The Rookery

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…

A trip to Menards always means mischief for me and this weekend was no exception.  I found squarish plastics pails like Tidy Cat cat litter containers.  I was reminded of some ice blocks I'd seen made for a winter celebration by Leondardo's Basement.  I'd always meant to make some for…

Wolf Ridge isn't easy.  It isn't easy physically for the kids. It isn't easy for the chaperones to take a week away from work and family.  It isn't easy to raise money for the bus and scholarships.  It isn't easy for families to get gear and save money for the…

Here's what we think the fourth graders will love next year:    

Another fantastic day!  Frozen lake study and winter survival — spoiler alert: we all survived.    

We had a tremendous day.  We had birds this afternoon and we saw pine grosbeaks on the bird feeders.  We tracked a ruffed grouse and found its frozen scat.  The chickadees flocked to our heads and hands at chickadee landing – it was amazing.  I've never seen them so eager.  Every…

All 20 Herons sledding together! The Herons have fully embraced our snowy January during Forest School (and during PE, too!) We began with a rousing bucket brigade to make wood piles in sub-zero temperatures (thanks, Roehls, for the wood!)  We also got all of the cross country ski stuff organized…