August 29, 2019
Dear Alpha Parents,
Just like all learning environments, the gifted classroom is comprised of many, varied learners. Depending on the subject, topic, and skill, students can be at different readiness levels and have different interests and learning styles. In our never-ending quest to meet every child’s needs, learning in the ALPHA ELAR classroom may look differently than you may be used to. This is, in large part, based on how we can best prepare students for the real world, called 21st century skills, and is only a small, first step to real change. (See overview on 21st century skills on the 21st Century page.)
As a result of careful research, planning, and observations of your children, our schedule enables students to work at varying speeds, provide more opportunities for students to dig deeper into related topics in which they are interested, and teach them how to manage time and responsibilities. This year, our year-long theme will be explored through the lenses of memoirs, graphic novels and Shakespeare. Reading and writing will be taught through real-world connections through mini-lessons, exploration, group projects of various sizes, and even seminars to revisit areas of difficulty. Extension opportunities will be provided, including curricular tie-ins in art and music, but students may design their own as well.
We realize that this change is a bit scary. This will be our third full year to approach learning this way, and although it starts out difficult for many students early on, they rise to the occasion where the rewards are worth it! Please keep us informed of how it is going as we expect there to be bumps over which we can, together, help your child navigate.
Basic principles –
1. Four-pronged approach: (1) Grammar, (2) reading and (3) writing through graphic novels and (4) Social Studies through a study of geography.
2. Planning/Time management: We begin by asking your child to look through the unit and sit down to estimate about how long each assignment might take, and make a basic road map on our custom-made planner. It is our hope that, over time, students will get a more realistic view of how long certain assignments take to complete. In class, students will put what activity they will be working on in their planner, including any appointments with other students. At the end of class, they will reflect on the week's 21st Century Skill and/or learning. You will not receive separate homework. Students will choose off of the planner what they plan to do for their 30 minutes of homework. Please sign and review your child’s calendar each Alpha day. Although there is no penalty for not doing homework because we understand you are busy families, but they will not earn points for their team Olympic competition and it is almost impossible to get through the unit without doing some at home.
3. Monitoring along the way: Teachers will take “status of the class” every day to see exactly where each student is in their learning. Students will use their checklist and when an assignment is completed, they must evaluate themselves using a specific criteria rubric. This is a great way for students to take ownership of their learning and seize opportunities to improve. (Yes, they can make their work better before turning it in...that's learning!) If a student needs extra help for an assignment or skill, they simply ask for a "seminar" and a time for attendance will be established. These are our small group lessons and are highly effective. Next, students will meet with the teacher briefly to receive quick and timely feedback to ensure quality, depth, etc. meets expectations. The teacher will sign off checklist when assignment is complete.
4. Organization: Work-in-progress will be kept behind the appropriate pocket of your child's eight pocket ELAR/SS portfolio folder, but individual pieces may come home in the Alpha take home folder.
5. Parent support: We mostly need your support by checking in with your child and having them show you how work is coming along. In addition, you can help by encouraging your child to find a reliable study time and location, but please resist giving too much help. Your child needs to know and feel the success that comes from accomplishing something perceived as difficult. Of course, tips, hints, suggestions are encouraged.
It is our hope that we will spend more of our class time “working on the work” where students are more engaged and teachers are facilitators of student learning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Alpha teacher or schedule a conference.
Growing together,
The Alpha Teachers
Dear Alpha Parents,
Just like all learning environments, the gifted classroom is comprised of many, varied learners. Depending on the subject, topic, and skill, students can be at different readiness levels and have different interests and learning styles. In our never-ending quest to meet every child’s needs, learning in the ALPHA ELAR classroom may look differently than you may be used to. This is, in large part, based on how we can best prepare students for the real world, called 21st century skills, and is only a small, first step to real change. (See overview on 21st century skills on the 21st Century page.)
As a result of careful research, planning, and observations of your children, our schedule enables students to work at varying speeds, provide more opportunities for students to dig deeper into related topics in which they are interested, and teach them how to manage time and responsibilities. This year, our year-long theme will be explored through the lenses of memoirs, graphic novels and Shakespeare. Reading and writing will be taught through real-world connections through mini-lessons, exploration, group projects of various sizes, and even seminars to revisit areas of difficulty. Extension opportunities will be provided, including curricular tie-ins in art and music, but students may design their own as well.
We realize that this change is a bit scary. This will be our third full year to approach learning this way, and although it starts out difficult for many students early on, they rise to the occasion where the rewards are worth it! Please keep us informed of how it is going as we expect there to be bumps over which we can, together, help your child navigate.
Basic principles –
1. Four-pronged approach: (1) Grammar, (2) reading and (3) writing through graphic novels and (4) Social Studies through a study of geography.
2. Planning/Time management: We begin by asking your child to look through the unit and sit down to estimate about how long each assignment might take, and make a basic road map on our custom-made planner. It is our hope that, over time, students will get a more realistic view of how long certain assignments take to complete. In class, students will put what activity they will be working on in their planner, including any appointments with other students. At the end of class, they will reflect on the week's 21st Century Skill and/or learning. You will not receive separate homework. Students will choose off of the planner what they plan to do for their 30 minutes of homework. Please sign and review your child’s calendar each Alpha day. Although there is no penalty for not doing homework because we understand you are busy families, but they will not earn points for their team Olympic competition and it is almost impossible to get through the unit without doing some at home.
3. Monitoring along the way: Teachers will take “status of the class” every day to see exactly where each student is in their learning. Students will use their checklist and when an assignment is completed, they must evaluate themselves using a specific criteria rubric. This is a great way for students to take ownership of their learning and seize opportunities to improve. (Yes, they can make their work better before turning it in...that's learning!) If a student needs extra help for an assignment or skill, they simply ask for a "seminar" and a time for attendance will be established. These are our small group lessons and are highly effective. Next, students will meet with the teacher briefly to receive quick and timely feedback to ensure quality, depth, etc. meets expectations. The teacher will sign off checklist when assignment is complete.
4. Organization: Work-in-progress will be kept behind the appropriate pocket of your child's eight pocket ELAR/SS portfolio folder, but individual pieces may come home in the Alpha take home folder.
5. Parent support: We mostly need your support by checking in with your child and having them show you how work is coming along. In addition, you can help by encouraging your child to find a reliable study time and location, but please resist giving too much help. Your child needs to know and feel the success that comes from accomplishing something perceived as difficult. Of course, tips, hints, suggestions are encouraged.
It is our hope that we will spend more of our class time “working on the work” where students are more engaged and teachers are facilitators of student learning. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's Alpha teacher or schedule a conference.
Growing together,
The Alpha Teachers
