Scrapping the Plan
The delights of children are not on any kind of time schedule. We take it when it comes and run with it as far as we can. So earlier last...
spotted dog blog
Bread Day
What is in a simple slice of bread? At Raintree, it is packed with growth, learning, and connection. Bread Day is the standing Thursday...
Operation Chickens
The Project Approach is a method of teaching where learning is integrated through the development of a student created and driven...
Sit, Watch, and Listen
We live in such a fast-paced world that our children sometimes struggle to slow down. At Raintree, we use Sit Spots to help us take an...
Made with Love, from Seed to Table
One of Raintree’s foundational commitments is to serve lovingly cooked meals, from lovingly grown ingredients. This entails building...
Loose Parts: Experimenting with the Unexpected
The founder of the Reggio Emilia approach said, “The child has a hundred languages, a hundred hands, a hundred thoughts, a hundred ways...
The Peace Process
Young children are sponges who soak up knowledge from various resources. This includes, but is not limited to the environment around...
Exploring the Senses
Building a mind disposed to scientific pursuits involves exploring the natural world in a meaningful way. By using a variety of senses,...
Birthday Celebrations
At Raintree, we have many traditions to help us celebrate our students' birthdays. On their birthday, each child makes a special crown,...
Get to Know the Carrots
What a journey we take at the lunch table each day! Here is where we get acquainted with new foods, develop conversation skills and...
Autumn Provocation
Autumn is a magical time at Raintree. The forest comes to life with vibrant oranges, reds, yellows, and according to one student, “a...
The Story of the Lemon Tree
For those of you who don't know, Raintree has a lemon tree that lives next to the Kindergarten classroom. This is a resilient tree that...
The Peace Process Works for Grown Ups, Too
During our conferences, last week, we spoke a lot about the social emotional growth of your children and I have a story to share to...
"Right Now" Learning
Speaking candidly, not all project times go as planned. And, as a teacher, we are planners. So, when times of learning and engagement do...
The Forest Inside Us
Forest day started like any other: fort building, leaf rubbings & story telling when, all of a sudden... "I heard a BOOM!" "I think at...