Spending Time in the Sunshine in the Uppers (6th-8th)
One of the most striking things for teachers teaching outside during the early Pandemic was how well regulated people felt just by being outside. Every extra noise made by a toe tapping energy, a door opening and closing, a side conversation between a teacher and student, was swept away by the…
Artist Study in the Mups (2nd/3rd)
In mid-January, the Mups embarked on our third art unit of the year, an artist study. With three teachers available to teach art this trimester, we thought we would take advantage of the abundance and teach three different artists.
Studying Black History Through Music and Iconic Black Artists in The Mups (2nd/3rd)
Our Mups Green students recently embarked on a study through Black history using the transformative power of music and iconic Black artists as our guide. Through an immersive exploration of the stories and music of Black artists, our young learners delved into the rich tapestry of Black culture and tradition.
Doodling for Understanding in The Uppers (6th-8th)
One of my favorite tools in my teacher toolbox is to have kids draw little pictures or doodles to reinforce their learning. Drawing engages different parts of the brain as kids explore new ideas, wrestle with a complex texts or review concepts.
Unveiling Insights Through Deep Class Discussions in The Uppers (6th-8th)
Engaging in deep discussions within the walls of a classroom can be one of the most powerful ways for students to access and retain information. Currency is exchanged in the form of reflections, questions, and opinions, while ideas snowball from one student to the next.
The Value of Representation in The Forest Primes (K/1)
Outside, the Forest Primes have been thinking and talking about representation—the value of it, as well as the harm that occurs within its absence. In the book Our Skin, we learned there aren’t as many books written about people of color and how this is an example of racism.
Leading All Schools in The Middles (4th/5th)
It’s Middles-led All School season and the excitement is palpable in our classroom. Each week, four or five students meet with one of the teachers to plan, prepare, and then lead the All School.
The Sixth Grade Country Study: A 20-Year Focus on Social Justice and Activism
Every year the Sixth Grade Uppers embark into the depths of world geography, world culture, and a general study of cartography. It’s an exciting unit for the kids, they look forward to it every year, and we always hit the ground running with enthusiasm and joy for getting to know the map of the world, choosing a continent to study, and eventually choosing a country to study.
Discussing Skin and Racism in The Lumber Primes (K/1)
Before launching into our discussion about skin, we first checked in with the Lumber Primes to see what the children remembered about gene expression from our previous discussions:
The Building Blocks of Social Justice Teaching in The Dancing Primes (Toddlers)
We are working on teaching building blocks for social justice learning in the Dancing Primes. We are working on identifying and naming colors as well as observing the colors we see in each other and in books.
Thinking About Skin With the Forest Primes (K/1)
Spring Science Investigations in 7th Grade
The 7th graders are bouncing along in science this winter exploring the properties of springs. The first part of this exploration is to find out what a spring constant is.
Making a Family Book in the Puzzle Primes (3 year-olds)
In the Puzzle Primes classroom we have been working on our Family Book. Our Family book consists of pictures and descriptions of the pictures narrated by the Puzzle Primes. At the beginning of the school year the Puzzle Primes Teachers ask families to send in photos and over the course of the school year we assemble a book so that we can get to know each other better.
Community Service in the Mups (2nd/3rd)
In the weeks leading up to winter break, the Mups embarked on a community service project centered around compassion, empathy and active contribution to our own local community. The journey began with discussions about wants versus needs, with the class delving into impactful books such as Tight Times by Barbara Shook Hazen, Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts, and Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting.
What Are Rights? In The Lumber Primes (K/1)
Last week a student brought in a book to share with the class called Learning My Rights with Mousewoman, written by Indigenous author/illustrator Morgan Asoyuf of the Ts'msyen nation in British Columbia.
Waste Systems Theme in The Mups (2nd/3rd)
In the Mups, we have a class called “Theme”. This class typically oscillates between more science-focused or social studies-focused units. Over the last eight weeks, the second and third graders have been immersed in our latest thematic unit: “Waste Systems”.
Saying Yes! In The Uppers (6th-8th)
As anyone who has ever taken an improv class knows, one of the cardinal rules is to “say yes!” Say yes to your scene partner, say yes to any wacky idea that the audience suggests, say yes to how the scene unfolds.
President: Leading the Middles (4th/5th) for a Week
“The next president is … On a Friday afternoon, you’ll hear the sound of drum rolling, followed by the ceremonious announcement of the Middle’s next president. It’s a big deal.
Wondering About Woolly Bears in the Preschool (2-4 yr. olds)
This fall the campus was teeming with Wooly Bear Caterpillars! Maybe they are having a boom year, or maybe we just haven’t noticed them until now. Early in the fall, preschoolers found hundreds of white eggs on the playground and in our woods spot. At first we thought they were slug eggs (we have seen a lot of slugs too).
Enhancing Learning: Engaging Uppers in Course Reflection (6th-8th)
As educators strive to create enriching learning environments, it becomes crucial to gather insights directly from the students themselves. The idea to offer Wondering in the Woods as an elective for 6th-8th graders came from my observations of the students.