by Jessica Crawford, 8th Grade Co-Teacher First of all, THANK YOU to everyone who bought cards, CLWS apparel, wreaths and greens, plants, and PIZZA! We really appreciate your support, as it made our wonderful, culminating class trip possible! The 8th …
2023 Pentathlon Reflections
By Jason Burnstein, Movement and Circus Arts Teacher The moment we turned off of the road running along the Mississippi River and headed into the Driftless area of southwestern Wisconsin, I felt that feeling in my soul like I was …
Window into the Curriculum: 8th Grade Sweat Lodge Experience
By Timothy Frantzich, 8th Grade Co-Teacher The flap went down and our 8th grade class was sitting in total darkness except for the stones, glowing red, at the center. Our 8th grade had gone out a few days prior and …
Outdoor Play Foundational for Science Education
New research highlights the foundational role that nature-based play has in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) education. “We often associate early childhood STEM education with things like magnifying glasses and tutorials in the experimental method. But the links between …
A Child-Centered Education, Where Kids Feel “Seen”
One of the best scientific predictors for how a child turns out, in terms of happiness, academic success, and meaningful relationships, is whether adults in their life consistently show up for them. At City of Lakes Waldorf School, our teachers …
Stanford: Why Waldorf Math Works
An in-depth study by Stanford University of the Waldorf educational method in place at a public school in Sacramento, CA found that those students outperformed their peers in other public schools in their district in math, with the most gains …
2022 Pentathlon Reflections
By Jason Burnstein, Movement and Circus Arts Teacher This year’s Pentathlon was like no other. First of all, it was held at the magnificent Whitewater State Park rather than being held locally (as we have done the past two years …
In the News: Working with Your Hands Does Wonders for Your Brain
Working with our hands is enjoyable and helps ward off irritability, apathy, and depression. New research highlights the fascinating things that happen with your brain when you work with your hands. It gives your active mind a rest by engaging …
The New Smart: Educating for an Uncertain Future
With increasingly rapid changes in technology and the nature of work, employers are interested not just in intelligence and social skills, but in an employee’s adaptability quotient, or AQ–their ability to adapt to new challenges with flexibility, curiosity, problem-solving, courage, …
A Greener Childhood Associated with a Happier Adulthood
Recent research indicates that access to the outdoors in childhood is strongly associated with happiness, mental health, and well-being in adulthood. “The effect is remarkable,” says Kelly Lambert, a neuroscientist at the University of Richmond who studies the psychological effects …