The Rivers School
The Transition to Upper School: How Rivers Helps Students Make the Leap
Transitions can be a challenging part of life. At Rivers, we understand the importance of finishing one stage in a student’s educational...
The Rivers School
- Jan 23, 2020
- 2 min
Three Tips for Talking to Middle Schoolers About Vaping
In the past year, the number of teens who vaped increased dramatically: over 17% of eighth graders and 37% of high school seniors...
The Rivers School
- Nov 21, 2019
- 3 min
Why Gratitude Is Good for You
Thanksgiving is good for your health. The meal may leave us momentarily satisfied, but compelling research shows that giving thanks...
The Rivers School
- Oct 24, 2019
- 6 min
Embracing Perseverance: Two Stories from the Middle
Growing up is an adventure with no predetermined final destination. There’s no one right way to travel through life—so it can be...
The Rivers School
- Oct 10, 2019
- 3 min
Working Smarter, Not Harder
Last Friday, I spoke to a group of Middle School parents about how to help students “work smarter, not harder.” At Rivers Middle School,...
The Rivers School
- Sep 19, 2019
- 2 min
Reframing Homework: Helping Students Become Independent Learners
Tonight, my third grader waged battle with a math practice test. At first, she circled around it, reluctant to engage. When she finally...
The Rivers School
- Sep 6, 2019
- 4 min
Opening Assembly Remarks: How Questions Can Change the World
Did you know that the average four-year-old asks 73 questions each day? My son recently turned five, and that statistic frankly seems a...
The Rivers School
- May 30, 2019
- 4 min
Embracing the Unexpected
During our final Middle School meeting, I shared this message with students. Years from now, when you look back on this school year, you...
The Rivers School
- May 23, 2019
- 4 min
What Do You Want to Protect?: Designing a Family Tech Strategy
When Janell Burley Hofmann visited Rivers Middle School to talk to parents about screens and teens, she began by surveying the landscape:...
The Rivers School
- May 2, 2019
- 4 min
“Guardians of Dignity”: Three Ways We Help Middle Schoolers Connect Deeply
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of Dr. Donna Hicks, whose work on the concept of dignity has changed my mindset about this fundamental...
The Rivers School
- Apr 16, 2019
- 3 min
What a Fashion Exhibition Taught Seventh Graders About Apartheid and Identity
This week’s post is written by Rick Taylor, a seventh grade humanities teacher at Rivers. Before spring break, the seventh grade...
The Rivers School
- Mar 29, 2019
- 2 min
Got a Challenge? Try Brainstorming Questions, Not Solutions
In his book A More Beautiful Question, journalist and innovation expert Warren Berger writes, “We’re all hungry today for better answers....
The Rivers School
- Mar 7, 2019
- 4 min
Adolescence and Identity Development: Designing Curriculum that Meets Students Where They Are
This week’s post is written by Melissa Dolan ’98, our Middle School Curriculum Leader When people outside of the school community ask me...
The Rivers School
- Feb 20, 2019
- 3 min
Student-Led Conferences: What Happens When Students Sit in the Driver’s Seat?
Do you remember what it felt like to wait at home while your mom or dad attended parent-teacher conferences — to know they were talking...
The Rivers School
- Jan 31, 2019
- 2 min
“Where Does the Power Come From?”: Helping Students Find the Courage to Adapt
I was the chess champion of the sixth grade. My grandmother had taught me how to play the game. Starting when I was in the third grade,...
The Rivers School
- Jan 10, 2019
- 3 min
The Courage to Hear Feedback
Feedback is a word we use a lot in school. But what does it mean, really? And, more importantly, why would anyone want to receive any?...
The Rivers School
- Nov 29, 2018
- 2 min
The Pomodoro Technique: A Practical Homework Tool
Have you ever had the experience of sitting down to complete a small task, and 25 minutes later, you still haven’t finished it — but you...
The Rivers School
- Nov 14, 2018
- 2 min
The Intrinsic Motivation Engine: Helping Kids Drive Their Learning
“How do I help my child develop intrinsic motivation?” It’s a common question — but not quite the right one. Children and teens are...
The Rivers School
- Oct 25, 2018
- 2 min
The Middle School Brain: Why Pleasure is a Better Motivator than Pain
How do we motivate children to make good choices — from avoiding procrastination to acting responsibly with peers? This is a perennial...
The Rivers School
- Oct 11, 2018
- 3 min
Practical Wisdom for the Parenting Journey: Introducing Two Amazing Speakers
As a parent, I am always on the lookout for mentors — people who can help me respond a little more purposefully, responsively, and wisely...