Brogan Scott, 4, of Durham, grabs a taste of maple sap at Freeport Montessori School last week under the watch of teacher Marcia Clark, rear. Scott and other students spent the week collecting sap and on March 12 were able to watch the school’s creator, Marnee Harke, boil it. Harke said the students would eat the syrup with waffles this week. (Kate Gardner / The Forecaster)

Students at Freeport Montessori School, including Teddy McNaughton, center, of Freeport, learned about maple sugaring last week from the school’s creator, Marnee Harke. “I think we take so many things for granted and expect instant gratification, so it’s important for them to see the process behind things,” Harke said. “Showing them the process is so much what Montessori education is about.” (Kate Gardner / The Forecaster)

Marnee Harke grew up making maple syrup in Vermont and wanted to pass the tradition on to her students at Freeport Montessori School.. She said they enjoyed seeing where syrup comes from and she enjoyed teaching them about the process. “It’s near and dear to my heart,” Harke said. (Kate Gardner / The Forecaster)