October 2026
October is here, and we have so many exciting things to explore! This month, we will travel through space, discover the wonders of pumpkins, learn more about our feelings, and express our creativity through art. We will also begin sending home Sound Bags to help bring your child’s learning from the classroom into your home. 🍂
This month, we will begin exploring our Cosmic Address! We will learn about where we live in space, starting with our solar system and planets and moving toward Earth, its continents, and the land, air, and water that make up our world. We will also practice locating places on a map and discovering how everything fits together.
Would you like to learn more about Maria Montessori’s vision of the Cosmic Address? You can read more here. You can also find this link anytime under the Parent Reference tab at the top of our classroom page.
Pumpkins will be popping up all around our classroom this month! We will explore pumpkin plants, learn how pumpkins grow, and enjoy reading books about these fascinating fall favorites.
Pumpkin Exploration Day is coming up! We invite each child to bring a pumpkin (any size) to school on Thursday, October 29th so we can investigate it up close. We will use our senses to explore the pumpkins, make observations, and discover what makes them so special. We are looking forward to a fun-filled day of pumpkin discovery!
We will continue learning about our feelings, how to express them in healthy ways, and how to recognize feelings in others. Developing these skills helps children build friendships, solve problems, and better understand themselves and those around them.
We will be using the Zones of Regulation, a tool that helps children recognize and talk about their feelings and energy levels. The four color-coded zones are:
🔵 Blue Zone: Low energy, such as feeling sad, tired, or sluggish.
🟢 Green Zone: Feeling calm, focused, peaceful, or ready to learn.
🟡 Yellow Zone: Increased energy, such as feeling excited, nervous, frustrated, or silly.
🔴 Red Zone: Very high energy, such as feeling angry, overwhelmed, or out of control.
An important part of learning about the zones is understanding that all feelings are okay, and what matters is learning how to recognize and manage them. The goal is to help children develop strategies for regulating their emotions and choosing appropriate responses.
You can learn more about the Zones of Regulation and explore ideas to try at home in this helpful video.
Our classroom will be filled with creativity this month! We will explore the work of Dave Archer, an artist known for creating amazing space-inspired paintings using electricity. We will also celebrate the beauty of fall through art as we create colorful fall trees and BIG pumpkins! 🎃
As we explore different cultures and traditions, we will learn about Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), a holiday celebrated in Mexico and other communities to remember and honor loved ones who have passed away. We will look at the artwork of Frida Kahlo and create our own colorful paper sugar skulls inspired by the decorative designs associated with this celebration.
We can't wait to see the wonderful creations our young artists bring to life!
As your child progresses through our sound lessons, we will begin sending home Sound Bags! These bags are a fun way to extend classroom learning into your home and give you an opportunity to participate in your child's language development.
Here's how Sound Bags work:
Check the card. Your child's bag will include a card identifying the sound they have been working on at school.
Go on a sound hunt! Help your child find 4–5 small objects that begin with the same sound.
Practice listening. Place three or four objects in front of your child, including one that begins with the target sound. Say the name of each object and invite your child to identify the one that matches their sound.
Return the bag promptly. Please send the bag back to school as soon as possible so another child can enjoy this learning activity!
Remember, the focus is on the beginning sound of each word rather than the letter name. Have fun exploring together, and celebrate your child's discoveries!
For more information, visit Sound Bags in The ABCs of Montessori under the Parent Reference tab.
Our farm field trip has been rescheduled for Wednesday, October 28. We are looking forward to a wonderful day of learning and exploring!
A few important reminders to help us prepare:
Lunch: All children will need to bring a peanut-free sack lunch.
Clothing: Please check the weather and dress your child in comfortable layers.
Extra shoes: If it has been raining, please send an extra pair of shoes for your child to change into when we return to school.
Thank you for helping us make this a fun and comfortable experience for everyone!
Conferences are next week, and I look forward to talking with you about your child's growth, accomplishments, and progress in the classroom!
A quick reminder that each conference is scheduled for 15 minutes. Because the schedule is fully booked, we will need to adhere closely to our appointment times so that every family receives their full conference time. Thank you for helping us stay on schedule!
I look forward to sharing your child's progress and discussing the exciting learning taking place in our classroom.
Get ready for some Halloween fun! 🎃 Friday, October 30, is our annual Halloween Parade and Party! We are looking forward to an afternoon filled with costumes, smiles, and spooky fun!
