Category Archives: outside

SOAR Family Hike

This past Saturday, some of the McGuffey community gathered for our annual SOAR (Students Outside and Running) Family Hike. Zafer Ozdemir led us on a three-mile hike followed by an optional three-mile run. It was a great opportunity for the students to … Continue reading

Posted in community, fundraising, McGuffey, outside, physical education

Making a Discovery

A few students in our Lower Elementary classroom dug up a piece of rock filled with ancient coral and seashells this morning in their outdoor classroom. They used brushes and shovels to dig it out of the ground, and they worked … Continue reading

Posted in building and grounds, Lower Elementary, outside, science

A Visiting Performance of Sleeping Beauty

Earlier this week, we were treated to a performance of Sleeping Beauty by the Windy City Players. This Chicago-based touring group has come to us several times and is a wonderful addition to McGuffey’s Theater program. Our students were not only … Continue reading

Posted in drama, guest speakers, McGuffey, music, outside

SOARing at McGuffey

It’s Fall and SOAR is in the air! SOAR, or Students Outside And Running, is an all-school running and walking program that inspires fun and fitness during the noontime recess and P.E. for two weeks. The entire McGuffey community takes laps … Continue reading

Posted in building and grounds, community, fundraising, Lower Elementary, McGuffey, Middle School, outside, physical education, Primary, Upper Elementary

Imaginative Play in Lower Elementary

Earlier this year, we shared some photos of Lower Elementary students building various things in their outdoor classroom with our new Outlast blocks. Although the newness appeal of these blocks has begun to fade ever so slightly for some students, we have … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Elementary, outside

A Glimpse into Lower Elementary’s Work Period

Students in Lower Elementary have been delving deeper into the Albanesi Mathematics Curriculum over the past week, as well as continuing their work with Ingrid on growing their own succulent plants. We’ve also been working hard on time management skills, … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Elementary, math, outside, practical life

Starting Succulent Plants with Ingrid

Today, Ingrid dropped by Lower Elementary to teach the students there about succulent plants and to help them start growing their own. Succulent plants are generally thicker and hardier than other plants, and they require little water. Think of a … Continue reading

Posted in Lower Elementary, outside, practical life

Town Hall Meeting 2016

Today, we held our annual start-of-the-year Town Hall Meeting with students from all classrooms at McGuffey. Our theme this year was community. As has become tradition, our meeting started off with an open mic for anyone who wanted to tell a joke. … Continue reading

Posted in community, McGuffey, outside

Lower Elementary’s Expanded Outdoor Classroom

Lower Elementary’s outdoor classroom was expanded at the end of the summer in order to encompass more space for running, as well as to enclose the patio and garden areas. Students have been taking great advantage of all the extra room… … Continue reading

Posted in building and grounds, Lower Elementary, outside

Rhythm Circle

This year, Grade 6 students will spend the first part of the year’s Music classes participating in a Rhythm Circle. Guided by Elizabeth, the members of the group join together in creating group rhythms. If you’ve been in a Drum … Continue reading

Posted in music, outside