Captain Underpants, Dog Man, and Cat Kid were the inspiration for this week’s writing and social studies project. Dav Pilkey, the author of these popular comic books, had problems reading growing up and aspires to give a message of inspiration, creativity, practice,...

In recent weeks, students performed in front of their peers and a Zoom audience, they also used flashlights to demonstrate the effect of the sun’s light on shadows, and they learned more about space and its patterns through a virtual field trip with The Anchorage...

I’m Trying to Love Math by Bethany Barton is a children’s book about a child who discovers that math is all around and is already part of everything they love. The problem is that so many math curriculums are from a textbook, and although they give real-world...

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “Courage is the power of the mind to overcome fear.” At PNA, “We educate students to be exceptional learners and independent thinkers of vision, courage, and integrity.” Students at PNA demonstrate courage just by coming to...

Our class was ready to take a trip out of Anchorage and out of 2020! So, this week students brought out their great imaginations and traveled on Tuomi Airlines, not only to places around the world but also back in time! ​ After packing our suitcases and passports, we...

To me, Thanksgiving is not only a time to reflect on what we are thankful for, but also a time to be with family, and (for a teacher) the perfect time for students to do a project that focuses on family. So, over Thanksgiving break, students worked from home with...

This trimester, students researched and explored different animal systems, functions, and adaptations. This week used their new knowledge to think like an engineer, and developed a model of a new invention that mimics an animal system and solves a real-world problem....

Mr. Tanner teaching students about marine engineering in our outdoor classroom! Students enjoyed learning from our guest marine engineer, Rett Tanner, this week. As students listened to how engineers came up with the inventions for scuba gear, I recognized the truth...

This week first graders put spoons on their fingers and used them to dig in the dirt like an animal with claws! I feel so blessed to be teaching in-person and at a school that encourages hands-on learning, especially when I see how engaged and happy the students are....

Scientists today look to animals and nature for inspiration on how to make human lives easier and longer. For example, our airplanes are shaped like birds, burn victims are treated with fish skin, and scuba fins for diving look like the fins you see on some marine...