Learning Made Public

Thumbs up on a fun trip!

Of course, this was a big STAAR testing week in grades 4 and 5.  Staff did an incredible job implementing details around test administration - special thanks to Cari once again - and it's now onward to the last testing week for grades 3-5.  Kinder was able to head to the Austin Nature Center during one morning of testing and I caught them as they came back later that day.  I hear they learned much and had fun!







In and around STAAR administration, we also kept our eye on the ball with authentic learning, some new parent driven ideas, some additional fun, and so much more.  Here's a look...

Rewind to a week ago and the Scottie Brick Road dedication.  I'd be remiss if I did not give a special mention to Charles Martin Custom Homes, who donated their time and talents for the actual brick installation.  Cool.  Also, thank you to parents Suzannah Gravatt, Stacy Mendelson, and Lisa Tully as I hear they were also a part of the brick sales and/or event.  It does indeed take a village...

Wednesday's PTA board presentation

Our PTA Executive Board works tireless hours as any Scottie knows.  Hard to describe unless you live it, but trust me, the board puts in long hours.  Lots of details and lots of planning go into making our PTA a first rate organization, with our evening meeting agendas typically quite full.  As there is always much to talk about and much to implement...new ideas constantly brewing.  This month's meeting hosted special guest/prospective HP'er Laurie Koumoundouros, speaking to the board about a possible HP Early Childhood PTA.  This proposed group would be a branch of our existing PTA, details about roles and responsibilities still need to be defined, but I liked the fact that these parents who have children not quite yet in school are already looking for ways to become connected.  Building community is what it is all about and I always find that early information brings better understanding.  Possible activities include parent information and training groups, additional  connection to our Kinder/other programs, parent socials, FYI's from our middle and high school feeders, and much more.  I wish these parents the best as they explore a potential collaboration with our existing PTA.  Great outreach opportunity.

It was a Kona Ice Day after school on Thursday, another PTA driven event.  Students were very excited to head to the shade structure and Kona Ice trucks that were parked and ready to serve.  Loved my treat!  A cool, welcome respite from an intense week of testing.

Lined up for a cool treat

Frances and Andres

We have just about wrapped up our Process and Product Displays.  So much more than bulletin boards y'all and this year, a part of our in-house evaluation system.  Some things that really stood out for me with the latest...

Kinders are writers!  Yes they are.  Mrs. Olson's students really dug into the writing process, and as Kinders always do, incorporated much creative and hands-on teaching strategies/activities to boot.  Check out the latest thoughts from our almost first graders.

So true Mrs. Olson!

Some of the learning processes before final product

Mrs. Maca and Mrs. Levine, HP art teachers, combined their efforts and highlighted the style and many moods of Picasso.  Embedded vocabulary, creative teaching strategies to help solidify background/concepts related to Picasso's works, and again, much teacher and student written reflection on the learning that took place.  Well done.

Learning made public

A bit of DBI in action - think they got it!

Final snaps of two 4th grade P and P displays by Mrs. Finkle and Ms. Perkins.  Done around a math unit of study, specifically tessellations tied to the art of Escher, these two teachers collaborated closely to ensure the TEKS were covered in-depth, embedded meaningful processes/activities along the way, developed final products that were of high interest and ensured learning was demonstrated (in a fun way!), provided a concrete rubric that students used as a guide, and so much more.  The Dodecahdedron/Escher "kiss balls" you see below as final products are very detailed and are the result of Mrs. Finkle's use of "kiss balls" in a former language arts unit.  And just why are they called kiss balls?  Hint.  Has something to do with how the edges meet.  

I was also glad to see the learning reinforced in the classroom the day I was scoping out the new displays. Using the DBI strategy Tableaux, student groups were in process of the Renaissance Art Word review.  Loved that they would show the words through varied actions and poses, with the audience then identifying what they were seeing.  Think concepts/vocabulary such as shadow, reflection, overlapping, and yes, tessellation itself.  Very solid review.

If you are down that hallway, check out both of the teacher board displays and the actual final products. For me, it's all about the reflections, veteran and new teachers working collaboratively, the creativity used in getting students interested in learning, the real life connections during the processes of the learning (classes studied such things as fish scales, bricks, architecture, and more), and truly how much thought and reflection and refinement goes into lesson planning year after year.  Lots!

example of student reflection

Note last 2 sentences from this new teacher...

First part of this group's tessellation tableaux

And another demo...

Last pics.  Kinder is gearing up for all things Kinder Rodeo next week - yeehaw! - and you have to look at these cool Wanted Posters from Ms. Bulluck's students.  Very creative and lots of fun. I was also able to catch a few of Ms. Davidson's cowpokes on the same day, outside practicing their riding skills ahead of next week.  Lots of cool things around the campus and a definite sign that April is indeed here. 

hmmm...wonder who?