As has been the case for years now in Laconia, the paradigm of teachers 'having the summer off' is a vestige of the distant past.
Our teachers are almost as busy during the summer as they are during the schol year -- really! How could this be so? Although many are not teaching children during the steamy weeks of July and August, many are. Here are some of the programs that call our educators in to school to service children:
Extended School Year Program (ESY) -- This program exists to support students with identified learning needs to help assure that 'regression' does not occur (we aim to help students maintain the academic gains made over the school year, rather than let them slip away over the steamy weeks of summer).
Project Extra Summer Stretch -- This learning opportunity is extended to students who would benefit from additional support over the summer to help shore up their basic academic skills in a fun and engagin way. This program helps students be in a stronger place, academically, when they enter the new school year than when they left school the previous June.
Project Extra Summer Camp -- This fun-filled summer learning opportunity promotes the further development of social and other skills in a safe, supervised setting over the course of the summer. The emphasis of this program is on healthy recreational activities, good sportmanship, and building relationships across our community.
Kindergarten Camp -- It is through Kindergarten Camp that we offer students entering our kindergarten program a transitional learning opportunity. The kids get to come into our kindergarten classrooms for two weeks in August to work with kindergarten program staff and get a head start on their first year at WHS. Familiarizing students with life as a student in a public school, focusing on social growth and learning school routines is the primary goal of this program.
Renzulli Learning -- This technology-based enrichment opportunity is made available to advanced learners in our intermediate grades. It is housed at Laconia Middle School, and is an extension of the Project Extra enrichment programs offered in that building for middle school students.
Additionally, it is during the weeks of summer that much of our professional development (teacher training) and curriculum and program development occurs. the summer is true 'quality time' for teachers to come together and improve our school program and their own professional expertise.
Here are some of the professional development opportunities that our teachers are pursuing this summer:
College Coursework -- Many of our staff members take advantage of the summer months to take college or university courses (on campus and/or online) to further their command of their material, or broaden their perspectives of their role as public school educators. Much of this is degree-track coursework, and will ultimately result in the attainment of a professional degree (such as a Master of Education degree), or a new professional certification through the NH Department of Education (in areas such as Special Education, School Administration and Leadership, School Counselling, etc.).
Laconia Summer Institutes -- Each summer the educators of the Laconia School District have opportunities to attend professional development institutes that are organized by Laconia Administrators. A sampling of such institutes includes: Mahesh Sharma Mathematics Interventions (specific techniques to help strengthen student math ability), Mahesh Sharma Curriculum Course (staff will learn how to make mathematics program improvements to promote high levels of success for our students in mathematics), Reading Comprehension Instruction (staff will learn/reinforce the instructional techniques that are considered 'best practice' for the teaching of reading in elementary schools), Writing Workshop Instruction (staff will learn/reinforce the instructional techniques that are considered 'best practice' for the teaching of writing in elementary schools), and NWEA Measures of Academic Progress Data Analysis (staff will learn how to analyze NWEA assessment results, and use that information to improve learning in their classrooms).
Conferences and Workshops -- WHS Staff members also attend a variety of independent or team-based professional development activities away from our schools site. Some of these conferences include: RTI&I Leadership Institute (our team learned how to better lead the further develpment of our school's 'Response to Intervention and Instruction' program), ISTE (our team learn cutting edge techniques for integrating educational technology and 21st Century skill development into the everyday learning experience of our students), ASCD-Boston (a team attended a workshop on RtII & Differentiated Instruction and the common ground betwen these two approaches to meeting student learning needs), and the LRCIA Technology Institute (many Laconia teachers will work together to learn best practices for technology integration in our schools).
Team and School Based Initiatives -- This summer work for staff includes such opportunities as: School Summits (staff members come together to work on a specific issue or initiative -- i.e., School Climate, Grant Writing), Team Planning (grade level teachers come together to discuss, develop, and coordinate program for the coming year -- what they will do to meet curriculum standards in each subject area, with what materials, and using which instructional techniques), and Individual Classroom Community Set-Up -- teachers spend an exhaustive number of hours setting up their classroom community spaces to make them safe, inviting, developmentally appropriate, engaging, and conducive to high quality teaching and learning).
