One of the things I have been reading a lot about these days is how the big push for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) in education has created a bit of a vacuum. What is missing? The arts, and even more importantly, the engagement in learning that involvement in the arts brings to these other subject areas. So I have been really attracted to this new term that's been coined: "STEAM" - Science, Technology, Engineering, ART, and Math. This is what we do at Seabury. It's what we've always done. We realize that art does not "take away" from other learning, it enriches it. As Picasso said: "Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life."
Last week, we reflected on our social studies topic and developed our vocabulary of architectural terms related to medieval castles, all while sketching and painting some beautiful pictures. Ask your child: "What was the best thing you did at school last week?" I'm betting most of them will tell you about this. One of our favorite new words? Portcullis (yes, spelled with two Ls - we looked it up!): a heavy iron or wood gate at the entrance of a castle that can be raised or lowered to protect a castle during an attack or siege.
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