I’m savoring these last few days of spring. The mornings are still cool enough that I need a long-sleeved shirt, and the evenings make me want to linger in the garden as long as there’s still light. On Wednesday night I sat on a large flat rock near our compost pile, meticulously removing dried peas . . . Read More
This week I had the most excellent opportunity to observe in the Early 3s. It was during open centers, and there was no shortage of action or engaged activity. As I entered the room, two children were finishing up snack, one sat quietly working at the writing table, some were exploring natural objects near the . . . Read More
You may notice the beautiful bulletin board in the hallway, celebrating the Ramadan holiday. It’s part of a year-long effort to represent and celebrate the various cultures of our Seed families. Prior to the Ramadan display being installed, I was asked to review the content of the material that was going to be used, to make . . . Read More
I know I write about the Seed’s outdoor space quite often. I love being outside with the children, watching them play in all the ways they do. It’s when many of them are at their finest, using their imaginations freely with no adults telling them how to play. Certainly we keep track of how materials . . . Read More
Last weekend I was out for a walk along the canal by my house. I was appalled by the huge pile of trash accumulated near a barrier consisting of styrofoam Polar Pop cups, recyclable water bottles, a GrubHub cooler, and a soccer ball. I shared this with the 1st graders to remind them that climate . . . Read More
Since I last wrote, my four-year run of avoiding Covid came to a screeching halt. Mostly it felt like a bad case of bronchitis, for which I am grateful. I’m slowly sifting through the residual symptoms, and am glad to be on this side of it. I now understand the brain fog piece, and see . . . Read More
Each year around this time, we learn about the life of Martin Luther King, Jr. and others, like Rosa Parks, who contributed to the Civil Rights Movement. Although social justice practices are ongoing, this time of year is an opportunity to hone in on activism. I’ve always loved putting together studies, and the chance to . . . Read More
When the pandemic arrived in 2020, an important part of my life was hit hard, Desert Song Healing Arts Center. Since 2003, it was my yoga community where I taught and practiced, as well as a personal refuge in many ways. The same week the Seed shut down, the studio’s doors also closed. Several of . . . Read More
From time to time a certain voice catches my attention. Most recently it’s the voice of Christiana Figueres, the former Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change from 2010 to 2016. She is also known for being a key figure in making the 2015 Paris Agreement possible. Christiana had a . . . Read More
A bulletin board covered with paper monarch butterflies is one of the first things you’ll see upon entering the building. It’s a group collaboration in honor of Día de los Muertos. According to one source, “Monarch butterflies are souls of ancestors who return to Earth for their annual visit.” On Wednesday and Thursday, celebrations were held, . . . Read More
We often talk about our emergent curriculum, especially with new incoming families. It’s described on our website as “an organic approach to learning that incorporates the interests and passions of children, their teachers, and relevant issues or current events.” We use it because “it offers children and teachers the most autonomy as learners. Using an . . . Read More
Like most people I’ve talked with lately, my heart feels immensely heavy. It’s the news, the level of stress we all live with, and the fact that it’s past mid-October and it continues to be over 100 at lunch recess. We have such easy lives compared to many, and it’s still a lot. I take . . . Read More
I’m loving these new days of autumn, even though we are still in the upper 80s for midday recess. After such a long, hot summer, it’s wonderful to feel a breeze that’s slightly cooler. The seasonal change has invited more time outside to enjoy our playground and outdoor areas. While supervising a small group . . . Read More
During a committee meeting, Danielle and I were asked how the year is going. We reported that things are going well on many fronts, including our new flooring, our fabulous climbing structure, and the fact that at the start of the year everyone working here was a returning staff member. As the conversation continued, we . . . Read More
Our food study has been deliciously successful this year. In speaking with various teachers, several themes have been present across grade levels: learning about foods by color and what they do for our bodies inviting parents/grandparents to come in and share favorite or traditional foods of their families/culture making a connection to gardening and our . . . Read More
My writing teacher, the late Donald Murray, once said that over time he found himself returning to the same topics. In his case, two of his topics were serving in WWII and the death of his adult daughter. His words drift into my mind as I notice I’m starting to write yet another blog about . . . Read More
In every class there is a flurry of creativity that will translate into Mother’s Day gifts. Without revealing any top secret surprises, it’s heartwarming to see such an outpouring of appreciation to the moms who are such important members of our community. The Preschool 4s class held an extra special celebration in honor of their . . . Read More
As Earth Day rolls around, we take time to reflect on our practices at the Seed to evaluate how we’re doing and what we can do better. As I look around, one area in which we’ve improved significantly is with lunches and water bottles. Throughout the school, children of all ages are utilizing reusable containers, . . . Read More
On Thursday I was sitting under the loft in the 1st/2nd grade class with one of the first graders, finishing up the final touches of his published book about museums. Although we were highly focused on his book, I couldn’t help but be distracted by what was going on with the rest of the class. . . . Read More
So many life lessons happen in the sand circle. The Seed playground continues to provide opportunities that serve as a microcosm of the way the world works. A brief time supervising the Early 3s during their Monday recess did just that. During the pandemic we removed many of the pots and pans from the . . . Read More
Ever since I was a young child, I’ve been engaged in the creative process. My first memories of this involved my hands in mud. As I grew older, with unlimited raw materials at my fingertips, I branched out into making doll clothes, accessories, and full-on environments for my troll dolls and small animal erasers that . . . Read More
This entire week has been one of preparations. Danielle and I have focused most of our attention on setting up schedules, staffing, and the calendar for upcoming aspects of our program. For example, we have been talking about registration for the 2023-2024 school year, considering placement decisions and classroom configurations. We have had conversation about . . . Read More
Despite all the hustle and bustle the season, I love this week of school leading up to the winter break. The winter solstice falls right in the middle of it, which is an added bonus. Over the years, the winter solstice has become one of my favorite days of the year. I like the history . . . Read More
It’s been a week. It was Thursday before I was able to work at my desk for any length of time. As predicted by the media, the trifecta of winter ailments (covid, influenza, and RSV) has hit our staff and their families hard. We seem to be slowly coming out of it, but there’s the . . . Read More