…changing the world, one reader at a time.
Coming to the 2019 CS Institute at St. Anne’s-Belfield School next week? I hope you’ll stop by my session, Computer Science is an Open Book! Connect your readers to computer science with the power of picture books. Combining literacy and CS brings stories to life and allows students to take risks, experiment, and embrace their creative side. […]
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This article was published on Nerdy Book Club on June 24, 2019. You can read in its original format here. I stood in the middle of the room and listened to the sound of more than 20,000 pennies clinking and jingling around me. To my left, a fourth grade student helped her first grade buddy to […]
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After a semester of fun, eye-opening, and challenging work, the Leveling the Playing Field in Charlottesville Quest finally got to deliver the first of their Little Free Libraries to the Virginia Discovery Museum this week. We have been so lucky to work with the Virginia Discovery Museum, whose team has been warm, welcoming, and enthusiastic […]
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Design Thinking: Empathize ➡️ Define ➡️ Ideate ➡️ Prototype ➡️ Test ➡️ Share And the final step… CELEBRATE!!! 🎉🙌🎉 4th graders installed their 3D printed Braille signs into their permanent homes in the nonfiction section of the library today. Students used the design thinking process to create this accessible signage in hopes to make our […]
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The “Leveling the Playing Field” Quest, led by eighth grade student Jack Dozier ’23, has been a force in the Learning Village this trimester. Designed to answer one main question, How Can We Level the Playing Field for Children in Charlottesville?, Dozier and his Quest-mates decided to spend their class time raising money for Bennett’s […]
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How many dollars are in more than 140 pounds of donated change? 💰💰 Thanks to our amazing St. Anne’s-Belfield School LS math team, we came together as a community as a community to find out! We’ve spent weeks fundraising for Bennett’s Village, and the big moment is finally here! As a grand finale, fourth graders lead first grade […]
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What is hacking? Every year, as the final chapter to our Foiling Fake News unit, we pull back the curtain and dive into the HTML code behind a news website. Looking behind the scenes and manipulating headlines and photos using code checks to important boxes – first, it gives us valuable practice and experience with […]
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Educators! Snag your spot in the 2019 CS Institute, powered by St. Anne’s-Belfield School and the Curry School of Education at the University of Virginia. This free two-day workshop gives K-12 educators easy, bite-size, accessible tools and ideas to bring computer science into lessons and activities. I know what you’re thinking – “I’m not qualified to […]
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Each year I push 4th grade students to use the design thinking process to create a lasting and meaningful contribution to their library. In past years, we’ve used graphic design to create new signage that’s more accessible to young readers, and interviewed kindergarteners to create systems to help them find the books that they […]
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From the first pencil sketch design to drilling today’s final screw, this Leveling the Playing Field Quest team has had little Charlottesville readers and Bennett’s Village on their minds and in their hearts. With help from Mr. Browning, our sketches and plans became real pieces and we worked together to assemble them. Our Little […]
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