As you can see, at WHS the learning never stops, for kids or adults. We are a learning community dedicated to meeting the academic and social needs of our students, and the professional development needs of our staff. Our need for teaching and learning never ends; and niether do the broad opportunities for learning at Woodland Heights School.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Teacher Assignment Model for 2011-2012 Emphasizes Continuous Improvement at WHS
One of the most impactful aspects of school organization planning involves the possible formation of new and dynamic, highly complementary and collaborative teacher teams. Teacher assignments for coming year at Woodland Heights will look very different than those of the past.
After careful consideration, the following teacher assignments have been made for the 2011-2012 school year:
[Teachers with new assignments have their names emboldened.]
Kindergarten > Paula Christopher, Jessica Cardinal, and Trisha Tousignant (Jennifer Doherty will be on Leave for 2011-2012.)
Grade 1 > Pam MacCulloch, Jennifer Connelly, Holly Knowles, and Mary Ann Myers
Grade 2 > Janet Caouette, Sarah Mull, Jacquelyn Reed, and Ashley Hogan
Grade 3 > Jen Douglas, Bobbie Stormann, and Theresa McDonnell
Grade 4 > Irena Logue, Ann Peterson, and Joanna Bergman
Grade 5 > Jessica Ortolf, Kate Shumway-Pit, and a new teacher candidate to be selected over the summer.
We are extremely excited for the potential of these new teacher teams. You will find your child's classroom placement noted on her/his Quarter #4 Report Card which will go home with your student on the last day of school, June 21st.
After careful consideration, the following teacher assignments have been made for the 2011-2012 school year:
[Teachers with new assignments have their names emboldened.]
Kindergarten > Paula Christopher, Jessica Cardinal, and Trisha Tousignant (Jennifer Doherty will be on Leave for 2011-2012.)
Grade 1 > Pam MacCulloch, Jennifer Connelly, Holly Knowles, and Mary Ann Myers
Grade 2 > Janet Caouette, Sarah Mull, Jacquelyn Reed, and Ashley Hogan
Grade 3 > Jen Douglas, Bobbie Stormann, and Theresa McDonnell
Grade 4 > Irena Logue, Ann Peterson, and Joanna Bergman
Grade 5 > Jessica Ortolf, Kate Shumway-Pit, and a new teacher candidate to be selected over the summer.
We are extremely excited for the potential of these new teacher teams. You will find your child's classroom placement noted on her/his Quarter #4 Report Card which will go home with your student on the last day of school, June 21st.
WHS Teachers Plan for the End of the Year
An educator's life in any school district is extremely demanding, and requires more talent, time, energy, dedication, resilience, and involves giving more of herself/himself than almost any other profession. At a school like Woodland Heights you have to be a 'rock star' to even survive. No kidding.
To share an inkling of what our teachers are attending to at this time of year, beyond their normal responsibilities of educating their students and keeping them safe, let me share the following list:
A.] Administer, score and report results of Everyday Math Final Exam.
B.] Administer, score and report the results of year end literacy assessments.
C.] Develop balanced class lists that will be used to determine class placement for 2011-2012.
D.] Complete data grids that include all of the most pertinent assessment data and other ratings of academic and social performance over the following year that will be used by new teachers to plan for the coming year.
E.] Nominate students vor various summer programs.
F.] Develop a budget and order materials to assure quality programming for the coming year.
G.] Pack their entire classroom and materials, and clean classroom furniture and fixtures.
H.] Complete Quarter #4 Report Cards, and place necessary documents in student cumulative files.
I.] Begin meeting with teaching team for 2011-2012.
J.] Plan summer professional development schedule.
