The Rookery

 We've begun our new math unit on algebra by sharing the story of a bronze jar that doubles everything that goes into it.  Cathy, Amy, Kelsey and I acted out the tale while a bemused group of Big Birds (our name for all three classes) looked on.  (Sadly, I forgot…

Well, how long did you think I could go before using a Hamlet allusion in the title of a blog?  Today I assigned the parts for our production of Hamlet.  I was touched by how excited the students were for one another.  We're hoping to be "off book" by next…

I've enjoyed watching how the Prairie Creek traditions have carried on during this year of transition in our school. I especially enjoy watching as the returning students excitedly share the traditions with our new friends. One favorite tradition is the all-school gathering. It's held each Friday morning, and the teachers…

"Wonder is not puzzlement, bewilderment or confusion. But it is also not satisfaction, completion or understanding. It is more open-ended, even a little unsettling. There is an element of calm, poised detachment in wonder but also a restless amazement. In the wake of wonder, we are literally moved. We cannot…

Eizabethan Era  A good site for a variety of different kinds of information. Elizabethan Theater   Shakespeare for Kids  Folger Library’s great site Elizabethan Spying Game BBC Tudor History

We did a very brief lesson on how to learn manuscript, cursive, and touch typing on Thursday.  It will become a part of our Mastery menu options starting on Monday.  A few years ago, prompted by a parent question, I did some research on handwriting best practices.  I'll be honest,…

Today we went to the Starling's Body Fair to see their recent science work and learn some things, too.  (Did you know that babies have 300 bones but, by the time you're an adult, you have just over 200?)  Fairs like this are common at Prairie Creek.  Our tour guides…

Today in math I introduced an algorithm for multiplication that I had invented called, "Michelle's Crazy Algorithm." The exact procedure was not important — but I asked the students to decide if my method was valid or not.  I was surprised (and delighted) to find that they were confused by…

Today in my math class (which was a combination of Kestrels, Herons and Robins) we explored a new way of looking at multiplication.  Many of the students in the class had done multi-digit multiplication before but I wondered if they knew why their algorithm of choice (some know several) "worked".…

Today, my first official day back, was all about math.  During my leave, I've been reading a lot of books about math teaching, especially how to support children developing their sense of number.  At our workshop today I shared with the other teachers some of what I have learned and…