Shakespeare in the Uppers
We have had a lot of enthusiasm for Shakespeare in the Uppers these past few years. This winter, the 8th graders have been transported to Fair Verona as we immerse ourselves in the world of Romeo and Juliet, performing scenes, exploring the text and watching various film adaptations. We even got to go to NYC to see a production of Romeo and Juliet on Broadway!
Teaching and Learning about Black History (In February and beyond) with the Woods Primes
As we approached the month of February there was a stitching craze happening in the Woods Primes. So many children were excited about using colorful thread as a form of expression to create art, designs, and writing on fabric. We wanted to connect this enthusiasm with the upcoming Black History Month, and dove into an investigation of Black Textile Artists both contemporary and historical, using picture books and other resources as inspiration.
Creative Application in Math (6th Grade)
One thing about me is that I love math, I love puzzling through and trying to prove my thinking. One thing I know as a math teacher is that not everyone feels that same way or finds joy in solving problems. That means one of my goals as a teacher is to create ways for students to find fun in learning about something that most deem their least favorite subject.
Foodie Friday with the Mups
Food is deeply woven into the fabric of American culture, reflecting our rich history and diversity. From the Indigenous Peoples’ understanding of the complex, symbiotic relationship of corn, beans, and squash, to the vibrant flavors brought by immigrants from around the world, food tells the story of who we are.
Spring Science Investigations in Uppers (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. When you think about a spring, there are many words that come to students' minds to phrase how springs differ: Stretchiness, bounciness, easier to squish, harder to pull apart.
Weather Theme in the Mups
The Mups began their latest unit in Theme directly following winter break. Our new focus for the next several weeks is Weather. We began the unit in the fruitful way we sometimes do, by talking with classmates and sharing what we already know about the subject. We make a list on the board, encounter some introductory material to get our brains thinking about what questions we might have, and then compile a list of what we want to learn.
Dialogue in Play with the Power Primes
Lately the Power Primes have been playing a lot of games in the classroom that involve feasting, candy, and cooking up spicy hot chocolate. During their feast they often gather around a table in our dramatic play corner. They haul over chairs and stools so they can all have a seat at the table together. Below are some of the things they said while gathered around the table.
Math Buddies with the Middles
In the Middles, we love math. It may not be every child’s favorite subject, but we are intentional about bringing joy and fun to mathematical learning. We do this both through the way we adapt lessons to maximize movement and engagement, as well as through solving math mysteries, creating art with math, and by playing math games.
Tidee Fridee in the Woods Primes (K/1)
Right now feels like a good time to shine some light on some helpers because that is what Mr Rogers said to do when things in the news feels scary, “Look for the helpers, you will always find people who are helping.” If you have been following our journey as a community you will know that one of the pillars of the forest primes classroom is that we “take care.” That can mean a lot of things, like taking care of people, personal items, and shared materials, or bugs, birds and fairies.
Uppers Students Advocate for a Fictional Character
At a recent All School, one of the 6/7th grade lit classes shared their work with the book Mockingbird, by Kathryn Erskine. Millie and Madax introduced the main character, Caitlin, a neurodivergent 10-year-old struggling to communicate with others, socialize with peers, and navigate the recent death of her brother, Devon.
Building Safe and Caring Communities in the Mups
This winter, the 2nd and 3rd grade Mups classes at The Center School embarked on a meaningful journey of learning about community service and care. Inspired by a month-long unit focused on how members of a community take care of each other, students engaged in thoughtful discussions and activities that built their understanding of empathy, kindness, and service.
Consent in the Wonder Primes
The Wonder Primes have been reading the book, “Yes, No,” a first conversation about consent by Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, illustrated by Isabel Roxas. We have introduced this book several times now throughout the year. We like reading this book as a way to first introduce the concept of consent to our youngest Center Schoolers. This book gives the Wonder Primes language and exposure to the idea of asking for consent.
CAUTION: UPPERS AT WORK (6th-8th)
For over 20 years The Center School has had a citrus sale to raise money. But where does the money come from? We pay the farmers, and the truck drivers, but then the money that's left over goes to the school. Much like a bake sale has to pay for the ingredients first, and then do the baking in order to raise the money, there is a lot of work that goes into the citrus sale and that is where the Uppers come in.
How Our Bodies Take In Information With the Adventure Primes (4-5 year-olds)
In recent weeks the Adventure Primes have been thinking about the many ways that our bodies take in information about the world around us.
Teachers often ask students, "What do you notice?" so we began by checking in with the children about their understanding of what it means to notice and how exactly our bodies notice things.
Fiber Arts as a Process of Experimentation, Adaptation, and Problem-Solving in Mups Orange (2nd/3rd)
In the Mups classrooms, we recently delved into the world of fiber arts, providing students with the opportunity to develop both technical skills and creative expression. Over several weeks, we explored three key techniques: needle felting, hand sewing, and weaving.
Making Comics With the Middles (4th/5th)
“We draw before we are taught. We also sing, dance, build things, act, and make up stories long before we are given any deliberate instruction beyond exposure to the people around us doing things. Everything we have come to call “the arts” seems to be in almost every 3-year-old.” ~ Lynda Barry ( American Cartoonist )
Uppers Take Manhattan (8th Grade)
Nothing beats taking students to see live theater!
I have been a theater kid since I was in first grade, when I was cast as Mother Goose in an original play that my teacher wrote called “Mystery in Mother Goose Land”. I remember the thrill of walking on stage in my costume under the bright lights, the fun of building the sets and rehearsing with my friends and the letdown when it was all over.
Impromptu Field Trip #2 - The Uppers Visit the Polls
Last Tuesday, November 5th, Uppers took a trip to Greenfield High School to check out the hustle and bustle at the polls.
Portraits by the Woods Primes (K/1)
The Woods Primes are approaching portraits a little differently this year. Rather than spending time studying our own selves in the mirror, we have opened a “portrait studio” where different children are featured every day and everyone is invited to draw each other.
Building Creatures in Math - Uppers (6th)
One of the best challenges of being a teacher is to find hands-on projects to get students to engage directly with the thinking they have been doing and find ways for them to showcase their understanding.