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Show November 15 02.qxd Page 8 12/7/2021 2:58 PM Page 8 THE OGDEN VALLEY NEWS Volume VII Issue III November 15, 2002 Sixth Graders at Valley Elementary Hold Science Fair Sixth grade teachers at Valley Elementary wrote, and were honored to receive a Toyota Tapestry grant for the 2002-2003 school year. This is a national grant for excellence in science teaching that brought $10,000.00 to Valley School. The sixth grade teacher’s idea form of journals, booklets, class web site information, and through the creation of CD’s. They then hosted a large science fair on October 23, providing exhibits, experiments, and activities that dealt with the phases of the moon, the solar system, and the rea- The Lifelong Value of An Early Childhood Education Like most young parents, you may be faced with the question of how to find a good pre-school program for your child. Or is it really worth it? Most people believe they can’t afford it, and many believe that public school education, beginning with kindergarten, is good enough. Is pre-schooling and private schooling simply a snobbish indulgence by the rich who can afford to throw their money away? There is much research to support the position that a good education for a child is by far most important in the formative years when the potential for realizing his or her highest intellectual capacity is at its greatest. From birth to nine years of age, approximately 85% of a child’s IQ potential can be realized. If a child is given an environment conducive to optimal growth during this period, later learning can be greatly enhanced. Instead of seeing preschool and early childhood education as a financial debt, it can be seen as an invaluable investment. Almost 100 years ago, Dr. Maria Valley students learn about the rotation of the moon. impressed The National Science Teacher’s Association! As part of the project, space labs already built in Mrs. Evans’ and Mrs. Hogge’s classrooms were used to fly our students through time. Students were transported through time, visiting many famous people who made discoveries, inventions, and created the basis of what we now know about Sixth graders teach Valley students about the different phases of the moon. science in several concept areas. Students reported their adventures in the son for the seasons. Special visitors like John Glenn, Neil Armstrong, Copernicus, James Bradley, Sally Ride and Laika—the first space dog— strolled through the gym. They were transported from the past into the present in a brand new show room floor car brought to Valley Elementary by Tony Divino Toyota of Ogden. Mr. Divino heard about the award, and asked if there was any way that he could help with the project! Wow! What a partner in education! Well, back to the famous visitors. They related experiences about their lives, and what they did that pertains to the science concepts that Valley sixth graders are now studying. Aliens from other planets in the solar system also attended. They told about how their bodies have adapted to the conditions on their planets. They shared stories about what it was like on their planets. Other activities included dark room activities that taught about the phases of the moon, the reason for the seasons, and many other concepts! Montessori wrote, “The most important period of life is not the age of university studies, but the first one, the period from birth to the age of six. For that is the time when man’s intelligence itself, his greatest implement is being formed.” She wrote this on the premise that there are critical times during a child’s growth when he or she is more responsive to certain learning experiences than at other times. Dr. Montessori termed these sensitive periods, meaning, in layman’s terms, periods of interest and readiness. Examples of those that occur between ages 3 and 6 are language acquisition, sensorial exploration, reading, writing, and math. Sensitive periods are, in effect, mental and physical “clocks” in children that make them more receptive to learning particular skills and subjects at specific times in their lives. Modern research has shown to prove the truthfulness of Maria Montessori’s insight that a growing child has keen sensitivities and a highly absorbent mind. We, as parents, should be alert to the sensitive periods our children are going through. If they are into counting, we should give them every opportunity to do so. If they are into letter recognition, we should support that. However, it is far more beneficial to teach a child the sounds a letter makes than the alphabetical name. For instance, instead of writing a letter “a” and asking, “What’s this called?” ask the child, “What sound does this letter make?” This provides a solid basis for the child to be able to read phonetically, which is the first stage of true word formation and reading, as opposed to sight-reading. After all, what does it matter that a child can recite the entire alphabet song if he or she does not grasp what those letters represent? A Montessori classroom is designed to appeal to the child’s propensity to explore and discover, following his or her sensitive periods. Montessori teachers are trained to recognize the sensitive periods, and to direct the child toward educational materials in the classroom that will satisfy the child’s development needs. The Montessori method, based on careful observation of and respect for the natural development of the child, has been used in schools around the world for almost 100 years. Note: Montessori classes are offered for children ages 3 through 6 at Ogden Valley Montesessori, as well as tutoring for children ages 6 though 9. In addition, a music program called Kindermusik is offered at the school and a Mother and Toddler program is about to begin. For more information, contact School Director Amanda Scheuermann at the 391-1656 or 745-3383. REMAX EXECUTIVE CLUB 801-745-1538 deborahhegg.com EDEN $249,000 Incredible decor! 3500 sq. ft. 4 bedroom, 3 baths. Family room. One of a kind. Beautiful landscaped acre. LIBERTY $180,000 Warm and cozy log home 3000 sq. ft. home on 1 acre. 4 bedroom, 2 baths Pressurized water. Great Buy! HUNTSVILLE $249,500 Ultimate views from every room in this 3500 sq. ft. home. 3-stall barn on 2 3/4 acres. What a buy! While Supplies Last! Community |