Mrs. Pattison & Mrs. Magoolaghan's May/June 2008 Newsletters

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The Sights and Sounds of the Taylor School by Wendy A. Pattison, Head of School

Every Friday, school begins with the sound of children, parents, and teachers singing. We start with our favorites, the songs we have learned throughout the year. At morning meeting, someone shares a story or accomplishment, or we pick this week's new caretaker for the book pet. Sometimes we discuss a whole school issue and the community of children will problem solve together. It is a wonderful way for our community to start its day together.

As I listen from my office door, I can hear the daily sounds of the Taylor School. There is a steady hum of children learning. We value the noise that the children make. It reminds us that they are fully engaged and loving what they do.

I can hear blocks clicking together from the Pre-K classroom. The children are calling their teacher’s name to show her what they have accomplished. Other students in the room are working with math manipulatives and discovering and creating patterns in as many ways that they can. They are so excited!

In the Preschool class, each student has chosen a morning activity. They select from orange playdoh that smells like nutmeg, dress up role playing or an art project involving fall leaves. They are very busy with their work as they chat with each other and compare successes. Today, the class is full of talk about when the monarch chrysalis will transform into a butterfly. The PreK class monarchs hatched earlier in the week and the preschool class was able to visit and look over their science observation journals.

In the K class, the children are writing in their journals. They are telling each other what they are writing about as the teachers go from student to student helping out. Later on I can hear the class developing a KWL chart (what we Know, what we Want to know, what we have Learned) as they get ready to begin a new theme study on community. Everyone seems to have something to contribute and the excitement builds as the group charts its learning path for the next 6 weeks. Over lunch, I overhear a first grade student telling her teacher that she plans to be a book illustrator when she grows up.

Out in the bungalow, the 1-2 classes are discussing the Incan, Mayan and Aztec peoples and contrasting their culture to ours. Each class has been graphing various characteristics of each of the cultures to dramatize similarities and differences. Their teacher is laughing and thoroughly enjoying the comments. There is a feeling of collaboration coming from the classroom. They are clearly joining together as a group of learners, teacher and students alike.

I wander into the 3/4 classroom. I listen to the current chapter book being read. The teacher and the students stop here and there to talk about what they are reading. What do you think this character is feeling? What can you project is going to happen next? Can you relate this to something that has happened to you or your family? The room alternates between lively discussion and rapt attention.

Finally, in the 5th and 6th grade, the students are busy with their laptops in the hallway creating their own books and researching for information on the computer. As they come together to share their ideas with each other I enjoy their discoveries. Laughter is everywhere!

This is the Taylor School community – nurturing joyful learners. When you spend time with us, you get a feel right away for who we are and what we believe about children and learning. Come visit us anytime – we would love to meet you!