A Visit To The Local Firehouse

The second grade and PreK-3 classes went on a walking field experience to the local firehouse. Second graders are learning about citizenship and this walk gave them the perfect opportunity to show their understanding of what it means to be a good citizen! They were responsible for making sure the younger students got to the firehouse safely – and they took their responsibility very seriously! The firemen also proved to be a great example of what it means to be part of a community and a strong citizen.

Literature Collaboration Begins!

The fifth grade and kindergarten classes are again teaming up for an exciting year of collaborations! We began with a visit from Mr. Kayumba’s literature class. The fifth grade scholars were eager to share what they had learned about the reading process, and implementation of effective reading practices; a preliminary lesson before they embark on their literary journey. In an effort to reinforce the lesson learned in the literature class, the fifth graders got to teach the kindergarteners! It was a pleasure for me to see some of my former kindergarteners in this new, mature role. The younger students were excited for the chance to work with these older mentors. After teaching their new buddies what they have learned about reading, each partnership selected a book to read together. These books went home with the kindergarteners, please return them for next week. Looking forward to exploring literature together all year!

Learning from the Pros

It was a very special day in kindergarten performing arts! The students were visited by some of the members of this year’s spring musical, The Wizard of Oz! Since we are working on our own little play in kindergarten, the 8th graders helped coach the kindergarteners in their roles in The Day The Crayons Quit. The students worked so well with one another! The 8th graders gave great tips and helped the kindergarten class with their characterization skills. The kindergarten students were extremely excited to work with these actors and hung on every word they had to say! What a great class!

What Color is Music?

Today the PreK-3 students and 8th graders came together for a special music class. We started the class with eighth grade students reading the book, My Many Colored Days by Dr. Seuss, to the younger students. The three-year-olds loved how the 8th graders made the book interesting with their dramatic reading! After reading the book, the 8th graders prompted the PreK-3 students with questions about colors and feelings. “How do you think the author of the book was feeling when he had a brown day?” “How was he feeling when his day was orange?” The 8th graders shared their color feelings with the class as well. Then we listened to four different pieces of music. Some were upbeat and energetic, and some were quiet and slow. The 8th graders worked alongside the PreK-3 students to choose colors and shapes to show how they felt while listening to the music. It was a wonderful way for the students to reflect on how music can make you feel so many different ways!

That’s What Friends are For

Our kindergarten thespians have been learning about friendship. We have been reading and writing stories about being good friends and learning how to navigate sometimes difficult interactions with friends. The kindergarteners were thrilled to visit the PreK-3 and PreK-4 classes and demonstrate what they have learned. We performed several skits modeling what good friends do. The scenarios involved sharing, taking turns, helping, working cooperatively and even standing up for a friend. It’s hard to tell who enjoyed the show more – the audience or the actors!

Welcome Progressive Education Lab Fellows!

The Progressive Education Lab (PEL) is a two year fellowship (a training year followed by an internship) designed to give young people who wish to become teachers an understanding of the fundamentals of progressive theory while learning from their experiences at four different progressive schools. PEL’s mission is to prepare new teachers to become powerful educators and agents of change in the profession. This year’s cohort of PEL Fellows arrived at our school the last week of October and will be with us until winter break.

I’m pleased to introduce you to the fellows, from left to right:

Kyle Gouchoe-Hanas is joining Krissy Ponden in the Art Department. She is a recent graduate of Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts where she fulfilled a double major in Studio Art and Education. Her concentrations were in painting and adolescent education respectively. Look for Kyle out on the field as well – she is interested in adding coaching skills to her teaching portfolio while enrolled in PEL.

Emma Timbers loves thinking about education as the practice of freedom, and the classroom as a site of joy and radical possibility. She is excited to be joining Michelle Lamb’s fifth grade class during her time at Unquowa. She studied English and creative writing at Bates College in Maine and most recently taught Preschool at a small progressive school in Portland, Oregon.

Jeff Adams received his undergraduate degree from Binghamton University, where he majored in Human Development and minored in Education, while also dabbling in studies of Women, Gender, & Sexuality, and Health & Wellness. Jeff is interested in providing educational experiences to youth that combine developmental psychology, health and wellness, and social justice studies so is working with Debbie Leidlein in the Humanities Department.

Caleb Teachey will be working with Lloyd Mitchell in Math. His background is in biology and chemistry, and as an educator, Caleb strives to understand the developmental and psychological underpinnings of best teaching practices. Prior to PEL, he most recently was a science teacher and behavioral interventionist at Kindle Farm School in Newfane, Vermont

We are excited to have the fellows here – please join us in welcoming them to the Unquowa Community!