Thank goodness for our students, we have a whole school of 'rock stars' who are getting better and better all the time. As we wrap up our important business for this school year, we begin to look with anticipation to next year. As we say at WHS, "the future looks bright!"
To share an inkling of what our teachers are attending to at this time of year, beyond their normal responsibilities of educating their students and keeping them safe, let me share the following list:
A.] Administer, score and report results of Everyday Math Final Exam.
B.] Administer, score and report the results of year end literacy assessments.
C.] Develop balanced class lists that will be used to determine class placement for 2011-2012.
D.] Complete data grids that include all of the most pertinent assessment data and other ratings of academic and social performance over the following year that will be used by new teachers to plan for the coming year.
E.] Nominate students vor various summer programs.
F.] Develop a budget and order materials to assure quality programming for the coming year.
G.] Pack their entire classroom and materials, and clean classroom furniture and fixtures.
H.] Complete Quarter #4 Report Cards, and place necessary documents in student cumulative files.
I.] Begin meeting with teaching team for 2011-2012.
J.] Plan summer professional development schedule.
Thank goodness for our students, we have a whole school of 'rock stars' who are getting better and better all the time. As we wrap up our important business for this school year, we begin to look with anticipation to next year. As we say at WHS, "the future looks bright!"
While I've Been Away ......
O.K., those of you have been in to WHS know that your principal did not actually go on vacation for the past six weeks (you've got to be kidding me, where did the time go?!?), nor did I intentionally take a hiatus from the WHS Principal's Blog. Truth be told, and as many of you know ... I have been buried at work, and blogging to share a glimpse of life 'on the inside' at Woodland Heights needed to take a lower priority. Not to make excuses ... it just is what it is!
So what has been going on? A lot. Where do I start? How about from the beginning. The following is a list of 'blog micro-entries' that cover some key events and conditions that have characterized administrative and staff functions over recent weeks.
A.] 2011-2012 Budget Development and Review Process > This year we were mightily challenged with a sluggish economic recovery and dramatic cutbacks in state aid to schools. These conditions necessitated some severe budget cuts for Laconia (and most districts across the state). The challenge was to determine how and what to cut that would result in the least amount of harm to the quality of our educational program and student expereince here at Woodland Heights, and across our district. Many meetings and many conversations later, we believe that we have arrived at a plan that will allow us to continue our good work on behalf of the City of Laconia. There have been cutbacks to several programs, and there have been reductions in staff, but the kids will be fin in the end. We'll make sure of it!
B.] WHS Behavior Specialist Leaves Our Service > A critical position in our school is that of the WHS Behavior Specialist. This individual helps coordinate our school's student management and character development programs. The Behavior Specialist's role involves, among other things: conducting investigations, assigning consequences for misdeeds,making parent contacts, and logging disciplinary infractions; administering and supervising disciplinary consequences; developing and administering student incentive programs (behavior plans); and educational programs to promote good citizenship and a safe school climate. Well, we were without a behavior specialist for much of the spring, and the office staff had to take up much of the slack -- tough to do when you already have a 'considerable' workload. We were fortunate to hire another behavior specialist, and then spent necessary time to assist with training and preparing our new candidate for success. We are definitely in a better place now!
C.] Teacher Evaluation Cycle Peaks > The Laconia School District has a rigorous teacher evaluation system that calls for very careful oversight of staff. Depending on a teacher's level of experience, she is formally evaluated between three and nine times a year. This includes formal classroom observations, pre- and post-observation conferences, and the writing of teacher evaluation reports. This program is supported by an intensive professional goal-setting process, and a process of documenting and reflecting upon professional development activities (teacher training opportunities such as conferences, workshops, graduate level college courses, book study groups, etc., etc.). Suffice it to say, your teachers are hired to join our team based on a highly competitive process to assure that Laconia obtains the highest quality professional staff possible. Once your foot is in the door, however, the real challenge begins: proving worthiness through excellent performance in order to retain your position. The teacher evaluation process is another major undertaking, and a critically important one, for our staff.
