perspective on parker

Yummmm-y!

2012-01-27T12:04:00.000-05:00

Thank you from all the faculty and staff to our amazing parents - for the wonderful luncheon! The gift to Heifer International in our honor for honey bee programs in needy villages was also so very thoughtful. We feel very appreciated! And also very full! :)

Finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie

2012-01-24T17:18:00.000-05:00

Parker family in the news: This is a great story about a chocolate chip cookie project, chemistry, and kids! Video.
Story.

A Spanish connection

2012-01-23T16:27:00.000-05:00

Off to points East! Spain to be exact. Susie Merrett, our Associate Director and art teacher, and Sarah Biondello, language arts teacher, are visiting St. Peter's School in Barcelona as the beginning of an exchange that we hope will include other teachers and students. They will be teaching a lesson and are bringing letters from Parker students for the Spanish students. Barcelona native and former Parker teacher of math and science, Teresa Ferrer-Mico, has coordinated the visit.

Read all about their adventures on the school's blog, I Love Mondays at St. Peter's School, and on Susie's trip blog, Spanish Connection.

A nuanced approach

2012-01-17T16:18:00.000-05:00

Design, build, test, and then back to the drawing board.

This New York Times Sunday Review article The Rise of the New Groupthink explores the currently popular notion that group work is essential for creative thinking. Author Susan Cain argues that the most creative ideas sometimes come from solitary thinkers. Can we find a balance of both in a classroom setting?

Social connections motivate and add to learning's excitement, and to "Ah ha's!" And great satisfaction can also come from working and re-working a problem on your own and finally solving it. Cain says, "Our schools should teach children to work with others, but also to work on their own for sustained periods of time - a more nuanced approach to creativity and learning."

Ethics cuts across the culture at school

2012-01-10T10:01:00.001-05:00

It doesn't feel like winter, but the Winter Fridays program at Parker keeps us grounded in the season. In kindergarten through 8, students choose a variety of activities from swimming, dance, skiing, snowboarding, and cross-country skiing. Mixed age groups head out on six successive Friday afternoons to learn something new, build confidence and have fun. The dedication of teachers and parent chaperones makes the program work.

Our teachers have had training from the Institute for Global Ethics and we receive their e-newsletters. This is a list of their recommendations for building an ethical school culture. I think we are doing pretty well!

7 ways to make ethics a cross-cutting dimension of your school culture:

Emphasize play.
Recognize and embrace the individuality of learners.
Ask “why” as often as possible.
Explicitly teach self-reflection.
Encourage personalized learning experiences in place of “one size fits all.”
Plan carefully for each individual learner.
Avoid standardized content—it’s an invitation to cheat.

Let's get out!

2012-01-04T17:25:00.000-05:00

It's always good to know that we're on the right track. Read about how Playtime for Preschoolers is essential in CNN Health.

Michele Ridgeway, one of our teachers for Pre K 3's and 4's is keeping a blog about Friday afternoons in the woods with the children. She has tapped into a world wide trend in forest schools. Here's her blog: Pre K Planet Parker.

Fanning the spark

2012-01-03T15:20:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year - happy to be back in school!

In an article in the latest Independent School magazine, neurophychologist William Stixrud is quoted with a recipe for highly motivated students: "What schools and parents should strive for is a 'flow experience,' where kids are highly focused, making a high level of effort, while also experiencing high enjoyment coupled with low stress." The article suggests ways we all (parents, teachers, and administrators) can create learning that nurtures a spark in students that will serve them well for life.

Resolved for the new year: fan the spark!

"Waiting on the world to change"

2011-12-20T14:50:00.001-05:00

A Peace Assembly, a Show of Work, a Witch Trial. Engaging , empowering action up to the last minute before break.

There is no trust more sacred than the one the world holds with children. There is no duty more important than ensuring that their rights are respected, that their welfare is protected, that their lives are free from fear and want and that they grow up in peace.
~ Kofi Annan

It makes sense to collaborate

2011-12-15T13:41:00.000-05:00

Collaborating, communicating. The back and forth and give and take allows for feedback and clarity, and makes the learning stick. Why work in isolation?

Wisdom from Finland

2011-12-13T15:04:00.000-05:00

Everyone is talking about Finland! Their school model includes supporting the highest caliber teachers and not rushing children into academics. There is time for play and exploration. A Finnish education minister says, "We don’t measure children at all. It’s about being ready to learn and finding your passion.” And lo and behold, the students do really well.

Several years ago a Finnish student-teacher came to Parker for 3 months. Kaisa Kukkonen's smile and enthusiasm inspired everyone she met. She exemplified an education that bred independence, joy, and exuberance for learning. She found Parker to be a lot like her elementary school in Finland.

Here is a New York Times article: From Finland, an Intriguing School-Reform Model. See if you think Kaisa was on to something!

First LEGO League competition

2011-12-12T13:47:00.000-05:00

Parker Math Club participated in a First LEGO League competition this Saturday at RPI. Click on this YNN news clip to see our kids there in their bright blue t-shirts. Thank you to Shelli Casler-Failing and Katy Perry, our math and science teachers for taking on the challenge - and for all the parents who supported the team. Congratulations to our terrific students who worked so hard and put themselves out there!

Volunteers do their share

2011-12-09T14:25:00.000-05:00

A Book Fair for the Library and 8th Grade's Oxfam Hunger Banquet were just part of a full week. The Oxfam event raised awareness about world hunger and over $1,024 for hungry people. Thank you to the 8th grade and all the many guests and volunteers who made Oxfam and the Book Fair successful.

When you come to Parker you never know what you'll see. Yesterday as Laura took a visitor on tour, they encountered violin lessons, Band practice, a Pattern Museum in Pre K, and middle school social studies teacher, James, ironing a tablecloth for the Oxfam event! This morning students sang "MICE, MICE, make it nice - Do your share and show you care..." as they broke into teams to clean the common areas of the school. MICE stands for Make it Clean Everywhere. They do!

Then Pre K Planet Parker headed into the woods for a snowy afternoon.

Doing "small" well

2011-12-06T15:50:00.001-05:00

Mayor Bloomberg said recently that class size in schools doesn't matter - it's having good teachers that makes the difference. True on some level, but simplistic. It really does depend on good teachers - and also a class size that is appropriate for the task.

