In the Studio: The Relativity of Color

Written by Jessica Farris We all probably know that the elements of art are what artists use to create a work of art. They’re often referred to as our building blocks, or, as I like to tell my students, they’re our Legos! To keep things interesting, each year students explore the elements from a newContinue reading “In the Studio: The Relativity of Color”

Pace’s Pack News: Two Students’ Innovative Approach to News Broadcasting

“The innovation point is the pivotal moment when talented and motivated people seek the opportunity to act on their ideas and dreams.” W. Arthur Porter Krisha Patel and Asha Malhotra, two talented 4th grade students, were motivated by their experience with distance learning to act on a creative idea that has grown into a newContinue reading “Pace’s Pack News: Two Students’ Innovative Approach to News Broadcasting”

Cultivating Classroom Community: A Teacher’s Approach to Maintaining Morning Meetings

If you travel the hallways of the lower school immediately after carpool, you will observe in each classroom a beautiful practice of community building through daily Responsive Classroom Morning Meetings.  During these challenging times filled with COVID-19 mitigation strategies and remote learning, teachers have utilized a variety of creative approaches to hold these important classContinue reading “Cultivating Classroom Community: A Teacher’s Approach to Maintaining Morning Meetings”

Living Our Motto: Virtual Learning at the Lower School

“We will find a way, or we will make one”.  We at the Lower School have repeated this St. Andrew’s motto in countless meetings over the years, encouraging each other when faced with various challenges or new initiatives.  However, in my 4 years at St. Andrew’s, I’ve never seen our motto lived out quite likeContinue reading “Living Our Motto: Virtual Learning at the Lower School”

30 Things I’m Thankful For

During the month of November, our lower school community is practicing “30 Days of Gratitude”.  This 30 day focus is an intentional way for us to dive deeper into our gratitude practices as we’ve set gratitude as the theme for the complete school year.  A recent email from our wonderful school counselor, Chelsea Freeman, toContinue reading “30 Things I’m Thankful For”

Making Calendar Time Meaningful in Pre-K3

The daily routine of calendar time is something early childhood and elementary teachers are all too familiar with.  The skills students acquire during this time are crucial to their development in math, problem solving, vocabulary, and literacy.  The repetitive routines of calendar time are so beneficial for students, but when implemented each day, these routinesContinue reading “Making Calendar Time Meaningful in Pre-K3”

St. Andrew’s 2019 Faculty Innovation Share Out

Lower School Edition The energy in the south campus auditorium was contagious last Wednesday afternoon as faculty members kicked off the year’s “Work-Late-Wednesdays” with a share out of innovative teaching strategies and school-wide initiatives. The five sessions were led by teachers eager to inspire colleagues and share the ways they are redefining teaching and learningContinue reading “St. Andrew’s 2019 Faculty Innovation Share Out”