🎃 Halloween Parade — Around 2:00 p.m.
Parents are welcome to come watch our Halloween parade, weather permitting! We will parade along the walking trail outside, so find a spot along the trail and enjoy seeing our little ghosts, goblins, and other favorite characters show off their costumes.
If you would like to volunteer to help with our Halloween Party please sign up here. Halloween Party Volunteers
🕷️ Classroom Halloween Party
Following the parade, we will return to the classroom for Halloween-themed activities and fun with our friends. A sign-up for families who would like to help with the party will be coming soon. Thank you in advance for helping make this a special afternoon for the children!
👕 Costume Reminders
Please send your child to school wearing their regular, everyday clothing.
Have your child bring their Halloween costume in a bag. We will help the children change into their costumes in the afternoon before the parade.
Please label every part of your child's costume with their name. This will help us make sure all costume pieces and accessories make it home with the right friend!
Children should wear their own shoes for safety
If you do not want your child to participate in the Halloween activites we can provide an alternative activity. Please let me know if this is something you would like.
We can't wait to celebrate Halloween with our Primary friends and families. It's sure to be a spooktacular afternoon! 👻🎃
Thank you for being such an important part of your child's learning journey! We are looking forward to a month full of discovery, creativity, and exciting adventures in our Primary classroom.
Happy October! 🍁
October 12th & 13th Parent Teacher Conferences
No School October 15th-19th
Gifford Farm Field Trip October 28th
Pumpkin Exploration Day 29th
Halloween Party Friday, October 30th 2:00ish parade 2:30 holiday activities (if you do not wish for your child to participate in the Holiday activities, please let me know and we will provide them with an alternative activity) Halloween Party Volunteers
Try It At Home
Fall
Leaf Care: Collect autumn leaves, provide a small brush or cloth, and let your child gently clean them. This builds care, concentration, and respect for nature.
Pumpkin Scrubbing: Offer a small pumpkin, a bowl of water, a scrub brush, and a towel. Children love the sensory experience of washing and drying pumpkins.
Seasonal Food Prep: Involve your child in peeling apples, slicing bananas, or spreading pumpkin butter on toast. Provide child-sized tools to support independence.
Nature Walk Sorting: Collect items (leaves, acorns, pinecones). At home, sort them by size, color, or texture.
Spice Smelling Jars: Use small jars with cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves. Let your child smell and match pairs, enhancing their sense of smell.
Sound Hunt at Home: Invite your child to find objects around the house beginning with a certain sound, just like the Sound Bags from school.
Fall Vocabulary Basket: Fill a basket with real objects or models (pumpkin, apple, leaf, acorn) and label them with word cards for matching.
🔢 Math
Pumpkin Seed Counting: Scoop out pumpkin seeds together, then wash, dry, and count them into groups of 10.
Leaf Measuring: Use a ruler or tape measure to compare the lengths of different leaves.
Leaf Rubbings: Place leaves under paper and rub with crayons to reveal their texture.
Still Life Drawing: Place a pumpkin, apple, or autumn arrangement on a table and invite your child to draw what they see.
Feelings Pumpkin Faces: Use small pumpkins or paper cutouts to draw different facial expressions (happy, sad, surprised). Talk about what each face might be feeling.
Family Gratitude Basket: Begin collecting notes of gratitude each week to share together at the end of each month.
Cooking with Kids!
Skills: washing, slicing (with a child-safe knife), spreading, arranging
Apple Sandwiches: Spread peanut butter or sunbutter between two apple slices, and roll edges in granola or raisins.
Homemade Applesauce: Peel, chop, and cook apples with a little water and cinnamon — mash with a fork once soft.
Apple Tasting Tray: Offer red, green, and yellow apples for tasting and describing flavor and texture.
Skills: scooping, stirring, measuring, pouring
Pumpkin Energy Balls: Mix oats, pumpkin purée, honey, cinnamon, and mini chocolate chips; roll into balls.
Pumpkin Smoothie: Blend pumpkin purée, banana, milk, and a touch of maple syrup and cinnamon.
Roasted Pumpkin Seeds: After carving, rinse seeds and toss with olive oil and salt; roast and enjoy!
Skills: measuring, mixing, plating, serving
Trail Mix Station: Provide bowls of dried fruit, seeds, cereal, and pretzels for children to scoop and mix.
