from an interview with Wendell Berry. . .(we recently heard he was the most quoted man in America today)
“As we begin to descend, I am thinking about boyhood and Berry’s poetry, and I ask Berry if he agrees that school children should be reintroduced to the lost institution of memorizing and reciting poems.
“Yes,” he replies, “you’ve Continue Reading

A few weeks ago our school enjoyed a day with Jim Davenport, local naturalist and author of Nature Journal. One of our parents joined us for the first time.  Her narration of the day was so beautiful.  We asked her if we could post it here and she said yes!

My daughter, Clementine, has found a Continue Reading

Earlier this year RMCS collaborated with Night Owl Paper Goods to create what  Mason calls ‘A Book of Firsts.’  We choose our kinds of notebooks carefully and intentionally.    Mason suggested a variety of notebooks that in using end up training one in habits that will benefit the learner his whole life through.  It is Continue Reading

Awakening
“The Poet Dreams of the Classroom”
by Mary Oliver
I dreamed
I stood up in class
and I said aloud:
Teacher,
Why is algebra important?
Sit down, he said.
Then I dreamed
I stood up
and I said:
Teacher, I’m weary
of the turkeys
that we have to draw
every fall.
May I draw a fox instead?
Sit down, he said.
Then I dreamed
I stood up once more
and said:
Teacher,
my heart is falling
asleep Continue Reading

Today is Candlemas, the day the Christian Tradition remembers the presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the Purification of Mary.  Many churches have a service in which they bless the candles used in vigils and prayers throughout the year.  Since the students had made their own candles at the outdoor classroom last week, it Continue Reading

“The world is so full of a number of things, we should all be as happy as kings.” This line of poetry from R.L Stevenson is often recited by Mrs. Walker in our school.  So this Friday when our excursion was cancelled because of weather,  we were as “happy as kings.”    We bundled up Continue Reading

Each year on the night before the Christmas holidays, the school has ventured to the Lewis’ property in Chelsea for a Creche, letting the children act out the Nativity by the lake.  Because of the weather we had to cancel this year.  So when our other winter tradition was in the works (our Epiphany celebration), Continue Reading

From Mandy Deter, our 1st and 2nd Grade Teacher-
This Friday we travelled to Gee’s Bend, Alabama.  It was one of my very favorite excursions.  I often find that other people articulate emotions that I find moving and inexpressible.  I read these words of Frederick Buechner from The Faces of Jesus.  ”So hallowed and so gracious Continue Reading

Each year during this season, we set aside a portion of the day called Advent Hour.  Several songs and a special story are chosen, then the children can use material from their own collecting, or select materials provided by the school to make unique crafts and ornaments.  This year they are felting and working with Continue Reading