The Rookery

  Several students have been working hard to convince me that having a turtle tank in the room is a great idea.  A few weeks ago, I agreed to the plan and a small committee went to work fundraising and doing research.  Now that we are almost ready for the…

I was really proud of our older students this Valentines Day.  When I talked to the Herons about the teachers' decision to re-focus Valentines Day on friendship instead of candy I was nervous.  However, they listened respectfully and even agreed.  On Tuesday, instead of lamenting the loss of Conversation Hearts…

One of my favorite memories of teaching math at Prairie Creek came during a lesson on area that conincided with Village.  A student came up to me and said, "Thanks Michelle!  I really needed that."  It's the highest praise a progressive teacher can receive.  We are constantly trying to make students'…

Two Wednesdays ago, we ended our study of the Industrial Revolution by sharing a little of what we'd learned with the rest of the school.  In this theme, in particular, it's fair to say that the culminating event was really the tip of the iceberg in terms of our learning.…

It always takes me a while to think through everything that happens during our very busy Wolf Ridge week.  Being able to observe so many different teachers while I'm there always makes me reflective about my own practice.  This year I was struck by the power of discovery that some…

Things are super busy.  Still having great weather.  Still having a great time.  We're trying out two kinds of videos — snapshots of our activities with kids from different classes and then short reflection on the day.      

We are having a great time.  The weather is great.  The Internet connection is slow.  We will update you as we can!   

Since the first day of school, the Herons have asked when we were going to be doing "our play."  It's funny — while I was involved in drama in highschool and college, I didn't imagine I would do plays in my classroom.  But for the last four years, we have…

A recent blog by Cathy reminded me that this is a great time to expand the work we do with the 4/5s for social curriculum.  A few years ago, we had a thought provoking presentation by local counselor Nancy Gregerson on how to support children socially.  As Cathy said, this…