The Rookery

Today, the Herons were asked to brainstorm how we might teach our families and the rest of the school about our theme.  In the picture above, you can see what the conversation grew in to.  In about an hour, every single student added to the plans (a partial speaker's list is on the side of the board — I started it when I couldn't keep up.):

We could dress up and build a town (or a model of a town).  We could be in a tavern where our guests could move from table to table to discuss things.  There should be several churches where you could learn about the religious beliefs. We could use the upstairs as New England, the 2/3s as the middle colonies and the K/1s as the southern colonies.  There could be a giant Declaration of Independence that people could sign…and the signers could be there in costume to de-code what different parts mean…and maybe we could add other groups that should be included, too.  We could re-enact a battle or the Boston Massacre ("INCIDENT ON KING STREET!" a vocal group called out).  We should have a trial of the soldiers.  There could be Town Criers (on the intercom!) that could announce events that are happening.  Our guests should be trained — they should get a name and learn how to speak like a colonist.  The could do chores at people's houses to learn about life and then earn Pieces of Eight to trade at the shops and tavern.  There could be a map with the different people — we could use our portraits on the map — there could be trivia questions on the map for people to find the answers to.  Kids could make paper pockets like the ones we sewed from flannel to keep their things in.  We could have a congress where people can hear the debates of the day.  There should be a doctor to diagnose you and tell you what the "cure" was.  King George should be trying to convince people (and punish them).  There should be a school where you can write with a quill, play children's games and wear a dunce cap.  Kids could collect pieces of eight that will come together at the end…or a map puzzle pieces that will be the Declaration of Independence when they're put together in each classroom afterwards…

It went on — big ideas and small ones — but all creative and interesting and, importantly, powerful. 

They want to teach this way because this is how they've learned at Prairie Creek.  They've learned through arts residencies where they've written their own operas.  They've learned through field trips where the walls of the classroom fell away.  They've learned in small classes where they can really be known and where they've come to see learning as something that is deeply meaningful to them.  They've learned through personal projects that they are both consumers and providers of ideas.  They've learned to make and do in art and music and in the woods.  In rich themes they've seen how learning can be immersive and engrossing.  They've learned to learn from each other.

As teachers, many of us cannot imagine being anywhere else.  We are able to extend our learning every week through two hours of professional development.  We are encouraged to seek out learning beyond the school.  We are able to create new curriculum all of the time! And, amazingly, we are able to buy the books and materials we need to create vibrant experiences in our classroom.  We are expected and encouraged to push ourselves into new places in our practice.  We teach in a beautiful space — inside and out.

All of this has been made possible by your support and that of families who have come before — countless volunteer hours, blogs and newsletters read with care, conversations with children that deepen their learning, and financial gifts.

This is the season when our inbox fills up with requests from GiveMN — I am always in awe of the amazing work of organizations on in our community and our state.  Prairie Creek also uses GiveMN as a center piece of our fundraising.  We all wished that we lived in a society in which public schools for all kids were generously funded…but the truth of the matter is that the state's funding doesn't cover the cost of the type of education we believe all children deserve.  And so we have to ask for the rest — in time and money — from our community.

Please donate what you are able to Prairie Creek this week.  Spread the word, everything helps — especially with the $15,000 matching gift that is offered.  You can donate at GiveMN or you can send a check to the school (both count toward the matching gift and will get tracked on the GiveMN website.) 

Thank you for supporting our work in so many ways — we are truly grateful.