The ultimate goal of classroom teachers is to have a significant impact on the students, an impact that results in a measurable increase in students’ knowledge or skills. (Allen, 2002)
“Students want to know how much we care before they care how much we know.”(Paraphrased from Theodore Roosevelt back in the day!)
The second quote above is one that you have likely heard before. I first heard this Roosevelt quote during a time when I was listening to the audio cassette version (stop chuckling!) of Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. You may also be familiar with Rich Allen, responsible for the first quote above. He writes about what he calls “impact teaching,” offering five tenets concerning the nature of effective instruction:
· Teach people first, before content.
· Awareness leads to choice.
· Learning + enjoyment = retention.
· Application is everything.
· Stories are great.
While each of these tenets is one with which I agree it is the first one holds special meaning. One reason I value our elementary school teachers is directly related to this concept. Wing School stands as a model for teaching students first.
We realize that all learners are truly unique. We get to know each individual learner as the year progresses in order to best serve them. Also, although we feel pressure to “cover” a vast curriculum, we believe it is important to remember the “teachable moments” that naturally arise during the year—those moments which are valuable to students and the learning environment in the long run. We cherish such moments in order to teach our kids a life lesson and allow for more productive learning later.
Getting to know student’s interests outside of class is another way of honoring the “teach people first philosophy. Wing School teachers do this by learning of their students’ interests, sponsoring clubs, and attending their after-school events. Having a sense of humor and letting students know Wing School teachers value fun as a logical companion to hard work is another way of making it obvious that they teach people, in addition to content.
Curriculum content is of utmost importance and is our core business. However, if the needs of the group are interfering with learning the content, these needs must be addressed. Responding to the needs of the group or an individual will allow for enhanced learning at a future point. Thank you to our teachers for knowing that our students are people first and for respecting their needs as unique learners.
“Students want to know how much we care before they care how much we know.”(Paraphrased from Theodore Roosevelt back in the day!)
The second quote above is one that you have likely heard before. I first heard this Roosevelt quote during a time when I was listening to the audio cassette version (stop chuckling!) of Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. You may also be familiar with Rich Allen, responsible for the first quote above. He writes about what he calls “impact teaching,” offering five tenets concerning the nature of effective instruction:
· Teach people first, before content.
· Awareness leads to choice.
· Learning + enjoyment = retention.
· Application is everything.
· Stories are great.
While each of these tenets is one with which I agree it is the first one holds special meaning. One reason I value our elementary school teachers is directly related to this concept. Wing School stands as a model for teaching students first.
We realize that all learners are truly unique. We get to know each individual learner as the year progresses in order to best serve them. Also, although we feel pressure to “cover” a vast curriculum, we believe it is important to remember the “teachable moments” that naturally arise during the year—those moments which are valuable to students and the learning environment in the long run. We cherish such moments in order to teach our kids a life lesson and allow for more productive learning later.
Getting to know student’s interests outside of class is another way of honoring the “teach people first philosophy. Wing School teachers do this by learning of their students’ interests, sponsoring clubs, and attending their after-school events. Having a sense of humor and letting students know Wing School teachers value fun as a logical companion to hard work is another way of making it obvious that they teach people, in addition to content.
Curriculum content is of utmost importance and is our core business. However, if the needs of the group are interfering with learning the content, these needs must be addressed. Responding to the needs of the group or an individual will allow for enhanced learning at a future point. Thank you to our teachers for knowing that our students are people first and for respecting their needs as unique learners.
MCAS: “WE ARE READY!”
At Henry T. School, we talk about our efforts to improve student achievement. With the first round of MCAS testing complete, we have reflected on the quality of teaching and learning that has taken place at our school this year. Our interventions and ongoing efforts to assess and monitor the performance of our students and ourselves have resulted in a level of encouraging readiness.
It is essential that on MCAS test days, our school (and individual classroom) environments be positive and upbeat, while maintaining a serious approach to the task at hand. We have given attention to the smallest of details throughout the testing periods. We know our students well. What works with one student may have little or no effect on another. Group-wise, powerful phrases such as “You are prepared,” or “I believe in you” have a positive impact on any student.
We have talked about test-taking tips and strategies; as a result of our work with students, they will be able to approach each assessment in a “test-wise” manner.
Although there is a suggested time for completion for each section, there is more than enough time for every student to fully complete each of the MCAS tests from the first thing in the morning to the last minutes of the school day if needed. We don’t need any speed-testers! With the time that is allotted, students should be using the strategies we have taught them, and should be double-checking all answers, especially on the questions they considered to be easy. Above all, remind them that just having a strategy is important and that effectively using the strategy can make a big difference for them. As the tests continue, we will also reemphasize that, “It is okay to be the last one done!”
Regardless of how we feel about standardized tests—what they measure and don’t measure, as parents and educators, we are obliged to do what is necessary together to prepare Wing students for the tests. We have done a remarkable job in doing exactly that! With confidence, we can exclaim, “WE WERE READY!” in the first round and “WE ARE READY!” for the second round next month.
It is essential that on MCAS test days, our school (and individual classroom) environments be positive and upbeat, while maintaining a serious approach to the task at hand. We have given attention to the smallest of details throughout the testing periods. We know our students well. What works with one student may have little or no effect on another. Group-wise, powerful phrases such as “You are prepared,” or “I believe in you” have a positive impact on any student.
We have talked about test-taking tips and strategies; as a result of our work with students, they will be able to approach each assessment in a “test-wise” manner.
Although there is a suggested time for completion for each section, there is more than enough time for every student to fully complete each of the MCAS tests from the first thing in the morning to the last minutes of the school day if needed. We don’t need any speed-testers! With the time that is allotted, students should be using the strategies we have taught them, and should be double-checking all answers, especially on the questions they considered to be easy. Above all, remind them that just having a strategy is important and that effectively using the strategy can make a big difference for them. As the tests continue, we will also reemphasize that, “It is okay to be the last one done!”
Regardless of how we feel about standardized tests—what they measure and don’t measure, as parents and educators, we are obliged to do what is necessary together to prepare Wing students for the tests. We have done a remarkable job in doing exactly that! With confidence, we can exclaim, “WE WERE READY!” in the first round and “WE ARE READY!” for the second round next month.
25 + Alternatives to What’d You Learn In School Today?
Very often I ask students to share a conversation we had at school so the parent knows we spoke. It goes something like this:
I say, “You know how you usually go home and your folks say, ‘How was your day?’ and you say, ‘Good.’ Then they ask, ‘What happened?’, and you say, ‘Not much.’ Well today you should also say you spoke with me.”
Immediately I get a vigorous nodding of the head in the affirmative from each child I encounter when I remind the students they may want to add that I spoke with him or her. This is to ensure that if I call to follow up, it is not a surprise to the parent, and that the parent doesn’t assume something has gone wrong because the principal is calling (I’ll save that for another topic to write about, except to say, administrators do call with good news too!).
The reason for sharing this tidbit is to lead you to consider alternative conversation starters to find out how your child is doing at school. Thus I am including this link to a wonderful article about ways you can find out more than ‘Not much’ each day.
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/25-alternatives-whatd-learn-school-today/
I say, “You know how you usually go home and your folks say, ‘How was your day?’ and you say, ‘Good.’ Then they ask, ‘What happened?’, and you say, ‘Not much.’ Well today you should also say you spoke with me.”
Immediately I get a vigorous nodding of the head in the affirmative from each child I encounter when I remind the students they may want to add that I spoke with him or her. This is to ensure that if I call to follow up, it is not a surprise to the parent, and that the parent doesn’t assume something has gone wrong because the principal is calling (I’ll save that for another topic to write about, except to say, administrators do call with good news too!).
The reason for sharing this tidbit is to lead you to consider alternative conversation starters to find out how your child is doing at school. Thus I am including this link to a wonderful article about ways you can find out more than ‘Not much’ each day.
http://www.teachthought.com/learning/25-alternatives-whatd-learn-school-today/
Class Placement Next Year
Parent input is a very important part of the class placement process. We have put our parent in-put form online. The link for the form is:
http://goo.gl/forms/mSpGQSfZm8
If you do not have internet access at home, we have set up some computers in our library for you to complete this form here. ~ Thank you!
http://goo.gl/forms/mSpGQSfZm8
If you do not have internet access at home, we have set up some computers in our library for you to complete this form here. ~ Thank you!