Leaf-Shaped Sandwiches: Use cookie cutters to make fall-themed sandwiches.
Cornbread Muffins: Children can stir ingredients and spoon batter into muffin tins.
Cooking together builds:
Hand strength and coordination (pouring, stirring, peeling)
Math and language skills (measuring, counting, sequencing)
Independence and confidence
Sensory exploration through smell, touch, and taste
Tuesday- Younger Friends Music 10:00
Wednesday- Music 9:40 & Guidance 10:00
Friday- Library 9:45
Younger Friends Prepare for Rest Time
1:00 Monday and Friday Older Friend Lesson
Tuesday and Thursday Gym 12:00
Tuesday and Thursday Older Friend Music 1:00
Younger Friend- Rest Time
2:00 - work time
Wednesday
9:40-10:00 Music O.F.
10:00-10:20 Guidance
Art @1:00
2:20 Dismissal
Backpack Check: Please check your child's backpack every night for papers they made but also clothing that may have been soiled at school.
Friday Folders and Lunch Menus: Every Friday your child will take home a folder containing the lunch menu as well as other important communications. Please check this folder every Friday and fill out the Lunch Menu for the next week.
Clothing Change- Please send a change of clothes for your child in their backpack. Mark all clothing with your child's name (not just the bag). If your child borrows clothing from school please return it after washing. If you have some old clothes sized 3T-6x you would like to donate for spare clothing that would be wonderful. We are in need of elastic waist pants and socks and underwear.
Library- We have Library on Friday. Please send your child's library book back on or before Friday.
Snack and Wellness- Please refer to our wellness plan when purchasing snacks for the classroom. Wellness plan Refrain from sending sweets like cookies and candies. Water bottles need to contain only water. Please do not send juice or additives like flavoring in your child's water bottle.
Birthdays- Birthday snacks can be different than what is scheduled. It still needs to be a healthy snack but can be a fun festive treat. Please see the birthday section in ABC's of Montessori for more information about birthday celebrations or see the Birthday section below. Wellness Plan
Our Classroom is a Peanut and Tree Nut Safe Classroom. Please do not send any snacks that include peanuts or tree nuts. We have child that have allergies to nuts. Any snacks sent to school that contain nuts will be sent home.
The ABC's of Montessori is always available to refer to if you find you have a question. Just click on the Parent Reference page at the top and you can find it there.
Family Pictures- We like to display a family picture for all our students in our classroom to help remind all of them that we are one big family. Please have your child bring a small framed family picture (no bigger than 5/7) to display in our room.
The ABC's of Montessori is always available to refer to if you find you have a question. Just click on the Parent Reference page at the top and you can find it there.
Happy Birthday to our Friends!
October
Calliope 10-17
Lennon 10-18
Miss Aubrey 10-28
Tristan 10-29
Please remember birthday invitations should be sent through the mail unless inviting the whole class.
Birthday Celebrations
On your child's birthday we would like to instill a sense of giving back to our school or larger community. Rather than favors or goodie bags we would like to encourage a philanthropic mindset. If you wish to donate a class or community/world gift from the list below, we would be honored and will have your child share their donation with the class. For every donation given we will add a heart to our classroom giving tree. By the end of the year the children will be able to see the culmination of all their good will donations. Please do not send small toys or candy for each child in the classroom. Your child is welcome to bring in a snack of their choosing to share with the class. This can be a fun festive snack or something your child enjoys eating but it still must be a healthy choice from our Schoolwide wellness plan.
Community/ World Gift Ideas
Ocean Conservancy
Donations to the Little Free
Pantry or books for the Little Free Library in our neighborhood.
Humane society
Nebraska Wildlife Rescue
Scatter Joy Acres
Big Garden
City Sprouts
Heifer International
World Water Council
Red Cross
Make a Wish
Habitat for Humanity or any other donation to service projects or charity of your choice.
School/ Classroom Donations
Books for the classroom or school library
Art supplies
Playground toys
Montessori Materials (Montessori Services) or Mrs. Boyd’s Amazon Wish List Amazon Wish List
Cultural/ Science items
A piece of Nature or Music
Thank you for your support! We want to make this a more peaceful and loving and empathetic world, one child at a time!
I just want to give a heart felt THANK YOU for all the donations that have been made to the classroom.
They all help our classroom run better and help our children learn. You are all amazing families and can't wait to work with you more this year.