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. As a result, each of us, when learning something new, will make mistakes. But, because this is a key ingredient in the learning process, we cannot be paralysed by a fear of getting something wrong. In fact, we need to feel psychologically and emotionally safe to make mistakes. The children at ISA, across grade levels and subjects, hear this message consistently - and this week was no exception.
For the past few weeks, the Grade 4 children have been engrossed in learning activities that highlight the value of mistakes and how we can learn from them. Specifically, they have been using the engineering design process to try to create paper airplanes that meet specific design challenges. They have created prototypes, put them to the test, learned from their “mistakes” and made improvements to their designs. The teachers have been speaking to the students about the design process, which hinges on the ability to learn from mistakes or shortcomings. Earlier today, the Preschool joined the Grade 4 students for the big moment - when the modified airplanes were put to their final test. 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 building an object out of 20 LEGO bricks that could withstand a fall from a one metre height. Each team put their design to the test, observed the results, considered how they might improve their model and then prepared for the next round of testing. They learned from observing other teams to see which kinds of designs had the best chance of surviving the fall intact. As in the Grade 4 example, “mistakes” or “failures” were not something to be avoided. Quite the contrary: such mistakes were vital information that could be used to help the children arrive at ever more effective solutions to the problems they were encountering.
Whether it’s in Grade 4 (paper airplanes), Grade 1 (LEGO objects), preparing for a Lunchtime Concert performance or out on the playground areas during recess, we encourage the children to see that mistakes are not things to fear or hide from; 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 own lives, and how much we gain from facing challenges, trying new things and using mistakes to inform our next steps.
Kindness + Healthy Lifestyles = Global Citizenship Week
You might have noticed on the calendar that Global Citizenship Week is right around the corner. The "new" Global Citizenship Week is an amalgamation of our previous Kindness and Healthy Lifestyles weeks. The theme of our Global Citizenship Week (30 September - 4 October) is "Feel Good - Do Good". Among many other things, this week of activities and lessons will include the “Active Families: Feel Good - Do Good” event for Kindergarten - Grade 5 children and families on the afternoon of Wednesday, 2 October. The week will be filled with creative and engaging opportunities for the children to enact healthy and kind choices as they consider actions to make their communities safer, stronger and happier places to be. The week will culminate in a Friday afternoon assembly (2:15pm in the QET on Friday 4 October). A huge thank you goes out to Claire McMahon and Debbie Cooper (Grade 4) and Clare Hodder (PE) for all the vision, creativity and effort that goes into organising this school wide event. Thank you also to Graham Brace for offering to put together the Feel Good - Do Good video. You should have received this letter that explains the optional video submission in advance of this element. More information about the entire range of events and activities will come your way soon.
A Three-Day Weekend
Any time we have an extended weekend is a time for celebration. This upcoming Monday (23 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.
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