Kindergarten Graduate

Pickle has graduated! She has been counting down the days until June 1st for the last month as they have been practicing and preparing in school for the big night. I think she was more enthused about the performance and being on the stage than actually graduating as when we finally reached the big night she got teary-eyed during the ceremony at the thought of leaving her school. I think she cried more than me!

We have been a part Community Montessori School since December 2006 when Bubba started so Pickle has been a part of the school since she was born. First as just the new baby sister and then as a student herself. The teachers told us from day one that she was made for Montessori as she was engaged in all parts of the day - songs, art, lessons - and would continually find new work to keep her busy throughout the day. She rarely needed reminding to get to work or find something to do while at school. 

Singing was definitely one of her favorite parts of school. Imagine our surprise when she came home from school singing all these neat songs that she had learned in school and most of which they sing daily. We asked her brother if he learned all those songs and he just said - "yea." Singing and painting were not his favorite Montessori activities!


So after three years at her little Montessori school she finally reached that wonderful childhood milestone of Kindergarten Graduation. The school goes all out with a stage and caps and gowns. Each kid presents a project they had written and created. This year's assignment was to pick a science to research. They had to write three reports - one explaining the science, one on the impact of the science, and one on a famous scientist within that field. Pickle chose Geology and initially wanted to write about her Dad as the famous Geologist, but the teachers kindly encouraged her to find another smart and talented individual instead. She ended up learning about John Wesley Powell.

Now she is off to First Grade - to the "big kid" school where her brother goes. What a difference a year makes in terms of educational milestones. Although Pickle has always been smart and showed a lot of promise last spring, the many things she learned this year have been truly amazing. She is doing double digit addition, reading chapter books, and writing reports. I hope she continues to love school and schoolwork!