Monday, June 28, 2010
Money has been donated!
A check was just mailed to the VP Foundation that funnels money to Haiti. It is the organization that Nancy Casey came to our school to talk about while she was updating the kids about life after the earthquake that she saw on her last visit. The picture of Nancy with the Crew is at the bottom of the blog. She also loaned us 10 posters that we displayed in the school to show life there and how the organization started. Visit the VP Foundation website and you can see how the money really does make a difference in the lives there. The crew collected $43.50. I added another $7 and so we donated a total of $50.OO. Way to go Crew!!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Last day filled with CREW smiles and hugs
Excited is a word that I use often with this group... yet, on June 9, it was in all upper case... EXCITED!
The day was fabulous with each talking about the book they had checked out from the UI Library in our last Literature Circle to playing the Palouse Prairie Song on recorders while the whole school sang in Community Circle. Spontaneously, the 4/5 crew broke into the last verse they have wanted for awhile. It goes.. Palouse Prairie teachers are awe-some. There were appreciative nods from the faculty.
They have grown up so much and together ended this 2009-2010 school year with the same intensity and integrity as they started. They really are an exceptional group.
It has been a terrific first year at PPSEL.
The day was fabulous with each talking about the book they had checked out from the UI Library in our last Literature Circle to playing the Palouse Prairie Song on recorders while the whole school sang in Community Circle. Spontaneously, the 4/5 crew broke into the last verse they have wanted for awhile. It goes.. Palouse Prairie teachers are awe-some. There were appreciative nods from the faculty.
They have grown up so much and together ended this 2009-2010 school year with the same intensity and integrity as they started. They really are an exceptional group.
It has been a terrific first year at PPSEL.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Reflection and Oh, we really get it!
Over the past week, we have been reviewing work and revisiting what we did and how we did it. The Learning Targets on the board right now have helped the kids keep in mind that this school year has been chock full of academics and social growth. The two say," I can end the school year with the same attention and responsibilities towards class protocols as when I started this year." and " I can accurately reflect upon my work and behavior and explain how I performed." Of course we unpacked these statements to make sure they all know exactly what they mean.
Today we used what is called the Socratic Seminar Rubric to use as the process for discussing the observations they made on Sept. 4 and June 4 of the community area on the south part of our grounds. They all presented to each other in small groups what they had noticed. As participants in the method, certain criteria is evaluated. Participants show respect, are active listeners, stay focused, cite specific references to the text, give input and ask for clarification. This rubric was designed by Kathleen McHugh and is a terrific tool. We came together and after each group assessed themselves and...
the best part of this day was when I pulled up an anchor chart we had created from share outs and debriefing on Narrative Writing and the kids realized, "Hey, we have been doing the Socratic Method all year!" We started the process in our Writer's Workshops in September with Questions, Comments, and Compliments. These brought forth their skills in listening and revising, taking constructive criticism with their writing. They learned to respect each and value each other from day one.
Their communication with each other is very productive and empathic and so their academics have been strong.
So, now they have a name for what we have been doing all year and also know that Socrates's idea was so good that it lives on over 2300 years later. I didn't tell them the end of his story for thinking...next year.:)
Today we used what is called the Socratic Seminar Rubric to use as the process for discussing the observations they made on Sept. 4 and June 4 of the community area on the south part of our grounds. They all presented to each other in small groups what they had noticed. As participants in the method, certain criteria is evaluated. Participants show respect, are active listeners, stay focused, cite specific references to the text, give input and ask for clarification. This rubric was designed by Kathleen McHugh and is a terrific tool. We came together and after each group assessed themselves and...
the best part of this day was when I pulled up an anchor chart we had created from share outs and debriefing on Narrative Writing and the kids realized, "Hey, we have been doing the Socratic Method all year!" We started the process in our Writer's Workshops in September with Questions, Comments, and Compliments. These brought forth their skills in listening and revising, taking constructive criticism with their writing. They learned to respect each and value each other from day one.
Their communication with each other is very productive and empathic and so their academics have been strong.
So, now they have a name for what we have been doing all year and also know that Socrates's idea was so good that it lives on over 2300 years later. I didn't tell them the end of his story for thinking...next year.:)
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Two Experts-- Both named Nancy
Our first visitor was Nancy Casey who came to educate the crew about life in Haiti. She gave lots of facts about life on the island. Nancy was led to Haiti starting in 1995 because she liked the music, but really started going because she wanted to know how people live in other parts of the world that have less than we do. She spoke some creole with us and taught us a song. The kids learned how to carry 40 lbs of water on their heads, and that getting water took all day for some people. Mostly that is the job of the kids that were their age of this class. Goats are for meat and have to be moved and watered and if your family is doing ok, then they have a donkey which is used to carry goods. The people are very good story tellers and as Nancy has lived among them, learned how they think about life. The kids decided to give money to the VP Foundation to help a child there get books for school or more food. There may be a fund raiser this summer and Nancy asked if they would be interested in helping. The crew learned that it is not thought wise to walk at night. If you do and pass a friend, don't to say anything... the superstition is that ghosts will take you.
Our second expert was Nancy Taylor who has been leading the Art Basics Case Study. Today she debriefed and then reflected with the kids about the three pieces they did using their own name. The target was to create pieces using the elements of line and shape to create a design with balance and variety. We have analyzed other art works and experimented. This was a very helpful academic area and our background knowledge about why artists create has expanded. Nancy wants to come back and work with the crew again.
