The Lower School provides students with extended opportunities for independent learning. Students play a vital role in developing the curriculum through project-based themes and are encouraged to explore individual areas of interest. This thematic approach provides a powerful experience as students are directly invested in the intellectual process and feel connected to the subject matter.
|
|
Written by Megan Terra
|
|
 Recently, a student visited the first grade for a day. We welcomed her and introduced our first daily activity -- writing down something we are grateful for in our gratitude books. She gave us a quizzical look and asked, “Don’t you think it’s past the season?”
A first grader can easily conclude that every November, gratitude becomes a central focus at school and in the community, and then December hits and suddenly, gratitude is out and gift giving is in. Each year, in first grade, we highlight the seasonal celebrations and holidays that we share as a country or celebrate as diverse communities. Importantly we also work to emphasize a deeper connection to the underlying lessons that hold year round meaning.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Written by Mar Hershenson
|
|
 Recently we held the third and last Nueva Math Circle of the 2009-2010 school year. It was a wonderful evening where kids and parents worked together in a variety of math activities.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
Written by by Laraine Ray
|
 When the students decided that they wanted to study Mark's brain, we knew that this was the perfect opportunity to implement a unit of study that we had been planning for some time. The kids were hoping to perform brain surgery on Mark, but that would have been a bit messy, even for this kindergarten teacher! Instead, the children experienced a study on the mystery of their own brains, and through this experience, discovered the power they have to train their brains. The result was a powerful SEL unit that addressed a number of challenges young gifted children face in their everyday thinking: perfectionism, frustration, facing challenge, the process of learning, and emotional self-regulation. Read on to find out about their experiences.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
 One of our 3rd graders was guest conductor of Kris Yenney's Preparatory Orchestra (part of Ben Simon's Palo Alto Chamber Orchestra, PACO) for Handel's "Entrance of the Queen of Sheba" (from "Solomon" HWV 67) at a public performance in the Cubberley Little Theater (Palo Alto, CA) on February 6, 2009. Here's a video of the performance.
|
|
The Pre-Kindergarteners were thrilled to be a part of the all-school TV viewing of the inauguration of our 44th president. Obama had won our Pre-K election. We talked about the fact that President Obama had two daughters, Sasha and Malia, and that they would be moving to The White House with him and Michelle. They would be leaving their friends and Chicago home. The children noted they might be sad, might miss their friends and their teacher, and miss their house. They also found out that Sasha and Malia would be getting a new dog which resonated with the group, as we are studying dogs. Here are some samples of their words and images. You can scroll through the thumbnails, and click on any one to enlarge it. Click again to send it back.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
|
|
Inside Look 
