The Rookery

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…

  Herons preparing for night vision experiment. Amidst the conference prep, the poetry, the personal projects and the snow days, our night theme has continued.  We had a fascinating visit from Jay Demas who taught us about the eye and the body and brain's response to light.  At one point,…

Night Moves We began a new "Night" theme before break.  I read excerpts from The Complete Book of the Night and we brainstormed topics it would be cool to know more about.  (A side note – sometimes a traditional "know and wonder" chart in which we formulate questions about a topic…

Wrapping Up Remy and I had a great time at the Herons' "Into the Unknown" event, roaming around the school and watching the Herons strut their stuff.  As a teacher, you live for the moments when the class is humming — focussed on their work, independently driven to do their…