“I’m still feeling the sweet camaraderie from a weekend filled with friendship and generosity.” – Roleen [Show slideshow]
Book Fair, 9/16/17
West Wing
“That bucket is almost so full.” – Emilio
Just as there are systems for mixing paints at the easel, so are there systems for using the space. Emilio is engrossed in careful painting with multiple colors. He has taken one pot of mixed paint from the shelf, loads a clean brush, paints, then washes and dries his brush before returning the color and…
Coffee with Roleen, 9/6/2017
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“My mom does not surf.” – Fiona
In the Atelier, we introduce water, liquid food coloring, and eye droppers to the children as an avenue to explore the different hues and values of color in an open-ended way. As the children squeeze, pour, combine, and measure, they share their discoveries and make connections with each other. Fiona: Look what I’m making.…
“With the recipe book.” – Everly
In the Front Yard this morning, Teacher Katherine engaged children in a weekly ritual that is traditionally reserved for teacher preparation time in most programs. Years before, Katherine chose to slow down the easel set up to include children’s ideas of the palette. They mixed, named, and wrote the recipes for each color. This recipe book…
“It’s like you’re going on an adventure.” – Charlie
Our Atelier is a space to work without distractions which allows focus, dialogue, and meaningful work to evolve over long periods of time. It is a place where materials and concepts are explored and used as tools for self-expression, sharing ideas, collaboration, and developing hypotheses. During the first weeks of school, the West Wing…
“Me too. I never done this before.” – Leo
The Front Yard is a space where both EW and WW gather to meet and work together. During their first appointment, WWingers Leo and Mabel joined EWinger Henry in the mud pit. Teacher Adriana: I wonder what we can do together. Leo: I don’t know. Henry: Umm, we can make a hole together. He begins to…
“Is this reflection meeting?” – Kayden
Books can be found everywhere in NSW. We have a large library of children’s books, bookshelves in the classroom, baskets of books in both classrooms, and even a basket in the Middle Courtyard to greet families as they transition into their school day. We strongly believe in the power that books and storytelling have to…
“I can bring a book.” – Hayes
At teacher in-service, before the first day of school, the staff met at the Venice Library to see what books would relate to the current children’s interests and welcome the incoming children for the new school year. We created a wish list on Amazon. The New School-West Link: http://a.co/dbE30z6 The Lavins asked for recommendations for books…
“I’m Bat Agnes.” – Agnes
Arrow and Mabel are “dressed to the nines” with sequined scarves and handbags over their shoulders. Mabel: We are going out. Arrow: We are going to the show. Teacher Jessica: What show are you going to see? Arrow: The Turtle Show. Grab chairs, everybody! Greyson, Leo K., Mabel, and Arrow grab chairs and all four…