The first grade released four butterflies just now, and bid them safe travels to Mexico. ("That one's taking a short cut," said one child.)
Sometimes pictures say it all . . .
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
First Grade Releases Butterflies
The first grade released four butterflies just now, and bid them safe travels to Mexico. ("That one's taking a short cut," said one child.)
Sometimes pictures say it all . . .
Sunday, September 27, 2009
A Week of Parades . . . and the First Chat of the Year
This was a week of parades . . . of sorts.
On Monday afternoon, we held our annual celebration of United Nations International Day of Peace with a "Peaceable Kingdom Parade." Children made and wore masks depicting different animals, based upon Edward Hicks' "Peaceable Kingdom" paintings, and processed past the Hickman and around the lawn.
The "Peaceable Kingdom" series of paintings are among the most famous works of Edward Hicks, a Bucks County Quaker who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based upon the Bible passage, "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb . . . and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) each painting contains a collection of animals and young children -- that normally would not get along -- lying, sitting and standing comfortably together. The background contains a scene of William Penn signing a peace treaty with the Native Americans.
West Chester native Horrace Pippin painted the "Holy Mountain" series in 1944, based upon the same Bible passage. A replica painted by WCFS students several years ago hangs in the lobby of the Activities Building.
The other "parades" this week were the start of the Morning Mileage Club. Teacher Amy has run the mileage club for the past several years at lunch time. This year, students can log laps on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before the start of school, and we have many motivated runners. It is a great sight to see students dropped their backpacks on line and quickly head out to the lawn. Word has it that some kids are more motivated to get out of bed and out the door on running mornings!
We had a good turnout for the first Chat With Matt session on Friday. I elaborated on the upper grades (3-5) schedule and curriculum enhancements that were introduced in my back-to-school letter. I was pleased to hear appreciation for changes to the art and music schedules (allowing larger and more effective blocks of time) as well as for the new lunch procedures. The next Chat is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at 2:30. See you there!
On Monday afternoon, we held our annual celebration of United Nations International Day of Peace with a "Peaceable Kingdom Parade." Children made and wore masks depicting different animals, based upon Edward Hicks' "Peaceable Kingdom" paintings, and processed past the Hickman and around the lawn.
The "Peaceable Kingdom" series of paintings are among the most famous works of Edward Hicks, a Bucks County Quaker who lived in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Based upon the Bible passage, "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb . . . and a little child will lead them" (Isaiah 11:6) each painting contains a collection of animals and young children -- that normally would not get along -- lying, sitting and standing comfortably together. The background contains a scene of William Penn signing a peace treaty with the Native Americans.
West Chester native Horrace Pippin painted the "Holy Mountain" series in 1944, based upon the same Bible passage. A replica painted by WCFS students several years ago hangs in the lobby of the Activities Building.
The other "parades" this week were the start of the Morning Mileage Club. Teacher Amy has run the mileage club for the past several years at lunch time. This year, students can log laps on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays before the start of school, and we have many motivated runners. It is a great sight to see students dropped their backpacks on line and quickly head out to the lawn. Word has it that some kids are more motivated to get out of bed and out the door on running mornings!
We had a good turnout for the first Chat With Matt session on Friday. I elaborated on the upper grades (3-5) schedule and curriculum enhancements that were introduced in my back-to-school letter. I was pleased to hear appreciation for changes to the art and music schedules (allowing larger and more effective blocks of time) as well as for the new lunch procedures. The next Chat is scheduled for Friday, October 30, at 2:30. See you there!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Happy First Day of School
Did you happen to see the rainbow this morning? As I drove with my daughter to school this morning, there was a beautiful rainbow in the western sky. It remained there for our entire trip and was still visible above the treeline when we walked across the schoolyard. May it bring good fortune to our new school year!
My next happy experience for the morning was being greeted by a bouncing third grader telling everyone how excited she is to be back in school. Indeed, there were many happy children walking through the blue doors as grades one through five had their first day of school. I look forward to pre-k and kindergarten to join us on Monday, and for our new preschoolers to arrive on Tuesday.
I don't know if you or your children were able to watch the President's speech to the nation's school children on Tuesday afternoon, but I know you could not avoid news about the controversy around it. I'd like to share the perspective of Will Richardson, posted on his blog. Will writes about educational use of technology and schools in general, and he co-leads the 21st century learning professional development program that a team of our teachers took part in last year (see my post of September 15, 2008). While I don't agree with everything that Will writes, his commentary on why it actually is appropriate for students to watch speeches like this in school resonates with me.
