Earlier this term I introduced the children to the continent of N.America.As I often tell them about my son Paul,who is an engineer in Yellowknife,N. Terretories,I decided we would discover the animals who live near Paul in Canada. Each child picked an animal and together we made a large wall map and placed the animals on it.We  learned so much and great fun and excitement was had by all.Some children traced their own maps and cut out and pasted the animals into a little booklet for their folders. As I will be visiting Paul at Easter when temps will still be -20 to -30,I hope to have stories and photos of all I see on this exciting trip.

Thankfully the rain has stopped !Spring is slowly creeping in.  Our  garden birds are singing non stop and beginning their courtship. The children are intrigued and full of a sense of awe and wonder as the magic of the new season unfolds .Farmer Sean s ewe had twin lambs so on Monday we paid a quick visit down the field to see them. It was wonderful to see the lambs alongside the ram and the ewe and to bring to life one of our “family” boxes of animals and  matching cards.Hopefully this dry spell will continue and we can wrap up again for a longer visit to the field.We have spotted the blue tits going in and out of the nest box on the wall so fingers crossed we may have a family of tits in a couple of months!We have taken out the old nests and placed them on our nature table tree with the birds and at circle time enjoy the bird song game.The children have started work on the “life cycles”and once again the frog is a firm favourite.

Over the past couple of months Sheena,Courtney,Lara and Zach have turned 4 and Zav celebrated his 5th birthday!All enjoyed the school party and special chocolate cake.  The  birthday boy or girl then walked with planet earth around the sun as I narrated “their story”since their birth to this very special day.

Christmas is over and all back and settled into a new term. The play and concert were a huge success . The children sang and performed and Mums and Dads were so proud.What a wonderful surprise when just as they reached the last note of Jingle Bells,who should arrive but Santa Clause!After the initial shock,they gathered around him to tell him what they wanted for Christmas.Santa opened his sack and produced a bird feeder for each child stressing how important it is in this season of plenty to look after the hungry little birds!

There is great excitement in the school as there are only 5 more sleeps until Santa arrives.We have been so busy over the past few weeks making angels, santas and other glittery decorations…in fact secretly, I wont be sorry to see the end of the glitter! However , much fun has been had by the children and they are so proud of their creations.We also made delicious ,spicy Christmas cookies and the children enjoyed identifying the spices and grinding them together. I t has been so nice filling the room with Christmas music and children singing as they work.We have practised and practised the Nativity Play and they are all so very good..Orlaith and Aaron are the perfect Mary and Joseph,Sarah,Lara,Courtney,Sheena,Matilda and Ellie Rose are beautiful angels,Lugh,Zav,Zach ,and Tadhg are wonderful shepherds and Lugh,Zav and Tadhg make regal kings.The parents are in for a real treat to morrow as we put on our Christmas show!

December at last!Santa s month!Another winter day but filled with excitement and anticipation for all that s going to happen in the next few weeks as we prepare for Christmas. All helped to put up the decorations this morning and the classroom was transformed into a winter wonderland.Then the children sat for the Christmas story…I have been narrating this same wonderful story for nearly 28 years to this age group and am continually touched and delighted at the way the children absorb every word..One could hear a pin drop and even the smallest (Matilda and Ellie Rose) sit riveted to their chairs as the story is told.In our technological world,where I have seen so many changes since I  started as a young Montessori Directress,the story of Mary and Joseph and that first Christmas in Bethlehem,still touches the inner spirit of every little child.We will make decorations and wreaths,santas,angels and stars but I hope that the children will also realise the real reason for Christmas as the we all embrase this festive month.!