News
Tune in to C&C!
City and Country School is in the news again. C&C was featured in a segment on My9 News on blocks as a learning tool, and an excellent choice for a holiday gift for young children. Our children, young and old, our classrooms with materials, parent Lisa Mahar, and Elise Clark embody what we do and how we do it.
Watch it here.
C&C in the New York Times
C&C made the news for our ever-relevant and tried and true program in Kyle Spencer's 11/28/11 article in the New York Times: With Blocks, Educators Go Back To Basics.
The article discusses the recent interest in block play in classrooms and programs around the City. As noted in the article, the wooden unit blocks now used the world over originated right here at C&C. Our use of blocks as an ideal learning tool is based on decades of experience and commitment to the material. Many of our colleagues turn to us through classroom visits and workshops as a resource for inspiration and instruction on how to integrate blocks into their programs.
What truly sets us apart is how central blocks are to our Lower School classrooms, and our ability as educators to leverage the power of consistent, continuous use of the blocks. Working collaboratively and repeatedly to design block buildings, children learn to confidently articulate and solve problems, to negotiate, and to cooperate. Like we do in so many ways at C&C, we present children with opportunities to solidify their knowledge through large-scale projects that can be broken down into manageable pieces. Together, the children take their skills, interests and knowledge and create something unique to communicate and build upon what they are observing and learning. Our fine-tuned blocks program provides a natural context for developing these problem solving skills, as well as a context for working with the mathematical properties of unit blocks. Through our continued dedication to the power of blocks and the full potential they provide for learning, we are truly a beacon for the wider education community.
For even more information on our approach to blocks, visit our in-depth Blocks Program page.
C&C at Progressive Ed. Conference
Last week, nine representatives of C&C’s Middle/Upper School teaching and administrative staff headed to Chicago to present at and participate in the nation’s leading Progressive Education conference, the theme of which was “The Power of Progressive Practice.” Almost 600 educators from around the country attended the conference, and our presentations were very successful–Scott Moran reports overhearing attendees excitedly discussing Jinny, Lauren and Robert’s session. Details below.
Scott Moran (M/US Director) and Ann Roberts (XIIIs Group Teacher) presented on authentic student questions and the research process; Robert Berkman and Jinny Chang (Math Specialists) and Lauren Clark (IXs Group Teacher) presented on the Math and Jobs Program at City and Country; Ian Klapper and Maggie Ens presented on “Fostering Ecological Sensitivity with Art: Building Community and a Mini-Golf Installation on Governors Island, NYC” and Todd Rosenthal (Library) and Nancy Segal (VIIIs Group Teacher) presented on collaborative design with children. City and Country’s prominent role at this event reflects our expertise and leadership in progressive education for children ages 2 – 13.
Block Connections
In the Lower School, we have embarked on our 6th year of City and Country teachers giving block building workshops for early childhood practitioners, known as the Block Connection. This year, 16 of our 18 participants are part of a larger accreditation in education initiative that is designed to enhance programs and readiness of staff, offered by the Early Care and Education Working Group of the Pipeline Crisis/Winning Strategies Initiative.
Highlights of 2010-11
A sampling of milestones, events and news that occurred at C&C over the past twelve months.
This Is Rhythms!
Our newest issue of Currents on Rhythms was mailed to all families last week. You can also download it or read it below and learn more about our unique program that focuses on developing strength, flexibility, non-verbal communication, dramatics, and a well-rounded sense of self and spirit.
Did You Know? Pratt & Great American Artists
Some of you might know that C&C's founder Caroline Pratt had a friendship with the artists Charles and Jackson Pollock, both of whom worked at C&C in our earlier years. What our Archivist, Jennifer Moran, recently discovered is Pratt's association with them was through the Benton family, including celebrated regionalist painter Thomas Hart Benton. He depicted Pratt in his mural America Today, originally commissioned by the New School for Social Research, and currently displayed at the AXA building on 6th Avenue. You can read more about Pratt's relationship with these great American artists here.
Pratt is featured in the panel "City Activities with Dance Hall." You can see her on the bottom right in profile, facing a mother and child. You can also see a beautifully framed print outside the Library (frame donated by GK Framing).
C&C in the New Yorker
A letter to the editor from C&C's Archivist was published in The New Yorker in August. Check it out below or on The New Yorker website.
Re: State of Play
A letter in response to Rebecca Mead’s article (July 5, 2010)
August 9, 2010
Open-ended play, both indoors and out, has long been the centerpiece of progressive education ("State of Play" by Rebecca Mead, July 5th). David Rockwell’s new playground designs are contemporary interpretations of the pioneering work of progressive educators, most notably Caroline Pratt, the founder of City and Country School, who developed outdoor blocks. Indeed, Rockwell’s building materials are a version of Pratt’s blocks, in use every day by City and Country children for almost a century. In education, what’s old very often becomes new again.
Jennifer Moran
Archivist, City and Country School
New York City
C&C's Connection to New Playgrounds
The July 5th issue of The New Yorker features the article State of Play by Rebecca Mead about architect David Rockwell's new NYC playgrounds that feature primarily open-ended materials. Mr. Rockwell and his team spent a good amount of time observing at C&C while they developed these playgrounds--their approach to play as well as the materials themselves strongly reflect our progressive ways. You can see the abstract of the article here and download the full text with a subscription.