Learning that "sticks"

Some of these shots are from before February Break, some after. You can see the middle school recycling efforts and Pre K having a pajama-reading day with popcorn and a short movie. Today I shot K-1's in music ( I was attracted there by the barking sounds coming through my wall from the music room - an animal song!), eighth graders in art class working on still lifes, and Albie in Pre K 3 doing an amazing job of counting. He covered up two spots on the ten-row and pronounced "8!"

Yesterday I took an hour to observe in seventh grade science. The kids were in the library with Emily. They broke into groups of two or three to define what an organism is and give examples. Then they came back together in a semi-circle to share ideas and hear about their upcoming project. Each group will research a type of organism (archaebacteria, eubacteria, protista, fungi, or plantae) and describe it in depth using specific criteria. They will arrange a mini-lab or demonstration (diorama, oral presentation, skit, poster, or power point) with specimens and a math problem for their fellow students. Then they will give their classmates a quiz to see what they learned.

The kids were rapt - and excited. As Emily said, "They don't want me up there telling them - they want to do the work themselves and teach each other."

This kind of experience gives our students practice with independence and responsibility - a great example of how to help them become "intellectually vibrant." This is learning that sticks!

Science and math: "real world" applications

Electricity experimentation in 2-3 continues, as students design circuit boards and try ways to make lights really bright. Next: designing model houses and wiring them for lights and switches.

In grade 6, math students work in pairs to purchase all the materials they might need for a math classroom - including furniture. Each group has an assigned grade level and budget constraints ranging from $150 to unlimited. That's a challenge! The project involves planning, cooperation and performing operations with decimals.

Winter Fridays

Skiers took off on Friday at 1:30 for an afternoon at Jiminy Peak for instruction and free-skiing in beautiful weather. Ice skaters had an hour at the rink at Hudson Valley, and kids in Dance Moves class perfected their electric slide, then had a presentation about blue bird houses from our Master Gardeners.

This Friday will be the last "Winter Friday." I think that teachers will be glad to get back to a routine that doesn't include taking off on wild adventures on Friday afternoons. The kids sure had fun! And there is no way we could pull off this program without the help of our parents who drive and chaperone - Thank you to all for making this unique way for Parker kids to have new experiences together and to ward off the winter blahs a big success!

A few more ways we'll be mixing things up are Read Across America Day on March 6 and Pi Day (3.14159) on March 14 at 1:59 PM.

Super Tuesday

Super Tuesday! 6-7's have organized a mock primary election with polling places and ballots for all students as well as parents and teachers. They are counting and re-counting votes.

They have also collected data that will be useful for making predictions that they can test in the election in November.

4-5's are using dominoes to illustrate exponents. Their teacher, Mindy, is using Atticus Finch the parakeet to illustrate that a bird is a big help in the copy room.

Electricity

2-3's are experimenting with electric circuits. Wow, is this exciting! I can't tell you what their next electricity project is because I have been sworn to secrecy, but I'll keep you up to date as it unfolds.

The last picture is of a Parker alumna, Luaren Romanoff, (on the left!) who is volunteering and observing in the class. How great to have an alumna back in school!

A little more Shakespeare

Here are two more images of our fine actors in 2-3 and K-1. If any parents have some good shots from last Thursday - send them on! Mine came out a little dark...Thanks!

Beyond Shakespeare

Pre K parade with Elizabethan dancing and singing; K-1 Nothing; 2-3 The Boy, The Bear, The Baron, The Bard; 4-5 Are You Smarter Than a 4-5? Shakespeare Edition; 6-7 Taming of the Shrew; 8 Macbeth.

What an evening it was! Laughter and delight were on each person's face. Young and old had a wonderful time and a lovely taste of Shakespeare. I will recap the program notes here:

Over the last six years we have also explored Hamlet, As You Like It, Twelfth Night, Othello, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Julius Caesar, A Comedy of Errors, and several sonnets.

The younger grades have explored the writings of Shakespeare, Frank Stockton, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Quentin Blake, Emily Arnold McCully, Broadway musicals, English country songs and dances, and circus skills.

It is part poetry, pageantry, parade, play, improvisation, and process - and lots of production goodies!

Sean Fagan, our visiting Shakespearean clown, helps teachers and kids pull together an amazing show.

Thanks to all who made it all happen, including parents, teachers, and our students!

The calm before the Big Night

It is Shakespeare day - but you'd hardly know it! Excitement is high, but everyone is focused on school work...The performance starts at 6. I can't wait. I have pretty much stayed out of rehearsals so that I can enjoy the surprise of seeing the whole production of "Beyond Shakespeare" as a regular audience member.

Creativity, literacy and energy all combine in this one wondrous production. Sean Fagan, our visiting Shakespearean acrobat and actor, knows everyone's name, and after at least six years of working his magic at Parker, he know the kids well. He can tailor each roll to each child.

The weather looks like it's holding, with light snow flurries. Most kids will stay after school and with lots of volunteer parent help, we'll play games and eat pizza, then get into costumes and the show will begin!

The thesis

Eighth graders went to Emma Willard to use an excellent high school library for thesis research. They enjoyed the extensive sources and the fireplace. After initial research and working with James (social studies), Sarah (language arts) and Carol (librarian) they honed in on a topic that will be just the right depth to sustain a 3-4 month project. They have just written their thesis statements.

The topics offer their usual diverse array, and give insight to the passions within the class. Carol always says this, but "These are the best ever!"

The research component of our curriculum is well defined, giving students practice in good essay writing and in taking a viewpoint. The skill building starts in K-1, when students work individually with Carol to collect note cards on facts about an animal they are researching. It expands each year, until in seventh grade students write a mini-thesis.

College professors among our parents and visitors comment on the sophistication of our students' writing and their ability to properly cite references. During Project Night, eighth graders will present their finished papers for discussion and questions.

Some of this year's topics:

The influence of French cuisine on world cooking
What makes the Red Sox-Yankees rivalry a classic?
How far can you deviate from classical ballet and still call it ballet?
The media's influence on girls' body weight
Banned books for children and young adults
The influence of Hip Hop dance as an American art form
Has the promise of Brown vs Board of Education been realized?
The importance of dogs in society and culture
Professional athletes: legal issues and cultural entitlement

The Great Egg Drop

There were doubts about Max and his partner's parachute...would it slow the egg's descent? It did! It worked! The egg didn't break! I wonder what will happen with Hannah and Alex's egg-protection structure?