Curriculum Corner: 'Project Fair and End of Year Reflection'
As I grow more veteran here, I am able to see just how deeply our values are present at Blue Mountain School. We are mindful, full of patience, and full of compassion.
By Jacob Sisson Blue Mountain School Amber Teacher (7–9 year olds)
One of our favorite activities near the end of the school year is the Amber Class Project Fair. For 2026, our Ambers came to a consensus on two unique visions for our big spring project. Their ideas and interests were soon found to all fit together, each having a unique place — more specifically, found to exist in one place! Our two teams met to discuss what each vision would look like when completed and imagined them by asking, “How can these ideas go together?”
Happy Birthday, Pearl
This idea sprouted out of a love of performance, writing plays, and cats. Everyone loves a birthday party! This project needed lots of planning, coordination, and practice. I asked the writers and performers for a comment on their work, and they enthusiastically responded: “We kept leveling it up!” They discussed with me that this group loves how they help each other with ideas and feels the work has bonded them in their friendship… just like the play! Their hope for the world is that we are always kind, creative, and caring. This project brought together so many passions: jewelry, party planning, decorating, artwork, theatre, drama, and a love of friends and fun.
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Geeks and Spells
Our “gamers” absolutely love the world of fantasy and sci-fi, as it lends its imagination and creativity to their “geek” lifestyle and hobbies. Through brainpower and hard work, they built their sanctuary: a magical place where friends and family can play games together, shop for books, and find that new game they’ve been wanting to play.
I asked the group for a comment on their shop project:
“I love game design; it’s so cool to create your own game. It’s so much fun to play your own game and see the players enjoy what you have made. They then help you make the game better and better each time you play together.”
Honestly, as a teacher, the hardest thing about the Project Fair work is the final deadline. As Leonardo da Vinci once said: “Art is never finished, only abandoned.” There were so many more ideas that the students wanted to add, but time was up, and they did a great job of taking my praise and feedback on what to concentrate on. We’ll be reflecting more on projects as well as our school year next week.
A Teacher's Reflection
Years ago, when I was a young lad of 18, I began working for Walmart in Salem. My first job was to unload trucks. Flash forward to a short time before my 30th birthday: I was working in Sporting Goods and Hardware (back in the day when there were people there to actually help you), and I went on break. When I entered the break room, I thought perhaps I had entered a wartime triage… There were so many exhausted and defeated faces!
On the table where I sat was a schedule for upcoming classes at Virginia Western Community College. I started looking through it and announced to all my friends, “I’m finally gonna do it! I’m going to go to college and become a teacher!” They cheered, they smiled, and everyone in that breakroom dreamed and wondered about that future.
Now, I am teaching at Blue Mountain. For me, it’s like a scientist who finds a newfound forest full of life to learn about, and then is soon joined by a fellowship of discovery as minds meet and join to celebrate work of meaning. Our school is a sanctuary of learning. I am so very happy to teach here. Just know that right now, the sun (dare I say, AMBER light!) is coming through the window and casting its shining embrace upon the tables and books. I can’t wait to see that room filled with students again, knowing they’ll hear my booming voice welcoming them back!
I would like to thank you, dear parents, for your unending support. You showed up in so many ways for me, our school, and our students! Our school year was successful because of your help! Without you, we wouldn’t have our greatest asset: our wonderful children.
As I grow more veteran here, I am able to see just how deeply our values are present at Blue Mountain School. We are mindful, full of patience, and full of compassion. We are all lifelong learners filled with curiosity, awaiting discovery in each place that we are. I am truly blessed. I want you all to know just how special you all are!
Know a child who belongs here? Blue Mountain School is enrolling for next year — contact@bluemountainschool.net. Blue Mountain School is a progressive, contemplative school in Floyd, where intentional curriculum planning is part of the everyday.
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