Creativity Connected to Confidence

Katie and me at the training - Fun!

It was a great morning!  We were finally able to hold our Drama For Schools training for HP parents and the creativity was flowing.  I loved hanging out in the cafeteria with parents, the always engaging and inspiring Katie/Sarah/Lara (a most dynamic training trio!), as well as incoming Highland Park principal Katie Pena, current Lee principal Elyse Smith, and incoming Lee principal John Hewlett.  These "newbies" are sharp, highly interested, and going to do great things at both of our campuses. I feel so good about the upcoming transition for HP.

The power of tableau

Today's creative learning training once again centered around how we help students build connections between concepts, build deeper understanding/critical thinking skills, build relationships, and much more.  Plus it always keeps student learning outcomes in mind.  I was glad some of our parents were able to participate in a few strategies (such as the tableau, centered around the iconic Rosa Parks photo), as well as some others connected to children's literature and math.  Parents walked away with some things to try at home with their own children (and hopefully saw a bit of what goes on in a classroom when CL is used); many also expressed the desire for more trainings in the future.  My hope is that it continues and expands across our district.  Building common understanding for the work that's working.

When we think of building confident girls, confident boys, confident "kids" who will become confident and competent adults, it really goes without saying that the arts and humanities, the work of creative learning and arts integration is right there at the forefront of getting the job done.  I feel it's the heart of all we do, all kids learn, and all they will be as adults.  Keep the flame lit y'all!

Parents learning too!  Love it!

Rewind to Thursday evening.  Quick thank you to many of my current and former PTA board members for a fun get together at Olive and June restaurant.  Big 'ol thanks especially to Shawn & Bria for hosting (great food and drink!), to Debbie for putting it together, and just to everyone for a nice evening.  Many more days to come with many more Scotties, but this was nice.  Truly.

#GoodPeopleAll

Finally, make plans to check out the annual student t-shirt design entires lining our cafeteria walls.  This year's crop is very creative and though I can't show all designs in this posting, here are a few that especially caught my eye.  I hope you can check them out as they all show a child's love of learning and of this school.  Scottie Pride, with a dash of creativity! Pretty cool.

Coach D was thrilled!

Building Confident Girls

Ms. Perkins' humorous nod to the upcoming testing

Today is Pajama Day as you can tell from the pics.  Students and staff really get into this Student Council bi-annual event and I must say, there does seem to be a more relaxed attitude in classrooms - a real treat given the upcoming STAAR testing next week.  Though we can't wear our pajamas everyday (no, we can't), I do know kids and adults are still getting the job of teaching and learning done and everyone seems just a tad bit happier on these special days.  Cool.  Long live Pajama Day!

Don't forget that next week, in addition to STAAR testing, we will celebrate LITE up Earth Week at HP! Our Scottie Green Team tells me LITE stands for Leadership, Initiative, and Teamwork for the Environment.  They have planned several activities we can all participate in at school (listed below), so mark your calendars and let's do our part in caring for Planet Earth!

-Styrofoam Recycling at HP will start on April 21.  The Green Team will take the styrofoam to     

  Ecology Action on Friday, April 25.

-Walk to school (remember every Friday is WOOF - Walk Over On Friday - biking counts too).

-Ask adults to turn off their cars when waiting at HP for drop-off or pick-up 

-Volunteer on Sat, April 26th from 10-12 to plant trees at Perry Park.  

Gavin presenting!

Yesterday, I was able to catch third grader Gavin giving a presentation to his Science Class on all things Crayfish.  Apparently, students have been studying these crustaceans - with live ones in class for a few days - and Gavin was so taken with the topic, he went home, did some research, put together a Power Point, then decided to present it to his class.  Way cool initiative on extending his own learning.  I always like to hear of students going above and beyond.  Keep it up!

One student explaining crayfish gender differences to me

Finally, also in Mr. Robenhorst's class, I was really heartened to see student teacher Stephanie Hawkins' display celebrating Women in History Month (noted throughout March).  Ms. Hawkins truly embraced the concept of explaining the work beyond the final product and incorporated some creative strategies within the teaching and learning. But I was most intrigued by the interviews students conducted with "women in their lives".  Mr. Robenhorst tells me that while students discovered some fascinating facts about their moms, teachers, aunts, and other women they knew, these students also were able to better understand the personal truths these women embrace. For me, this display also dovetailed nicely with a recent article in The Atlantic entitled The Confidence Gap (Claire Shipman & Katty Kay).  Though the article delved into the impacts of the male/female confidence gap in the workplace, I do think it also underscored the need for those of us who work with female students to recognize there is a gap and to further ensure we are fostering the supports needed to build confident girls...who (hopefully) will become confident women.  As "confidence matters as much as competence". 