For hands-on experiences, smaller groups work best. But with a couple extra adult hands, a big class can work, too. (Today at the book fair, it took 5 adults to help 17 K-1's write their wish-lists!) Math classes here are small. What a luxury to have 7 or 8 students working with a teacher on math concepts. They can move along quickly and make sure everyone is progressing. But sometimes a discussion is better with more voices, like the Morning Meeting in 2-3, with 18 diverse viewpoints.

Even when we are all together, the Parker community is small. Everyone knows everyone. And that does take really good teachers who are intentional about making the community warm and supportive. With Buddies, mentors, all-school assemblies, Winter Fridays, and now our twice weekly all-school exercise sessions, our students have the kind of small-school experience that you can't trade for anything.

Great place to work

2011-12-02T17:03:00.000-05:00

Parker was named one of the Best Places to Work in the Capital Region by the Business Review! Click here for photos of the winning companies - look for a few familiar faces in the mix. Parker is also prominently featured today in the Business Review's supplement.

There was an awards lunch that those of us who could leave school attended, along with Christine Cunningham, our Board chair, and Ronnie Mangione, a trustee. Several trustees sponsored our table for lunch. When we carried the 20th Anniversary banner up to the podium, we felt so proud! Back at school the teachers had treats and flowers. The award is the result of the truly collegial and supportive relationships of everyone at Parker!

A developmental understanding of gender and sexual diversity

2011-11-29T15:42:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's workshop with Jennifer Bryan about Gender and Sexual Diversity was thought-provoking for teachers and staff. She challenged our ideas about diversity and praised our mission that puts emotional security at the heart of learning. We talked about developing a shared understanding and language, helping all children feel included, and bringing parents into the conversation.

Watch for more as we explore bringing Jennifer back to school for a parent workshop in the spring.

Special Friends

2011-11-29T15:27:00.000-05:00

Before Thanksgiving, we invited family and friends to enjoy a harvest Feast with Pre K and a program in the afternoon. What a lovely way to share thanks with those we love!

Crazy for LEGO robotics

2011-11-17T14:37:00.000-05:00

We have robotics on the mind! We just received a grant from the General William Mayer Foundation to greatly expand our LEGO robotics program. We'll be adding robotics into the whole school and using some of the robotics challenges for summer camp offerings.

Math teacher, Shelli has introduced First LEGO League into Math Club. They will be competing in their first competition this winter. Here is what it is all about:

In the 2011 Food Factor Challenge, over 200,000 9-16* year olds from over 55 countries will explore the topic of food safety and examine the possible points of contamination our food encounters – from exposure to insects and creatures, to unsterile processing and transportation, to unsanitary preparation and storage – then find ways to prevent or combat these contaminates. In the Food Factor Challenge, teams will build, test, and program an autonomous robot using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® NXT to solve a set of Food Safety missions as well as research, develop, and share their innovative food safety solutions.

My step-daughter teaches at a school outside of Boston. They won first place in a LEGO creativity contest. Here's the video that won. It shows a bit about what First LEGO League is all about.

Your Thoughts, Six Words, Please Send

2011-11-16T15:46:00.000-05:00

I recently heard Michele Norris from NPR talk about her new memoir, The Grace of Silence and her poetic project The Race Card. For the The Race Card project, she started with actual post cards asking for ideas about race using only 6 words. The profound, funny, poignant, and moving responses are amazing to read.

Our middle school language arts classes are reading Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry and they might try their hands at Michele's challenge. Favorites of mine: Our Untold Stories Keep Us Separate - and - Start with kids, and MIX well. What are yours?

An impossible dream?

2011-11-11T12:09:00.000-05:00

The bees were put to bed for the winter with some tasty fat cakes - and the Bee Club harvested the first batch of honey!

This article, Girls Just Want to Go to School by Nicholas Kristof is inspiring and heartbreaking. That we are fortunate beyond words is something I think about every day.

Learning like a scientist

2011-11-10T11:51:00.000-05:00

Alison Gopnik, U.C. Berkeley professor of psychology talks about the best ways to teach and learn in this interesting interview. She says: "it seems children learn by exploring—by experimenting, playing, drawing inferences... We all have the capacity to function the way scientists do." Her books, The Scientist in the Crib and now, The Philosophical Baby, tell us so much about the brain, parenting and teaching.

Inspired

2011-11-08T11:19:00.000-05:00

I just participated in an amazing workshop called The Music Paradigm with conductor, Roger Nierenberg. I was at a conference for Heads of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut independent schools. 120 of us sat among about 30 string musicians, and experienced the beautiful sound and flow of talented musicians led by a passionate maestro. We learned that a symphony orchestra can be a metaphor for an organization and it's leader - and that a shared vision can inspire.

I now can't stop hearing Tchakikovsky's Serenade for strings...and thinking about our beautiful vision for education at Parker!

Feeling vital and alive

2011-11-01T11:28:00.000-04:00

Getting outside makes you feel better. Where to Find Happiness, an article from the Huffington Post describes the work of Dr. Elizabeth Nisbit, of Carleton University. She says, "spending time in nature or going for a walk outdoors is a mood booster and makes us feel more vital and alive."

No wonder Parker is such a great place to work and learn!

The beauty of a Buddy hike

2011-10-31T13:51:00.000-04:00

Parker Day

2011-10-28T12:16:00.000-04:00

If you have heard the "denim" commercial for Target, you will get the song that one of the advisories performed today at the Robert C. Parker Day assembly:

Spoken: Hey kids, you're not only here to get one of the greatest educations available in the world, but you're here to have the full Bob Parker experience, too!

Sung to piano accompaniment:
Parker!
Never content with complaining, impatience, or laziness
Parker!
Mountain climbing, enthusiasm, and passion
Parker!
Crew and trumpet and grammar

Shout: He hated bad grammer!

Sung:
Parker!
Excitement, fun, and energy
Parker, Parker, Parker, Parker

Yell as a group: Cheers to Robert C. Parker!!

Wide open spaces

2011-10-20T10:09:00.000-04:00

How lucky we are to have beautiful space and the freedom to use it! Fitting in Exercise between Math and English tells about the lengths some city schools must go just to find a time and place for kids to run.

