Summer fun with backyard barbeques, trips to the zoo, picnics in the park—these are the memories that make summer the most enjoyable season of all for most children.  Dancing Moose is capturing the fun of summer with theme-based activities that incorporate learning with summertime activities.  Of course, backyard picnics are an important part of all the fun, and nothing beats the excitement of loading the bus for a morning at the park, aquarium, or wheeler farm.  Nevertheless, the fun of picking tomatoes from our own garden and enjoying them for lunch is definitely a satisfying experience.  Last week a mountain man came to visit Dancing Moose to share some history lessons from Jim Bridger.  Children’s eyes were wide open as they heard about mountain man Jim tangling with a bear!  Camping tents are propped up in classrooms around the school to celebrate the joys of camping and our western traditions. Children will create their best western dress impressions in preparation for a special night at the Days of 47 rodeo event for families next week.  Just around the corner from our cowboy spectacular we’re all preparing for a luau with grass skirts and hula dancing.  The joys of imagination are the most important part of making summer spectacular, and enhancing learning in the summer through theme-based activities is the best way to make sure our children reach their academic potential while making memories of summer fun. 

Early childhood is a time of exploration and discovery of self, others, and one's surrounding environment. The Montessori classroom is designed to prepare an appropriate environment for children to maximize their exploratory opportunities. Each classroom is a comfortable and nurturing setting where children connect with teachers and students in positive and affirming ways. Some parents worry, though, about what will happen when their child ventures into a new environment: a bigger, less personalized and protected school. The response to that concern is that children adapt beautifully to new environments when then are well prepared socially, emotionally, and academically. Being in a protected environment during early years allows children to develop skills for relating to others. When they are in multi-aged classrooms, children relate across age levels and engage in peer tutoring.

Summer is around the corner, and Dancing Moose is gearing up for a great time with fun projects, field trips, and visitors. Dancing Moose's summer school provides a perfect opportunity to integrate subjects in a project-oriented curriculum that has a different "feel" from the regular academic year. Students attending summer school have an opportunity to practice skills and learn new skills with plenty of teacher-supported instruction.

Dancing Moose utilizes a project approach to curriculum, organizing the summer program into units that include thematic field trips. Children learn from a variety of resources that emphasize art, music, movement, and creativity with field trips that complement classroom instruction and enhance children's understanding. The day is scheduled with plenty of outdoor activities that invite children to explore nature and participate in summer-exclusive work like gardening. Children have ample opportunity to read and do math activities, but most of these activities are accomplished in conjunction with the thematic units. The project learning curriculum allows children to remain active, engaged, and productive, strengthening academic skills as they build their self confidence and love for learning. A key ingredient to success as always is Dancing Moose's low student-to-teacher ratio, and the many parent volunteers who attend field trips help make each trip safe and exciting for children.

Comparing half day with full day kindergarten programs is not an automatic comparison of two-and-a-half hours versus five hours. More time doesn't simply equal more learning; nevertheless, more time in a positive, active, engaging, and nurturing environment supports more informed, motivated students.