D.] Plymouth State University Interns Wrap-Up at WHS > We were pleased to grow our partnership with PSU this year and bring to our school a large number of college students learning how to become successful teachers. Part of our obligation in the process is an intensive series of evaluations to offer competent, field-based feedback to the students and to the University about aspiring teacher skill development, professional growth, and teaching potential. The partnership is important to us, but is not without an investment on our part (some staff time and energy).
E.] Summer Program Planning and Recruitment > In Laconia, we are pleased to offer many grant funded opportunities for our students to continue their learning over the summer. These experiences are often related to fundamental academics, arts and engineering enrichment, or other experiential learning. These programs require careful planning, staffing, student recruitment, and other logistical considerations. We continue to do all that we can to make learning opportunities happen for our students year-round! In Laconia, the learning and the fun never end.
F.] ARRA Technology Grant Wrap-Up > Woodland Heights school has enjoyed a monumental opportunity to participate in a technology grant that has gone a long way to revolutionizing the way teachers teach, and the way that students learn at WHS. This opportunity that has had such dramatically positive results for our school also has required a great deal of commitment from our staff. It is true that you don't get something for nothing. Our teachers have received a lot, but they have given a great deal in order to take our school 'to the next level' with technology.
G.] General School Management, Events, and Problem-Solving > Television shows are frequently written about the drama, intensity, and dynamic environment that can be found in a hospital or police station. I certainly wouldn't take anything away from the service and the sacrifice of people in health careers, law enforcement, or emergency services, but I could make a pitch to a major network for a program about a school office. It is hard to imagine any environment more active than an organization that houses and services 450 3-11 year-olds, their families, and staff, all day, every day for an entire school year -- oh, and then there are myriad evening events and a multitude of summer programs and other organizations that operate out of our school. What is the point? At WHS, 'it' is happening all the time, at every moment, and in every way. Don't believe me? Drop in for a moment sometime.
Enough for now. Thanks for reading, and if there is ever another long gap between blog posts, just know that I haven't been on vacation, 'just been too busy to write! Keeping up with Woodland Heights? You better have roller skates!
So what has been going on? A lot. Where do I start? How about from the beginning. The following is a list of 'blog micro-entries' that cover some key events and conditions that have characterized administrative and staff functions over recent weeks.
A.] 2011-2012 Budget Development and Review Process > This year we were mightily challenged with a sluggish economic recovery and dramatic cutbacks in state aid to schools. These conditions necessitated some severe budget cuts for Laconia (and most districts across the state). The challenge was to determine how and what to cut that would result in the least amount of harm to the quality of our educational program and student expereince here at Woodland Heights, and across our district. Many meetings and many conversations later, we believe that we have arrived at a plan that will allow us to continue our good work on behalf of the City of Laconia. There have been cutbacks to several programs, and there have been reductions in staff, but the kids will be fin in the end. We'll make sure of it!
B.] WHS Behavior Specialist Leaves Our Service > A critical position in our school is that of the WHS Behavior Specialist. This individual helps coordinate our school's student management and character development programs. The Behavior Specialist's role involves, among other things: conducting investigations, assigning consequences for misdeeds,making parent contacts, and logging disciplinary infractions; administering and supervising disciplinary consequences; developing and administering student incentive programs (behavior plans); and educational programs to promote good citizenship and a safe school climate. Well, we were without a behavior specialist for much of the spring, and the office staff had to take up much of the slack -- tough to do when you already have a 'considerable' workload. We were fortunate to hire another behavior specialist, and then spent necessary time to assist with training and preparing our new candidate for success. We are definitely in a better place now!
