Reflections & Connections

The installation of the bricks as part of our Fall HOOT carnival happened over spring break. The arrangement looks great and the dedications enscribed on each of them are well done and meaningful.  To celebrate, the Scottie Brick Road committee (yep, we have one), had a special dedication ceremony last Sunday afternoon.  It was a lovely event, with Crenshaws' Gil and Candace Elsass and family,  Russell Millner of Russell's Bakery, as well as Scotties Jeff and Sean Ryan doing the ribbon cutting honors.  Committee members Amy Martin and Sheena Walter, along with the HOOT chairs, put much into the sale of the bricks and the reception.  Thanks ladies and to all who contributed to this cause.  Teachers and staff were a bit bowled over when they found out there were bricks dedicated to them...including me.  How very cool and check 'em out by the flagpole in front of our school.  A small sampling is below.

Setting up for the reception

4th grade teacher Mrs. Finkle "bowled over"

I was able to stop by one of our fifth grade language arts classes on Tuesday to hear AISD's Angela Ward speak to students.  Mrs. Dean had arranged this visit (something new she tried this year) as part of her annual language arts unit around themes connected to the civil rights movement.  Though I was only able to catch one class, Mrs. Ward, who works in our district's Cultural Proficiency & Inclusiveness office, fielded lots of good questions surrounding stereotypes, talked about memories her own parents shared with her when they were children themselves, and also briefly touched on the timely topic of micro-aggressions in society.  There was a recent NY Times article on this very topic ("our increasingly diverse culture"), so naturally I was intrigued.  Though the discussion really didn't go into depth given the age of the students, it was interesting to hear their perspectives on "slights" that happen in real life...those sometimes unconscious statements that are sometimes said without malice intended...and yes, these "slights" are related to race, gender, learning differences, and so much more.  Thanks for inviting me Mrs. Dean - I know she will be reviewing and refining the unit again for next year, but I applaud her efforts to jump in and give our kids opportunities to think critically on real life topics that are important to them and build connections to learning.

Sally Hunter had some amazing artwork posted as part of a recent unit of study and I was so impressed, I have to share a few pictures here.  She does some first rate things always, but the creativity that these kids expressed copying the "masters" was spot-on.  Loved them all!

Ez's Warhol

Asia's Catlett

Zoe's Balthus 

Kathleen's Pollock

 
Finally, here are some latest snaps from our Process and Product Boards.  I continue to see these really concrete displays evolve over the two year's we've done them (yes, and I do have thoughts on possible next steps to make them even more meaningful for teachers, students, and staff), but this week I was struck by mostly a couple of things.  First, the teacher and student reflections on their individual learning connected to the concepts covered - where to go next and what each liked - or didn't like - about the work.  Simple, but important to do.  Specifically interesting was Mrs. Guenther's second graders' reflections as part of their Japanese Unit/Haiku writings - they decided to put a bit of DBI in place and did something called a Reflection Web.  Very doable, great verbal share-out, and a different take on the traditional written reflection.

Second, I was really thrilled to hear some hallway conversations around a couple of these displays one day. Conversations not being had by teachers, but by parents, students, and even grandparents.  Very cool to hear our parents and kids explaining to their visitors the processes that went into the product.  Have to admit, it kind of gave me shivers.  Schools are about community and this type of building understanding communication is a huge part of building a community - who we are, what we do, and where we go next.

Mrs. Guenther's Reflection Web activity

Ms. Brunello's Reflection

Mrs. Golliher's Reflection

Jr. Coach Cameron's Reflection after Scottie Olympics

Final kudos to Maria Satterwhite for another fine Scottie Singers Spring concert.  Always first rate, loved the Texas, My Texas and Lean on Me selections especially (shed a few tears), and those who accompanied the singers on their performances.  It was a nice evening to a very hectic Thursday, and really, just a perfect end to my day.  Scottie Singers Forever!

Ending the week with Japanese Fair!

We had a bit of everything this week.  Grade 3-5 meetings related to MOYII benchmark data happened (those teachers and students are working hard during this spring test crunch time), our McCallum Vertical Team hosted a Facilities Master Plan community meeting over at Maplewood Elementary one evening with good questions and answers from the attendees, and a truly fun Scottie Pup Camp morning one day as well.  I was honored to read Kindergarten Cat to our incoming kinder visitors, and let me tell you, our 14-15 crop are smart kiddos.  Very engaged, understood the patterns related to rhyme, and were also very good listeners.  Had fun!

I was able to catch author Shana Burg one morning during her visit to our library.  Several grade

The daily act of carrying the books

levels enjoyed the visit and the learning moments the author incorporated around her travels to Malawi and her young adult novel Laugh with the Moon were eye opening for our kids.  For example, three 3rd graders simulated the act of bringing books to the classroom each day.  Students seemed to be amazed that in the Malawian classrooms, books
were a rarity and precious, precious commodities, with students carrying these learning tools back and forth daily from the school to the local shopkeeper - who would then, in turn, keep them locked up safe and sound each night.  This simulation showed that the student(s) selected for this task traveled 14 miles round trip daily by foot.  Wow!  Some schools with 200 children in the class, having one pencil last for the year, and more details related to the author's experiences, made those of us in attendance that much more aware of the abundance in our own American school. A good morning well spent for our kids and for the adults alike.  Zikomo to librarian Cheryl Mullins and to Ms. Burg.

HP also hosted visitors from Grapevine-ColleyvilleISD on Thursday morning, as AISD's Any Given Child department and MINDPOP detailed the AGC initiative roll-out in Austin.  I was able to share briefly our own school's involvement with all things creative learning over the past three years, but was especially thrilled that our visitors saw Sally Hunter and her classroom in action too.  She tells me that her portion of the visit went well and I wish our fellow educators much success as they explore the power of creative learning in their own school district.

HP's Parents of Dyslexic Students (PODS) met on Tuesday evening as well.  AISD's Assistive Technology Specialist for 504/Dsylexia Piret Sari-Tate gave a very enlightening overview and demonstration of current assistive technology available for use at school and home.  I was personally intrigued by the many tools available, such as the Livescribe Echo Pen, which will record a teacher lecture/presentation and then transfer the notes onto special paper and/or a computer.  Certainly the technology keeps changing and there is much out there that is free and already built into certain tools we commonly use.  Still, it's a nice to know there are tools available to help students who need accommodations for equal access to learning opportunities.  Way cool and thanks for inviting me to the meeting.

I have to give a special shout out to first grade teacher Jordan Zabilka and her Process/Product board.  I won't detail the entire display here, it's tied to some very meaningful/rich Arctic Animal research papers/poetry/more, but please check out the teacher reflection to the right.  For me, the power of continually reflecting on our own practice (which my blog kind of does for me in a way...) is what it takes to make a good teacher a great teacher.  Teachers need the framework and the time and the support to ensure reflection on their own instruction is there.  Continuously.  Perhaps not in such a formal written form as these displays demand, but in some form certainly.   I'm glad this young teacher and others on our campus are taking the time to reflect and think ahead to the next time.  Thanks Ms. Zabilka.  On your way from "good to great" for sure!

And finally, it was Japanese Fair today.  Second graders have been studying Japanese culture over the past few weeks and created Haiku poetry and Japanese gardens, made origami koi fish (strength and courage!), and so much more in their study of community.  Today's performance of the spoken story The Flower, Shell, and Drum was done with meaningful movements and much expression.  We also love the annual pre-performance student/teacher parade around our school each year, before students individually walk on stage and bow for the honored guests.  Much joy for all!

Time of Renewal

Special shout out to the De La Cruz family for their help with Landscape Day last Saturday.  The whole family (including mom and kids) came out with their equipment and expertise (not to mention a healthy delivery of mulch) in cleaning up our beds, trimming trees, bagging trimmings, and more.  Thank you De La Cruz General Services.  You definitely rock and the front of our school - not to mention an area in the back that three of our dad's jazzed up a bit - looks really nice.

I was very impressed with the mission simulation I caught in Mrs. Finkle's and Ms. Perkin's fourth grade classes on Tuesday.  Students were at learning centers, going through each section (5 total) to simulate Native American experiences with early mission life.  Great up-front work before Wednesday's field experience to an actual mission in San Antonio.  Varied stations included listening to Gregorian chants at chapel, sleeping in dormitories (hard surfaces, given "two thumbs down" by several students!), gathering and sorting crops, making useful products in the workhouse, and working with Spanish words.  Students also were very busy writing their reflections and extensions at the end of each center rotation, adding that extra learning component to the activity.  Hands-on, relevant, and a way to deepen understanding of the concepts taught.  Very cool.

I was on my way past the cafetorium Wednesday morning, when I heard the most delightful sounds emanating from the area.  Ms. Proffer's students were working with Creative Action and their Heroes short residency (4 visits per teacher, emphasizing SEL concepts), and those young learners were actively involved with the two teaching artists I saw.  Ms. Proffer was even able to get in on the action when she was given a butterfly clip for her finger as part of the set.  I don't know how our Kinder team will develop this next year (perhaps a content area emphasis?), but I am thrilled that this year, we finally have arts residencies at every grade level.  Anywhere from a 4 day visit per classroom all the way to an 8 day visit per classroom (think Story Wranglers working on creative writing with third grade - very intensive).  All these folks bring more to our kids and community than can be easily expressed and understood sometimes, but the arts bring more than can ever meet the immediate eye. Truly.

Coach DeLine organizing the procession

Finally, it was Scottie Olympic Opening Ceremony late Wednesday afternoon.  Our Coaches decided that in this special Olympic year, an opening ceremony before Thursday's annual event was in order.  Each class had made special banners for the procession to the quarry, our Scottie Singers sang The Star Spangled Banner, homeroom student reps carried/passed the torch around the track as we cheered before the Olympic bowl was "lit", then it was time to get Happy (we love that song here!) before heading back into school.  Great job, great enthusiasm, and a good reminder to me that a school is so much more than we sometimes realize.  It just is.

 

All of us Happy dancing at the end

See everyone back after break.  We will be in the final push toward our spring STAAR assessments, with student attendance and heads in the game of optimal importance. Spring is all about renewal and we look forward to seeing you once again on March 17 -  renewed, refreshed, and ready to roll. 

Good people, good work

I'm headed out in a bit for our twice yearly HP landscape work day.  Parent organized and parent driven.  Good people.

I was able to stop by our Spring Fling only briefly last Friday evening due to a "bug" I caught making the rounds at school, but it was a good venue, with decorations, food, music, and auction items all tastefully arranged.  Loved the purple theme and the 80's vibe.  Here's a picture of Ms. Maca in front of her 5th grade student artwork that went up for auction and as you can see, she was definitely dressed in keeping with the night's theme.  Lots of hard work from everyone on this event.



 Here are some other images from our week at school.  Good work happening everywhere.

I just had to snap this pic of counselor/504 chair/and testing coordinator extraordinaire Cari Land as she left my office during benchmark testing one day.  This was ground zero for organization and once testing was done for the day, she
packed up and headed back out.  I wasn't sure if she was headed to class somewhere or on a trip, but we both got quite a laugh (she was actually headed back to her office).  Thanks Cari for all you do during our testing season.  We all appreciate your attention to detail.  More than you know.

 

Teachers wrapped up celebrations around Black History Month and President's Day

as well.  There were quite a few cool projects posted in the hallway, on doors and bulletin boards.

These included the above reflections on Abraham Lincoln, some cool computer class images/reflections in honor of Dr. King (thanks Mrs. Kolodziej!), along with lots of art and writing done by our first graders.  Everything from Faith Ringgold quilt personal remembrances to inquiry post-its and letter writing to Ruby Bridges.  Good images.  Relevant learning.

A first grader's remembrance of kinder teacher Ms. Farmer

Fourth grade is also in the throes of all things Texas Independence Day Celebration.  Everything from a study of Native Americans to contributions of Texans from more recent times.  Everything is bigger in Texas they say and really, a very true statement.  Looking forward with much anticipation to this week's San Antonio field experience with this wonderful group of students and teachers.  Can't wait.

Ms. Finkle's students & work pre-display

 

Ms. Perkins display

Finally, I have to give props to the latest and greatest Process and Product Displays now posted.  First, Mrs. Matetich's science students did a terrific job on their planet travel brochures and visuals of our solar system, but along the way some first rate learning took place before those final products were complete (great scoring rubrics also!).  A bit of DBI was thrown in to solidify concepts, research was completed, and some student and teacher reflections were written, not just about content and processes, but also about what it was like to work in a group.  Working with others is a life long skill, so I was glad that component made it into these fifth grader reflections.

Apparently a group of "neat necks"

 

Be absolutely sure you visit the second grade hall and take time to study Mrs. Nudelman's language arts class Process and Product display.  Centered around their study of the Roald Dahl book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, her students took the learning one step further (woohoo!) by creating the process and product display as part of their learning.  Doesn't get more reflective and learning-embedded than that. I loved it all, from the small group adverstisements for candy creations (using the DBI's Big Machine to demonstrate for classmates) to the student created plot line on the big board, to the design and descriptions of candy rooms to the persuasive letters written urging me to allow a "one time" chocolate party (see my written response). And of course, those second grade reflections, with both teacher and student teacher Ms. Kaapke reflections embedded within the display.  A first rate learning experience, multi-layered, student centered, and might I say, joyous and fun along the way.  Thanks Noodles for the hard work you put into your learning.  It shows!