Parker Blog
The last few weeks we have turned our lens inward to focus on the importance of project work here at Parker. From professional development to classroom examples both large and small, we have analyzed and illustrated how project work exemplifies our mission and values as a progressive school. This past Monday, we set aside a day…
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Cinderella the Musical! Project work at Parker is integral to our model of learning and woven into the fabric of our community. Last week, we examined the hallmarks of successful project work at Parker and how it facilitates our mission of engaging each student in a thoughtful and challenging learning process that inspires curiosity and…
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Students are natural investigators, and the immersive curriculum at Parker inherently lends itself to following where their curiosity leads. One vehicle Parker employs to facilitate this style of progressive education is project-based learning.Project-based learning is a teaching method in which students gain knowledge and skills by working for an extended period of time to investigate…
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We traditionally send students to school so they can learn to read, write and do arithmetic. But rarely do we stop and examine “What is the real value of reading?” Of course, reading enables our students to grow up and pursue careers in their chosen fields of interest. However, here at Parker we believe that…
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There are so many things to love about Parker. From our bright, engaged, and curiosity-driven students, to our expansive natural campus that provides endless opportunities to explore, Parker is a cherished community that promotes lifelong learning success for our students. It takes a village to raise a child, and parent support is critical to supporting learning…
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Yesterday Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Here at Parker, we couldn’t be happier! Winter at Parker is a season full of exploration and enthusiasm, and our students fully immerse themselves in all that the season and it’s cold weather brings. With options ranging from sledding and building…
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Here at Parker, we believe in the power of learning by doing. At all ages, and across all grade levels, Parker students are consistently immersed in hands-on learning activities that engage their senses and encourage them to explore their environment. Kinesthetic learning stimulates creativity, problem-solving, spatial awareness, and organization – all skills that lead to…
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Being in the middle is a position not often celebrated in our society. Middle children, middle of the back seat, a mid-life crisis — all are associated with the need to cope with a special set of “in-between” circumstances that somehow impacts one negatively. The same can often be said of middle school…but NOT here…
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Children lead lives that are rich with feeling. From whirling joy to frustrated meltdowns, so much of what children experience and express is through the raw, unfiltered lens of emotion. Here at Parker, we understand that this is an essential developmental component of childhood. It is why we prioritize emotional security as one of our four core…
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This past Monday, our Parker 6th grade (with the support of Parker STEM teacher John Sherry) participated in Kids CAN Build!, an event hosted by Shalom Food Pantry at Crossgates Mall in Colonie. Kid’s CAN Build is a project for middle school students that brings awareness to food insecurity locally while simultaneously allowing students to…
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