At first glance, the name of our summer art camp might seem odd. If you lean into it for a bit, I think you’ll understand. Our intention for the summer is to provide an arts program for children that invites creativity and self-expression. Additionally, this year we’ve included a social justice piece, as we explore . . . Read More
On my walk this morning, I heard the writer Elizabeth Gilbert quote her mom in a podcast. She said, “The big picture is in the details.” She was talking about the way in which the bigger view of a situation can be revealed in the details of a story. It seemed applicable for this week . . . Read More
As I write this, teachers and parents are engaged already in midyear conferences. The amount of preparation that goes into these conferences is significant. Lead teachers do most of the work and there are additional layers of staff support that round out the process. It’s a major wave of stories documented and preserved for . . . Read More
I’d like to say something about the teachers. I mentioned last week our meeting to discuss how we could expand our conversation about race, culture and diversity. I didn’t realize at the time how quickly they would take it to heart. This week conversations have been popping up all over the school, many inspired by Dr. . . . Read More
At our staff meeting on Monday, the lead teachers sat together to take a closer look at what we do at the Seed to promote diversity. Utilizing materials from Teaching Tolerance (http://www.tolerance.org), an educational project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, we began with these two questions for each teacher: How do you incorporate culture . . . Read More
Seed magic was alive and well last night. Onstage for the first time in South Mountain High School’s auditorium, our Seeds put on a show that warmed hearts, dazzled eyes, delighted ears, and offered a message of hope. With Mem Fox’s book Whoever You Are (http://memfox.com/books/whoever-you-are/) as a starting point, one-year-olds through 4th graders danced . . . Read More
Everything changed a month ago and I’m still regaining my footing. It hasn’t been easy and I know, in comparison to a vast majority of people on the planet, my life is blessed. I know the shift that needs to happen is within and that’s where my focus lies these days. Looking for inspiration last night . . . Read More
This week Gwen’s Castle and its outlying area became an art gallery. Inspired by the work of Andy Goldsworthy, a British artist who works with nature to create his art, the 3rd/4th graders made their own sculptures and arrangements. This project was part of the Seed’s Art Masterpiece program, where parent volunteers present a lesson . . . Read More
Halloween is a sweet time of year, and I’m not talking candy. Certainly it’s sweet when the temperatures fall below 100, even if it’s just barely in double digits. It’s fun to hear the kids talk excitedly about their Halloween costumes and what they plan to do at the carnival. As I wrote last week, . . . Read More
A colorful equinox is a given this year. Sandwiched between our vibrant nutrition study and Halloween is one of my favorite Seed events, tie-dye day. Some of us scheme all year about our next tie-dye projects. Others, looking upon it admiringly from a distance, have never actually done tie-dye. A few won’t touch it and . . . Read More
This day is finally here. Since my last post, I’ve traveled Scotland, returned to the Seed for the last day of summer art camp, then flew to Minnesota for a few days with my parents. My return to Phoenix on Sunday evening was not without its share of drama—our plane was due to land in . . . Read More
I had great expectations for the strawberry moon. For the first time in 70 years, the full moon and summer solstice landed on the same day. I learned it is called the strawberry moon because it’s during summer strawberry season. I knew it would be spectacular and I looked forward to gazing skyward as it . . . Read More
It started with blood and poop, two hot topics in PreK since the beginning of the school year. When such preoccupations linger, there’s only one way to respond: embrace the interest and see where it goes. This happens often around the Seed. When toddlers are mesmerized by falling rain, the teacher sets up sensory experiences . . . Read More
I’ve been a Joni Mitchell fan since way before most people around the Seed were born, staff and parents included. One of my favorites is her song, “River.” It has always spoken to me about the parts of life that carry us off to adventure, both actual and imagined. Daily activity in the sand circle here . . . Read More
Last Friday Danielle and I had the rare privilege of covering lunch and nap time in the Toddler 2s. Both teachers were away, attending to family matters, and all our subs were occupied. Over the years we’ve both spent our share of time in the toddler classrooms, particularly at lunch time and helping with the . . . Read More
Every Seed week begins with the Monday meeting. All classes, minus a toddler class or two, gather in a huge circle that fills up the multi. We begin in silence, sing to children who have birthdays that week, go over general school business, then move around the circle as each class shares what it’s planning for . . . Read More
These days, when everyone is deciding about next year, our older students have been on my mind. The elementary years at the Seed are optional in many respects, with a variety of free alternatives available once children reach kindergarten age. Over the years I’ve learned not to take family decisions personally, trusting that the same . . . Read More
Thirty years ago I met a poet who changed my life. That poet, Georgia Heard, is still changing lives. Currently writing a book about heart maps, a technique developed to help young poets find poetry in their lives, Georgia asked if I’d be willing to try out heart maps with the Seed third and fourth graders. . . . Read More
On Monday we met for preliminary planning of the Seed’s summer art camp. I realized at that moment how much I love the creative process of curriculum design. It’s always fascinating how it all comes together, particularly when everyone’s ideas are considered and heard. For the past few weeks I had been thinking about sustainability . . . Read More
I’m not surprised it’s rained every day since we came back from break. It’s been a big week. On Monday I announced to the staff, and Tuesday to our current families, that at the beginning of August I will step into a new role at the Seed, founding director. Danielle Dueppen, our wise and well . . . Read More