Intermediate
What role do the Hundred Languages play in 4th and 5th grade?
The following poem has helped me shape and deepen my understanding of teaching practices inspired by the early childhood centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy. It…
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What is the view through a window into Opal 4 this week?
Some images, captions, and quotes from a little over a week in the Opal 4 classroom. What languages and materials are supporting our work as…
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The Social and Emotional
Re-reading this article tonight, after a particularly creative third grade Literacy Studio today, I was thrown against the cold reality of the mindset of those…
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Wide Awake in the World
There is an exciting rite of passage that takes place for students in third grade at Opal School. The children receive, and learn to use,…
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On Homework
Homework is one of those words we teachers at Opal School continue to create shared meaning around. We love this post http://readingyear.blogspot.com/2011/10/home-work.html that explains how…
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Leaning into Literacy Studio
Sparks connect together like a vine but the big pink flower is the idea that goes through the picture. The flowers grew together in my…
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Camp Collins 2013
What happens when a group of 9, 10 and 11 years olds who have been together as a learning community for over a year spend…
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Synthesis Thinking, Materials Work, and the penultimate week of school!
This was a four day week, but so much is happening in Opal 4, I had to share. Practicing our songs for graduation with Carrington…
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Friday Update – May 17, 2013
Sometimes “Highlights” and “Ask Me About” just can’t capture the week. We need pictures! Historically Accurate Play in Opal 4 has moved – geographically and…
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What does social-emotional learning look like in fifth grade?
Social-emotional learning plays a central role in our work at Opal School – even in fifth grade. We understand that when people find themselves in…
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