The Power of Revision with Tom
Interviewer: How much rewriting do you do? Hemingway: It depends. I rewrote the ending of Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, 39 times before I was satisfied. Interviewer:…
Interviewer: How much rewriting do you do? Hemingway: It depends. I rewrote the ending of Farewell to Arms, the last page of it, 39 times before I was satisfied. Interviewer:…
Last month, the first grade class took a small field trip to visit our neighbors at MorningStar Assisted Living and Memory Care. The elders were shining bright after spending time…
With the holidays upon us, “giving” is one word that comes to ones mind. In the mind of a preschooler, “giving” can often be interpreted as, “give that toy to…
“Reading aloud with children is known to be the single most important activity for building the knowledge and skills they will eventually require for learning to read.” – Marilyn Jager…
4th and 5th graders will spend the next 3 weeks learning about fractions. We begin by using the Bixby tile system, a set of 13 different plastic, colored rectangles. The…
In writing class, I always look for ways to create projects that are engaging and fun, yet still purposeful. One of my favorite projects is making ‘pigeon books’ with second…
Science can be a natural fit for elementary school children. Lessons are frequently kinesthetic by nature. Children have the opportunity to follow their own sense of curiosity and discover answers…
“Why do leaves change colors?” Someone replied, “They are getting old. They will all fall on the ground soon.” “Yeah, the trees will all be bare.” “Yes,” I said bringing…
Welcome to my first contribution to the Bixby School blog – Inside the Classroom. The contributions thus far have been a wonderfully enlightening way to get to know and appreciate…
As we get ready for Thanksgiving, I want to share how grateful I am for my students and the supportive community that makes Bixby a wonderful place to teach. I…
At this time of thanksgiving, we are grateful for the many ways in which our extraordinary parents support the…
One of the ways we are celebrating the Thanksgiving season in the preschool is with a “Thankful Tree”. Throughout the week, students have been adding their thankful thoughts to the…
When studying anything, it is always exciting to get first hand information from experts. Bixby teachers are always looking for interesting speakers, field trips, and demonstrations to enhance your students…
Ah, to be an upperclassman! Being a 4th/5th grader at Bixby comes with new privileges, as well as increased responsibilities. As a new 4th grader, the first exciting change is…
I believe children cultivate critical thinking skills when they observe closely and record what they see. Every Monday, the kindergarteners walk to a local wetland area called Bridgewalk Pond. They…
The Book Whisperer In 4th & 5th grade literature, the school year began inspired by Donalyn Miller’s The Book Whisperer and her 40 Book Challenge. Miller’s goal is to foster…
Did you know that it’s about that time to think about summer? What?!?!?! You may be thinking, but the first snow just fell. Ok, you’re right. Let’s be present with…
Computer skills are paramount in the writing room. Effective communication in the 21st century necessitates a familiarity with computers and word processing software. As writers, modern technology affords us so…
One core value of Bixby is that we practice and teach responsibility to the children. Responsibility is a big focus of the school because it allows children to learn how…
This fall, Sports classes participated in our Bixby specific fitness tests. Using our unique surroundings such as lower yard and Tantra Park, we worked on measuring agility, core strength, endurance,…