Stream to River - Hudson River Day

2011-10-18T12:40:00.000-04:00

Parker students participated today in the Day in the Life of the Hudson project organized by the DEC. 3,000 students from Troy to NYC collect data on this day each year to help assess the health of the river.

Parker students in grades 2-3 and 6-7 have participated for several years. They extend their study through our Stream-to-River project, and during the course of the school year, add data from Parker's creek and Crooked Lake. They become knowledgeable about interconnected water systems as they advocate for clean water practices. Plus, it's fun!

Autumn's treat

2011-10-17T14:18:00.000-04:00

The smiles tell it all! Fall Festival was a wonderful time.

Why kids need to play

2011-10-13T14:08:00.001-04:00

Playing gives children self-confidence, decision making practice, and teaches them how to get along with others, among other life skills. Kids really need time for unencumbered play.

"Freely-chosen play is a testing ground for life. It provides critical life experiences without which young children cannot develop into confident and competent adults" says Peter Gray, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology (emeritus) at Boston College.

Read this article in the Atlantic about how declining play among children is leading to depression and anxiety. And about all the reasons play is essential!

Outdoor parents, outdoor kids

2011-10-12T10:12:00.001-04:00

Turn off the toys and tune into the outdoors!

Outdoor Parents, Outdoor Kids is a new resource about getting your kids outside for adventure and learning. As blogger Geek Dad says: "if you’re looking for a book that is inspirational, educational, and entertaining, this is the book for you."

Gotta be outside!

2011-10-11T16:15:00.000-04:00

Where else should you learn but outdoors in this glorious weather?

Music in the world around us

2011-10-04T16:28:00.000-04:00

Students were enchanted by musicians from Heard, who played a wonderful variety of international sounds in a concert here on Monday. They held a workshop for middle school, who created a performance in about an hour! Pre K was inspired to improvise their own rhythms.

Check out this TED Talk by Louie Schwartzberg award winning film maker who has been inspired by pollinators. The slow motion shots of hummingbirds, bees, bats, and butterflies are simply astounding!

Sources of information

2011-09-30T12:12:00.000-04:00

High tech, low tech, and directly from the source - information takes many forms!

It takes grit

2011-09-23T14:48:00.000-04:00

A little rain couldn't dampen the smiles at Camp Chincachgook.

What do kids learn there? That they can do things they thought they couldn't: like being away from home, sleeping in a cabin, going out in a giant canoe or kayak for the first time, and climbing pilot Knob or Buck Mountain. These things take real "grit" - and everyone can manage it. The satisfaction of accomplishment will last - and it will transfer to other challenges.

Meanwhile back at school...

What is grit?

2011-09-20T15:17:00.000-04:00

What if the Secret to Success Is Failure? www.nytimes.com

Why our children’s success - and happiness - may depend less on perfect performance than on learning how to deal with failure.

Rich curriculum = rich vocabulary

2011-09-20T11:37:00.001-04:00

What does it mean when the average verbal SAT score is dropping, as has been reported recently? Demographic changes, sure. More kids taking the test. But thoughtful analysis shows it is actually the focus on memory and testing in elementary school, instead of on a content-rich curriculum.

A savory, juicy, rich curriculum develops a big vocabulary - exactly what's needed for success on the SAT. Seems simple doesn't it? Read more in How to Stop the Drop in Verbal Scores from the NY Times.

Being smart about technology

2011-09-15T17:56:00.000-04:00

Technology has expanded what we do in school in amazing ways. We can communicate face-to-face in real time with people far away. We can write, revise, and collaborate in ways unimagined 25 years ago. We can see the New York Times from 1864. We can crunch data, design and test a bridge model, and tell a story through video that can be seen around the world in a moment.

But it doesn't replace building the bridge model and seeing if it stands. Or taking 50 yellow cubes and dividing them into seven cups by hand.

This article from the New York Times, In Classroom of Future, Stagnant Scores, tells the story of schools seduced by the glamour of technology, but not necessarily using it for better learning. To do that takes teachers with discriminating intelligence.

Technology transforms learning - if we're smart about it.

Snapshot of the first days

2011-09-13T15:03:00.001-04:00

Getting to know each other, getting to know the school grounds, observing what looks different after recent rains, helping to spruce up the school...These are a few ways we develop that all important culture of strong community!

Sunny smiles

2011-09-08T16:38:00.000-04:00

Sunny smiles prevailed over gray skies on the first day! It is fantastic to see our friends back in school - and some new faces who will soon be friends.

Read this article from Smithsonian about Why Finland's Schools Are So Successful. It sounds an awful lot like Parker!

Revelation of a society's soul

2011-08-23T12:02:00.000-04:00

Nelson Mandela has said, “there can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children."

Yet, The Kids Are Not All Right, Joel Bakan's Op Ed piece in the New York Times, tells of modern childhood usurped by corporate interests, of children subjected to the lure of unhealthy foods, of violent sexual imagery, and toxic chemicals.

For educators and parents this cultural phenomenon is untenable. But we do have recourse. We can limit what our children view and teach them to be critical consumers. We can make sure the balance of their daily experience is free from the negative aspects of corporate influence. We can feed their growing minds with meaningful questions and explorations, and can steep them in a culture of caring and intellect.

We can bring intention and thoughtfulness to the world we create for our children - at school and at home. And we can use the democratic means at our hands to work for positive change.

Things I learned at camp

2011-08-18T17:07:00.000-04:00

Did you know that if you scratch a frog's tummy, he falls asleep?

Who needs summer homework? Good question.

2011-08-12T12:25:00.001-04:00

Who needs summer homework? from the New York Times, shares a Mom's take on fighting the so called "brain drain."

I LOVED the summer reading list as a kid: visiting the library and returning home with a stack of delicious books. OK, I was a book worm, sacrificing backpack space for The Good Earth on a camping trip...or forgoing a swim at the pool so I could finish A Tale of Two Cities.

I'm sure there is a balance there somewhere!

No brain drain here

2011-08-12T12:08:00.000-04:00

"For children, play is work; it is how they learn who they are, what their roles are, what skills they have and how to get along with others," says Deb McGregor of Wisconsin's Children's Service Society. "One of the best ways to unlock the learning potential in a child is to provide a stimulating environment for creative play, one that is full of sights, sounds, tastes and smells."

