The Rookery

I don't think I would ever go back to teaching children for just a year…but it does make the last day of school very hard.  These kids have been a part of my daily life for the past two years – we've joked and laughed and learned and sometimes just…

Tomorrow will be our last phenology pod-cast of the year.  Sharing our observations with folks in the Northland has become part of our routine.  Seeing and noticing the world around us has also become part of our routine – in ways I had not fully anticipated when I agreed to…

One of the hardest things to capture about life in a progressive classroom – but one of its most crucial elements – is the sense that learning is everywhere and we have but to uncover it.  The adventure of learning together instead of the teacher setting the course along a well…

The project checklist students used to keep track of their work. So often we hear about "process" vs. "product."  But the Honors Project and 4th grade project are truly about both.  These kids have been working since December and January to wonder about something, learn about it and then teach…

  We had a great conversation this afternoon about a phenomena that Simon observed while out on a hike.  He saw that there were places where a leaf had sunk into the snow in a perfectly leaf shaped hole.  I took the Herons out to take a look at this…

Pi Champion, 2018 Our annual Pi Day was a lot of fun.  Students got to discover pi for themselves and learn about the history of pi as well as have fun with a variety of pi activities.  It's a chance for students to have fun with numbers and experience awe…

I was proud of the students who left classes today to honor the seventeen Florida students who were killed a month ago. These kids are using their voice to affect change – something I hope that our students are learning to do in their own way during their time at…

It seems hard to believe that I've been at Prairie Creek for fifteen years – and harder to believe that, in many ways, not much has changed in that time.  Why do so many teachers stay (and stay and stay?)  Simply put, we are so supported by our leadership, our…

Night - The Herons wrapped up their night theme by creating constellation blackboards for the rest of the school to enjoy.  When we reflected on the theme we were surprised by how much had done but we also decided we were ready to move on to a new theme.  It's the…