The Wolf Tales
Tallwood Elementary School Staff Newsletter
Week of October 17- National Bus Safety Week
Susan Knowles math collaboration this week
Monday, October 17
Achieve 3000 rep visit grades 3-5 during PE in Pirate Room
Tuesday, October 18
Fall Pictures make-up date
Wednesday, October 19
Security Assistant Day
Thursday, October 20
Anchor School Team meeting Laskin Annex 8-10 am
TenMarks school visit 12-2 pm
Friday, October 21
FOOTBALL and FRUITWATER FRIDAY!
Student of the Month 9:00 am
Thanks for all you do!
Kudos to Karen for her help creating our quarter 1 summative assessment! We couldn’t have done it as effectively without your help MMBrown
October is Disability Awareness Month
Important Dates and Events for October
October is Disability Awareness Month
October 17- Achieve 3000 rep meet with 3-5 during PE
October 18- Make up Student Pictures
October 19- Anchor School Meeting
October 21- Student of the Month and Terrific Timberwolves
October 24- Staff Day No School for students
October 25- FIrst Grade Gifted Screening
October 27- First Quarter PIRATE DAY
October 28- SCA Book Character Dance
October Birthdays!
19-Martice Sloan
20-Melissa Duff
22-Crystal Wilkerson
22-Jackie Jackson
23 Charles Boyer
26-Louise Rymer
31-Erica Cleghorn
31- Emilie Newbern
THE LEARNING PIT
Have you ever felt stuck? Do you look at it as an opportunity to grow…after you get past the frustration stage? After all, we learn a lot about ourselves when things don’t come easy, which is why there was a Harvard study a few years ago about the Ikea Effect. Although there are always common themes in learning, we know that not all students are the same, and we understand that some students approach learning with a fervor that others do not (growth mindset). Regardless of whether students are easily engaged or not, learning is not always easy if it is done correctly. Learning is hard work.
We need to find ways to make sure children understand that learning is supposed to be a challenge from time to time. Yes, it is supposed to be fun and inspiring, but challenge is important as well. One of the best methods of talking with students about challenge is the Learning Pit. If done correctly, the Learning Pit can really help foster a growth mindset in classrooms and schools.
In order to really jump into the Learning Pit analogy, the classroom climate has to be right. Teachers feel they can take risks in the classroom when they have a supportive school climate and the same can be said of students who have a supportive classroom climate. I’ve heard students say they jump into the pit and get dirty, try to claw their way out without the help of the teacher, and when they succeed, it feels good. They understand that they took control of their own learning, even when it was hard. Just like the Ikea Effect, they found resilience and didn’t shut down, so getting to the other side of the pit was gratifying.
The reason why the Learning Pit analogy is so important is that it gives students control over their own learning. They are not victims sitting at their desks waiting for teachers to give them the next lesson of “sit and get,” or Death by Ditto. It’s not about the script or the time on task. It’s about moving forward and knowing where to go next. Learning, when done with the pit analogy involved, puts students in the driver’s seat.
Adapted from “The Learning Pit: Fostering a Growth Mindset” in Education Week, May 26, 2015 by Peter DeWitt
Thanks ROFO ES