Knowing this, we craft a summer experience for children where activities are open-ended - where they can explore friendships as well as new and challenging things like building a rocket or writing a puppet show together. (A lot like the regular school year!)

There are reports about how much learning children loose during the summer. The Brain Drain. But it's not that simple. A good summer experience adds to a child's sense of self-sufficiency and stretches them into new and unfamiliar territory. It gives them relevant background knowledge to draw from.

But what about those kids who don't have access to something exciting? Food for thought for future Planet Parker programs...

Time disolves in the summer

2011-07-08T16:12:00.000-04:00

Summer time is a good time to switch gears. Things are still hopping around here - teachers working on Language Arts curriculum, preparing crazy and creative activities for camp. But time does move a little slower. Maybe it is the clarity of the light or the sweet juice of summer fruit.

Here is a great article by Nancy Gibbs To the Time Machine about memories in summer - the gift of lazy long days with a book, days with no screens in sight. Nostalgia for summer camp and sweet summers gone - don't forget to savor the flowers.

The Camp Out

2011-07-06T17:43:00.000-04:00

Planet Parker Survival Camp - see for yourself what fun it was! Here's a video of Dylan, Coleman and Adam in the shelter they helped to build.

Survival Camp - The Camp Out from Meg Taylor on Vimeo.

Learners need to move

2011-06-29T11:13:00.000-04:00

By moving, children learn more. Rae Pica in her article In Defense of Active Learning in The Huffington Post wonders why schools are organized around children sitting most of the day.

Not so, Parker! Watch children and their natural inclinations: running, swinging, jumping, climbing, and an ebb and flow of social interaction. Harnessing this energy into learning situations gives students a real edge.

Campers are learning this week about Survival, 3D design, and dinosaurs. It's pretty active!

Curing what ails kids

2011-06-21T13:50:00.002-04:00

Parenting can be so confusing - all that advice. We're just trying to do a good job of it! Here is an article from The Atlantic, How to Land Your Kid in Therapy, wondering if we are trying too hard to make things perfect for our children - because it can backfire!

Camp is a great place for kids to let loose and be kids. Messy science experiments, playing in the woods, putting on a show, running around under a sprinkler, laughing 'til you fall over. Maybe the perfect antidote.

Planet Parker!

2011-06-16T13:27:00.002-04:00

Camp has started! Everyone loves the new pavilion - the weather is great - and "You're a Good Man Charlie Brown" premiers on Friday!

A beautiful Graduation

2011-06-09T16:01:00.000-04:00

A few excerpts from 8th grade speeches:

Parker is an amazing place where people are allowed to grow and find themselves.

To all the teachers, you've helped me become a better person. You have pushed me to do my best and helped me get into a great high school. I'd like to thank you guys for not letting me fail middle school. In 6th grade I never worked on ANYTHING and I never paid any attention to things that people say. You've all helped me get to where I am now.

In my former school I only wrote 2-3 pages. I guess I just had nothing to think about. The interesting thing is that now I must have tons of things to think about because this year I wrote a 15 page long thesis.

Parker is a good place to grow up in.

Our speaker was current Albany High senior and Parker alumna, Abby. Abby is a National Honor Society member and International Baccalaureate scholar who is heading off on a year-long exchange program in Turkey before enrolling at Haverford College in Pennsylvania. She said: "The values I gained at Parker of community, respect, and trust have influenced who I have become today...I urge you to keep in mind that by embracing your values and experiences from Parker, you will succeed!"

Bees in the news

2011-06-08T12:27:00.000-04:00

Check out this WNYT story about Jack and the bees!
http://wnyt.com/article/stories/S2145892.shtml?cat=10464

Field Day Fun!

2011-06-07T16:39:00.000-04:00

Head-for-the-Day

2011-06-07T10:15:00.000-04:00

Sophia was a great Head-for-the-Day (her parents were the highest bidders in the Live Auction on Saturday.) She greeted students in the front hall, pulled the alarm for the fire drill, and decreed an extra recess with popsicles for all. In a bold move, Sophia delineated a proactive Crisis Protocol in the event of 11-year-old, Freddy the Frog's death - she decided that one of the K-1's frogs, Lippy, Tiny, Spotty, or Skippy could be promoted to Top Frog, with attendant greeting (and eating) duties.

Sophia and friend Marissa joined me for lunch at Alexis Diner - a perk of the job that comes once annually during Head-for-the-Day. We had fun!

Parker's 20th Anniversary Celebration

2011-06-06T11:02:00.001-04:00

What a glorious day we had on Saturday for Parker's 20th Anniversary! Thank you to the many volunteers and to everyone who came to help celebrate this milestone! Here are the photos:

Parker's 20th Anniversary Celebration and Reunion

In the news!

2011-06-03T13:38:00.002-04:00

Parker's 20th Anniversary in the News!

Could this be cooler?

2011-06-02T14:36:00.000-04:00

Here's what Katy, our science teacher wrote about this grade 6 and 7 project: :

Cup filler, plant waterer, confetti blower, fish feeder, iPod switch, cat feeder, chip pourer, and water pourer - the 6-7s were busy designing and building complex Rube Goldberg machines to do simple tasks. Each machine had to include three different types of simple machines, 10 energy transfers and 3 energy transformations. The ingenuity behind some of these is inspirational. Students incorporated their knowledge of force, mechanical advantage, and engineering as they blueprinted, built, tested, tested, tested, and retested their designs. They created Rube Goldberg display signs outlining their efforts and Rube Goldberg's life as well as wrote reflective pieces about the process. One seventh grader, Zoe, created a video of all the machines, check it out http://www.youtube.com/user/icheyennelove#p/u/7/Ak0wdp1O_0s

The best evidence

2011-05-31T14:10:00.001-04:00

The NY Times Op Ed piece, A Dangerous Obsession by Stanford professor, Linda Darling-Hammond offers a common sense view of testing and the national conversation about how American students don't measure up on an international scale.

At the end of the day, stronger learning will result from better teaching, not more testing, as leading nations have long understood, she says.

Evidence of good teaching: This article about our sixth grader Jack and his quest to save honey bees, Bees Find a Sixth Grade Advocate. (For the record, Jack wrote the letters to donors, and his mom, Lisa helped by typing and things like that.)

