The Rookery

Algebra — it's often a topic reserved for middle school and, for some it's a topic that produces a shudder.  Many remember it as the time when math "stopped making sense."  But times have changed.  We begin teaching algebraic thinking in kindergarten and we've just completed a unit on algebra…

On Monday, the Herons had the honor of helping the Nuthatches work on their personal projects.  It was a very exciting time for everyone.  The Nuthatches were getting a ton of work done (Elise pointed out that it was the equivalent of 10 volunteer hours) and the Herons were, I know,…

We had a great time launching straw rockets (I can't believe I keep forgeting to take video!) on Tuesday.  Our first launches were right before spring break and I allowed students to openly explore the basic construction of a straw rocket.  They could make any changes they wished between launches.…

We are right in the heart of project season and the excitement is mounting.  As I've been reviewing my sons' project work (they're in kindergarten and second grade) I've been observing first hand the arc of projects during a child's time at Prairie Creek.  The teachers have done a lot…

When I got back in the room this afternoon after our play performance, I found that my cheeks hurt.  I had been smiling pretty hard.  The Herons had worked very hard on their production and today I saw all of that work pay off.  It wasn't just that they had…

  Pi Day has become an annual celebration for the 4/5s.  Today, we began the day with a demonstration of the power of pi in the music room (which, not coincidentally, has a round carpet).  After having a child pace across the diameter of the carpet, the teachers got together…

  February and early March are notorious in the elementary classroom.  We all get a bit of cabin fever.  We all are comfortable enough with each other to get grumpy.  And, as the spring approaches, many students begin to look toward their next transition whether it's to a new school…

Hooray!  The turtle has survived over a week in the Herons and seems to be thriving.  It has a hearty appetite (which we are recording data about) and the class has worked to create a lovely habitat (about which we are also recording data).  In their spare time, the Herons…

This week has been a marvel at Prairie Creek.  Every time I walked through the school, new art greeted me.  This afternoon, coming in from recess, I stopped dead when I saw the pressed metal work Angie had put up while we were outside.  She has worked tirelessly to fill…

Today, the Herons were late getting back from math with Cathy.  They burst out of her classroom in the midst of a heated debate.  I caught snippets as the children filed back into the room, "It has to be the first spinner!"  "No, it said 'OR'"  Cathy followed, a broad…