Both these ladies enriched our day by sharing what they are passionate about.
Our second expert was Nancy Taylor who has been leading the Art Basics Case Study. Today she debriefed and then reflected with the kids about the three pieces they did using their own name. The target was to create pieces using the elements of line and shape to create a design with balance and variety. We have analyzed other art works and experimented. This was a very helpful academic area and our background knowledge about why artists create has expanded. Nancy wants to come back and work with the crew again.
Both these ladies enriched our day by sharing what they are passionate about.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Prichard Gallery visit with Ryan Law
We met Ryan Law on the second floor of the gallery. She spent time talking about the people of the community and this was their first time to experience art. There seemed to be about 40 drawings. All ages participated. She told us the locals sat on the a small bench, shared pencils, were only able to use crayons and water color. The water came from puddles. Pencils were split in half. There were no erasers. Each person got one piece of paper.
When we got back after seeing the pictures and the slide show, the kids shared their thoughts. They were surprised at the self portraits, the flower shape that kept appearing in so many drawings. As Aurora said, " No one drew anything about the earthquake." Milo was interested that all ages wanted to draw, not just kids. I asked if he thought a room full of adults here would want to do what they did. He looked at me and said,"no". It is understood that adults here have so many other ways to express themselves.
The Crew had some wonderful ideas for continuing to help like raising more funds (we can sing and work at the Farmer's Market) and helping them get more and art supplies. Forest is willing to give two saws he has. He knows that wood and nails would help too. Wil and Semolina know that the people could use goats and chickens.
We will draw pictures for Ms. Law to take back next Spring Break. They can be about anything she said. Just like the art we saw, she wants it to be whatever they want to share. The drawings by the people of Haiti gave us insight into what they think and feel. I hope the pictures we send will make that same connection.
When we got back after seeing the pictures and the slide show, the kids shared their thoughts. They were surprised at the self portraits, the flower shape that kept appearing in so many drawings. As Aurora said, " No one drew anything about the earthquake." Milo was interested that all ages wanted to draw, not just kids. I asked if he thought a room full of adults here would want to do what they did. He looked at me and said,"no". It is understood that adults here have so many other ways to express themselves.
The Crew had some wonderful ideas for continuing to help like raising more funds (we can sing and work at the Farmer's Market) and helping them get more and art supplies. Forest is willing to give two saws he has. He knows that wood and nails would help too. Wil and Semolina know that the people could use goats and chickens.
We will draw pictures for Ms. Law to take back next Spring Break. They can be about anything she said. Just like the art we saw, she wants it to be whatever they want to share. The drawings by the people of Haiti gave us insight into what they think and feel. I hope the pictures we send will make that same connection.
Sunday, May 23, 2010
Work and Reflection on the 2009-2010 Year
This week the Crew will finish their brochures...by deadline which is Thursday. We will also be organizing work, reviewing work, and reflecting on the learning. We have anchor charts, the fall expedition,Food Fight!, Inquiry of Science and The Wonders of Social Studies as a start for review. We will also review our Student Led Portfolios.
They will begin evaluating their work. When they evaluate what they do, the work is analyzed through the lenses of criteria that was the focus for that learning. We use rubrics and conferences to help assess all work. The kids do a marvelous job because they are motivated individually, and as a class, push each other to be strong academically.We are guided by the Learning Targets in each area for the "what to know."
The Case Study of Art Basics is going very well and led by Nancy Taylor, a parent expert. She has taught them the elements of art and how to use them in a design.
Music Basics Case Study is led by Chris LaPaglia, an accomplished musician who is helping the kids create a crew song to play on the recorders. The Crew is excited because on June 9, they will play the Palouse Prairie song for the whole school to sing to. We also have a new verse to add for the end of the year.
Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) will visit on Thursday and connect to our They were Here! Case Study.
We will also plan the 2nd Raucous Readers' Round Up for next week. This is a celebration for all the at home reading that this crew does. Each child reads 40 minutes a night.
They will begin evaluating their work. When they evaluate what they do, the work is analyzed through the lenses of criteria that was the focus for that learning. We use rubrics and conferences to help assess all work. The kids do a marvelous job because they are motivated individually, and as a class, push each other to be strong academically.We are guided by the Learning Targets in each area for the "what to know."
The Case Study of Art Basics is going very well and led by Nancy Taylor, a parent expert. She has taught them the elements of art and how to use them in a design.
Music Basics Case Study is led by Chris LaPaglia, an accomplished musician who is helping the kids create a crew song to play on the recorders. The Crew is excited because on June 9, they will play the Palouse Prairie song for the whole school to sing to. We also have a new verse to add for the end of the year.
Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute (PCEI) will visit on Thursday and connect to our They were Here! Case Study.
We will also plan the 2nd Raucous Readers' Round Up for next week. This is a celebration for all the at home reading that this crew does. Each child reads 40 minutes a night.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Visiting the Prichard Gallery
Our crew will view the art created by local Haitians with the help of Ryan Law when she visited about four weeks ago. The kids were very interested in helping the people of Haiti and every single one of them bussed tables back in the fall at the Breakfast for Haiti to send several members of the Moscow community to Haiti.
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