I sat in with the fourth grade as they watched an archived copy of the speech today. When the students were asked what they thought about the speech, one girl said she learned that it is o.k. to ask questions, and that asking for help is necessary for success. Teacher Rachel agreed, and pointed out that the fourth grade progress report even includes an assessment of whether or not a student asks questions when needed. Following the President's reference to Michael Jordan, T. Rachel told the class about Babe Ruth who, in achieving his "most home runs" status also accumulated the most strike-outs. It is important for our children to develop a sense of themselves that allows them to make mistakes and accept moments of failure with grace; to seek help and ask those questions that are, as our fourth grader said so well, important to success.
Finally, I'd like to share a moment from this morning's Meeting for Worship. One student observed that she saw a number of new faces and, as a fifth grader, she thought it was her responsibility to welcome them. I am proud of the poise she exhibited and the fact that, even on day one, she took the initiative as well as this example of leadership.
I echo her words of welcome to you all, and look forward to seeing you soon as the school year gets underway.
My next happy experience for the morning was being greeted by a bouncing third grader telling everyone how excited she is to be back in school. Indeed, there were many happy children walking through the blue doors as grades one through five had their first day of school. I look forward to pre-k and kindergarten to join us on Monday, and for our new preschoolers to arrive on Tuesday.
I don't know if you or your children were able to watch the President's speech to the nation's school children on Tuesday afternoon, but I know you could not avoid news about the controversy around it. I'd like to share the perspective of Will Richardson, posted on his blog. Will writes about educational use of technology and schools in general, and he co-leads the 21st century learning professional development program that a team of our teachers took part in last year (see my post of September 15, 2008). While I don't agree with everything that Will writes, his commentary on why it actually is appropriate for students to watch speeches like this in school resonates with me.
I sat in with the fourth grade as they watched an archived copy of the speech today. When the students were asked what they thought about the speech, one girl said she learned that it is o.k. to ask questions, and that asking for help is necessary for success. Teacher Rachel agreed, and pointed out that the fourth grade progress report even includes an assessment of whether or not a student asks questions when needed. Following the President's reference to Michael Jordan, T. Rachel told the class about Babe Ruth who, in achieving his "most home runs" status also accumulated the most strike-outs. It is important for our children to develop a sense of themselves that allows them to make mistakes and accept moments of failure with grace; to seek help and ask those questions that are, as our fourth grader said so well, important to success.
Finally, I'd like to share a moment from this morning's Meeting for Worship. One student observed that she saw a number of new faces and, as a fifth grader, she thought it was her responsibility to welcome them. I am proud of the poise she exhibited and the fact that, even on day one, she took the initiative as well as this example of leadership.
I echo her words of welcome to you all, and look forward to seeing you soon as the school year gets underway.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What's Your Favorite Book?
The Labor Day weekend is upon us and in just one short week the school yard -- which is quite empty and still today -- will be teeming with children as we begin yet another school year. I look forward to that happy day!
This fall's All-School Unit theme is "All About Books" (please see the May 4 post for the announcement). Two years ago our auction theme was related to books and faculty members' reflections on their favorite children's books were displayed around the room. My favorite is The Chronicles of Narnia series. I have a vivid memory of reading them as a child and of the images they invoked in my mind. I even named a stray cat Aslan. In the past year of so, my wife and I have enjoyed reading the books to our children at bedtime and seeing the stories acted out in their imaginative play.
What are your favorite books . . . either from your childhood or adulthood? I invite you to share your own reflections as a comment here on the blog. My hope is that this might spark conversations (virtual and face-to-face) among parents just as our children are exploring the world of books this fall and beyond.
I also want to pass along two interesting articles that I came across this summer related to the theme of books.
"What to Read Now. And Why." from Newsweek's June 27 issue, with books as the cover topic.
"Choosing Summer's Last Big Read," an editorial piece from the August 15 New York Times.
I hope your Labor Day weekend includes some time with books . . . either quietly on your own, or together with your children.
This fall's All-School Unit theme is "All About Books" (please see the May 4 post for the announcement). Two years ago our auction theme was related to books and faculty members' reflections on their favorite children's books were displayed around the room. My favorite is The Chronicles of Narnia series. I have a vivid memory of reading them as a child and of the images they invoked in my mind. I even named a stray cat Aslan. In the past year of so, my wife and I have enjoyed reading the books to our children at bedtime and seeing the stories acted out in their imaginative play.
What are your favorite books . . . either from your childhood or adulthood? I invite you to share your own reflections as a comment here on the blog. My hope is that this might spark conversations (virtual and face-to-face) among parents just as our children are exploring the world of books this fall and beyond.
I also want to pass along two interesting articles that I came across this summer related to the theme of books.
"What to Read Now. And Why." from Newsweek's June 27 issue, with books as the cover topic.
"Choosing Summer's Last Big Read," an editorial piece from the August 15 New York Times.
I hope your Labor Day weekend includes some time with books . . . either quietly on your own, or together with your children.
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