Pysanky Eggs with the Uppers (6th-8th)
This week the Uppers hosted Jane Stephenson, local artist and former long-time Center School staff member, for a workshop in pysanky, traditional Ukrainian Easter egg dying.
Maple Syrup Time in the Lumber Primes (K/1)
It's that time of year again when the Sugar maples awaken and share their stored sunshine with us! Lumber Primes have been diligently working for weeks, turning liquid into gold. They've eagerly anticipated this time of year since September, and now, they're almost done!
Community Service in the Mups (2nd/3rd)
The Mups, our spirited group of 2nd and 3rd graders, have been deeply engaged in exploring the concepts of wants versus needs. Through discussions, readings, and activities, they have gained a profound understanding of the essentials for a healthy and happy life. From clean water and food to shelter and education, the Mups have recognized these as fundamental needs for all individuals.
Uppers Band Rising to the Challenge (6th-8th)
At the start of the second trimester in January, the Uppers Band made the bold move of choosing a trimester-long project: a music video to revive an all school song that had been lost to the pandemic. They chose the rockin' bop known as Humpty Dumpty. It's a song that plays with some of the most well known nursery rhymes- Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, Old King Cole, etc.- and makes them rock out a bit.
Space and Space in the Puzzle Primes (3 yr-old)
Space: a continuous area or expanse which is free, available, or unoccupied.
What is the difference between space and space? “Personal space is when you ask someone to give you space and outer space is up there.” – Helen age 4
Empowering Education: Uppers’ Student-Parent-Teacher Conferences (6th-8th)
Conferences in the Uppers yield many memorable moments.. Students, parents, and teachers come together in conversation, laughter, and a greater understanding of the Center School experience. Together we puzzle over social issues, ask meaningful questions, and uncover the depths of each child’s learning.
Outdoor Play Pedagogy in The Mups (2nd/3rd)
At the beginning of the academic year, the Mups spend the first six weeks focusing on building the foundations of our classroom. One of the biggest ways we do this is through spending lots of time playing outdoors. By prioritizing outdoor play, our goal as teachers is to foster social-emotional growth and build a sense of community among students.
Studying Sol LeWitt in The Middles (4th/5th)
On a beautiful late winter day, the Middles set out on a visit to MASS MoCA. The drive from the Center School was long and windy, passing favorite landmarks along the way… the ice cream spot, Berkshire East, and the iconic view of North Adams from the hairpin turn.
Studying Black Environmentalists in The Forest Primes (K/1)
The Forest Primes have been deepening their thinking around the underrepresentation of the Black community in nature by learning about some influential Black environmentalists from the past and present.
Supplementing Our Work With Real People in The Uppers (6th-8th)
Teaching a book for the second consecutive time allows teachers to delve even deeper into the material, try new lessons, and uncover subtleties and details that might have been overlooked.
Celebrating Black Musicians in The Dancing Primes (Toddlers)
For Black History month in the Dancing Primes classroom, we decided to really focus on learning about and celebrating black musicians. We listened to a lot of different music by black artists such as Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, Prince, the list could go on and on.
Experiencing Shakespeare in The Uppers (6th-8th)
On Friday, March 1st, my Shakespeare Elective class took a field trip out to Lenox to see a production of Midsummer Night’s Dream at Shakespeare and Company. This show is part of their Northeast Regional Tour and is a student-friendly 90-minute version of the play.
Thinking About Rights in the Lumber Primes (K/1)
For the past month, the Lumber Primes have been thinking, learning, reading, talking, and creating art focused on the idea of rights.
Wondering About Outer Space in the Puzzle Primes (3 year-olds)
In our preschool classroom, we adhere to an emergent curriculum approach that pivots our teaching strategies based on the evolving interests of our students. Recently, we observed a collective fascination with outer space among the children, prompting us to integrate this theme into our curriculum organically.
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.