Following the strategic planning kick-off meeting at the Chicago Friends School last weekend, I was charged with asking the students what they hope for the school. My class began by brainstorming what we like about the Chicago Friends School now. Some of the examples were the nice students and teachers, after-school care, having math workbooks,…
Collaboration in the Hallway
One of the great pleasures of my job is when the students do something entirely on their own that makes me stop and feel proud. One of those moments happened in the hall one Thursday between lunch and recess. Four students, representing two different classrooms, finished eating early. Unbidden, they clustered around a book in…
Feelings Detectives
As my class wraps up our unit on empathy in our Second Step program, I am reminded how important this is in the world right now. We have a vision for a world where all people are valued and respected, regardless of their race, gender identity, or socioeconomic level. Recent events have reminded us of…
Love Thy Neighbor (No Exceptions)
This week, the K–2 classes gathered for a discussion on inclusivity. In light of the exclusionary rhetoric that has been in the national discussion right now, Karen and the teachers determined that making sure that everyone sees Chicago Friends School as a safe and inclusive environment is of utmost importance now more than ever. Meghan…
Industrial Revolution Social Studies
On Friday, our class wrapped up our lessons on the Industrial Revolution. We had covered the basics of what the Industrial Revolution was earlier in the week, but we hadn’t yet gotten to the Trash and Treasure connection that we’ve looked at with each era of U.S. history: what did people “treasure” at this point…
Honoring MLK’s Legacy in the K–1 classroom
This week my students studied the importance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. We read the picture book biography Martin’s Big Words by Doreen Rappaport. The book described scenes from King’s life, beginning with his childhood experience of seeing “White Only” signs throughout his hometown. He questions his mother about their meaning, and she assures…