More on character

 Paul Tough argues in his new book that the qualities that predict success are not high scores on tests from preschool to the SAT's, but skills that have more to do with character: perseverance, curiosity, conscientiousness, optimism and self-control.  You can read more about his ideas in this NPR article, Children Succeed with Character, Not Test Scores.

Character

There are so many things I think about as I post these pictures from the past week.  Mainly they involve character and how Parker develops students with particular traits.

Parker kids retain their enthusiasm and humor on the soccer field - for them it's about camaraderie and heart, not about the score.  They gain responsibility and joy from their Buddy relationships.  Look in the fourth picture: the 2-3's were negotiating how to accomplish a challenge in Phys ed.  They were able to voice several ideas and decide which one to go with - then go back to the drawing board to try a second time.  They can successfully work together in groups, sharing equipment and ideas.  They are respectful and accepting and excited for each other's successes.

A Parker graduate came to visit the other day - he popped right back into Language Arts class and shared his ideas about a story the class is reading.  The room was filled with the give and take of ideas, sometimes conflicting and often one person's ideas changed the thinking of another, a sign of skilled persuasion and also of intellectual maturity.  This student then spent an hour in the 2-3 class writing a poem with his former buddy.

Giving, passionate, lively, creative - that is a Parker kid.

Dream big

Look at all the ways Parker kids were learning this week.  Hands-on, observing, discovery, tackling challenges... Teachers' Expectations Influence How Children Perform (as related in this NPR story).  Our teachers believe all the kids are geniuses - so the kids live up to it.  The teachers support them in their dreams.  Especially if they dream of being a shark (see photo above).

Learning how to learn

 

Follow me as I walk with the K-1 science class out looking for frogs.  Into the woods and along the sun dappled trail through Fort Ham to the West creek.  Look!  Something hopped!  We found frogs!  We also stood still to see and hear two woodpeckers and several chickadees.  Now we head back to school making very realistic frog sounds the whole way.  We gather in our circle to read a book about what we have just seen.  And then we write and draw about it.

This is active learning at its best.  Valerie Strauss in her Washington Post article Is Technology Sapping Children's Creativity? says: Kids need first-hand engagement — they need to manipulate objects physically, engage all their senses, and move and interact with the 3-dimensional world. This is what maximizes their learning and brain development.

Now you can follow me as I visit the Pre K 4 class.  They just made blueberry muffins.  Yum. Perfect timing!

Why I love my job

 It's 7:15 AM.  I get a call from our math teacher, Shelli, "Meg, we have a problem here at school."  A dozen turkeys were blocking the front door!  They seemed very anxious to get in.  I guess we will have to take a look at our admission policies.  We do have an opening in the 2-3 class.  I wonder if they found us through the website or was it simply word-of-beak?

Collaborate!

Collaboration makes things happen.  It fosters creativity, empathy and problem-solving.  It makes for an amazing school experience and gives students a skill that will serve them perhaps better than any other.   

Check out the result when Flight of the Conchords hilariously and movingly collaborates with school children in New Zealand (the only place where "better" rhymes with "feta") to raise funds for sick children.  
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ca4ty7tz9x0

                Parents, kids and teachers washed every window in the school on Community Work Day

A little friend found in the greenhouse on Work Day

Litter pick up!

Nothing better than sandbox play: future engineers

4-5's will become the school's beekeepers in a new curricular unit

Beginning

The kids are back!  We have had two great days filled with getting to know new friends, the year's first Assembly, and New Parent Orientation.  I heard many versions of "This was the BEST beginning of school ever!"  Rest up for a full week ahead!

Challenging the brain

Teachers need to explore and play, too!  During our meeting days last week, we read this article from the New York Times: Simon Says Don't Use Flashcards.  Considering the powerful effect that playing has on the developing brain, we played a rousing game of Capture-the-Chicken.

Challenging ourselves to do something new offers so many opportunities to learn.  Here is a Pre K teacher's take on how children tackle challenges, and what we can do to facilitate their learning:

Challenges can be found everywhere.  We see them when a child is trying to figure out design problems in a project, attempting a new physical feat, and testing out opinions and voices in social situations.  It can be easy for us to miss these massive opportunities for learning when we are watching our children play.  It is even easier to quickly and "expertly" solve the problem for them.

Next time your child is struggling (but not frustrated) with a task, try to stop, sit back, and watch.  See what solutions your child comes up with. If they are truly stuck, try asking them a question to draw their attention to a specific part of the issue.  Let them devise a solution.  It may not be one that you would have suggested, but their practice with personal challenges will certainly be a boon later in life.

Testing the water

The Tech Driven Classroom Is Here, But Grades Are Mixed tells the interesting tale of what the studies show  - and don't show  - about student learning and technology.  It is interesting that having a one-on-one laptop program doesn't necessarily improve students' skills. 

We just purchased several new laptops and desktops for students and teachers with the funds raised by parents at the auction this May.  Everyone is excited about having better access to computers.  We are not on the bleeding edge with our use of technology, but adapting and experimenting - finding out what works best.  Animation, robotics, videos, blogs, skype, websites, design programs, Google docs... Students and teachers are trying all these and more.  We will be dedicating professional development time in the coming year to find out about glogs, jing, screen casts, voice thread - I just like typing the names.

There is so much and it's hard to drink from a bucket - but fun to try!

The joy of returning

Collecting honey from the hives

Extracting delicious honey

Sleepover at Survivors Camp - they survived!

The rocket launch

Dinosaurs in my office!

I loved being on vacation, but how I love being back!  Here are a few shots from camp in the last week.