Appreciating the Learning We Measure ...
Next week, the students will take their Spring MAP tests. They will take the Reading test on Wednesday, June 7th and the Math test on Thursday, June 8th. I am amazed at how much they have learned this year and look forward to giving them a chance to show that on their tests. As I have in the fall and winter, I will ask them to try their hardest, take their time and be respectful of other testers when they finish.
As a teacher who loves learning data, I enjoy having this MAP data to verify the academic learning I see my students engaging in all year. However, with any testing event, I keep in mind the variables involved and view the MAP data as one of many assessments data sources I use to assess academic growth. On the last day (Monday, June 26th) you will receive a final kindergarten progress report for your student.
As a teacher who loves learning data, I enjoy having this MAP data to verify the academic learning I see my students engaging in all year. However, with any testing event, I keep in mind the variables involved and view the MAP data as one of many assessments data sources I use to assess academic growth. On the last day (Monday, June 26th) you will receive a final kindergarten progress report for your student.
... while Remembering to Value the Learning We Don't Measure
Each year, as I work on my kindergarteners' final progress reports, I am very aware of the many ways our kindergarteners grow that we do not measure with a test. Seven years ago, when we created QAE, it was a given that we wanted to develop students who thrived academically, meeting or exceeding academic standards. However we also knew that there was so much more that we wanted our students to learn at QAE, and so we created our 5 pillars to guide our work:
~ We are creative
~ We are collaborative, compassionate citizens of the world.
~ We learn everywhere, we learn together.
~ We encourage each other to think critically and learn more.
~ We are self-directed learners.
As a staff, we believe that allowing these pillars to guide our learning decisions will allow our student to develop resilience, perseverance and grit. And most importantly, they will develop a love of learning.
There is not a state test that assesses our students' development in these areas, but I see evidence of this growth every day. I see evidence of this pillar learning all day every day. I see it when our marble jar helper does a count down and every student takes two silent breaths together when they get to two. When I am giving a mini lesson on the carpet or my students are sitting in our class meeting circle, I can count on them to really listen to me and each other with engaged brains. Daily, I see children who have learned to respond to the routines and expectations of their classroom in a manner that helps their learning and the learning of their classmates. I see students solving small problems that come up during their work and play without asking adults for help. I see students letting others in, including each other in play and conversation. I see students working collaboratively together to build castles and create inventions to help world problems and solve math problems. These students are able to assess how effectively they are working together and can identify ways they can work together even better.
I am so happy to be a teacher and parent in a learning community that values learning, in academic areas and beyond! Thank you for the nurturing and support you have provided your student this year. Thank you for getting them to school each day filled with curiosity and kindness and an eagerness for learning. Thank you for being such involved participants on your child's school journey.
I am so proud of all they have accomplished!
Katie
~ We are creative
~ We are collaborative, compassionate citizens of the world.
~ We learn everywhere, we learn together.
~ We encourage each other to think critically and learn more.
~ We are self-directed learners.
As a staff, we believe that allowing these pillars to guide our learning decisions will allow our student to develop resilience, perseverance and grit. And most importantly, they will develop a love of learning.
There is not a state test that assesses our students' development in these areas, but I see evidence of this growth every day. I see evidence of this pillar learning all day every day. I see it when our marble jar helper does a count down and every student takes two silent breaths together when they get to two. When I am giving a mini lesson on the carpet or my students are sitting in our class meeting circle, I can count on them to really listen to me and each other with engaged brains. Daily, I see children who have learned to respond to the routines and expectations of their classroom in a manner that helps their learning and the learning of their classmates. I see students solving small problems that come up during their work and play without asking adults for help. I see students letting others in, including each other in play and conversation. I see students working collaboratively together to build castles and create inventions to help world problems and solve math problems. These students are able to assess how effectively they are working together and can identify ways they can work together even better.
I am so happy to be a teacher and parent in a learning community that values learning, in academic areas and beyond! Thank you for the nurturing and support you have provided your student this year. Thank you for getting them to school each day filled with curiosity and kindness and an eagerness for learning. Thank you for being such involved participants on your child's school journey.
I am so proud of all they have accomplished!
Katie
Mark Your Calendars!
Friday, June 2nd - All School Dance @ 7:00 pm Saturday, June 3rd - QAE @ the Mariners @ 7:00 pm Wednesday, June 7th ~ MAP Reading Test @ 9:35 am Thursday, June 8th ~ MAP Math Test @ 9:35 Wednesday, June 14th ~ PBL Showcase! @ 6 pm Wednesday, June 21st - 5th Grade Graduation @ 6 pm Thursday, June 22nd ~ Field Day! Monday, June 26th ~ Kindergarten Picnic @ 11 am Last Day! ~ 1 hour early dismissal |