The Rookery

 Today we did a brief assessment before we began our math unit on fractions.  I asked the children to respond to several questions including:  "Amy ate 1/3 of a pizza.  Cathy ate 1/3 of a pizza.  Amy claims she ate more than Cathy.  Could she be right?" As students finished…

 Thank you for your support of our Shakespearean Dinner Theater.  It was wonderful to see the Herons shine.  I was very excited to see how well the students worked together to solve problems and make each other successful. I was thrilled to see so many Herons/Elms alumni at the event,…

 David Henkes of the Northfield News read the communication committee's press release and decided to come out to Prairie Creek to see what we were up to.  He spent two hours with the kids, watching them work and asking them about the project.  The students were thrilled to share with…

We are right in the thick of preparation now and it's exciting to see my role as a teacher begin to recede.  Each days bring new surprises, new things that are happening without my having to be the initiator.  Scene rehearsals are being called and attended, playbills are being written,…

 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,…