In one classroom, dedication and hard work was evidenced in Physical Education as students completed their fitness testing. I watched a team of third graders run one mile as best they could, and heard their classmates cheer at the finish line. I watched another class perform the push-up test and tried my best to match their efforts. I completed 5 solid push ups and was feeling pretty good about my efforts, until the students were effortlessly getting 50. Clearly, it would benefit me to spend more time in Miss Parker's Class! Congratulations to the students for giving their best effort on these tests.
In another part of our school, our fourth grade students have been engaged in a Native American study. Students have been reading trade books focused on the theme and today, they were fortunate enough to participate in a half-day of a native american reenactment of various parts of life like cooking over an open fire and creating an arrowhead. Special thank you to the PTO for funding this exciting event. You will also see student made wigwams decorating Mrs. Sangree's classroom cabinets. Students are thoroughly immersed and engaged in this thought unit.
All classroom teachers have begun a study on the teaching practice of shared inquiry through our professional development days in October and upcoming in November. Teachers are learning new skills focusing on the concept of asking thought provoking questions that have more than one right answer through the Jr. Great Books Program. They are also teaching children the importance of reading the provided text three times, the first time is to hear the story and appreciate it, the second time is to focus on their comprehension, and the last time to focus on the intricacies of the text and author's message and then to participate in the inquiry session. It is exciting to see inquiry in the younger grades and how it develops at each grade level. Teachers and I have been surprised at how capable the students are. But I have also been impressed at the level of risk-taking the teachers have shown. This is unchartered territory for many, and is the buzz of the faculty room and hallways as teachers share their experiences and learning.
I want to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our third grade student Athavan. Athavan's recent lego sorter invention is highlighted on the 5th floor at the Connecticut Science Center in Hartford, CT.
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Finally, a warm thank you to everyone who participated in our school wide events. Our Savory Samples was a wonderful highlight of our school community. Many students and parents participated and prepared special ethnic dishes, and our support staff and their families acted as planners and servers. We are so fortunate to have diversity in our community and this event was a chance to recognize the individuals that make us a whole in Southeast. What a night! A special thank you to Senora Hutton for the inspiring idea and for continuing this beloved tradition.
The Vision Brainstorming event was a delightful mix of teachers and parents sharing their vision for Southeast in the next 5 - 7 years. We spent time brainstorming about future ideas to start or practices to continue. Overall I felt a sense of the higher purpose we have in educating our students. I was inspired by our thoughts and look forward to working with a sub-group to write a vision statement based on the ideas shared. I will be posted the drafted statement on this blog for people to review and comment upon. I welcome your thoughts and ideas as we refine our vision.
