Dear Winnetka Families,

We are looking forward to seeing all of you at our Winter conferences in the coming weeks.

As we prepare to share information about your child's growth and progress, teachers have been busy collecting assessment data.

There are several different types of assessments that we use and value at school.  They are not mutually exclusive of each other, but generally tend to fall into 3 main categories:

 

Screening assessments are basic assessments that we use to take a cursory look at student achievement (examples can include a one-minute fluency measure, phonemic awareness measures, a math fact test, MAP, etc.).   While it does not always offer the most valuable information about an individual student's growth, it can serve as an indicator that a student may require additional support in a given subject area or benefit from a greater challenge and it might be helpful to take a closer look at his/her skills.

Diagnostic assessments are used by teachers and specialists when we want to find out more information about how a student is performing in a given subject area.  It helps us determine a student's areas of strength and areas of weakness and in this way helps us guide instruction (examples can include diagnostic spelling assessment in the primary grades or a Teachers College Reading Assessment).

Ongoing classroom assessments are by far the most important type of assessment used at our schools.  They include both formal assessments (such as spelling tests, math assessments and responses to on-demand writing prompts) and informal assessments (such as classroom observations, reading and writing conferences, and participation in math sharing conversations). This type of assessment guides teachers' instructional planning on an ongoing basis and helps teachers determine the best instructional strategies and groupings. 

We triangulate data points when thinking about a student in order to get the best picture of the whole child.  We look forward to sharing information and answering any questions about your child's growth and progress in the coming weeks.

Sincerely,

 

Beth Carmody, Hubbard Woods

Julie Pfeffer, Crow Island

Joshua Swanner, Greeley

 

GREELEY NEWS

Dear Greeley Families,

I recently had the pleasure of listening to an interview with Dr. Aliza Pressman, a developmental psychologist, professor, and founder of the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. In this specific discussion, Dr. Pressman discussed the importance of providing praise for a child's effort and growth. The interviewer shared a story of his two sons who signed up for wrestling in elementary school. One boy seemed to be a prodigy, as he learned quickly, rarely lost, and won a number of state-level championships. He was showered with praise over his achievements. The other son did not grasp concepts as quickly, rarely won, and did not qualify to compete at the state level. Thinking creatively, the interviewer praised his son's effort and growth in the sport, however minimal, as accolades for winning could not be given.

Upon entering middle school, something interesting happened. The successful wrestler now had to face more challenging opponents, many of whom seemed to have a head start in entering puberty and the additional strength that sometimes comes with it. After being told he was the fastest, strongest, and the best for so long, the child did not know how to handle the adversity or losing. He identified with being a winner in wrestling rather than someone who achieved due to practice and dedication. He quit wrestling.

The other son, however, continued with the sport. No, he did not go on to become some state champion, but he stuck with the sport. His focus on the learning process and growth, however incremental at times, gave him the grit and perseverance required to continue. Dr. Pressman pointed out that it is imperative to offer children praise for their effort, even when things come naturally to them, as they must see themselves as individuals that can overcome challenges through doing the work.

During our teacher institute day on Friday, I was with a group of middle school educators that discussed this concept in regard to mathematics. At times, some of our students who excel the most at math hit a wall when they finally face a challenge at later grade levels. Yet, some of the students that don't see themselves as particularly strong in math seem to take being incorrect in stride, exhibiting a greater growth mindset and grit in order to move on. 

 

It is important to recognize that results matter. This is how the real world operates, and we must prepare our children for this reality. However, the importance of results and praising the effort are not mutually exclusive, and (as elaborated above), focusing praise on a child's effort and grit in learning can give them the confidence needed to overcome challenges when they arise.

 

This week's question is for parents (and teachers) rather than children. How will you praise your child's effort this week, regardless of the end result?

 

Sincerely,

 

Joshua Swanner

Principal

SPRING SING DATES

Please mark your calendars for our Spring Sings.  First and second graders will perform on Thursday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m.  Our third and fourth graders will perform on Wednesday, May 13, at 7:00 p.m.