List of 5 news stories.

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  The Problem with Technology

  Kim Ridley, Head of School
  I was scrolling through the Atlantic magazine online and came across a 2017 article entitled “Have Smartphones Destroyed a Generation.” I originally wrote these reflections in preparation for our January Parent Association meeting. Farely and Erin designed several breakout rooms, and overall, we had a thoughtful and productive conversation.
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  Exploring Identity Through Nature

  Andrew Campion, Director of Marketing and Communications
  Exploring identity in our curriculum is nothing new at Fayerweather. Themes of race, gender, sexual orientation, and economic standing have been woven throughout our curriculum and community. Students are taught to not only share their voice, but that their voice matters. The culmination of this important work on identity can be seen in different examples such as the impassioned Graduation speeches from our Unit students, or in the marches/demonstrations for various causes organized by student activists throughout all grade levels. But the foundations of this curriculum are rooted in the teaching and instruction of our early years.
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  First and Second Grade Scale Project: Designing a 1/24 Scale Living Room

  Hannah Gittleman, Shop Teacher
  This is the kind of project (like many projects are, I suppose) that can work for younger grades with certain emphases and for older grades with other aspects highlighted. For older grades the project would have been more math-based, for example, but for the purposes of most of the 1^st and 2^nd graders it was about designing and building elements in a living room while keeping things approximately “in scale.”
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  Happy Little Moments

  Tracey Lowenstein, 1/2 Teacher
  Who couldn’t currently use a little relief in the form of art? What about kids creating art together while skillfully being led by a classmate? I don’t need to tell you that there is a lot happening in the world today. We are living in unprecedented times and it is easy to get lost in a haze of anxiety and stress, grown ups and children alike. So much of how we teach currently, as dictated by COVID, requires teacher led time, much more than we have done or would like. We are all profoundly feeling the “differences” and looking for and cherishing those moments of “same-same.” As a teacher I am trying to find ways to create learning and joy. 
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  Trust: The Essential Ingredient in Meaningful Learning

  Kim Ridley, Head of School
  I am thinking about the word “ trust” and how I believe it opens doors to exploration, creativity, and meaningful learning. 

   

  On Wednesday, I spent several hours at Fresh Pond, moving from one cohort to the other. I observed students working on various projects, collaborating with each other, and playing together. I followed Ami’s class to a secret corner of Fresh Pond that I had not visited before. These first graders were so happy to show me the way to this plot of land that was shaded, with several climbable trees and branches growing out in all directions. They summoned me to watch them climb. Then several students said, “come on Kim, let me show you how to climb this tree.” Someone had hoisted a big thick branch and laid it upon another branch on the tree that was used as a ladder of sorts. I rested my foot on the base of that branch and watched it wobble back and forth. I said, “I think my body is too heavy for this branch so I can’t trust myself to climb up without getting hurt.” One student said, “Kim just watch me, this is how you do it.” She had the nerve to have on Mary Jane patent leather shoes, as she scaled that tree with ease and confidence. I was in awe!
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