Anything we can do as educators and parents to foster confidence in girls at a young age (and later age) we should be doing.  Participation in sports, academic competitions, rigorous instruction in math and sciences, applauding positive risk taking both in and out of school, and yes, access to and knowledge of positive female role models all help shape confident girls. Positive role models such as the women these students interviewed and others like our departing superintendent Dr. Carstarphen.  Girls need to see that strong women not only have the competence to get the job done, but yes, they also have the confidence to act and take those risks in their quest for the greater good. 

Thanks to Mr. Robenhorst for embracing these TEKS in his Social Studies classes and special thanks to Ms. Hawkins for also being another positive female role model to our students.  Girls Rock!

Audrey's interview answers

 

  

Art, Performance, and All things Kinder

We did it!  We did it!  Last of our year long Process and Product displays are complete and we've reached one more goal in striving to make our work/student learning public.  Of course, no one is ever really done as initiatives are refined, new people come in, and natural changes happen - there's always much to do and that's what makes this work exciting.  We had lots of reflection, much creative teaching embedded along the way, and really, kids learning so much more than the final product you typically see displayed.  Two things to mention as I wrap these up for the year.  First, though you won't be able to see it here, the video P & P submitted by music teachers Mrs. Satterwhite and Mr. Briones was noteworthy in the fact that it was an atypical showcase of the learning. As music is much better demonstrated than shown in written form, these two teachers submitted videos of their second graders, showcasing much along the way to mastering music standards.  I especially liked the reflections submitted and the fact that they forwarded on their work to all second grade parents - that's what it's all about.  One parent, Kerren Campa, kind of summed it up for me when she stated, "Thank you guys so much for sharing your Process & Product Project with us!  That was so cool to watch.  I am a visual learner myself, and really appreciate the hand movements and stair visuals.  So very cool!  Plus, knowing how much Hank needs to move around, I really appreciate that he has a constructive way to do it!!!" 

Secondly, I truly loved Mrs. O'Donnell's P and P geometry unit and the very creative products you see below tied to the TEKS.  Not to mention, the artwork connected to Mrs. Dean's civil rights unit of study - powerful images that speak for themselves.  Both teachers had much learning highlighted in their displays but these final products caught my eye especially.  And most importantly, goals of learning were met...in engaging, creative, and meaningful ways.

                 

Inspired by The Watson's Go to Birmingham

Mrs. Bachman and Mrs. Finkle's 4th graders performed The Fairy Tale News one morning this week and students delivered their lines quite well.  Very humorous take on tried and true fairy tales (think Rumpelstiltskin talking on a phone!).  Student performances encompass so much more than what we see on the stage.  Great job all!

The Big Bad Wolf Waiting in the Wings

Citizen's Protest - Democracy in Action!

A huge Good Luck! to our Scottie Strong Lacrosse Team (2 years in now) and their upcoming weekend game against The Trojans.  I hear from Coach Gay our players won last week's game against St. Andrews, we are currently 3 and 2, and kids are geared up for a win.  Go Team!

Finally, it is a special Kinder week, with much happening both during the day and after school. 

Kinder students gave a first-rate performance at our PTA general meeting Wednesday evening, singing four songs in Spanish, plus showcasing some really cool movements along the way.  The event was directed by our Spanish enrichment teacher George Ayres, along with music teachers Mrs. Satterwhite and Mr. Briones;  the kids did a great job, I loved the addition of the sound effects this year, and most importantly, many families were in attendance to see their children perform.  A nice evening. 

And of course, today is Kinder Rodeo, starting with the annual parade (on horses they created, no less!) around the school.  These students will have many connected activities throughout the school day, but the parade past all classrooms, with the older children cheering - and remembering - is always the stand-out for me. Nice support Scotties for your youngest classmates.  You made me Scottie Proud!

Cowgirl Ms. Nazar, aka Mrs. Johnson

Headin' down the hall

Howdy Pardner