Back to school: transitions, routines & excitement - oh my!
Ahh, the time is finally here - the end of summer in New England - when one reaches for a sweatshirt upon waking to a crisp 50 degree morning and then quickly peels off that sweatshirt as the temperature climbs into the 80’s by lunchtime. The changing temperatures remind me that layering is essential and it is time to transition back to school - back to packing lunches, organizing the carpool schedule and settling back into the school routine.
Uppers Up, Up, and Away! (6th-8th)
For now the second time, the Uppers went on an end of year field trip to the one and only Red Gate Farm. Full of opportunities for hands on experiences with plants, animals, tools, big sleepovers, group meals, and new teachers (the farm staff), we are lucky to get to go on such a trip.
Math Integration in the Forest (K/1)
Do you ever wonder how math shows up in our K/1 classroom? Read below for a few examples of the many ways that math is integrated into our forest curriculum this spring.
My Powerful Body in the Mups (2nd/3rd)
At the Center School, body education begins in the earliest grades. Step inside of a preschool classroom and you can hear teachers and students using anatomically correct language to talk about bodies. The youngest of children can easily access books like Bodies are Cool, by Tyler Feder and First Conversations - Every Body, by Megan Madison, Jessica Ralli, and Tequitia Andrews. In the Mups, we honor, respect, and celebrate our bodies all year long, as well.
Fire Studies in the Uppers (6th)
We've taken our 6th grade fire class to the outdoors to ignite the learning process with hands on work. Starting with learning how to light and hold a match, we have built up to bigger fires with bigger purposes.
Air and Space Theme In the Mups (2nd/3rd)
For the last 6 weeks, the Mups have delved deep into our latest science/engineering theme: Air and Space. Students began this theme with an exploration of the power of gravity and the effect gravity has on all matter on Earth.
Mindful Minutes and Memories in the Forest Primes (K/1)
“As you walk, look around, assess where you are, reflect on where you have been and dream of where you are going. Every moment of the present contains the seeds of opportunity for change. Your life is an adventure. Live it fully.” -John Francis, Planetwalker: 22 Years of Walking. 17 Years of Silence.
An Unforgettable Visitor in the Uppers (7th/8th)
This Monday, a local Holocaust survivor named Henny Lewin came in to share her story with the seventh and eighth graders as part of our Social Studies class. Henny is a ‘child survivor’, or someone who was very young when the Holocaust happened.
Human Development in the Middles (4th/5th)
Human Development is, openly, one of my favorite things to teach in the Middles. With the solid foundation of Body Ed that Center School students get each year in the younger grades, students enter the Middles ready to have deep and respectful conversations about growing, changing, and becoming who they are.
Reflections in the Dancing Primes (2 Year-Olds)
As the end of the year approaches, the Dancing Primes teachers have been spending time reflecting on all that has been accomplished since September, as well as how each Dancing Prime student has grown and what they have learned while at school. We look back to the guiding questions and intentions we established in the fall, and examine what we see currently happening with our students and in our classroom to uncover information about how we have remained true to these.
Building Identity Portraits in the Middles (4th/5th)
In the Middles, we often talk about our stories, who we are, and where we come from. This year in Human Development, we focused intentionally on identity work and helping students explore words for who they are, who they used to be, and who they want to become. Exploring identity with children is an important step in helping them grow their resilience, adaptability, and self-confidence.
Foraging Wild Edibles in the Lumber Primes (K/1)
This spring we are returning to our study of the wild edibles growing around our base camp and throughout the Center School campus. In the fall the children learned to identify wintergreen and partridge berries, wood and sheep sorrel, and red clover.
Movie Making with the 8th Grade
We are in full production mode in 8th grade, working towards one of our final projects of the year: the 8th grade movies!
Here are some snapshots:
Studying Outer Space in the Puzzle Primes (3 year-olds)
Outer space has proven to be a captivating framework for the Puzzle Primes to explore complex topics. Particularly in the children's dramatic play, we've noticed the emergence of themes such as fear, death, uncertainty, climate change, and relationships.
Where I’m From in the Mups (2nd/3rd)
The Mups have been engaged in a profound exploration of identity and belonging through their recent Theme unit on Migration. Through heartfelt discussions, personal reflections, and creative expression, they have delved into the complexities of their own stories and the diverse experiences that shape their identities.
Science 6 is on Fire!
In our 6th grade Science class, the candles are burning bright. As a precursor to learning firebuilding skills outside, we are learning minor fire safety as well as lots of math and scientific concepts/practices indoors.
Navigating Complexity: Thoughts on Addressing Palestine in the K/1 Classroom
I met with Charlie a few weeks ago to let her know that children were talking about Palestine in the Lumber Primes, and that Amy and I were beginning to think and plan about how we might address this very fraught topic with the kindergarten and first graders in our class. Many children in our class have not been exposed to what is happening in Gaza right now, but some children have. In these children we are seeing some limited understanding, some clear misconceptions, and a beautiful, admirable, passion for justice.
Mindful Minutes in the Forest Primes
If you’ve ever seen the Forest Primes during morning meetings, changing gear in the hallways, attending All School, or at play in the Forest, you might have noticed that silent they are not! Well these days, the Forest Primes are trying something new.
Ambitious Projects (AP) Night in the 8th Grade
The spring is full of activity for our 8th graders. We have started our final collaborative filmmaking projects, are rounding the final corner of math and thinking about graduation and high school.
Cross-Age Opportunities in the Dancing Primes (Toddlers)
The Dancing Primes have been having Uppers students come do community service work in the classroom for most of the year.