Lessons Learned in Slate Valley
Celebrating amazing work of educators and students, Volume 5
Differentiation Across the SU
Differentiation is good pedagogy, pandemic or not! Our teachers are still working to meet the needs of individuals and groups despite the need for health precautions. Sanitizable manipulatives, hand-made one-use decks of cards, plastic screens, and many other solutions combined with social distancing have all become the norm in the classrooms of our creative, determined teachers.
Math 6 FHG: conceptualizing decimals in small groups | Math 6 FHG: Go Fish to practice standard and word forms | Math 6 FHG: Using stopwatches to grasp hundredths of a second |
Experiential Learning Across the SU
Our teachers have been giving students many opportunities to learn from experience. Examples of such activities include Zoom visits from experts, wevideo spelling bees, creative "trials" of historical and fictional figures, maple sugaring, science experiments and more. Though taking many forms -- WBL, PBL, Design Cycle, Performance, and others -- experiential learning is always about DOING something active as a main component of the learning process.
BVS 4th/5th make scale models of the Great Wall of China | OVS 8th grader learns plumbing and welding for ProjBL | BVS 4-5-6 Alchemists mixing vinegar with various items |
Honors Voice and Vision perform scenes from Othello | Students across the SU learn from expert on hummingbirds | Honors American Lit students put Abigail Williams on trial |
SEL and Student/Staff Wellness Opportunities across the SU
In this time of uncertainty and change, SU personnel have a laser-like focus on social emotional learning and have increased the frequency of opportunities to pursue wellness. See below for just a small sampling of the events and activities from recent months.
CES student's how-to video for schoolwide slime making | CVS Mr. Marchese leads a "camp fire" circle weekly during math class | CES School-wide Friday Fun activities |
CES Take-home Family Fun bags encourage positive interaction | FHU Scrimmage between the Slaters JV and Varsity Girls teams | CES Kindness cards made for local senior citizens |
Tip Line and Parting Thoughts
This newsletter has been put together by your coaching team (Casey, Abby, Molly, Kristen) with help from many staff who have sent us photos. To join in the fun of recognizing the great work of our SU, please email pictures to the coaches. We look forward to it!