Look for Parker stories tonight on Channel 13 at 5:30 with Elaine Houston, and next Tuesday, too. Our school's success lies in good teaching that empowers students to make a difference. Testing would be scant evidence of that!

The Parker Bee Club in full gear. 10,000+ Carniolan honey bees seem happy in their new home - thanks to Jack, his teachers, his mentors, and his Mom.

Study of Africa, Study of China

2011-05-27T12:14:00.000-04:00

A play about Ananci and The Moss Covered Rock, books about African animals, original Chinese shadow puppet plays, Passion Projects...A beautiful morning showcasing the excitement and the deep learning of Parker students!

Showcase of skills

2011-05-20T17:01:00.001-04:00

Thesis presentations last night showcased 8th graders' writing, analysis, and speaking skills. I love the diverse range of topics.

Who Owns Antiquities? The Black Market Trade of Relics
How Jimi Hendrix Changed Rock
Fairy Tales: A Never Ending Story
The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
Eating Disorders: The Perfect Poison
Home Recording: A Music Revolution
The Influence of McDonald's
Robotics and the Future

Between the raindrops today, Pre K had a picnic. Think sun!

It's social!

2011-05-19T10:43:00.000-04:00

This must-read article from The Economist, An Alternative Vote, applying science to the teaching of science, gives proof that Parker's teaching methods are superior to a traditional teacher-directed model. The article describes an experiment in teaching and learning at the college level that demonstrates the effectiveness of small group, discussion based learning,

Human learning is most effective when it is social. This is intuitive to thoughtful and observant teachers, and it is supported by neuroscience. Independent schools like Parker are at the cutting edge of using this knowledge to leverage student success. Our flexibility is an enormous asset to our students and their achievement.

Visitors talk about Africa with K-1's.

2-3's are preparing for a Show of Work about China.

Preschoolers greet a guest at the classroom door.

A gentler picture of human nature

2011-05-18T10:23:00.000-04:00

Eighth grade had a great week in Philadelphia as culmination of their study of American history.

David Brooks wrote in his latest NY Times Op-Ed piece Nice Guys Finish First that:

In pursuing our self-interested goals, we often have an incentive to repay kindness with kindness, so others will do us favors when we’re in need. We have an incentive to establish a reputation for niceness, so people will want to work with us. We have an incentive to work in teams, even against our short-term self-interest because cohesive groups thrive. Cooperation is as central to evolution as mutation and selection...

He argues that if cooperation permeates our nature, then so does morality, "and there is no escaping ethics, emotion and religion in our quest to understand who we are and how we got this way." That sounds a lot like our school mission - and a wonderful foundation for a 21st Century curriculum.

Work Day

2011-05-16T15:40:00.000-04:00

Parker couldn't look as beautiful as it does without our hard-working teachers, parent and student helpers, trustees, and a dozen enthusiastic RPI students. Now we have fresh pea-stone on the playground, newly painted walls and parking circle signs, sparkly windows and much more! Thank you all!

A Morning on the Creek

2011-05-13T17:43:00.000-04:00

Averill Park 11th graders joined Parker 2-3's for a morning of collecting water data at our western creek. The Serve and Learn America program has brought the two schools together for the second time. Testing for micro and macro invertebrates and other water qualities, the students will compare data from the Hudson River and Crooked Lake in this Stream to River project.

Bees!

2011-05-13T17:35:00.000-04:00

The bees have arrived! 10,000 Carniolan (or as we call them "Carnies" ) honey bees were delivered today to Parker. They are reported to be the gentlest of bees. Bee enthusiast, 6th grader Jack, has rallied support from friends, local bee keeper mentors, corporate donors, and teachers to launch a bee program at the school. Students will learn to take care of the hive and eventually harvest the honey. Teachers will work the hive into the curriculum.

Thank you Jack, for sharing your passion with your school!

Selkirk-Castleton Scenic Bridges under construction

2011-05-05T15:15:00.001-04:00

How will kids know?

2011-05-03T12:59:00.001-04:00

Getting started with West Point Bridge Design

It's STEM week for 6-7's. That's science, technology, engineering and math. Teachers and students have embraced working in small "companies" each submitting an RFP for a bridge project. Their challenge is: Design and build a bridge from spaghetti that is a scale model of a 1,200 foot span to go from Selkirk to Castleton. Materials have an assigned value ($1,500,000 per pound of spaghetti; $5,000,000 for hot glue gun rental per day) Teams consist of a civil engineer, an environmental engineer and a project manager.

This article from The Innovative Educator about whether kids learn without testing is right on target. The author holds a conversation with a test believer:

I say, “Do you take tests?”

They say, “Not anymore,” and smile like, “You’ve got to be kidding…”

I say, “Are you great at everything you do?”

They say, “Um…No. Obviously.” And laugh uncomfortably.

I say, “How do you know?”

Well - people just know! And in the instance of the bridge project the kids can document what they learned by reflecting and referring to a rubric (Did our team present lots of content that was learned in the project, informative, and held the audience's attention? Did the bridge construction demonstrate all facets of the engineering roles and is load bearing?)

Is the project rigorous? Memorable? Highly worthwhile and relevant to future learning? Can you answer that without a test?

Marshmallow Challenge

2011-05-02T16:34:00.000-04:00

The challenge: In small groups, in 18 minutes, with 20 strands of spaghetti, 1 yard of tape, and 1 yard of string, build the highest tower you can that will support one marshmallow.

The result: Cooperation, experimentation, and fun. The highest tower was 22 1/2 inches. Everyone wants to try again!

For more information: http://marshmallowchallenge.com/Welcome.html

The evolution of a writer

2011-04-29T17:04:00.000-04:00

If you are like me, when you were in first grade, you learned to write letters and short words. To write a story, you could only write words you knew how to spell. We wrote things like "The dog is brown."

Now we urge children to use the sounds they hear in words and put them on paper as "sound spelling." This gives them the freedom to write anything they can imagine.

Here is how our Pre K 4 teacher Michele describes what happens.

"We have begun 'writing workshop Wednesdays' which elicited a 'yay!' from the children this week. We provide 'books' of 4 pages stapled together, and writing implements of choice, and ask the children to write, and then share their stories with us.

Everyone participates! The stories that they write and tell are sometimes funny (a story completely of sounds), sometimes very timely (we heard a story about an earthquake and ironman pushing it back) sometimes very personal. And always very interesting.