C.] Teacher Evaluation Cycle Peaks > The Laconia School District has a rigorous teacher evaluation system that calls for very careful oversight of staff. Depending on a teacher's level of experience, she is formally evaluated between three and nine times a year. This includes formal classroom observations, pre- and post-observation conferences, and the writing of teacher evaluation reports. This program is supported by an intensive professional goal-setting process, and a process of documenting and reflecting upon professional development activities (teacher training opportunities such as conferences, workshops, graduate level college courses, book study groups, etc., etc.). Suffice it to say, your teachers are hired to join our team based on a highly competitive process to assure that Laconia obtains the highest quality professional staff possible. Once your foot is in the door, however, the real challenge begins: proving worthiness through excellent performance in order to retain your position. The teacher evaluation process is another major undertaking, and a critically important one, for our staff.
D.] Plymouth State University Interns Wrap-Up at WHS > We were pleased to grow our partnership with PSU this year and bring to our school a large number of college students learning how to become successful teachers. Part of our obligation in the process is an intensive series of evaluations to offer competent, field-based feedback to the students and to the University about aspiring teacher skill development, professional growth, and teaching potential. The partnership is important to us, but is not without an investment on our part (some staff time and energy).
E.] Summer Program Planning and Recruitment > In Laconia, we are pleased to offer many grant funded opportunities for our students to continue their learning over the summer. These experiences are often related to fundamental academics, arts and engineering enrichment, or other experiential learning. These programs require careful planning, staffing, student recruitment, and other logistical considerations. We continue to do all that we can to make learning opportunities happen for our students year-round! In Laconia, the learning and the fun never end.
F.] ARRA Technology Grant Wrap-Up > Woodland Heights school has enjoyed a monumental opportunity to participate in a technology grant that has gone a long way to revolutionizing the way teachers teach, and the way that students learn at WHS. This opportunity that has had such dramatically positive results for our school also has required a great deal of commitment from our staff. It is true that you don't get something for nothing. Our teachers have received a lot, but they have given a great deal in order to take our school 'to the next level' with technology.
G.] General School Management, Events, and Problem-Solving > Television shows are frequently written about the drama, intensity, and dynamic environment that can be found in a hospital or police station. I certainly wouldn't take anything away from the service and the sacrifice of people in health careers, law enforcement, or emergency services, but I could make a pitch to a major network for a program about a school office. It is hard to imagine any environment more active than an organization that houses and services 450 3-11 year-olds, their families, and staff, all day, every day for an entire school year -- oh, and then there are myriad evening events and a multitude of summer programs and other organizations that operate out of our school. What is the point? At WHS, 'it' is happening all the time, at every moment, and in every way. Don't believe me? Drop in for a moment sometime.
Enough for now. Thanks for reading, and if there is ever another long gap between blog posts, just know that I haven't been on vacation, 'just been too busy to write! Keeping up with Woodland Heights? You better have roller skates!
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Flurry of Activity is the Magic of May!
For all the work that we have done, for all that we have accomplished, and for all of the growing that we have done throughout the year, it is during the month of May that it seems everything bursts forth like the May flowers in our gardens. May is full of life, energy, and enthusiasm that is absolutely irrepressible. At the same that time we celebrate the end of winter and move closer to the end of a great school year, we work diligently to bring projects and initiatives to a satisfactory conclusion, administer end of year assessment to our students, plan our summer staff development training, and establish our school district's many summer programs. Amidst all of this activity, we will welcome a new class to our school (next year's Kindergarteners) and wish another class a fond farewell (our Fabulous Fifth Graders) as they begin their transition to even greater growth and success at Laconia Middle School.
You can check out our school calendar which was sent home with students just before April Break, or check our school website regularly for the latest news about our many events.
As it seems like a long time since we last connected (virtually), I am offering this podcast which will highlight some of what you can look forward to here at Woodland Heights over the coming weeks of May. [Remember, it can take a moment or two for the podcast to load.]
From all of your friends here at WHS, we wish you a wonderful start to one of the most active, exciting, and productive months of the school year. Welcome to Magical May!
You can check out our school calendar which was sent home with students just before April Break, or check our school website regularly for the latest news about our many events.
As it seems like a long time since we last connected (virtually), I am offering this podcast which will highlight some of what you can look forward to here at Woodland Heights over the coming weeks of May. [Remember, it can take a moment or two for the podcast to load.]
