As part of the month-long peace project, each Primary classroom was asked to select a cause to support throughout the year to help educate the children about the value of community. As Montessorians, we believe that young children learn abstract concepts like “charity” or “giving” through simple, concrete, and age-appropriate practices.
In the Rose Room, the class has been having thoughtful conversations about gratitude and thankfulness. Together, they’ve been recognizing the meaningful connections we share with our families, friends, and communities, as well as all the things we appreciate—our homes, our school, and the people who care for us.
In the spirit of empathy and compassion, the children in the Rose Room will be creating handmade cards that will be sent monthly to local centers and hospitals. This simple, heartfelt practice helps children understand that even small acts of kindness can bring comfort, joy, and connection to others in our community. It encourages their creativity and nurtures empathy as they think about how their messages and drawings will make others feel.
In the Pansy Room, with Thanksgiving approaching, the class has been taking the time to honor the land we live on and to learn about the Lenni Lenape tribes. The children have taken an interest in learning about the tribes’ ways of life, the homes they lived in, the food they grew and hunted, and the roles of all the people within their families and communities.
As Thanksgiving is centered around togetherness and gratefulness, we’ve also been having conversations about recognizing and being grateful for what we have – family, a home, good food, safety, school, friends, opportunities to play outside… the list goes on and on! They are asking parents to partner with us for a simple but meaningful initiative. They are asking families to make a point of involving their child in sorting through their belongings that are in good condition but may have outgrown (like clothes, jackets, shoes, toys, etc.). The teachers will talk with the children about how wonderful it is to repurpose our belongings and know that they will continue to be used and not wasted. We encourage you to have similar conversations at home.
In the Tulip Room, as a final initiative for the Primary Peace Project, the children expressed a desire to help local shelter dogs by collecting canned dog food and/or dog toys to be delivered for Thanksgiving. Given their existing relationship with the nonprofit SAVE Animal Shelter, we have decided to support their organization.
For our long-term classroom charity, we have chosen to partner with Henry’s Haven Animal Sanctuary. They are now proudly sponsoring Nicky, a black barn cat. Over the next few months, the children will receive photos of Nicky, have opportunities to communicate with the sanctuary’s owners about their charitable work, and potentially be inspired to develop their own charity someday. More information about Henry’s Haven and Nicky the cat can be found on the Henry’s Haven website: https://hhsanctuary.org/
In the Sunflower Room, the children also chose to donate to an animal charity. They talked about what it means to donate and how it is an act of kindness. Their charity is Cats Amazing in Trenton. It is an all-cat rescue which helps mostly senior cats who are sick and need homes. The students are collecting cat food this month, and then they will be making cat toys, and putting together blankets.
