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!