Parent's Day

Saturday was Parent's Day at the Academy. So Mommy & Daddy got to go to school with Lola! Her teachers talked about everything they do all day and then they went through a mini-class day to show us all they've learned this year. As always, we were so impressed. We know all she's learning from the weekly newsletters and what she tells us when we "play" school, but it was a treat to be in the environment in which she learns.

Their day is broken up between 3 great teachers and subject areas. Ms. Kelly is her homeroom teacher and after they do their morning routine of the pledge, songs and prayers, they focus on Concept which covers Math and Science and also where they do their Montessori jobs. The academy is a very structured environment but Dr. Noonan has always included Montessori into her schools so the children have time for independent, self-directed learning.

After that, she heads over to Ms. Loretta's class for Craft & Writing. There Lola focuses on her fine motor skills by practicing printing and doing their readiness papers. Ms. Loretta also focuses on manners and she has her snack during this time too.

Then it's time for Language with Ms. Tara. We got to hear the "A is for Amos" phonics song that they sing every day to learn the letter sounds. They also work on Sight Words with Ms. Tara as well as gross motor activities.

Lola knew alot going into Nursery school, so it was very important to us that she was in an environment that could challenge her and she could continue to flourish out of my guidance. At Noonan, we love that they teach to them above their level. Not so far out of their understanding that it makes no sense to them, but not being afraid to teach something that might be looked at as too challenging for their young age. For example, over the year Lola has learned to define the following words: aroma, cooperate, determined, effort, fabulous, grouchy, hilarious, limit, nonsense, observe, ponder, resemble, trample, vanish.

It's important that they aren't just repeating what they've learned, but applying all they have. Just the other day, we were driving and I said (must have been a long morning already!), "Lola, Mommy's exhausted!"--to which she replied, "Does that mean you're tired?" She did it again with another word, asking if it meant so and so--so I jokingly nicked named her our little "Thesaurus" that day.

Never stop learning. 

Lola and her best gal, Kyra

Modeling her little gift she made for us.