Week 32 -- Reflections and running

Week 23 -- Filling in the gaps, fear is a LIAR.

In science, we're continuing to work with our gravity-powered cars. 

After a relaxing week off, we got right to work with an extension to our Place Out of Time timelines project. By now, almost everyone has a detailed timeline of the life of their character posted in the appropriate spot on our giant timeline in the middle school commons. However, most of our characters are clustered in the twentieth century. This week, we have spent some time populating the gaps in our huge timeline to provide more context for the scope of human history. For example, before this week, there were no events recorded in the entire 1400s. Now, there are notes about the world-changing voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, and another noting that the game of chess was in its modern form by 1475. Each student has been tasked with putting up at least five cards on the timeline this week, with more to come in the weeks ahead. Also POOT-related, Sam led the entire 5-6 group in a discussion about dignity, which is a concept that is the heart of the issue framing Place Out of Time this year.

Week 11 -- Myth, music, and math

Jason's Class: The Trailer

It is astonishingly difficult to get ten different kids to 1.) smile, 2.) keep their eyes open, and 3.) look at a camera at the same time.  

In this blog post, enjoy the many attempts that I made, along with a smattering of various happenings from the last few weeks. 

POOT: The Place Out of Time banquet

We began our first week back after Spring Break with a couple of field trips. 

Thursday's substitute Music teacher: Jason

Beloved Music teacher Josh is out this week, so I filled in for him on Thursday. Josh's pedagogical gifts and skills are different than my own, so I didn't dare attempt to deliver his curriculum. Instead, we ran our own version of Music class in homeroom. 

The embodiment of Spring works magic in a scene from Fantasia 2000

Reflections Night is this evening!

We hope to see you all at Reflections Night tonight! 

The kids have been practicing all morning. Here's a sneak peek:

The Music Cafe

Our first Music Cafe was last night, and it was remarkable. Kids performed solo, in duos, and in small ensembles. Many played different instruments for different pieces, exploring and expanding their musical horizons.

Music with Josh

Harp and laptops: Music Class at Summers-Knoll

Planning time is absolutely crucial to a teacher, especially in an environment as responsive and organic as Summers-Knoll. Much of my planning time happens while the kids are at Music, which is unfortunate, as anytime I happen to poke my head into Josh's room, I'm drawn in by what the kids are doing. It's invariably engaging, compelling, and FUN. 

Ask your child about their work in Music! Josh is doing wonderful things in class! 

World Percussion Music clinic

The whole school is gathered in the atrium for a world percussion clinic and performance, organized by Josh. 


Here's a quick video snippet: