From the Preschool/Elementary School Principal

 

Learning from our mistakes: We Learn By Doing…and Not Giving Up

Last week, I highlighted the Grade 5 First Note Day to make a point about learning by doing. This week, I would like to make a related point about the importance of learning from our mistakes. 

Many people dread the thought of making a mistake. For some, this fear is so paralysing that they will actively avoid trying new things or will give up the moment a skill or concept proves challenging or difficult. For learning to take place, however, we need to routinely work through challenges and difficulties; after all, not every new skill or concept will be easy to grasp straight away. The children at ISA, across grade levels and subjects, hear this message consistently - and this week was no exception.

This week, the Grade 4 children took part in two activities that highlighted the value of mistakes and how we can learn from them. In one lesson, Mrs. Cooper used a wonderful picture book (Beautiful Oops by Barney Saltzberg) to encourage the children to use creativity, imagination and perseverance to transform a mistake into something wonderful. Then, after they had the chance to design and re-design prototypes of paper airplanes, the Grade 4 students had the chance to meet and question Chee Yie Jian (Julian), the designer of the paper airplane that held the world record for the greatest distance flown (252 feet). Among other things, he spoke to the students about the design process, which hinges on the ability to learn from mistakes or shortcomings. The Grade 1 students have also been involved in this type of thinking: testing a solution and then learning from their mistakes. For them, it was in the context of constructing the tallest LEGO tower. The performers from Grade 1 through Grade 5 who took part in the Lunchtime Concert prepared by consistently working through mistakes during their practice and rehearsal time. 

Across all grade levels and regardless of the subject area, we encourage the children to see that mistakes are not things to fear; rather, they open up wonderful opportunities for learning and new growth. It would be interesting for you to talk to your child about the role that mistakes play in your lives, and how much we gain from facing challenges, trying new things and using mistakes to inform our next steps.

Healthy Lifestyles Week

Healthy Lifestyles Week is right around the corner. This week of activities and lessons will start with an energising assembly on the morning of Monday, 2 October, and will culminate in the “Active Families: Mind & Body” event for KG-G5 children and families on the afternoon of Friday, 6 October. The week will be filled with creative and engaging opportunities for the children to enact healthy choices. If you have a child (or children) in Kindergarten through Grade 5, you will have received this letter about the Active Families event; please fill out the form that was linked in that letter if you would like to participate. A huge thank you goes out to Claire McMahon, Debbie Cooper (both Grade 4), Catherine Fielding (French), Graham Brace (Grade 5) and Clare Hodder (PE) for all the vision, creativity and effort that goes into organising these school wide events. Thank you, also, to all the staff and teachers who will put in that extra effort to bring this week - and its many events - to life. More information about the entire range of events and activities will come your way soon!

Road Safety

Now that autumn has officially begun, the number of daylight hours will steadily decrease, meaning that it will start to get darker in the mornings and afternoons - just when our children are making their way to and from school. This is an ideal time, then, to remind everyone about road safety. This includes safety precautions that students can take while on campus. In class and during assemblies, we will remind the children about taking care near the drive and the parking areas, making sure to only use the marked crosswalks, and to also stop, look and listen before crossing. It is especially important for children to be mindful of the coming and going of the buses at the start and end of the school day. We would appreciate it if you could reinforce these safety messages at home.

Grade 5 Trip

Next week, I will accompany the Grade 5 classes on their residential trip. Paul Bertolotto, our Preschool and Elementary School Assistant Principal will be available at ISA during the week for students, parents and staff should there be any need.

A Three-Day Weekend

Any time we have an extended weekend is a time for celebration. This upcoming Monday (25 September) is a local holiday and an occasion to enjoy some family time. I hope the weekend brings a lot of fun and relaxation for everyone.