We do not write words on the children's pages, and we have noticed many "sound spellers' already! The children will consistently tell their story, word for word, as they turn the pages of their book. This activity usually requires 30 minutes of focused attention, and time goes by very quickly! The children usually can't wait to read their stories to us. We will be celebrating these stories at the end of the year celebration."

Here is one of our K-1 students reading a book he wrote about an African animal he is researching.

Albie's Book from Meg Taylor on Vimeo.

After April showers

2011-04-27T17:12:00.000-04:00

It's nice enough to have class outside!

Prospective student takes a tour.

What do daffodils smell like?

Two full days!

2011-04-15T18:08:00.000-04:00

Shakespeare Night performance, Earth Day tree planting - Have a wonderful Spring Break, everyone!

Is it Spring yet?

2011-04-11T17:34:00.000-04:00

Spring signs: new buds, sketching emerging greens, and lunch outside. Jack, 6th grade, got a check from Dreyers Ice Cream for $900 to support bee keeping efforts at Parker!

What a journey!

2011-04-08T11:27:00.000-04:00

Our little band has come a long way!

The beginning group in October:

The Three Note Song from Meg Taylor on Vimeo.

Spring Concert in April:

The Band at the Spring Concert from Meg Taylor on Vimeo.

When kids' interests drive learning

2011-04-08T10:58:00.001-04:00

Sixth graders approached me with excitement. They had discovered some really cool stuff - old stuff - on the school grounds. They could hardly contain themselves as they showed me pottery shards, glass bottle necks, rusted implements, a button, and more. They wanted to start a museum, find out who had lived here before, and had a million questions. We decided to call Aaron Gore, father of Alex, and an archeologist at the State Museum, to get some advice.

Aaron identified that their artifacts spanned about 150 years. We trekked out to the site, that Aaron described as a midden - an old refuse heap. He explained good practices that archeologists would use and by recess the kids had marked the site with orange flags.

Another budding enthusiast, sixth grader Jack, is bringing bees to Parker. He has researched bee keeping, attended a bee keepers meeting, and written to several companies for support. An amazing array of things have started to arrive: seed packets, checks, bee paraphernalia... A local philanthropist is helping Jack and some friends build bee boxes and import a colony! I see honey in our future.

As learning specialist, Sally Goldberg, told me, "At Parker no one tells kids 'This is too hard for you.' And really, nothing is too hard for them! They take on these high level books or projects, and they get so much out of it! They are SO motivated!"

When we support kids' interests, they gain resilience, resourcefulness, and confidence. Future leaders are born!

First Annual 5 K Trail Run at Parker!

2011-04-04T11:27:00.000-04:00

121 runners, bright sunshine, a fantastic time had by all! Thank you everyone for making our first 5 K a big success!

Young philanthropists

2011-03-31T14:55:00.000-04:00

Three boys came to me yesterday to talk about a comic strip they made inspired by The Wimpy Kid. They were selling it for a dime at recess. They wanted to keep some of the money and give some to a cause.

This led to a conversation about how we don't really sell things at school unless we're raising money for the school or for a cause the class agrees on. Bracelets for Jambo Jipya School in Kenya and the spaghetti lunch for Joseph's House - two examples they recalled. I showed them where we record gifts to the school - The Annual Giving Report. That got their attention!

"You mean if we gave money to the school, we'd get our names in that big thing?" Then they found their parents names, and names of graduates they knew. Impressive! "But we just have a little money," they said. We agreed that lots of little amounts can add up to something big.

They were hooked. Running to tell their classmates the plan, they returned a moment later with 81cents in hand. They wanted to give it all to the school, to use where ever it is needed most. "When I think of it, I can't stop smiling!" said one.

When you believe in a cause, it feels great to give! Click here to donate to the Annual Fund!

The power of a short sentence

2011-03-29T11:20:00.001-04:00

Interesting article about good writing:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/20/opinion/20selsberg.html

Even more interesting commentary on the article:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/29/opinion/l29short.html?ref=opinion

As I took pen to note paper this morning to thank our panelists, and flexed ever more seldom used hand muscles, I though about how students master the art of communicating well through the written word. New forms of writing give practice - Twitter and Facebook beg for poetic distillations - and sometimes achieve them.

I am in love with the ease with which I can read others' thoughts in the New York Times online and the flow of writing that is shared every nano-second. Even a short dip into the stream is rewarding. Thought-provoking writing lives and is more accessible than ever!

Parker's energy-use analysis

Eighth grade cooks up a feast

Seventh graders cook and serve at the annual fundraiser for Troy charities

Reading Shakespeare aloud

It will take imagination, passion and courage

2011-03-24T15:04:00.001-04:00

Susan Engel, author and Williams College professor after last evening's panel discussion,

Educating for 21st Century Success.

The panelists spoke to a packed house. (Does anyone have a good picture of the panel? Please send it on!)

We need to build a generation of explorers. - Boris Pluskowski
We know how kids learn - It's alarming that our education system doesn't listen! We need to bring students into the conversation. - Susan Engel
Students are most engaged outside the classroom - how can we bring their inventiveness into school? - Trudy Hall
The education system needs to take a lesson from industry - develop the talent! - Dan Wallace
Who should be at the table? - Karen Hitchcock

It is hard to convey the energy and electricity at last night's panel discussion. One thing the panelists agreed upon - we all need to work to bring relevance to education in a changing world.

Over 130 people attended and the talk has not stopped. The panelists challenged our ideas and confirmed others. They each had a unique perspective that informed and challenged. Let's continue the conversation!

An uncommon skill

2011-03-22T11:58:00.000-04:00

Here is what 2-3 teacher, Lynn, wrote to parents about student-led conferences:

This day is always a highlight in my school year. It's a unique experience for a teacher--I spend the day hearing these talented learners completely take the reins and celebrate their intellectual and personal growth with you. Hearing the conversations and seeing families huddled together is a gift for me. A day like this, dedicated solely to a child's self-reflections, is uncommon in schools today. Developing that ability to reflect, set goals, and adjust is an absolutely essential skill for success and satisfaction in life. This experience is just one example of how special Parker is for children, parents and teachers. Thank you!

Remarkable, spontaneous learning

2011-03-17T11:39:00.000-04:00

Happy to be out in the Spring sunshine!

