Dear BCMCS Parents,
March coming in more like ‘a lamb' today is not following the usual saying, as it's supposed to be more like ‘a lion’ … let’s just hope that it goes out the same way that it came in. Again, following our theme for each month’s message this school year, for March, we will delve into the last of the cultural subjects, Botany.
Maria Montessori’s Botany curriculum was designed to engage children with the interconnections of plants in the natural world. Botany, similar to other cultural subjects, first creates the impression of the ‘whole’ before delving into the ‘parts.’ Thus, children learn to first classify plants into the major categories, non-vascular, vascular and so forth. From there, lessons then cover the life cycle of plants, including germination, growth, and reproduction, along with the different stages of development. All the while, students are introduced to the scientific names of plants, which helps them understand the importance of classification and organization in botany. Hands-on activities are presented throughout, allowing children to explore the anatomy of plants, often using real specimens to identify parts and functions. Practical gardening experiences help students learn about plant care, growth conditions, and the importance of environmental factors such as sunlight, water, and soil quality. Lessons include discussions on how plants interact with their environment, including their relationships with animals, insects, and other plants. The curriculum encourages respect for nature, promoting an understanding of sustainability and the importance of preserving plant life. Overall, the Montessori botany curriculum aims to foster a deep appreciation for the plants in the natural world.
We will soon be holding our school’s enrollment lottery, with well over 300 students vying for limited spots. The community's overwhelming interest is just another testimony to our school’s accomplishments. Despite our successes, we will never claim that we have 'arrived' as a school, as we will persevere within our sustained objective to hold true to our Montessori principles, continuing our pioneership in education, all the while evolving to meet the demands of today's and tomorrow’s, educational needs.
As always, please be sure to check the school website and calendar, as we have a number of clubs, PTO sponsored events, and varied school days off this month. On another note, our lunch volunteers sign-ups have dwindled, to say the least … to volunteer, please log onto your MyFoodDays account and navigate to the top left hamburger menu icon, then select ‘volunteering’ and follow the prompts.
Take Care, and until next month . . . ~Mr. Brian Long
