Lately I have been reflecting on how the new art studio has affected my teaching. I am still in awe of the space and realize that it has become what I used to dream about—an inspiring creative space for discovery, exploration, deep thought, and joy. It is truly an art teacher’s dream room! The kindergarten class has been working with clay and thinking about two questions: “What things can be.. Read More
Buddies: Kindergarten and 3rd/4th Grade
We believe children learn best in community and our buddies program is one way we build and strengthen our school community. Buddies is a time for older and younger children to play together and learn from each other. It also provides an opportunity for friendships to form that can last from kindergarten through eighth grade. This year, the Bayou class 3rd and 4th graders are buddies with our kindergarten. (Next year, Bayou students will have.. Read More
Friends School of Minnesota Names New Head of School
Friends School of Minnesota (FSM) is extremely pleased to announce that Dr. Latrisha Chattin will become the school’s fourth Head of School, effective July 1, 2015. Her appointment results from an intensive process to identify a successor to Lili Herbert, who announced in December 2013 that she would be retiring at the end of the 2014-15 school year. Latrisha Chattin resonates strongly with the school’s mission. Her philosophy of education.. Read More
Árboles con Colores del Otoño with Kindergarten
Today in kindergarten Spanish class, we made “árboles” con colores del otoño. We made autumn trees in Spanish! Students made leaves (las hojas) by hand and glued them together to create a fall tree. We were inspired by the glorious autmun maple trees outside our new Spanish classroom windows! ¡Feliz otoño! Happy autumn! Sara, Spanish Teacher
A Morning with Mississippi Kindergarteners
Enjoy this photo gallery of a morning in the kindergarten classroom–the Mississippi. Thank you to FSM parent Christa for the photos!
Korean Student Teachers at Friends School of Minnesota
This last month, Friends School of Minnesota once again welcomed Korean student teachers from the Global Teacher Education Program (GTEP). What a great educational and cultural exchange for everyone! The Global Teacher Education Program (GTEP) is a short-term professional development and study abroad program sponsored through the University of Minnesota’s College of Education and Human Development. GTEP is a partnership program with Seoul National University of Education (SNUE) in South Korea… Read More
The Value of Narrative Assessments
Friends School of Minnesota mid-year narrative assessments about our students will soon be compiled, stuffed in envelopes, stamped, and sent to our families. These twice yearly reports are the culmination of a long process of assessment, reflection, and many hours of careful writing. Narrative assessments express our belief as progressive education institution that much what is learned at school or known about a child cannot be measured by letter grades or.. Read More
Fostering a Caring Community: The Annual MLK Day Celebration
Last Friday evening, I stood in the soaring lobby of the O’Shaughnessy auditorium greeting families, friends, and community members to the Friends School of Minnesota’s annual, all-school Martin Luther King Celebration. The excitement and pride amidst the families was clear; one parent told me it was her favorite day of the year, “even better than Christmas!” she declared.