Good things continue to happen in around our school, as evidenced this week. Please take the time to pull up fourth grade teacher Ms. Snell's language arts blog when you have a chance (
http://tsnell.edublogs.org/). It's also posted on the fourth grade WIKI at the Highland Park website. Ms. Snell, finishing her master's in library science, began this blog last year and utilizes the tool for student responses to literature currently being read in her class. The prompts require students to have an understanding of the text, make inferences, and make personal connections to people and events in the story, which are important for those "text to self" and "text to world" connections. Currently, Ms. Snells's students are in process of posting responses to the novel
The Secret School by Avi. Students are required to respond to 4 of 9 given prompts; the teacher then scores their responses on such components as text evidence cited, vocabulary, and conventions of writing. Ms. Snell has become a passionate proponent for integrating technology into her classroom, telling me that this forum "lets kids write for a wider audience (than just the teacher or classmates). It's preparing them for working in an online environment which is a 21st century learning skill. Even reluctant speakers in class now have a voice and use it". Pretty powerful.
I was also fortunate to visit a fifth grade Future Problem Solvers class this week, taught by Mrs. McHorse. This once per week pull-out for our identified gifted and talented students continues to shine and I was impressed with the level of critical thinking, time management, collaboration, creativity, and more I saw in action. This particular group of students were working in small teams on a future scene about the re-establishment of coral reefs in the year 2038; completed booklets will be sent away for scoring, returned with feedback, then processed with student reflection; this "practice" helps prepare the students for the actual competition in January.
If you haven't seen an FPS problem solving model, let me tell you it is very involved and requires a level of thinking that would stump many of us. The model follows a six-prong approach: Identify 16 (yes, 16!) challenges related to the given future scene overview, Select an Underlying Problem, Produce Solution Ideas, Select Criteria, Apply Criteria, then Develop an Action Plan. Keep in mind that the 16 challenges have to relate to 16 different global issues categories (there are 18 total and they include such broad topics as defense, law & justice, ethics & religion, and technology) and student teams only have TWO hours to complete the entire booklet. Pretty impressive. Mrs. McHorse tells me that though she sees much critical and creative thinking in action, the collaboration piece these kids engage in (true teamwork) is the big takeaway. Listening in on one group I heard Javier discuss
everything shark skins (kids tell me he is an expert on sharks and I believe it!) as well as Daniel stating, "we know there will be one animal in this challenge that is a danger to coral reefs...". This conversation between team members brought home how important it is for our students to have opportunities for collaboration. Can't wait to see how these Scotties did on their practice booklets. On to January!
Great training today also with all teachers and teaching assistants. We travelled over to Lamar Middle School with the other Creative Classroom pilot elementary schools for a half day staff development on creativity in the classroom. The breakout sessions, by grade level and specialty area, comprised of 2 geared toward actual models and instruction on creativity (think dance/movement, narrative pantomine, art therapy, and more), with one room devoted to a showcase of community arts providers. We are all so fortunate to have access to these resources in our community. Thanks Brent, Christy, and everyone for furthering our understanding of what creatvity in the classroom is all about. Good stuff.
Finally, our week took a more somber, reflective tone at yesterday's Veteran's Day assembly for fourth grade parents. The students sang a variety of patriotic songs in their red, white, and blue dress, with many of us in attendance singing along with them. It was hard not to get choked up during the traditional branch of service songs, with audience members (think parents and grandparents) standing when their branch of service was noted. Additionally, the red and blue Stars of Valor displayed in our main hallway were a reminder of those who proudly and valiantly give so much for all of us. For those who have served or are serving, we thank you.
