Teachers have long displayed student work in the halls or in their rooms. Kind of the norm when you are at an elementary school. What's really changing is the level of
thinking going into those displays. If you haven't walked around our building in awhile, I encourage you to check out some of the most recent postings in our hallways. Not only do we have some engaging, creative displays of critical thinking through writing and the arts, but we have teacher "descriptors" often posted directly beside the examples of student work - explanations of the TEK student expectation connected to the work, explanation of the process leading up to the final student product, and more. HP teachers are working diligently to ensure that students know the purpose to the activity, are motivated to learn, and that outcomes are connected in the best possible way to the
true learning intentions. Check out Mrs. Goldsmith's first grade Nocturnal Animal poems connected to literature and science (with some cool animal art to boot!), Mrs. Pappert's " 6 trait word choice" acrostic poetry from her second graders, and Mrs. Kolodziej's 5th grade student migration posters connected to the SS unit on American Indian Cultural Regions. Our students learn so much more and make deeper connections when the products are authentic, the activities are engaging, and creativity is embedded. Pretty neat!
Wrapping up student work displays, I also have to share Mrs. Kolodziej's additional Geography Island posters. This activity was a "chance for 5th grade students to use their imagination to create an island that was uniquely their own. The island was required to have a theme based on the student's interests, a name that related to the theme, and examples of various landforms." Additionally, per the teacher, it was to be drawn from a "bird's eye view as a map with a legend, compass rose, geographic features, city symbols, and a capital city". We've heard from some former Scotties that this type of activity is also incorporated and expanded upon (think government, economic features, and island culture) in some of their middle and high school experiences. Hats off Mrs. K and her students for some work that is engaging and creative!
 |
| Taylor Swift Island |
 |
Musical Island
|
Finally, though this week has been chock-full of everything from walkthroughs in classrooms to a McCallum vertical team roundtable meeting with PTA presidents to Crazy Hat Friday (check out the pics on our website), I want to highlight the increased after school offerings happening on our campus. We still have our traditional offerings, such as Scottie Singers, Bits, Bytes, and Bots, Mad Science and more, but have made a special effort to "pump up" our options, expecially in the area of creativity. Currently on board this fall or coming soon, we have Math Pentathlon once again (thank you Mr. Gay!), an afterschool art club for our third grade students sponsored by Mrs. Maca, a very creative Lego Club that is growing by leaps and bounds, a slated theater class taught by the folks at Zach Scott, and a new film class now happening by Austin Film Kids. This popular class, 28+ strong on day ONE!, allows students to "learn how to use video cameras, create their own film ideas, then see them come to life!" Some of the Fall film projects include a Highland Park talk show, the McGuffin Mystery, and a chance for each participant to create their own film.
How cool is that? In fact, just today, students were busy creating characters and learning some of the basics of camera use. Check out Sara below as her group works the camera under the tutelage of Brian Cox, as well as the character creation charts small groups were working on as I visited. Truly, the conversation overheard highlighted both the joy
and the angst of the creative process in action. These films will premiere at an upcoming AFK Film Festival and can't wait to see them all. Consider the red carpet rolled out!