Why Preschool Shouldn't Be Like School in Slate reinforces the notion that it's more important than ever to give children's remarkable, spontaneous learning abilities free rein. Studies at MIT and UC Berkeley came to the same conclusion: that teaching kids more and more at ever younger ages, can backfire.

While being instructed about something directly from a teacher may help children get to a specific answer more quickly, "it also makes them less likely to discover new information about a problem and to create a new and unexpected solution."

That's why it is so important to give children practice in exploration and innovation. Plus, it's way more fun!

Alumni news

2011-03-16T11:46:00.000-04:00

Jesse Pickard, '98 just received $1.2 million in venture capital funding for his company Mind Snacks, maker of mobile education games. Jesse started Mind Snacks less than a year ago after receiving start-up money from a venture capital competition. The company specializes in teaching foreign language through iPhone apps, with Spanish and French games available and Mandarin and SAT Prep on the way. Go Jesse!

Lydia Youngman, '08, is a junior at Emma Willard. Lydia spent last week here in an internship helping Susie in Art class and with the K-1's. K-1's interviewed Lydia and will be making a book, All About Lydia, as part of 20th Anniversary efforts to find out about our graduates. When you read the book, you will be able to find out how many friends Lydia had in kindergarten and if she has ever been on an animal ride. (among many other things about Lydia!)

Juicy studies

2011-03-15T15:05:00.001-04:00

Let Kids Rule the School, the latest NYTimes Op Ed piece by Susan Engel says it all! When several public high school students had a chance to devise their own curriculum they explored questions like: “Are the plant cells at the bottom of a nearby mountain different than those at the top of the mountain?” and “Why we do we cry?” These prompted inquiry, critique and passion for the learning journey.

Parker faculty recently worked with author Matt Glover on how to inspire the most energy for writing in students. Choice and relevancy (to the students!) were the topmost criteria for them to fully engage and become motivated. This does make sense. Don't we all appreciate the ability to choose?

When students are given juicy assignments or challenges, high expectations, and some autonomy - they really shine. I see evidence of this everywhere I look at Parker.

I see it in cartoons showing understanding of Newton's Laws and Rube Goldberg constructions that demonstrate the same principals. I saw it in the real joy in performing at the Poetry Slam.

Read Susan's article and see if you don't agree that kids can run the school (with a little support!) and come hear Susan at the Panel Discussion on March 23.

Concentrated observation, sharing home-grown crystals, receiving hand-decorated tee shirts from Jambo Jipya buddies in Kenya.

Technology, learning, and simple pleasures

2011-03-12T16:28:00.001-05:00

Two views of technology and learning:

A mom's view: "Screen time for kids - is it learning or a brain drain?"
Are schools really missing out on a potent tool for learning? "Tech and Learning: At Odds in Schools and in Sync Everywhere Else"

Thursday's Poetry Slam with 2-3's and 4-5's in berets was a delight. The poems about what brings them joy were my favorites: food, friends, family, pets, playing, laughter - even school. Simple and potent pleasures!

Leave Those Kids Alone in the latest The Atlantic makes me feel fierce about protecting simple pleasures for our children.

A more accurate view of who we are

2011-03-08T12:32:00.001-05:00

I learned some new vocabulary words today. They were used by David Brooks in his New York Times Op Ed piece The New Humanism.

He writes about a movement away from Americans' valuing only what is strictly measurable, to a growing body of research and an appreciation for traits related to human relationships and interconnections. In the conversation about how to measure school success, teacher effectiveness, and student learning, I am interested in exploring these words and their meaning. I'd like to define these words in terms of our school and how to teach for the future. Let's do it together!

Attunement, Equipoise, Metis, Sympathy (I know that one!), and Limerence.

Some more photos from Read Across America Day:

Celebrating reading!

2011-03-04T10:09:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WpmN47vp8M

Thank you to our Librarian, Carol, our Parent Council and parent volunteers, and our students for a spectacular day!

Solar ovens are cookin'

2011-03-02T15:21:00.001-05:00

Cupcakes, pancakes, cheese, and even bacon...4-5's are experimenting with solar power!

Energizing writers

2011-03-01T16:00:00.000-05:00

Back after February Break to sunshine, memories of a very funny Middle School drama club play, more snowy time outside, bananas and raisins for snack, and research for presentations about modern history. Ben and Mark regaled me with stories of WWI and the 110-year-old veteran who died recently.

Teachers were energized yesterday by our workshop presenter Matt Glover. Matt is a former first grade teacher, principal, and writer. He is an expert on energizing children for writing. He spoke our teachers' language and nudged us in new directions for creating even more creative, skilled, and authentic writers. Click here for more on Matt Glover.

Global connections for Kindergarten

2011-02-16T13:35:00.000-05:00

I had to share this blog link. To tweet or not to tweet? Tweeting with K makes wonderful sense! What a wonderful way to expand the kindergarten circle. And they are loving reading with worldwide friends. Read more:

http://missnightmutters.blogspot.com/2011/02/to-tweet-or-not-to-tweet.html

Don't push, just support

2011-02-16T12:47:00.001-05:00

Early reading skills are a moving target! Within a range of a couple of years, pretty much all children will develop the ability to read and write. Researchers have found that early reading is not correlated to later school success or higher intelligence. Late bloomers can be some of the most passionate readers and writers!

Supporting readers where they are on their path seems to be the best technique. Responsive to all of our developing readers at Parker, Pre K and K-1 teachers use about 1,000 (my highly scientific guesstimate) strategies. I remember a former Parker student, Kumi, who read the phone book every day in Pre K 3! He loved picking out the alphabet letters.

New York Times article, Reading At Some Private Schools is Delayed, gives an interesting view about the pressures in New York City schools. When parents get worried that their emerging readers aren't being advanced quickly enough, they sometimes panic.

When early readers and writers have support and encouragement - they thrive. And those who take a little longer (and their parents) can take heart. As a kindergartner told a visitor yesterday, "We can read some of these Valentine hearts, and some we can't. We're just learning."