From all of your friends here at WHS, we wish you a wonderful start to one of the most active, exciting, and productive months of the school year. Welcome to Magical May!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Student-Led Parent Conferences at WHS This Thursday
It is hard to believe: our third marking term has closed, and Quarter #3 report cards will go home on Monday, April 11. It has been an amazingly fast and productive year, and the children have all grown so well.
In planning for our Thursday afternoon and evening student-led parent conferences, I recently had a chance to review some video I shot of our school on September 24th, 2010 -- the day of our WHS Fall Open House. The teachers and students were very excited for the event, and everyone looked fantastic (it just happened to be our fall picture day also, so many of the kids were dressed in their finest!). I will run the video on a loop on Thursday, so you can see how much we have all grown and changed over the past seven months.
I hope that you have made an appointment to meet with your child's teacher at some point this week. Although most conferences will be held on Thursday, if you can't join us on that day, please let your child's teacher know when you could get in to WHS for your child's spring conference. We'll try our best to accommodate for your work and family schedule.
The parent-teacher conferences held in the springtime at WHS are extra special because they REALLY star your child(ren)! Your child has been preparing to lead a conference with you and his/her teacher. During the meeting, all parties will talk about your student's experience in our school this year, and all of the wonderful growth that we have all worked so hard to achieve. Our spring conferences are truly a celebration of your child's academic and personal growth over the course of the school year.
We anticipate that you will be impressed by what you see and what you hear at the conference.
Please join us for our spring student-led parent conferences at WHS this coming Thursday, April 14th. WHS and your child: always worth the trip!
In planning for our Thursday afternoon and evening student-led parent conferences, I recently had a chance to review some video I shot of our school on September 24th, 2010 -- the day of our WHS Fall Open House. The teachers and students were very excited for the event, and everyone looked fantastic (it just happened to be our fall picture day also, so many of the kids were dressed in their finest!). I will run the video on a loop on Thursday, so you can see how much we have all grown and changed over the past seven months.
I hope that you have made an appointment to meet with your child's teacher at some point this week. Although most conferences will be held on Thursday, if you can't join us on that day, please let your child's teacher know when you could get in to WHS for your child's spring conference. We'll try our best to accommodate for your work and family schedule.
The parent-teacher conferences held in the springtime at WHS are extra special because they REALLY star your child(ren)! Your child has been preparing to lead a conference with you and his/her teacher. During the meeting, all parties will talk about your student's experience in our school this year, and all of the wonderful growth that we have all worked so hard to achieve. Our spring conferences are truly a celebration of your child's academic and personal growth over the course of the school year.
We anticipate that you will be impressed by what you see and what you hear at the conference.
Please join us for our spring student-led parent conferences at WHS this coming Thursday, April 14th. WHS and your child: always worth the trip!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Education Fair at WHS Features 21st Century Learning
When our district public relations committee created the architecture for this year's Laconia School District Education Fair, finding a theme to suggest for Woodland Heights School was no difficult affair. It was determined in short order that our theme would be '21st Century Learning, Each and Every Day'.
Since the announcement was made, our students and staff have been excitedly making arrangements for their opportuunity to showcase the products of our technology in education initiative this year. Every WHS classroom, department and program will have information to share, student work to show and demonstrations to make in order to share with our guests some of what we have been working on this year. We are proud to share our accomplishments, and we hope that you will be pleased and impressed.
One interesting example of how this project has unfolded, and right in step with 21st Century Learning, our 5th Graders formed a cooperative work group and have been brainstorming, organizing, and preparing their pod's EdFair displays and demonstrations. Other examples of 21st Century Learning in Pod 5 were also readily observed last week; students could be seen around the school mapping out video 'shoots', and in the Commons uploading and editing their work. They were recording audio commentary on their netbooks to accompany a recent Social Studies civics project. Providing a global education aspect, our 5th Graders conducted online research on the recent tragedies in Japan and then organized and publicized a school-based relief effort. Some of this experiential learning has been recorded by the students on their class blog, which is linked from their class wiki. All of this is representative of just one grade level, and just some of the projects and examples of 21st Century Learning that I noticed in Pod 5 over the past week.
