As the school year progresses, it is an essential time to ensure that our students are well-prepared for the transition to the next stage of their educational journey at ASM. To facilitate this smooth transition, we will introduce the Collaborative Classroom initiative tomorrow, Friday, January 10. Occurring every Friday up to and including January 31, this program will allow students a glimpse into their upcoming academic environment: Kindergarten students will explore the Lower Elementary classroom and third-year students will step into Upper Elementary. These visits will allow students to familiarize themselves with new routines and build relationships with their future peers and teachers. Additionally, this program is designed to help students acclimate to the next level of Montessori materials and lessons, with older students serving as mentors, guiding activities, and fostering learning.
During their Collaborative Classroom sessions, rising Elementary and Middle School students will participate in hands-on learning experiences designed to prepare them for the new classroom environments that they will transition to next year. Lower Elementary students will guide rising first-years through the Montessori work cycle, using familiar materials to introduce new skills. Upper Elementary students will collaborate with rising fourth-years to design a Mars habitat, researching the conditions necessary for life and budgeting for facilities that promote well-being, ultimately constructing a model. Rising seventh-year students will transition to Middle School by engaging in a scientific inquiry lab titled Please Pass the Bread, where they will investigate bread mold growth under various conditions, formulate hypotheses, and create lab reports. Subsequently, they will examine the effects of disinfectants on bacterial growth, practicing essential lab techniques while deepening their understanding of scientific inquiry.
Beyond the knowledge gained, these sessions are invaluable for making students feel at ease in a new setting and providing an opportunity for teachers to connect with future students. We look forward to the Collaborative Classroom, where learning blossoms into new friendships and a community spirit.
