There is a book series by Scholastic that I love titled, Ordinary People Change the World.  We've been exploring the question, "What makes people the same and different?" during Inquiry Workshop, and these books have been a great addition to our study, sparking many...

There are various types of texts for developing readers, which can sometimes be confusing.  Each type of text has pros and cons, and as with most things, a mixture of both is beneficial for most children. Leveled Readers Leveled readers are texts with predictable...

At PNA, we strive to educate students to be exceptional learners and independent thinkers of vision, courage, and integrity.  One way that we do this is by equipping our students to think for themselves and come to their own conclusions.  We do this by helping them to...

November tends to be a time that reminds us more than usual to be thankful.  I am grateful for the opportunity to be your little one's teacher.  Thank you for allowing me and PNA to partner with you in your child's education.  I assure you it is not a responsibility...

Think back to math instruction in your school years.  I'm sure it was much like mine, filled with algorithms and abstract idea, ideas that I memorized and used to calculate answers, but did not understand.  In grade school, I was not a fan of math.  It wasn't until I...

Early literacy instruction is designed to help children learn to decode text (i.e. read words) and also enjoy literature. One way that we make reading enjoyable is by bringing the books we read to life.  Early in the year, this includes using character voices for...

It’s no secret that reading and literacy is a passion of mine, but what you might not know is why I am so passionate about it.  On Friday, teachers spent the day experiencing what students with dyslexia might experience. Dyslexia is one of many possible causes of...

At PNA, we strive to educate students to be exceptional learners and independent thinkers of vision, courage, and integrity.  This mission guides our educational policies, teaching philosophies, curriculum and academic framework choices, and approaches to building...

​Confidence - the word that was most consistently articulated by both parents and teachers in response to the most important trait of a PNA graduate.  But how do you build confidence in young learners? I think the best way to do this is through developing...

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. ​-Benjamin Franklin Other than helping my students stay curious, one of my main goals as a kindergarten teacher is to help my students build independence within the routine and structure of our...