Elsewhere around the building, students are alerting their teachers at every turn that "We can show this to our parents at EdFair!" Their enthusiasm for learning beyond the textbook, workbook and basal is unbridled, and has been hugely satisfying to watch take root and grow here at Woodland. Our growth process has been 'organic' and student-centered, unfolding at a natural pace in response to increasing student capabilities in all the diverse ways that learning can take form in a modern, technology-infused, opportunity-enriched, and student-centered elementary school.
Technology and learning go hand in hand here at Woodland Heights School, and as the teachers and students will tell you at EdFair, there is no turning back now. Once students and teachers have experienced 21st Century Learning with 21st Century Learning Tools, they can't imagine living and learning any other way. Our learning process is absolutely an appropriate and natural result of 'moving with the times' to best prepare our students for success in the world in which they currently live, and to prepare them for success in the world that they will soon inherit. Any other approach would be unethical, and a breach of our professional responsibility to provide a meaningful education for our students.
Laconia 'EdFair - 2011' should be a great night at Woodland Heights School. Please join us at 5:30pm. on Thursday, March 31st, for an hour of wonder and marvel as our students show you what is special about their school and how they learn. WHS is a very special school community, and we are not afraid to tell you about it. As we have grown accustomed to saying: "We are Woodland Heights, ... and this is what we do."
Since the announcement was made, our students and staff have been excitedly making arrangements for their opportuunity to showcase the products of our technology in education initiative this year. Every WHS classroom, department and program will have information to share, student work to show and demonstrations to make in order to share with our guests some of what we have been working on this year. We are proud to share our accomplishments, and we hope that you will be pleased and impressed.
One interesting example of how this project has unfolded, and right in step with 21st Century Learning, our 5th Graders formed a cooperative work group and have been brainstorming, organizing, and preparing their pod's EdFair displays and demonstrations. Other examples of 21st Century Learning in Pod 5 were also readily observed last week; students could be seen around the school mapping out video 'shoots', and in the Commons uploading and editing their work. They were recording audio commentary on their netbooks to accompany a recent Social Studies civics project. Providing a global education aspect, our 5th Graders conducted online research on the recent tragedies in Japan and then organized and publicized a school-based relief effort. Some of this experiential learning has been recorded by the students on their class blog, which is linked from their class wiki. All of this is representative of just one grade level, and just some of the projects and examples of 21st Century Learning that I noticed in Pod 5 over the past week.
Elsewhere around the building, students are alerting their teachers at every turn that "We can show this to our parents at EdFair!" Their enthusiasm for learning beyond the textbook, workbook and basal is unbridled, and has been hugely satisfying to watch take root and grow here at Woodland. Our growth process has been 'organic' and student-centered, unfolding at a natural pace in response to increasing student capabilities in all the diverse ways that learning can take form in a modern, technology-infused, opportunity-enriched, and student-centered elementary school.
Technology and learning go hand in hand here at Woodland Heights School, and as the teachers and students will tell you at EdFair, there is no turning back now. Once students and teachers have experienced 21st Century Learning with 21st Century Learning Tools, they can't imagine living and learning any other way. Our learning process is absolutely an appropriate and natural result of 'moving with the times' to best prepare our students for success in the world in which they currently live, and to prepare them for success in the world that they will soon inherit. Any other approach would be unethical, and a breach of our professional responsibility to provide a meaningful education for our students.
Laconia 'EdFair - 2011' should be a great night at Woodland Heights School. Please join us at 5:30pm. on Thursday, March 31st, for an hour of wonder and marvel as our students show you what is special about their school and how they learn. WHS is a very special school community, and we are not afraid to tell you about it. As we have grown accustomed to saying: "We are Woodland Heights, ... and this is what we do."
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