Jingle Bells and Magnetic Wonders: A Montessori Science Discovery

This week, our classrooms were filled with jingles and curiosity as children explored the magic of magnetism through a playful holiday science experiment. Using magnets and jingle bells, they discovered what happens when metal meets a magnet and how magnetic forces work.

Through guided exploration, children tested which objects were magnetic and which were not. They listened for the cheerful sounds of bells moving toward the magnets and watched closely as they clung together or stayed apart. Each observation became a chance to ask questions, share predictions, and celebrate new discoveries.

Hands-on experiments help children build focus, develop problem-solving skills, and connect scientific ideas to real-world experiences. The sparkle in their eyes was proof that learning can be both joyful and full of wonder.

Tiny Tunes and Holiday Joy: Our Infant Christmas Celebration

The holiday spirit was bright and joyful in our Infant classrooms at Trillium Montessori this December. Our youngest children enjoyed a cozy Christmas celebration filled with songs, music, and stories that captured the wonder of the season.

Teachers filled the room with familiar melodies and soft jingles as little ones smiled, clapped, and moved along to the rhythm. Special holiday books invited calm moments of listening and connection, helping even our tiniest learners experience the beauty of language and sound.

Sometimes a special guest makes an appearance during this cheerful event, adding even more excitement and sparkle to the day.

This celebration filled the days with music, stories, and shared joy, bringing everyone together in a warm spirit of community.

Stars in Their Hands: Building Constellations the Montessori Way

This December, our Trillium Montessori students explored the wonders of the night sky through a hands-on STEAM project that brought science and creativity together. Using mini marshmallows and toothpicks, children built their own constellations, learning about patterns, structure, and imagination along the way.

Each star shape became an opportunity for problem-solving and collaboration. Children compared the lengths of their sticks, counted connections, and discussed what their designs reminded them of. Some built classic constellations like Orion, while others created their own shining designs.

In Montessori learning, activities like this encourage discovery through the senses. By touching, building, and observing, children develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and strengthen the fine motor and spatial reasoning skills that support early math and science learning.

The joy and curiosity in each classroom reminded us that learning can sparkle just as brightly as the stars above.

Joyful Hands at Work: Our Montessori Christmas Tree Celebration

The holidays have arrived at Trillium Montessori, and our classrooms are shining with joy and creativity. To begin the season, children worked together to decorate mini Christmas trees, filling our spaces with color, sparkle, and laughter.

This annual tradition brings together both our older and younger students, who share in the excitement of choosing ornaments, placing decorations, and admiring their finished trees. Each child contributes in their own way, adding a special touch that reflects their growing independence and care for their classroom community.

In the Montessori environment, collaborative activities like this nurture empathy, patience, and pride in shared work. The experience of creating something beautiful together helps children see how their individual efforts contribute to a greater whole.

Our holiday season is off to a heartwarming start, and we’re so proud of the teamwork and joy our students bring to every new celebration.

Celebrating Gratitude: A Look at November’s “Thankful For” Project

Gratitude is a value we weave into daily life at Trillium Montessori. This November, our children created heartfelt “Thankful For” posters that celebrated the people, places, and experiences they cherish most.

Each child used drawings, stickers, photos, and words to design a poster that reflected their unique perspective. The project encouraged creativity, storytelling, and self-expression in a way that felt both meaningful and fun.

During circle time, children proudly shared their posters and the personal stories behind them. They spoke with confidence, listened closely to their friends, and responded with kindness and affirmations.

The posters are now displayed throughout our classrooms, transforming our space into a gallery of gratitude. Walking through the rooms, you can feel the warmth and joy of their messages.

This project reminded us that even at a young age, children have powerful ways of expressing emotions like thankfulness. It gave them a platform to communicate those feelings and celebrate the connections that matter most to them.

We hope our families will continue these conversations at home, keeping gratitude an ongoing part of daily life.

At Trillium, we look forward to building on projects like this as we nurture creativity, confidence, and community in every child.

Skittle Turkey Science Fun at Trillium Montessori

Our children recently enjoyed a colorful science experiment just in time for Thanksgiving. With a plate of Skittles and warm water, they created “Skittle Turkeys” while exploring how dissolving and diffusion work.

How It Worked

  1. Children arranged Skittles in the shape of a turkey.
  2. Warm water was poured onto the plate.
  3. The colors spread toward the center, creating the look of vibrant feathers.

The experiment sparked curiosity and encouraged observation and prediction skills. With guidance from our teaching team, children connected a playful experiment to real science concepts.

At Trillium Montessori, everyday materials become tools for discovery. We are thankful for the enthusiasm of our children and the support of our families in making this experiment such a bright success.

Thankful Hearts in Tiny Hands: A Montessori Start to Giving

Throughout November, our youngest children at Trillium Montessori have been exploring what it means to give and share.

In their classrooms, simple moments became big lessons. Children offered toys to friends, helped clean up, and shared stories about the people and pets they love. Teachers guided these moments with care, helping each child recognize kindness in action.

These early experiences connect beautifully with Montessori learning. Even our littlest students discover independence and empathy through purposeful activity, such as rolling out a rug to share space, placing materials back for others to use, or saying “thank you” after snack time.

Our hearts are full as we watch these small hands and thoughtful hearts grow in gratitude this Thanksgiving season.

Setting Sail with Creativity: Pilgrim Boat STEAM Challenge

This November, our children at Trillium Montessori embarked on a hands-on STEAM adventure by building and testing their very own “Pilgrim Boats.” Using everyday materials such as tin foil, craft sticks, and paper, they explored the science of buoyancy and stability while learning about the challenges faced by the Pilgrims on their historic voyage.

The classroom buzzed with excitement as each child launched their unique design into a large tub of water, watching to see how well their creation floated and how much “cargo” it could carry. Some boats held many pennies, while others showed how small design changes made a big difference. Each moment brought lessons in problem-solving, creativity, and persistence.

This project blended history and science in a way that made learning come alive. Our teaching team guided the children in testing ideas, asking questions, and refining their designs, encouraging a spirit of discovery.

We invite our families to ask their children about the boat they built. You may hear some impressive explanations of why things float, sink, or tip over. These conversations extend the learning beyond the classroom and spark curiosity at home.

What’s Happening at Our Halloween Celebration

Our Halloween Celebration takes place on October 31, during regular school hours. Here’s what’s in store for the children:

Costume Fun: Children are welcome to wear their favorite costumes to school.

Treat Sharing: Each child is encouraged to bring a small bag of treats to share with friends.

Halloween Parade: The day’s highlight will be our lively parade, giving the children a chance to celebrate together in costume.

This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to enjoy traditions, practice sharing, and make lasting memories.

Celebrating the Seasons Through Art and Storytelling

Throughout the month, our students explored the beauty of the changing seasons through art, storytelling, and hands-on creativity.

Throughout the month, each child created artwork inspired by fall, winter, spring, and summer. Using natural materials like leaves, seeds, and flowers, they designed textured pieces that reflected each season’s colors and patterns. Storytelling and group discussions gave them a chance to share personal memories and traditions connected to the seasons.

As the projects came together, our classroom transformed into a display of the seasons. Each piece added color and meaning, from autumn leaves to winter snowflakes, spring flowers to summer sunshine. Students proudly shared their work and explained the inspiration behind their art.

This monthly project helped students recognize seasonal patterns, express their creativity, and connect with each other through shared experiences. It also reflected our ongoing commitment to meaningful, hands-on learning rooted in the natural world.