The Year of the Pig

Paper plates were converted into something more exciting in eager anticipation of what was to come.  The children smiled as they brushed green paint and the busy hum of happy activity swept through the classrooms.
 
“I didn’t count on getting a green manicure today,” Primary classroom assistant, Ms. Gigi, laughed as she washed her hands after a productive morning.
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“I’m wearing my dragon scale because of China!” One primary student proudly proclaimed.

​And as they wore their paper plate scales, the children of Alcuin Montessori participated in an all-school parade celebrating the Chinese New Year and welcoming the Year of the Pig.

“Let’s start our parade and go all the way to Senior Elementary,” Primary teacher, Mr. Mike, called out as he held the dragon head and called the “scales” into formation.
 
We celebrate children’s awe of everything around them. Places, things, ideas — we help them explore it all. In ways both large and small, the children of Alcuin become aware of the greater world around them.  We celebrate cultures, people, diversity, histories, and holidays across the curriculum.  For the younger children, it may be via maps, storytelling, and art — for the older children this becomes more in-depth through literature, plays, music, timelines, guest speakers, field trips, and even more elaborate art studies. 

We follow children’s curiosities which lead to deeper knowledge and personal connection to what they learn, and then we help apply what they’ve learned continuously to other subjects, topics and life. We broaden the learning environment so our children can continually push the fence over to explore new territory and test their growing potential. 

Finally, we inspire our children to question everything, express themselves and respect and consider diverse responses and ideas — so they can learn more holistically and inclusively.  Alcuin children celebrate the world around them and the people in it, and get to march in a fun parade!  It's all in a day's work at Alcuin.