As many of you know, we are a small school with a small playground and a small number of students. And that smallness is a gift: our teachers notice. They notice when games are getting too competitive, when classroom dynamics have been affected by the last kickball match, when someone seems a little “off.”
Last week, our teachers noticed that recess was getting too intense. Balls were being thrown and kicked too hard, too carelessly, and some friendships were carrying new tension into the classrooms. So, we called a meeting.
Together with students, we talked about awareness. What does it mean to be conscious of your surroundings in the middle of a game? To look before you kick a ball into open space? To slow down and remember that no college scout is watching this kickball game. From that conversation, we made a decision: we would take the balls away for a week.
The intention behind this wasn’t just about physical awareness. We also hoped it would spark creativity (“what else can you do at recess when kickball, basketball, and ball tag are no longer options?”) and rebuild friendships that competition had quietly frayed.
What we witnessed exceeded our expectations. A school-wide capture the flag craze took over, still competitive, but in the best way. 8th graders passing the flag to 5th graders. 6th graders tagging 7th graders. All ages, one game. When the balls disappeared, there was no evident moping or groaning. They simply adjusted. The balls were reintroduced yesterday, and we’re hopeful that spirit carries forward.
Our students are resilient. When pushed, they don’t just cope, they find joy.
-Ms. Riley
Upcoming Dates:
- April 3 – 10: Spring Break (no school)
- April 16: 11:30 dismissal
- April 16: Spread the Word (MS poetry night) 4 – 6:30 pm
- April 22: Art Night Celebration 5:30 – 6:30 pm
Working on zines with A$iahMae:
ELA: 5th graders made some final touches and adjustments to poems this week, while also transitioning into our study of Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor. We considered the history that frames the period while also considering our connection to land and home as it is a major theme of the book. Students also started a dictation unit where we practiced formatting, punctuation, handwriting, and spelling. We will work on these skills until break, and plan to test the Wednesday after spring break 4/8.
Next week, 5th grade will begin a comprehension packet that goes with our novel, while comparing and contrasting key characters in the story.
Science: This week in science, 5th graders finalized their bacteria investigations. Students analyzed their data, discussing the conclusions they could draw and thoughtfully considering why some results may have been unexpected. These conversations highlighted the nuance of scientific thinking and the importance of questioning and interpreting data carefully.
Students also practiced their presentations and provided one another with feedback, strengthening both their understanding and their communication skills. I am so proud of the hard work they put into their project presentation to show all their understanding of our experiment.
Next week, students will begin their chemistry unit by exploring mixtures and how to separate their components.
Social Studies: Fifth graders continue to work on our unit of the Asian continent. Their projects and food presentations were excellent! This week we also looked at some of the issues facing the continent through their human interactions, such as pollution and power. Next week before break we will continue to look at the human geography of Asia and how they have shaped their landscapes.
Math: This week in math, 5th graders analyzed their bacteria data, learned about rate of change, and finished up their materials for their presentation on Friday. I’m so proud of their perseverance and grit – this was definitely a challenging yet rewarding project! Next week, we will dive back into content with revisiting volume using our mastery of long division and mutli-digit multiplication.
