What Lights You Up?

If you have ever watched the video of Ma and Pa Kettle (You Tube) about solving a math problem, then you know how much laughter we had this morning as we listened to Ms. Math – Dr. Rachel McAnallen . I don’t think there was a person in the room who did not re-examine the way we were taught math and probably perhaps the way many of us have taught math to our students. I hope I never again see a student who has “D M S B” on their worksheet as they solve a division problem. If you’d like to experience what we did with Ms. Math then visit the Confratute Ning at http://www.confratute.ning.com/.

Dr. Joe Renzulli discussed that an enrichment program deals with much more than just test scores. As our Enrichment Team looks at theory and research (as it relates to enrichment), we will have to decide what our goals of schoolwide enrichment will be for Austin Elementary. From the goals, how will we go about organizing and implementing this at our campus? There are many ways in which we can deliver enrichment opportunities ----from enrichment clusters, using Renzulli Learning, compacting the curriculum, offering Type 1, 2 and 3 learning experiences to so much more.

Austin Elementary’s Enrichment Team is composed of Heather Cechin (Kinder), Beth Cook (3rd grade), Liz Malone (5th grade), David Barnette (Music), Cathy Kirby (GT Facilitator), Debbie Sblendorio (Dyslexia), Sarah Daugherty (IT Specialist), and Teresa Raney (Literacy Coach). This team will plan – organize – look at schedules – organizes clusters - recruit enrichment mentors - identify enrichment events and the list continues.

What do I mean when I talk about Type I, Type 2, and Type 3 Enrichment opportunities? It really isn’t rocket science! Type I experiences bring a learner in touch with kinds of topics in which s/he may develop an interest. It can be something as simple as a two-minute announcement each morning about a topic. Guest speakers, field trips, virtual field trips are also examples of Type I experiences. If interest is peaked, it can lead to Type 2 or it can skip directly to a Type 3 experience. Type 2 consists of materials, methods, and instructional techniques that are concerned with the development of higher-level thinking and feeling processes. Type 3 consists of activities where the student becomes an actual investigator of a real problem or topic.

What a Veteran Means to Me is an incredible video that was created by a young lady who had an interest in poetry. She checked out many poetry books to read. From this, she wrote the poem “What a Veteran Means to Me” – this then led to the video with the same title. I will find the link for this tear-jerking video so you can watch.