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The Rossman blog features content written by our faculty and staff.

Click the archive button to view blogs from previous years. Blog Archive

The Value of a Field Trip
by: Fourth Grade Teacher Jessica Arnold

Recently, I have been reminded of how incredibly valuable field trips can be. After having to put them on hold during COVID, returning to our usual fourth grade trips has highlighted their importance in the learning process. Field trips are much more than just fun days away from the classroom. They are an invaluable tool for bringing learning to life and igniting sparks of enthusiasm around a topic of study. [...]

The Power of Routines: How Consistent Schedules Benefit Elementary School Children

by: School Counselor and Executive Function Coach Jess Fletcher & Permanent Substitute/Extended Day Supervisor Sarah Marx
 
Kids and adults alike typically have some sort of morning and/or bedtime routine. For example, upon waking up you may make your bed, brush your teeth, pick out an outfit, and make breakfast while reviewing answers for an upcoming presentation or test. Reflect on how you would feel if you missed your alarm clock only giving yourself 10 minutes to get out the door before being late. [...]

The Studio Habits of Mind
by: Art Teacher Erica Spangler

In the book Art and Fear by David Bayles and Ted Orland, the authors wrote about the mindsets that can keep people from making or sharing art. Wondering things like “is it going to be good enough”, “will people like it”, and “ am I actually capable” are just a few thoughts that keep even professional artists from starting or completing their art. As you can imagine, children are limited by those same thoughts which can be detrimental to developing their creativity and sense of self as artists. [...]

Tips for Improving Conversations with your Child
by: Director of Lower School Rachel Dixon

Have you lovingly inquired to your child, “How was your day?” when they’ve gotten in the car only to receive a “Fine” or “I don’t remember” response? Have you approached your withdrawn child and asked, “You okay?” and gotten a sullen “I’m fine”? Have you been stuck in a waiting room and handed your child a device to pass the time? If you are like me, the answer is a resounding yes to all of the above questions. [...]

Puzzles
by: Junior Kindergarten Teachers Julie Renne, Mary Schwartz, and Diane Vujnich

In Junior Kindergarten at Rossman School, puzzles are an important part of our play-based curriculum.  One activity that the children love is our “Puzzle Palooza”! A puzzle is the only activity each child can choose, and she can work alone, with a partner or in a small group. Many different puzzles are available, from simple wooden puzzles and board puzzles to more challenging freeform and one hundred piece puzzles. A child will typically choose a puzzle that appeals to her interest, as well as her ability. Why puzzles? There are so many benefits. [...]

What's the Big Deal About Fundations 
by: Senior Kindergarten Teachers Lauren Brody, Karen Larson, and Christine White

Imagine this: you come home and notice your child’s phonics work just peeking out of their folder. Upon further examination you see lined paper, but it’s different. It has strange characters on the sides. A cloud, a plane, grass, and an extra line (with a worm). You also see words with multiple bizarre pencil markings like circles, scoops, and lines. What?! At this point you are reminded of the new program you heard about at the beginning of the year and mutter to yourself, “Oh yeah, what’s the big deal with this Fundations program anyway?” [...]

The Importance of Safe Failure
by: Second Grade Teachers Emily Gorski and Jamie Rhinesmith

We’ve all been there before. We see a child making critical errors in a process that will undoubtedly result in task failure. What we do next as adults is more critical and counterintuitive than may appear at first glance. How tempting is it to step in and immediately orient a frustrating puzzle piece to its correct position for a child, hand them the key building materials they don’t notice sitting just behind them, or even give them the correct letters during a written assignment rather than asking what they already know about an unfamiliar word? [...]

Nurturing Nature: Creating a Monarch Waystation at Rossman Campus
by: Fourth Grade Teacher Naomi Smith

The change in the weather, the flurry of bird activity, and the little spots of color in our landscape let us know that spring is finally here. For me, spring marks the start of my garden journey for the season, and this year my garden activity is taking on a very special turn. This year, my focus is on developing a perfect habitat for pollinators and a waystation for the Monarch butterfly. [...]

Phones and Family
by: Sixth Grade Teacher Zack Mouw

Around this time last year, my family and I were enjoying dinner at home when the topic of adulthood came up. My wife, Alicia, and I chuckled at some of our children’s responses to why they wanted to grow up so quickly. “I’ll be able to eat as many sweets as I want!” one of them announced excitedly. I’ll stay up way past my bedtime!” another one declared. Finally, my then seven-year-old son said something that caught me by surprise–“I’ll be on my phone all the time, like Dad!” [...]

Synesthesia
by: Music Teacher Amira Fuller

The beauty and enjoyment that one can find in listening to a beautiful piece of music has always been something that drew me to music. The ability to listen to a song and allow it to transport you to a different time, place, or even emotion has always given music a magical sense to me. You can imagine my excitement then when I learned of synesthesia, the ability to see, rather than just hear, music. [...]

Rossman School, nestled on a 20-acre campus in St. Louis, is a private preparatory school for students in Junior Kindergarten (four years old) through Grade 6. The school’s mission is to provide a strong, well-balanced education in a nurturing school community committed to excellence. Dedicated to developing personal, nurturing relationships with each child, Rossman’s experienced educators provide a solid foundation in academics, athletics and arts while emphasizing strong character development and leadership skills.​ To learn more or schedule a tour, visit our inquiry page.