The 4th grade STEM team has been exploring the concept of vertical farming as a means of conserving water, space, and regulating sufficient food sources for urban communities. Students who had been researching plant adaptations planned, implemented, and created a mini vertical farm in the CLIC room. Caring for plants and watching their growth ( hopefully!) is one of the greatest experiences I can offer a child. It teaches patience, careful observation, and social awareness. It breaks down the barriers of competition and lends itself to interdependence. We look forward to watching our plants grow in the coming weeks!
I have recently heard from several families who were concerned with the progress reports of their children. Academically able students who breeze through report cards with all "4s" are suddenly faced with "2s" in TAAP. Our program is one of advanced academic skill. I will often be teaching anywhere from 3 months to 3 years above grade level, depending on the students in class. My goal is to challenge high ability students to experience learning in new, real world ways. Since the skills neccessary to do so are above grade level, many of my students are "developing" . Developing does not mean "unsatisfactory" or "low level"- it means that the child is learning new things. For students who are used to excelling in their acaddemics, learning new things can be both exciting and scary. We are working on buillding perseverence and patience with ourselves - understanding that sometimes learning is messy, complicated, and challenging. It's OK to make mistakes, have questions and be "developing". That's the best way to learn!
It's hard to believe that we are now in 2017! Happy New Year everyone! We are in the middle of session 3 with Math and STEM students going strong. The 5th Grade LV students have been practicing to perform a TAAP interpretation of Samuel Taylor Coleridge's Rime of the Ancient Mariner on January 26th at the school assembly. Dress rehearsals will be held before school on Tueday, January 10 at 8:00am and Tuesday, January 24 at 8:00am. We hope you can come to see our performance and will enjoy our own special spin on it!
Congratulations to all students who entered the InvestWrite Challenge: Elias, Connor, Gabriel, Chloe, and Bode. We will keep our fingers crossed! Looking forward to seeing everyone on Tuesday! |
AuthorJan Morris is the TAAP teacher for grades 4-6 at the Proctor School. Archives
May 2018
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