News from the PTA
With the upcoming reconfiguration of our elementary schools, the current three elementary PTA boards saw a need to discuss how these changes would affect our PTAs and how we could best serve our students and families going forward. Two weeks ago, the three elementary PTA boards met to discuss and vote upon the future configuration of our PTAs.
In our discussions, a common theme arose - the need to unite our elementary parents. With this in mind, the three elementary PTA boards voted to transition into a single district wide elementary PTA, beginning next year. This single PTA will mean parents of elementary age children will be able to join a single PTA, pay dues once, and attend a single meeting each month.
Because the meeting will involve all the elementary grades, parents will have a broader understanding of what is happening in the school community, even when they only have children in one of the schools. A preliminary outline of the future board is as follows (parentheses noting number of people holding said position):
President (1)
VP Forestdale (1)
VP Oak Ridge (1)
Secretary (1)
Treasurer (1 with up to 2 assistants)
Membership Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Fundraising Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Events Coordinator - family and community (2 - one per school)
Cultural Events Coordinator (1)
Fund Request Coordinator (1)
School Store Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Art History Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Grade Level Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Box Top Coordinator (1)
Stop & Shop Coordinator (1)
Communications Team (1 with up to 2 assistants)
This setup will allow attention to be given equally to each school while enhancing the communication, cooperation and collaboration between parents of each school. It will also help build a unified community for our elementary schools.
This new PTA needs parents to help make it happen. We will be holding a "Get to Know the PTA Parents Night Out" meeting at Amari's on April 15, from 6-8pm. Free Pizza! Invitations were sent out to parents. Display of board and coordinator positions will be available for viewing as will a box for submitting your name to declare your interest in a position. If you can’t make it, there will be other chances to submit your interest.
To all the parents out there: please come, please get involved as much as you can. Together, we can accomplish so much! Please come to meet people, to share ideas, to get involved! Support your PTA by being a member, a board member, chairing an event, volunteering at an event, or voting at meetings - all these things matter, you don’t need to do it all to make a difference; your voice matters to our students and to our school.
In our discussions, a common theme arose - the need to unite our elementary parents. With this in mind, the three elementary PTA boards voted to transition into a single district wide elementary PTA, beginning next year. This single PTA will mean parents of elementary age children will be able to join a single PTA, pay dues once, and attend a single meeting each month.
Because the meeting will involve all the elementary grades, parents will have a broader understanding of what is happening in the school community, even when they only have children in one of the schools. A preliminary outline of the future board is as follows (parentheses noting number of people holding said position):
President (1)
VP Forestdale (1)
VP Oak Ridge (1)
Secretary (1)
Treasurer (1 with up to 2 assistants)
Membership Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Fundraising Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Events Coordinator - family and community (2 - one per school)
Cultural Events Coordinator (1)
Fund Request Coordinator (1)
School Store Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Art History Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Grade Level Coordinator (2 - one per school)
Box Top Coordinator (1)
Stop & Shop Coordinator (1)
Communications Team (1 with up to 2 assistants)
This setup will allow attention to be given equally to each school while enhancing the communication, cooperation and collaboration between parents of each school. It will also help build a unified community for our elementary schools.
This new PTA needs parents to help make it happen. We will be holding a "Get to Know the PTA Parents Night Out" meeting at Amari's on April 15, from 6-8pm. Free Pizza! Invitations were sent out to parents. Display of board and coordinator positions will be available for viewing as will a box for submitting your name to declare your interest in a position. If you can’t make it, there will be other chances to submit your interest.
To all the parents out there: please come, please get involved as much as you can. Together, we can accomplish so much! Please come to meet people, to share ideas, to get involved! Support your PTA by being a member, a board member, chairing an event, volunteering at an event, or voting at meetings - all these things matter, you don’t need to do it all to make a difference; your voice matters to our students and to our school.