Education, RattleBag and Rhubarb

Beyond the Comfort Zone: Outdoor Education and the ZPD

Imagine a cleared space in the forest and a circle drawn with a rope; “This is your comfort zone – the space where you are confident and at ease. This you can already do. We all have our comfort zone. It takes many shapes and it is different for all of us.” Then another rope makes a circle around the…

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RattleBag and Rhubarb

Gnome Eruptions

They started appearing on campus last week. The gnomes. Peaceful gnomes presiding over the grounds and the walkway between the buildings.And now they are proliferating. Another appeared at my window this afternoon. Does he need to be brought inside? Any information you may have as to their origin and significance – or more importantly about gnomic care and feeding –…

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RattleBag and Rhubarb

In Honor of Don Fried

In honor of Don Fried and his three decades at Poughkeepsie Day School: Past and present colleagues, students, parents and trustees gathered from far and wide Sidereal sang Reminiscences were shared and new memories made Alumni brought their children to meet him and Don’s service to the school and its generations of students was recognized, celebrated and appreciated It was…

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Education, RattleBag and Rhubarb

Just in time for curriculum evenings …

The world is moving at a tremendous rate. Going no one knows where. We must prepare our children, not for the world of the past. Not for our world. But for their world. The world of the future. – John Dewey (seen saying just that in the film below) Progressive education in the 1940s: I don’t know who made this…

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RattleBag and Rhubarb

Pangea Day

“You have a voice, you have a vision, you have a story worth telling.” Can film bring the world together? The people behind Pangea Day hope that it can. It all began here with TEDTalks prize winner Jehane Noujaim. This is her one wish for the world and her idea for achieving it. (Highly recommended.) What do you think? (Click…

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Education, RattleBag and Rhubarb

Creativity and Learning How to Learn

“Modern studies indicate that creativity is not a rare, magic gift visited upon the isolated genius; it is the natural birthright of every human child and is a series of cognitive skills that can be taught, harnessed and applied to unleash what we are now discovering is the infinite creative capacity in every child. Learning How to Learn and Creativity…

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Season of Mists

“Modern studies indicate that creativity is not a rare, magic gift visited upon the isolated genius; it is the natural birthright of every human child and is a series of cognitive skills that can be taught, harnessed and applied to unleash what we are now discovering is the infinite creative capacity in every child. Learning How to Learn and Creativity…

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RattleBag and Rhubarb

Off and Running

We added Cross Country to the athletic choices this fall and the team is off and running and doing very well. Clearly we have some outstanding and enthusiastic runners in both middle and high school. The first meet was the Oakwood Friends invitational – the season opener for the Hudson Valley Athletic League. Here are some of the photographs of…

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Google docs, Social Networking and RSS in Plain English

Three more useful short videos from those very helpful clever teachers at Common Craft: Google docs (no more email attachment versions), Social Networking and RSS – all in plain English. George Orwell would be pleased. And if you are not using RSS (real simple syndication) yet to manage your surfing and internet habits here is your chance to find out…

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RattleBag and Rhubarb

Google Docs and RSS in Plain English

Three more useful short videos from those very helpful clever teachers at Common Craft: Google docs (no more email attachment versions), Social Networking and RSS – all in plain English. George Orwell would be pleased. And if you are not using RSS (real simple syndication) yet to manage your surfing and internet habits here is your chance to find out…

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Education, RattleBag and Rhubarb

How the Arts Deepen Student Thinking

There was a great article in last week’s Boston Globe. The authors – Ellen Winner and Lois Hetland – dismiss the idea that arts education produces higher test scores. While it’s true, they say, that students who are involved in the arts do better in school and on the SAT, it’s not about the test scores. Their own research found…

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They’re back …!

They came by bus, by van, by car, by foot, on bicycle and on crutches. They carried book bags and lunch boxes and precious objects. It was the first day of school yesterday and the energy was cranked up. Now the school has come alive again.

RattleBag and Rhubarb

Student Orientation

It was the first day of school for ninth grade, fifth grade and all students new to Poughkeepsie Day School. And the buildings were buzzing. The younger children found new toys and places to play and work. And all of them met their new teachers and learned more about what it means to be a part of this community. We…

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