At PNA we use The Responsive Classroom Approach. It is a way of teaching that fosters safe, challenging and joyful classroom and schoolwide climates for all students. Using this approach we understand that all of a students' needs - academic, social, emotional and...

The first week of school is always an exciting time not only for the students but for the teachers as well. It is a new year, a new school, a new class and a new teacher. This brings with it lots of new and exciting opportunities. The first weeks of school are a great...

This week, we had our publishing party, a celebration of the hard work students had done during our fiction writing unit.  In preparation, they each chose the fiction piece they were most proud of and fixed it up to be published.  During the event, students rotated...

We kicked off our final science inquiry this week.  It all started with a discussion and demonstration of day and night.  After that, we charted the amount of daylight in Anchorage by month.  This week, we will use that data to create infographics comparing the...

Looking back at our week, I couldn't help but reflect on our trip to Seward.  What a fun, fun trip.  And what an adventure for our first graders to experience. From having to adjust plans due to the weather to spending a night away from the comforts of home to having...

At first I thought I was crazy to have scheduled a field trip during the throws of auction prep.  However, it ended up being the perfect breath of fresh air amongst a busy season - and a perfect reminder of why we are investing so much time and energy in the auction...

We have been learning about how weather and climate affect people's lives in different places or regions.  We partnered with a class in Arizona and exchanged questions about where the others live.  They asked our students the following questions: Is it cold there? Do...

Morning Meeting is a short and simple part of the day, but also a powerful and meaningful part of the day.  It provides students with an opportunity to be heard and to build a positive classroom culture each day, all while having fun and interacting with peers in both...

As I watched our youngest learners perform Little Prince this week, I couldn't help but reflect on one of the story's messages.  ​ "And now here is my secret, a very simple secret: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to...

I am a firm believer that learning in and of itself is engaging.  In fact, that is one of the reasons I chose to continue my teaching career at PNA.  I love that the style of teaching we do capitalizes on children's natural curiosity, that we engage them in meaningful...