Fall 2020 Important Information
MSS Family Handbook

Need to Know
If your child will be absent, email [email protected].
Please copy the teachers:
[email protected], [email protected],
[email protected]
Or call the school number: 201.653.5548
For COVID-related concerns, email [email protected].

A Season of Growth

May 10, 2023 | Kristen Jordan

Spring is here! The children have grown so much this year and they have been noticing how much is growing and changing all around them as well.

Children have been excited to see birds hopping around and worms wiggling in the dirt. It is lovely that the new growth of spring follows Easter, when we celebrate the new life of Jesus.

The children have explored trees and plants flowering and sprouting and have noticed the trees transforming from bare to covered. The flower petals falling down provided beauty in the park: “It’s snowing pink!”

Spring has made its way back into the classroom as well. Children have worked with materials at the light table to create spring designs and have also made many beautiful observational drawings and paintings of flowers. Creating an image of something requires looking very closely and noticing many details.

One afternoon, the full day students were inspired by green leaves and sticks in the park and Brady wanted to make a flag. This in turn, inspired a flag-making activity in the classroom and a parade to celebrate spring!

There is even a place for data collection in all of the children’s observations about the growth around them. The children have noticed that the fence has gone up, the sprinkler is on and grass seeds have been planted. Each day, we observe to see if the seeds are sprouting. In the classroom, children have predicted how many days they think it may take for the grass seeds to sprout and we are keeping track of the growth day by day!

As children see beauty, changes, and new beginnings in God’s creations in the world around us, so too are they growing and changing. There is so much to be joyful and thankful for!

In the words of one of our worship songs:

Thank you Lord for loving us, thank you Lord for loving us,

Thank you Lord for loving us, right where we are.

Thank you Lord for giving us life, Thank you Lord for giving us life,

Thank you Lord for giving us life, right where we are.

Thank you Lord for giving us joy, Thank you Lord for giving us joy

Thank you Lord for giving us joy, right where we are.

Alleluia, praise the Lord, alleluia, praise the Lord!

Alleluia praise the Lord, right where we are!

Kristen Jordan

Teacher, Rivers Class

Kristen Jordan began helping at Mustard Seed School in 2006, after her daughter had been a student in the preschool. She substituted for many years in all grades; in 2011, she returned to the classroom and has been a teacher in The Nest ever since.

Prior to the birth of her daughter Clara, in 2002, Ms. Jordan worked in Brooklyn as a first grade teacher with the New York City Public Schools. During this time, her school collaborated with the Brooklyn Museum, and this work helped Ms. Jordan develop a real interest in the parallels between the process of making art and the process of writing in the classroom. She thoroughly enjoys teaching both art and literacy to preschoolers.

Ms Jordan’s background includes work with the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project. While at Teachers College, she trained with esteemed educator and author Lucy Calkins. Early in her teaching career, Ms. Jordan did not think that she wanted to teach very young children but her view has changed! She now really enjoys and takes great interest in young children and their development.

Ms. Jordan enjoys reading, working out, hiking, cooking, and spending time with her daughter and family. Although she has lived on the East Coast for a very long time, as a native of Oregon, she really loves the mountains!

A Season of Growth

Kristen Jordan

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