? If your child is not reading at grade level, talk to their teacher for ways to extend consistent practice at home.
Vitally important is to encourage your student’s WILL to read. You can help with this by reading to or with your child, modeling a love for reading, and pointing out what can be gained by reading—a gripping story, access to interesting information of every variety, and that top-of-the-world feeling of capability! You can also provide interesting books, and time away from screens to enjoy them. Please don’t discount graphic novels! They are an amazing way to increase literacy skills.
The payoff of reading is the THRILL. The thrill is why we read—it’s staying up way too late to read that book you just HAVE TO FINISH! It’s reading the last page and closing the book and feeling that bittersweet empty feeling…unless there is a sequel! Or saying out loud, “Why, Trudi Canavan? Why??” It’s also the thrill of learning something new, expanding how you think, or understanding a little better the human experience. It’s laughing out loud.
When students realize the excitement that they experience when they comprehend a text, they will apply their literacy skills in authentic ways, to meet real goals—and their proficiency will skyrocket. Literacy opens up the world and gives us access to culture and to the greatest minds that have ever lived. Remember: the point of comprehension is not comprehension, it is to DO something with what you gain. To take action in the world and to make a difference. To share thoughts and connect with others. To accomplish your goals and contribute to the vast stockpile of human knowledge.
OUR goal is to partner with you on the journey of connecting your student with the skills, will, and especially the thrill of reading. When was the last time that you were suffused with joy over what you read? (It is probably right now, reading this amazing article about reading…)
~Ms. Angie
Montessori Peace Education Week
Ms. Sheri, Assistant Director
Did you know that February 22nd - 25th is Montessori Peace Education Week? Maria Montessori believed that every person could contribute to peace in our world. In addition, our Montessori Grace and Courtesy curriculum encourages children throughout the school year to accept and celebrate diversity and to resolve conflicts peacefully.
PeaceEducation Week is always filled with peace-promoting activities. This year activities will include:
- #Acts of Kindness: Students will choose acts of kindness to complete on a Kindness Bingo card. Teachers will write positive notes to colleagues on a Kindness Wall in the workroom.
- Hope Squad: Ms. Marianne and the Hope Squad will give students special Valentines to brighten their day!
- Peace Flags: Parent volunteers will cut out white flags and students will create peaceful images on the flags. The flags will then be hung across the front fence.
You are awesome. You are kind and beautiful. You are a good parent and your efforts are noticed. Our school community and this world need what you have to offer.
All of us need to be told how valuable we are sometimes and this includes your kids. We need to lift each other up and give the best of ourselves. The following are some things that we can do to lift others:
- Hold others in high esteem.
- Speak kindly.
- Be encouraging.
- Forgive quickly.
- Be empathetic.
- Don’t gossip.
- Share cool things with each other.
- Be humble.
- Stay positive.
- Love those around you.
Remember you are awesome! Your kids are watching you and want to make you proud. Set an example and give them your love and encouragement whenever possible and encourage them to do the same with family and friends.
MEDIA MINUTE
Ms. Melissa
Hello MWMA Families,
It's my favorite time of the year, Youth Media Awards! Each year in January a dedicated group of librarians and educators gather (virtually, this year) to select recipients for a slew of children's and young adult book awards. There are nearly 30 different awards given out each year, including the Newbery and Caldecott Medal recipients (listed below). For a complete list of winners, including past years, check out this link: https://tinyurl.com/alayma2021
Caldecott Medal, awarded to the most distinguished American picture book for children:
WE ARE WATER PROTECTORs By Michaela Goade and Carole Lindstrom. This picture book was inspired by the Indigenous-led movements across North America to protect the Earth’s water.
Caldecott Honor Medal:
A Place Inside Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart by Noa Denmon and Zetta Elliott
The Cat Man of Aleppo by Yuko Shimizu, Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha
Me & Mama by Cozbi A. Cabrera
Outside In by Cindy Derby and Deborah Underwood
Newbery Medal, awarded to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children:
WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER by Tae Keller. This story is about a girl who faces a magical tiger out of her grandmother’s Korean folktales, unlocks family secrets, and discovers the power of stories and the magic of family.
Newbery Honor Medal:
All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom by Carole Boston Weatherford and Michele Wood
Fighting Words by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly and Celia Krampien
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
Ms. Kelsea, Educational Assistant
This is Ms. Kelsea's second year as an Educational Assistant at MWMA. She teaches with Ms. Audrey in a lower elementary classroom. For as long as she can remember, Ms. Kelsea wanted to be an elementary school teacher. She comes from a long line of educators and has a strong love for children. Since this is something Ms. Kelsea has always wanted to do, MWMA has been the perfect place for her to grow as a teacher and she is passionate about the work she does.
Ms. Kelsea is currently a student at Salt Lake Community College, where she is working toward receiving her Associate Degree. After that, she plans to attend the University of Utah and work toward her Masters in Education. Ms. Kelsea hopes to be an elementary school teacher and would love to teach anywhere from kindergarten to third grade. The thing she loves most about being an educator is watching her students grow and learn and of course, getting to know their adorable, unique, and happy personalities. Before working at MWMA she volunteered in classrooms all over to teach mindfulness to students. She is passionate about students being able to calm their bodies and minds and the Montessori method really supports that.
Kelsea comes from a big, crazy family and loves spending all of her time with them. She has a four year old little brother, that she absolutely adores and loves to care for. She is also a private tutor for her cousin, and enjoys spending her free time working with children. When Kelsea is not teaching or tutoring she enjoys going to the gym, practicing yoga, journaling and being outdoors. In the summer she loves to camp and hike with her family and she spends most of her time in the mountains.
Ms. Kelsea loves working in a Montessori environment where children are free to learn at their own pace and are provided with hands-on materials. She is excited to join the world of education and hopefully help many little minds learn and grow. She loves the MWMA community and each and every one of her students.
MOUNTAIN WEST MONTESSORI ACADEMY
Email: admin@mwmacademy.org
Website: https://www.mwmacademy.org/
Location: 4125 Foxview Drive, South Jordan, UT, USA
Phone: 801-566-6962