An unlimited capacity for learning

Lighting a candle for Peace...Dinosaur essays and portraits...a flip book and posters about research on workers in our community...the living museum of history makers...

Industry and artistry were on display this morning!  The pride, joy, and confidence engendered by doing a job well and then sharing it with those whose opinions we value - parents, families, teachers, peers, and buddies.  What could be a more satisfying or fulfilling learning experience?

Thank you students and teachers for your commitment to each person's unlimited capacity, and thank you to parents and families for your heartfelt support!

Preparations underway

Preparing for a deadline...the Peace Assembly and Show of Work are coming up fast!

K-1's are researching and preparing a display about community workers.  They have enjoyed visits from parents and friends  - including a nurse, Russell Crouse (pictured).  Each 2-3 student is writing an essay about a particular dinosaur and painting a dinosaur portrait in art class.  4-5's will be staging a living museum through multi-media presentations.  Come see Albert Einstein, Paul Revere, Helen Keller, Thurgood Marshall and others.  Pre K 4's are creating lanterns for the Peace Assembly. 

Don't miss it all starting at 9 AM on Friday.

RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

Capacity, Collaboration, Culture: Empty Bowls

Everyone pitched in, from start to finish.  The 8th grade gleaned vegetables at Hancock Shaker Village, made soup, researched, prepared and presented a program about world hunger, and invited a speaker on local hunger to participate.  Meanwhile, the rest of the school made clay bowls.  Parents and friends came to purchase the bowls with donations that went to Joseph's House in Troy, to help feed families in need.  Funds raised: $1,156! 

And what did everyone learn?  What skills were advanced through this kind of activity?  Not the kind that are taught from sitting at separate desks, memorizing the one correct answer to the question.

In another compelling and animated video, Sir Ken Robinson explains the history of American education, and how we need just three elements in schools to engage children's minds and hearts: Understanding that human capacity is limitless and broad; that collaboration is the stuff of growth; and that a dynamic culture is essential.  

Sounds suspiciously like the Empty Bowls undertaking!

Lovin' math

Math, math everywhere!  2-3's and 4-5's are immersed in math every morning.  When I asked a kindergartner yesterday what she loved about being in kindergarten, she said, "Math!"  Middle school kids at Parker love math, too. 

Local company Vicarious Visions, maker of Guitar Hero, created this video as part of a STEM Challenge (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math).  The Parker Computer Club visited there last year, and Spanish teacher Erin's husband Dan is a top manager at V.V.  Dan will be part of our panel this spring (March 23) on Educating for 21st Century Success. 

The video is awesome - click "like" on the You Tube page if you do!

Student expert

Anya in 4-5 is fast becoming a cheese celebrity!  New England Cheesemaking  and  Culture: the Word on Cheese highlight her passion.  Early affinities can translate into life long pursuits.  They develop the complexity of the brain.  Plus it's fun to be an expert!

Winter smiles

A dose of green per day

Head out for a daily dose of green space

From the NY Times: First, the bad news: Americans are suffering from an acute case of “outdoor deprivation disorder,” and the effects on physical and mental health are rising fast... Now, the good news: There’s a simple remedy — get outside and start moving around in green spaces near and far

I think Parker is the right prescription for this problem...

New website!

Check out our new website!  We're in the beta stage, so please give your feedback!