Drumming and dancing on Friday

2011-02-14T15:45:00.002-05:00

Parenting is a relationship

2011-02-11T16:20:00.001-05:00

Susan Engel's book just came out today: Red Flags or Red Herrings, Predicting Who Your Child Will Become. Susan's positive message is that children are pretty much who they are. Parents can have an influence in guiding them, but can't make their child into someone they're not. Here she is on Good Morning America. "Parenting is not a job. It's a relationship!"

http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/video/doctor-differs-tiger-mom-parenting-technique-12892864

Susan will be at Parker on March 23 as part of our Panel Discussion, Educating for 21st Century Success.

I have read her book and I think every parent can take something useful and reassuring from it.

A full week

2011-02-11T11:02:00.000-05:00

A full week at Parker!

Developing mastery

2011-02-03T14:28:00.000-05:00

How do kids get really good at something? Why do they choose to engage and persist with challenging work? Kathleen Cushman went right to the source and asked students for her book Fires in the Mind.

Today, Parker kids worked hard to master walking in deep snow. Why? Because it was totally fun!

What did Punxsatawney Phil see?

2011-02-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary, the famous groundhog predicts...

http://www.groundhog.org/

Boom whackers

2011-01-28T10:54:00.000-05:00

4-5's performed their version of "It's a New Year" at assembly.

Shaping our destiny

2011-01-26T14:46:00.000-05:00

Finally warm enough to head outside!

Jen '08 and Imani, Zali, and Peter '10 all visited today.

President Obama promoted study of STEM topics (science, technology, engineering, math) in his State of the Union last night.

We have made the investment in science at Parker - and in STEM. It really starts in Pre K: exploring materials and states of matter, building with a huge variety of materials, collections of outdoors treasures... Inquiry and experimentation - asking questions - are the main focus. Having a science teacher in the elementary years as we do is unusual in schools.

We have 4 alumni visiting today. Peter has done so well in biology as a freshman that his teacher gave him the labs to perform independently and he took the Regent Exam this week. These students are motivated questioners. Just what the president ordered.

"We are the first nation to be founded for the sake of an idea—the idea that each of us deserves the chance to shape our own destiny. That's why centuries of pioneers and immigrants have risked everything to come here. It's why our students don't just memorize equations, but answer questions like 'What do you think of that idea? What would you change about the world?' "

Education Week talks about it further.

The redemptive process of collaboration

2011-01-25T15:12:00.001-05:00

Trying, failing, a community working together, collaboration. Here is what David Brooks had to say about our gratitude for this process:

...every sensible person in public life also feels redeemed by others. You may write a mediocre column or make a mediocre speech or propose a mediocre piece of legislation, but others argue with you, correct you and introduce elements you never thought of. Each of these efforts may also be flawed, but together, if the system is working well, they move things gradually forward.

Each individual step may be imbalanced, but in succession they make the social organism better.

As a result, every sensible person feels a sense of gratitude for this process. We all get to live lives better than we deserve because our individual shortcomings are transmuted into communal improvement. We find meaning — and can only find meaning — in the role we play in that larger social enterprise.

More about this article from Quantum Progress

Awesome Parker parents

2011-01-21T14:20:00.000-05:00

Parker parents know how to make us feel appreciated! Parents and grandparents made a scrumptious feast for the teachers and staff on Thursday. And they stayed with the students while the teachers feasted. There was plenty left to be taken home for dinner, too! Thank you to all of our awesome parents, who not only cook, they drive, raise money, pitch in, shelve books, serve on our Board, come to meetings, give whenever asked, and are our unfailing partners in educating the amazing children of Parker. Thank you, thank you!

Snow day activity

2011-01-21T09:56:00.002-05:00

To Really Learn, Quit Studying and Take a Test The title is a bit misleading, but the concept rings true. This study shows that writing about what you have just read makes the topic stick in your brain longer.

Because the act of writing causes the writer to analyze information, it makes sense that it allows for better recall. "...the struggle involved in recalling something helps reinforce it in our brains."

So get out those reading-response journals, kids! After a romp in the snow, curl up in a warm blanket with a cup of hot cocoa and a book. Read, then write. Great activity for a snow day!

Boys and sticks

2011-01-19T11:47:00.000-05:00

Haven't you always wondered? Why do boys like sticks? Slate answers: http://www.slate.com/id/2280989/

Controversial parenting

2011-01-18T16:17:00.000-05:00

More on the nice vs tiger parenting wars!

Retreat of the Tiger Mother
No More Mrs. Nice Mom

The great parenting debate

2011-01-18T10:58:00.000-05:00

Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior
Amy Chua is a Wimp
The Chinese Mom Backlash

Amy Chua's book and a Wall Street Journal article have caused a major parenting debate storm! Who does it better? Chinese-style parents or American parents?

Some debaters point out that while American parents look longingly at test scores in Asian nations, many Chinese mothers (not Yale professor Chua) wish for more creativity and choice for their children.

David Brooks argues that it's not the softer parenting style of American mothers, but Chua, who never let her daughters go to sleepovers or do crafts, who's the wimp. "She doesn't understand what's cognitively difficult and what isn't. Practicing a piece of music for four hours requires focused attention, but it is nowhere near as cognitively demanding as a sleepover with 14-year-old girls."

Cooperation and ingenuity are developed from tons of practice. Because functioning well in a group is really hard. Ask any third grader at the end of a school day spent finalizing essays and putting together a dinosaur museum at Parker. Then look at how their eyes shine with satisfaction and accomplishment on opening day.

Parent, John Arnason sent me this photo he took at dusk on Parker's trails. "It was a beautiful ski by moonlight. Just me and the owls," he said. No debate there.

It's about the students

2011-01-17T10:32:00.002-05:00

Wellesley College professor and author of Inside School Turnarounds, Laura Pappano, wrote recently in the Christian Science Monitor that what really makes the difference for schools is when teachers connect with students.

"When you talk with students about school turnaround, you realize how much this is about them – not just the school’s data points. What changes their paths isn’t a formula or a grueling push for a better profile. It’s a connection, a context, a caring."

Personal connection and caring are crucial for learning - along with high expectations for each individual. How did these ideas get lost in the general culture of schools? Why are business-type goals and high-stakes testing to measure school success considered ways to make learning better for individuals?

In our small environment at Parker, all our connections: teacher - student, student - student, teacher - parent, parent - parent make the difference. Knowing each other and being a community with shared goals is crucial to the end result. Learning, success, satisfaction, and confidence soar!