Dear Skokie Families,

Next Monday marks the start of our conference window, at which time we will look forward to having parents visiting in the building.  During this conference period, you will have an opportunity to hear from your child's teachers about how the transition to the new year has gone, as well as what is being done in the classroom.  As we take this year to study a new schedule model and its potential benefits, I wanted to take a moment to expand a bit on two new uses of our school day that you may hear about during these fall conferences:  Student Skills and Enrichment and Inquiry.  

The Enrichment and Inquiry time has been designed to be an extension of the existing afternoon advisory period.  This time is intended to be an opportunity for students to explore projects that revolve around service, interest, and inquiry.  The words "enrichment" and "inquiry" were chosen for this time as a means of highlighting the enriched experience and learning that comes with hands-on application and practice.  To give you a sense of how some advisories are utilizing this time I am excited to share a few examples:  one advisory is currently utilizing space in the south courtyard to not only enhance our garden, but design, plan for and build a green roof prototype.  Students in this advisory are applying math and science concepts to this project, as well as connecting with resources in the community and beyond on best use of materials and design.  In addition, we have advisories involved in philanthropic projects ("Sock"tober--collecting new socks for homeless and under-privileged people; The Nina Project--a program that pairs students with a special needs child and their family to work toward the production of a documentary).  Other advisories are establishing a model in the classroom that mimics a version of the project exploration currently experienced at HackStudio in Evanston.  Teachers were invited to participate in a professional development opportunity at HackStudio last week, learning about the ways in which a teacher can facilitate an authentic pursuit with a student and see them through the steps of the project to completion.  Advisors have shared that some of the projects emerging from this model are building a radio, the design and build of a waterproof phone case, exploration of photography, exploration of the culinary arts, writing and producing a short film, and much more.  The value of this type of learning goes beyond the final product and lies within the problem solving, perseverance, reaction to failure and success and creative design process along the way toward the final product.

The Student Skills period is a new addition to our day. The primary difference that this brings to our schedule is that it allows students receiving an intervention in Math or Reading to be supported during this period as opposed to forfeiting an arts class (which had been the case with our previous schedule model).  In addition, students who do not need to receive an intervention during this period can benefit from targeted supported in their general education classroom.  This could take shape as a time for reteaching, review or targeted support in the areas of executive function, editing or concepts specific to current units of instruction.  This period may also be a time for students showing a need for challenge or extension to receive that level of support.  Often the word "enrichment" can be mistaken as a synonym for the challenge I am referring to here, and it is important to note that challenge would fall most appropriately into this skills period.  Also important to note is that challenge does not mean acceleration, but rather a deeper dive into developmentally appropriate content.

You may be interested in reading more about current chatter in the educational world on both of these topics.  The Skokie School is not the only place exploring the possibilities of inquiry, enrichment and intervention, as there is a national conversation underway around the impact of experiential learning opportunities.  The following articles are great resources for a deeper read:

  Success Stories on Project Based Learning in Pasadena, CA

What is Project Based Learning?

I look forward to sharing pictures and stories of the projects that emerge in the coming weeks and months.  This is an exciting opportunity for all, but one that requires a great amount of flexibility and an open mindset on the part of all members of our school community.  As you head into the weekend, as your fifth or sixth grader what they might be interested in exploring and how you might weave that into your conversations at conferences next week.  Enjoy the time together with your family this weekend.

Most Sincerely,

Kelly Tess

WANT A QUICK WAY TO GET PICTURES AND UPDATES FROM SKOKIE? FOLLOW SKOKIE ON TWITTER @skokie36  Use #lookforthes and tweet @skokie36 with pictures or messages of service!

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SKOKIE AFTER SCHOOL CLUBS

ART CLUB

ART CLUB

Due to high demand, we are opening a Tuesday afternoon session for Art club! This year, the Skokie School Art Club will be working on a variety of projects, some independent and some collaborative, including the creation of our very own art history walk. We will meet in the Art Room on Tuesdays, from  3:45-4:45 pm.  There will be 10 available openings for this club. Our first session will meet on  October 25th and our final session will meet on January 24th (There will be 12 sessions in all).

This year, the Skokie School Art Club will be working on a variety of projects, some independent and some collaborative, including the creation of our very own art history walk. We will meet in the Art Room on Wednesdays, from 3:45-4:45 pm.  Our first session will meet on October 26th and our final session will meet on February 1st.  (There will be 12 sessions in all.)  There are 10 available spots for this club, but if interest exceeds the limit - a second day may be added.

PLAY IT NOW MATH CLUB

A new math and logic game club for Skokie 5th graders. Whether your child can't get enough of all things math or wants to build math confidence and skill, this club is the perfect fit! Each week, engaging new games will be introduced that grow perseverance, strategic thinking, and computational fluency. Our club will provide a relaxed environment for building both friendships and mathematical thinking! Club meets 7:30 - 8:25 a.m., October 27 - May 18 (not in session 11/17, 11/24, 12/22, 12/29, 2/9, and 3/30) in the Skokie School Loft.

ROBOTICS TEAM

Join this adventurous crew as we experience the challenges suggested for The First Lego League. We will determine if we are ready to compete or if we want to pilot the experience for next year's competition. The Team will meet on Wednesdays, from 3:30 - 4:30 p.m. November 2 through December 14, 2016, in Room 142.

AFTER SCHOOL SPORTS/CLIMBING CLUB

We are pleased and excited to be offering, for the upcoming 2016-2017 school year, our After School Sports Clubfor fifth and sixth graders, and   Skokie Climbing Club . The Skokie Climbing club is for students who would like to climb the Skokie High Ropes Course after school. 6 - 8th grade students along with 5th grade Adventure Climbers are allowed to enroll during the first semester.

COMING SOON:  Cereal Club, Science Olympiad, and Math Counts (Science Olympiad and Math Counts are November/December through April Clubs)!

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