Elementary News
• Not always Routine
Last week I described some ideas to assist students to do their best at home during live Meets. While I would continue to encourage a serious routine to make the most of learning each day, there is also a recommendation to try and bring ‘surprises’ or plan special activities to prevent each day from feeling too similar. (How I wish we could have a serious snowfall!) The teachers continue to bring variety into their lessons and encourage home projects such as cooking and reading projects. The ISA community is very resourceful and the creativity of our students, teachers and parents continues to provide inspiration during lockdown.
• Statements about Learning
On Friday, our mid-year progress reports will be made available to the parents of Elementary children. It’s clear from all of these reports that each teacher has very thoughtfully considered the progress made by their students in the context of performance in class assignments, tests, discussions and homework. We have been in lockdown for the past three weeks, but the reports cover the period from October 26 – January 22. They have also reflected on whether individuals are achieving their potential in terms of the quality of work produced and the acquisition of new skills. Finally, the reports reflect a personal view of how each of our students approaches their studies and deals with social interaction. There are numerous comments about the ability to use and manage time, working with others, particularly peers, and the levels of ambition children demonstrate for personal growth. In the classroom, our teachers will follow up, (virtually and hopefully, soon in-person), the reports with continued feedback and discussion with students. As parents, we ask that you spend some time discussing your child’s report and help us to highlight/reward remarkable achievement and areas for future growth. Please don’t overlook a discussion on developing responsibility, as every teacher strongly encourages self-directed learning. It may also be helpful to consider some of the benchmarks we use when considering what works best in helping children to learn.
Summary Statements about Learning*
1. People learn what is personally meaningful to them.
2. People learn when they accept challenging but achievable goals.
3. Learning is developmental.
4. Individuals learn differently.
5. People construct new knowledge by building on their current knowledge.
6. Much learning occurs through social interaction.
7. People need feedback to learn.
8. Successful learning involves use of strategies – which themselves are learned.
9. A positive emotional climate strengthens learning.
10. Learning is influenced by the total environment.
*Ron Brandt, Powerful Learning, an ASCD Publication
Don Newbury
Elementary Principal
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