Intermediate
Thinking With Charcoal
Opal School third graders have been exploring charcoal as a language — a tool for thinking and expression. We began by asking: What can this…
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Constructing new ideas through dialog and the arts
During a recent Opal School Mentorship Program gathering, a group was discussing the quality of conversation they hear in Opal School classrooms. They were intrigued by the…
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Early Fraction Math Work: Math Congress
To launch our work with fractions, students were told a story about another class of fourth graders who were going on a small group field…
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Exploring Opal School’s Goals and Expectations for Students: Part 1
One important document that lives inside the family handbook that goes home at the beginning of each year is Opal School’s goals and expectations for…
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Write of Way
The late-season heirloom tomatoes were stunning in their gowns of scarlet red and golden yellow. The last of the summer raspberries rested quietly alongside mounds…
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Pedagogy of Play
Each year the staff at Opal School thinks both together and individually about the pedagogical questions that will guide our research throughout the school year.…
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Why do we need to maintain a strong image of ALL children?
We strive to hold a strong image of each child as capable, competent, creative, curious, and collaborative – full of contributions the world needs now.…
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A crucial thing to know
We’re looking forward to hosting Opal School Visitation Days, when 80 teachers and administrators from seven states, the District of Columbia, and two Canadian provinces…
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Teaching Reading with a Strong Image of the Child
Every time I open her fabulous blog, I get excited about our upcoming workshop with Vicki Vinton. The idea that we’ll spend a significant block…
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Living wide awake
Tuesday night, I went to a discussion about adolescents and screen-time. The facilitator framed the issue as a battle between the desire to live a…
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