Welcome to Quinpool Rd.

Parent Board

 Finally, I am able to share these pictures with you.  I am sorry it has taken so long but in the end it was a daunting project.  I would be lying if I said I did not shed some tears over this project.  When we first looked at this house it all seemed easy.  Rip up the carpet, paint out the kitchen small bathroom reno.
 But as things go, we encountered so much more.  We ended up fixing a lot of compromised structure in the house and EVERYTHING is fire rated, ceilings, doors, pot lights.  I've spared no expense on this project as we just could not.  This house is beautiful with amazing bones and it really need lots of love from us.

Entry into the new bathroom

 All the wood work was dark, dark, dark.  There was a lot of painting done by all the teachers.  It is light, light , light now.  Thank you to each any everyone of you lovely Maple Tree Ladies!  You all came and worked late into the night and without you I could not have pulled this off!

New bathroom

The wall color is dijon by Benjamin Moore.  All our paint was purchased at the Acadia and Quigley store on Quinpool Rd.  Ann is simply fantastic at helping to choose color.  Shawn has made everything.  Sink cabnet, Kitchen Island, refinished hardwood, reenforced floor joist...  I am in awe of all that he can do and he is the best gift a girl could ever get!

 Wall color in the kitchen is Wasabi.  I really had my heart set on a green kitchen.  I really tried to bring the outside in with paint, flooring and fixtures.  I wanted this new space to feel soothing and warm.  I can't wait to start cooking!  That Island is screaming for baking and jam making and lots of fun.

Farm house sink

 Ah...the new classroom.  It is so inviting and bright.  I am aching to start teaching.  The color in this room is Wickham Gray, it changes with the light during the day.  So beautiful.  The rug is from the Zephyer Gallery.  It makes me think of twisting metal insets.  I knew as soon as i saw it we would have to have it.

Science and Nature Room
I love this room.  The art table is located here along with our growing collection from the natural world.

Art By Rachael Cleary

I framed a piece of Rachael's art work from last year because it is so beautiful and I wanted the children to have something to be inspired by and enjoy.

So that's it for now.  I am ready to get back at what I love to do.  See you after the long weekend!

~Ms. Michelle

Orientation

 First week of orientation went extremely well. The children are learning the routine of the Montessori working morning, as well as building relationships with other children and teachers. The children seem to be drawn to the practical life shelf such as cutting, pouring, bead transfer and sorting. Although playdough and water table are also very popular. Some children have even started language and math work. We are looking forward to next weeks accomplishments
 ~Ms. Stephanie

The Corners of this Old House

 I've wanted to share some pictures of our new space for a while but it didn't feel quite right until now.    This wallpaper came down today.  Many who have seen it said they couldn't under stand why we would take it down.  To that I say, "It's perfect for a dining room not a Montessori classroom".  I have such a vision for this new space and I am so impatient to get it all done.  All this dark woodwork will be painted out in Benjamin More Ancient Ivory and the upper part will be a surprise!  But I have the loveliest colour picked out!!

 The exciting thing for me was that the wall paper just pulled off with ease and the walls are patched already and ready to paint!  Finally something easy!!

 There is newly refinished hardwood we found in the kitchen under layers of Yuck!

 

Hardwood was uncovered in the entry way and really big long radiators (I imagine drying out mittens don't you)?

 The farm house sink I just couldn't resist at Renovators Resource.  It is in perfect condition.  Just a good clean is all it needs.  It's my dream sink.  It feels good to reuse it and it makes me think about the women who used it before me.

 The Carpet is gone!  It was two exhausting days of pulling staples and nails.  It's a good tired though.
Everyday this space becomes more ours and less theirs.

The doors that lead into the new classroom.  It is such a beautiful room and when it is done I will show you.  But for now you must wait.   I'm off to order some doors for Fire Separation!

The last week before Summer Vacation

 I would have thought that the children would have been less focused during the last days of school but they were as engaged as ever.  Whether it was exploring the properties of water with a facilitator from “Lets Talk Science”, building with the sensorial materials, digging for dinosaur bones or doing art with a younger sibling who happened to be in for an orientation visit, the classroom was abuzz with activity. ~Ms. Melanie

Wrapping up

Thank you to all our Maple Tree Families for such an amazing year!  It has been a great year and it was fun to cap off our tenth year with a big party with loads of fun and cake!  We are all wishing you a safe and restful summer~  See you in the fall!   ~Ms. Michelle

And the tree came tumbling down

 Today was an especially exciting day in so many ways.  Firstly, I had a meeting with my licensing consultant at the new location and we put a plan together regarding paperwork deadlines and she brought me some amazing ideas for our new outside space.    I can't say who she is but I can say this...she is amazing and she makes my work life so much easier and I know I would be pulling my hair out if it weren't for her.

 Secondly, Myles from Collins' Tree Service came to cut down our tree.  He is the nicest man I think I have ever met.  He came today to cut down the Massive Maple Tree just outside the front door of our new space.  Not only did he do such an awesome job of cutting down the tree but he was super professional, affordable (really affordable) and he let me dictate how I wanted my tree cut.

We all watched patiently as he cut long sticks and big logs for walking on.  We had some cut so long that they formed a teepee in the back garden already with a blue tarp.  I even had Myles cut me chunks of wood  into steps for our new play space.  When he realized what I wanted them for he was so happy to take the time to make it just right for me.

It was so exciting to watch the massive trunk fall and crack in two.  We were told it was a good idea that we cut it down as although it appeared big and strong it was actually compromised and weak.  We just saved our house I am sure of it.

I also, had a moment...a reflection, a memory, I'm not sure.  Perhaps it was the smell of the freshly cut wood  and the gas from the power saw.  It took me back to when I was little and my Dad worked in the woods and would come home at the end of his days smelling just like that.  We would go out and stack wood after dinner until it got dark and talk and talk.  I was just as keen then as I am now for that pleasure and time with my own girl.

 So much wood, so much fun stacking it and building with it.  It was all I could do to keep her still until it was safe to get in there and play.

So, now I need to get digging!!  We have the sunniest front yard, perfect for growing tomatoes, sunflowers, and pole beans for starters.
Oh, and some where in the middle of all this I went to Halifax seed and bought bird feeders and houses and more plants!  I am beyond excited about this new space of ours!!

The Way We See the World

 A person waiting to go on the ferris wheel.

The sky, the sun, and an apple tree. 

The sky, the sun, and an apple tree. 

Children Know

Trusting Children to choose the work that is right for them, I roamed around the classroom the other day taking pictures of some of the work that the children were engaged in. I was struck by the many different ways that the children were practicing fine motor skills. Whether it was making cut out butterflies, coloring salt by grinding chalk into it, doing a metal inset or digging for dinosaur bones; these children were very absorbed in completing the tasks they had chosen. The children were all practicing fine motor skills and concentration but they were all doing it in different ways. If children can learn how to choose activities that challenge and interest them this will set them up for success later on.

Art in the classroom

 We have been doing a great deal of art in our classroom.  This spring we have been been doing art projects inspired by some great artists.  We did George Seurat style pointalism and collages in the tradition of Henri Matisse.

Some of our resources have been from wonderful children's books that we specially ordered to help us with our artistic adventures.  One of the books I most enjoyed is called, "Henri Matisse, Drawing with Scissors".  Others were, Chasing Degas, Picasso, Soul on Fire, Mary Cassatt Family Pictures, Katie and the waterlily Pond and Katie Meets the Impressionists just to name a few.  Children really love art and it really is amazing how they see things and how that transforms on paper with pencil, scissors or paint.