Montessori for Flint
November 2018 Newsletter
Meet Our Teachers!
We have a stellar team of teachers in Flint's Montessori program, and will be featuring them over the next few months in this newsletter. This month, we have a profile of Mrs. Rinoldo-Hopkins.
A Profile of Mrs. Rinoldo-Hopkins
Mrs. Rinoldo-Hopkins is the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Grade teacher for Flint's Montessori program at DTM. She joined the Montessori program at the end of last school year. She has a passion for teaching and enjoys new programs that aim to meet the needs of the whole child.
Mrs. Rinoldo-Hopkins and has been a teacher since 1987. She previously was a Title I Intervention Teacher at DTM. She serves on the Leadership team at DTM, and serves on several committees that benefit Flint Community School students. She has been married for 27 years and has one daughter who will become a third generation teacher in April. During her free time, she loves to travel!
Montessori Corner: First Parent Workshop!
Friday, November 2, 25 parents, guardians, grandparents, and caretakers attended the first Montessori for Flint Parent Workshop. The workshop is a response to parent survey data indicating that parents want to know more about Montessori methodology, discipline, and materials.
The workshop, which included dinner generously provided by Montessori for Flint parents, featured Dr. Elizabeth Jordan (no relation to Montessori for Flint Parent Liaison Elizabeth Jordan). Dr. Jordan is the mother of 3 children, all Montessori alumni. She is also a pre- primary certified Montessori teacher who taught preschool and Kindergarten for 5 years a former Principal of a Charter school which featured Montessori GSRP, and added Kindergarten, Ist, 2nd and 3rd grades. Dr. Jordan founded and directed Montessori preschool for the Methodist Church for 5 years and has experience as a parent helper and teacher’s assistant in Montessori programs.
Topics covered at this workshop included an introduction to several Montessori materials and a robust conversation about brain development and how Montessori method intersects with early childhood brain development.
Dr. Jordan reminded parents that one of the best and most important things they can do for their children is to teach independence, and give them opportunities to learn by completing tasks themselves and helping out around the house.
Montessori for Flint hopes to host additional parent workshops after the winter holiday break.
“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” ― Maria Montessori
Montessori Materials - Knobbed Cylinders
Company Change for Substitute Teachers
Contact Guide for Montessori Families
Concerns about specific student situations or classroom questions are best addressed first to teachers and, if not resolved, brought to the DTM Principal.
Teachers are unable to meet with families during arrival/dismissal—please arrange to meet with teachers before or after school.
Montessori for Flint can help families determine the right person to speak with if they are unsure or have questions about Montessori more generally.
Montessori At Home
From Dr. Jordan:
Your child needs to use their hands to strengthen their muscles for writing. Help them to learn how to dress themselves including how to tie their shoes. Give them small tasks to perform like helping with laundry. They can sort light and dark clothing, or find pairs of socks and roll them and learn to fold towels. This will help your child develop motor skills, and identifying pairs is a helpful math skill.
Another suggested activity for your child is sorting. All spoons, forks etc. You can also get small brooms and teach your child how to sweep. Playdough or real dough is another fun activity. You can buy frozen bread dough and let it thaw and then show your child how to knead it. Next break it into small pieces and make rolls out of long twists of dough. Bake and enjoy the smell of fresh bread – always tasty with butter!
Always supervise your child, do not leave them unattended. All of these activities
help them to develop brain cells and strong hands. Current research agrees with Montessori that use of the hands helps to develop the brain. You will also see a great improvement in your child’s handwriting.
Read to your child every day and then ask them to tell you what they heard. Who and or what was in the story. Ask if they agree with what the characters did or said and how they would have functioned in that situation?
Help your child to manage themself. What should they do when they are upset? Talk with them daily. Montessori Method teaches concepts and once the child understands a concept it gives them a foundation on which to build knowledge.
Parent Involvement & Input
About Montessori for Flint
Montessori for Flint serves as the advisory group to the Flint Community Schools' Montessori program. To be added to the advisory group email list, or to get more information, call (810) 610-7209.
Email: jordanel19@yahoo.com
Website: www.flintmontessori.org
Location: Durant Tuuri Mott Elementary University Ave Flint, MI
Phone: (810) 610-7209
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/montessoriforflint/