Blog
The Rossman blog features content written by our faculty and staff.
Click the archive button to view blogs from previous years. Blog Archive
Why Gratitude Matters
by: Junior Kindergarten Teachers Elizabeth Dean, Mary Eckenroth and Julie Renne
Our Core Values
by: Senior Kindergarten Teachers Lauren Brody, Caroline Jones, and Karen Larson
Do you return your shopping cart when you go to the grocery store? When this question was posed recently, it made us pause. While returning a shopping cart might seem trivial, it was later explained that a person who returns their shopping cart to the right spot after a shopping adventure is responsible. They have integrity and intrinsically know they are doing the right thing, by caring about the well-being of others and taking care of their shopping space. This made us think about a book that shares the story of a boy who makes irresponsible choices and sees the consequences for his actions. [...]
The Great Outdoors: Activities and Resources for Family Fun
by: Fourth Grade Teacher Naomi Smith
“Hey! I caught a fish! Let's go cook it on the campfire.” These may not be the normal things you expect to hear on a playground, but that is not true at Rossman. One of my favorite times with my students is out on the playground. It’s a time students jump into unstructured play in creative and fun ways. It never ceases to amaze me how a stick can become a fishing line, camp fire, wand, or a sword when in the hands of our children. I love being witness to how creative our students can be. [...]
The Benefits of Students Presenting Their Writing
by: Sixth Grade Teacher Zack Mouw
Supporting Your Child in Regulating their Emotions
by: Director of Lower School Rachel Dixon
Hot Cross Buns
by: Music Teacher Amira Fuller
Nine Hundred and Forty Saturdays
by: First Grade Teachers Julie Smith and Arika White
The Power of Traditions in Third Grade
by: Third Grade Teachers Lynn Frankenberger and Kristie Kerber
In 3rd grade, traditions are the heartbeat of our school year. They bring joy, excitement, and a sense of belonging, helping to strengthen our classroom community. Every tradition we celebrate fills our classroom with laughter and creativity. On Gooney Bird Day, students dress up as the quirky characters from the Gooney Bird Greene book. [...]
Navigating Healthy Technology Use: A Personal and Professional Perspective
by: Director of Technology Brad Williams
The Value of a Field Trip
by: Fourth Grade Teacher Jessica Arnold
The Power of Routines: How Consistent Schedules Benefit Elementary School Children
The Studio Habits of Mind
by: Art Teacher Erica Spangler
Tips for Improving Conversations with your Child
by: Director of Lower School Rachel Dixon
Puzzles
by: Junior Kindergarten Teachers Julie Renne, Mary Schwartz, and Diane Vujnich
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
Phones and Family
by: Sixth Grade Teacher Zack Mouw
Synesthesia
by: Music Teacher Amira Fuller
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.