Beautiful Bluegrass

By Kelly Crum, Communications Manager

bluegrass

One of the many blessings of a smaller school is the ease with which teachers can collaborate. Middle School Language Arts teacher Katherine Slayton and Music and Band teacher Katie Kilroy recently teamed up to provide fifth grade English Language Arts students an engaging lesson to cap off their study of Appalachian literature.

“As part of this study, we explored the context of Appalachian history and culture, and we also listened to bluegrass music and analyzed lyrics to some classic country music such as ‘Country Roads’ by John Denver and ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ by Loretta Lynn,” Mrs. Slayton says.

She worked with Ms. Kilroy to expand this lesson by inviting two local musicians, guitarist Greg Clarke and fiddler Phil Dowis, to come and tell about their instruments and perform classic bluegrass. Ms. Kilroy, a talented and versatile musician in her own right, joined the visitors to play the banjo. Continue reading “Beautiful Bluegrass”

A Dress Rehearsal for Life

_SJP8863By Katie Edde, Dean of Students

How do we teach children to learn from failure? As a parent of two Prep students, I know the temptation to rescue my girls from situations that may lead to failure or disappointment. I don’t want them to be hurt. Rather, I want them to grow up to be self-assured, resilient, independent, and hardworking. As dean of students in the Middle School, I want the same for the growing young people in our teachers’ care.

Someone once told me middle school is a dress rehearsal for life, and it’s true. As students mature and change during these pivotal growth years, they experience challenges that prepare them for adulthood. Bad grades happen, friendships aren’t easy, teams come up short, tempers flare, and tears fall. Educators know to look past the mistakes and see the shining light within each child.

Continue reading “A Dress Rehearsal for Life”

An Egg-cellent STEM Egg Drop Challenge

By Emily Tucker, STEM Specialist

stem1Prep’s 6th Annual STEM Egg Drop Challenge was a huge success with nearly 50 teams, 40 additional entries, 18 student volunteers, and at least 12 staff members!

Discovery Place Science museum graciously provided tickets to the IMAX Dome Theatre for our contest winners. Students tested their contraptions on the four challenge levels: The Over Easy (picnic table), The Sunny Side Up (6 ft. ladder), the French Omelette (mezzanine window), and The Ultimate Scrambler (Middle School balcony).

As each student successfully navigated a challenge level, they received a sticker. After completing all challenges, participants were awarded a certificate and their choice of a variety of egg-themed prizes.

Continue reading “An Egg-cellent STEM Egg Drop Challenge”