Teaching and Learning
The Max MacKay Rule: Decision-Making in the Time of COVID-19
These last days have come at us hard and fast. As we continue to respond and adapt, all of us at Opal School hope that…
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Making biases visible
Last week, families gathered to discuss how work currently happening at Opal School supports knowledge and dispositions central to social justice and global citizenship. Families heard…
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Visitation Days 2020: New Models for Friendship
Last week, nearly 100 educators from around the world gathered at Opal School to uncover principles of Playful Inquiry and imagine greater opportunities for learning…
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When your light goes out
Weekly, the Opal School elementary community starts its day with a community gathering. It’s a time when all four classes, along with many family members,…
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Preparing Materials: Setting the Table
Since September, we’ve been sharing short videos exploring the power of materials in connection, expression, and understanding – with the hope of strengthening your ability…
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Setting the Table: Small World
The space Opal School children refer to as a Small World is more than space for them to find and tell stories. Small worlds offer…
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Right In The Middle of It
I am an educator, but I am also a Portlander. I love my city and always make sure to pay attention to what is happening…
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Book Club: Inventology, Parts 3 & 4
I hope that you’ve been enjoying reading Inventology: How We Dream Up Things That Change the World – and that the Framework for Inspiring Inventiveness…
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Setting the Table: Clay
“Everyone can speak the clay language: they just have to take a risk and try it.” Lois, age 11 Clay becomes a tool that students…
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The Danger of The Guillotine
For the second year in a row, Opal School hosted a “Rising Educators Study Tour” for high school students who study approaches to early childhood…
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