Laura Nicol

Each period of elementary art that I teach begins with a story. Depending on the classroom setting, either a candle or a special lamp is lit. A song or two may be sung to help students transition into the circle. Beeswax modeling clay is distributed to...

Content EditorApr 03Comments Disabled

A photo of two of our students in their classroom. They are working on an art project together.

Choices

Laura Nicol

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Laura Nicol

Choices

I was halfway through writing a word on the whiteboard for a student to copy when, suddenly, he said, “I’m not sure that I want to be a teacher when I grow up.” I turned around and looked at him – a lanky five-year-old whose feet didn’t touch...

Content EditorNov 13Comments Disabled

A group of students in the TSCS garden. One student is gently holding up a lizard he found amongst the plants.

Why Teach Ancient History in Kindergarten?

Laura Nicol

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Laura Nicol

Why Teach Ancient History in Kindergarten?

People are often surprised to hear that one of the four classes taught in Kindergarten at The Saint Constantine School is Ancient History. As a Kindergarten teacher, I am frequently asked questions like, “Don’t your students get bored?” “How can...

Content EditorOct 04Comments Disabled

A cover for the pre-K and Kinder art book. The background is a blue, yellow, and green watercolor painting, on top of which is the title "The Beauty Book"

Beauty (Courtesy of the Pre-K/Kindergarten Art Class)

Laura Nicol

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Laura Nicol

Beauty (Courtesy of the Pre-K/Kindergarten Art Class)

Last school year, during our last few weeks of class, I interviewed the students of my Pre-K / Kindergarten Art Class. We spoke one-on-one while the other students worked on drawings, and in our conversations I asked each one various questions about “beauty.”...

Author TestingAug 19Comments Disabled

Looking a Little Longer: Conversation in the Classroom

Laura Nicol

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Laura Nicol

Looking a Little Longer: Conversation in the Classroom

Early this year, I learned a ‘trick of the trade’ from one of my colleagues. When teaching a group of young children, it can be of great advantage to you to begin class by saying, “Who has something to say to our class? Please raise your hand.”...

Content EditorMay 10Comments Disabled

A painting depicting a young man, kneeling in the dirt, being greeted by an old man in beautiful clothing. Behind them, the household watches the reunion, some skeptically.

Try. Try Again.

Laura Nicol

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Laura Nicol

Try. Try Again.

There’s a little drama that plays itself out countless times a day in the lower grades of The Saint Constantine School. You can catch performances in classrooms, in lunchrooms, on the playground and in various hallways across campus. Most go something...

Content EditorOct 19Comments Disabled

Laura Nicol

A Lion’s Courage

A Lion’s Courage

Choices

Choices

Why Teach Ancient History in Kindergarten?

Why Teach Ancient History in Kindergarten?

Beauty (Courtesy of the Pre-K/Kindergarten Art Class)

Beauty (Courtesy of the Pre-K/Kindergarten Art Class)

Looking a Little Longer: Conversation in the Classroom

Looking a Little Longer: Conversation in the Classroom

Try. Try Again.

Try. Try Again.