The Seniors at HGS go to Nay Aug Park with the Primaries and the Kindergarteners

On October 8th the seniors at HGS spent the day at Nay Aug Park again only this time they brought the Primaries and the Kindergarteners. While they were there the seniors taught the Primaries and the Kindergarteners different things including rhyming, perimeter, drawing, shapes, and counting. The ways the seniors taught the Primaries and the Kindergarteners these things were they had the Primaries and the Kindergarteners were; go on a scavenger hunt to find shapes and count things, make a drawing of something at the bridge then write a few describing words about the picture, and play a game to learn about the things birds do like singing, bathing, flocking, and flying.

HGS Seniors Go On Week Long Trip To Nay Aug Park

The week of September 14, 2008 through September 19, 2008 the senior class at The Howard Gardener School for Discovery had a whole week of school at Nay Aug Park in Scranton, PA. During this time, the students had Science classes, Art classes, and Math classes. The activities done were all interactive and took place outdoors. Some examples of the assignments given for Science were sketching the waterfalls and catching crayfish in the river. Some of the examples of the assignments done in Art were sketching wildlife and building architectural sculptures out of river rocks. Some of the examples of the assignments done in Math were measuring the perimeter of the pavilion and finding the area of the pavilion. After the fourth day of school at the park I stayed there and went to the zoo and saw everything there including a magnificent and interesting animal known as a Bear Cat. Her name was Binty. So I think that I and any animal lover would love to go back many, many times to see Binty and all of the animals at the zoo in Nay Aug Park.

Nay Aug

Well, we were at nay Aug last week.

Haleakala at Sunrise!

Back at it...

Hawaii was beautiful, but that is not news. I now have a working example of what "paradise" is. We are getting close to the start of the school year and there are plenty of things happening. We have had to revamp our Integrated Arts program because several of our specialists have left over the summer. Revisioning this curricular piece has yielded some interesting changes in our program.
1. We gave added drama in the "Art" sequence. Details will follow, but it is an exciting opportunity with a really prominent local drama resource.
2. Gym will include a new wrinkle or two. We have engaged TLC Fitness Center which is part of NE Rehab at Allied to teach fitness, goal setting, and an anti obesity/healthy choices piece.
3. Herman Little agreed to return!
4. Music will be taught under an agreement with Conway Rowe of Gallucci Music Studio. We will offer instrumental music (recorders, guitar, and keyboard) with a rent-to-buy feature. This is a major step in our program to develop an apprentice-like program as our students will be working alongside music specialists. The program will also feature some music appreciation.

Also, we are implementing a process portfolio system of assessment that should really set us apart from other schools in this vital area. As part of the new assessment program we have received a grant from Skills in Scranton to implement a "framing company" in Uppers. Charley Sandercock has agreed to serve as the commmunity resource (master) in this project and will teach students to frame items from student portfolios (artwork, photos of projects, writing samples, etc.) that will hang on the walls in our hallways. Interesting project that we think you'll really like.

We are also strengthening our storyteller piece in the Primary class with a new mentor that we will announce soon.

See all new parents at our orientation meeting next Wednesday at the Stadium Club.

Aloha

Well, as part of the HGS fund raising program we sponsor an annual cruise. This year we go to Hawaii from July 21-31. Yes, lab schools can be fun! It is unlikely that I will be blogging while onboard, and less likely while we tour the islands. However, when we return there will be lots to discuss, and I will begin the process of turning this blog over to the Senior Class (gr. 7 & 8) students to continue. Enjoy the next few weeks and tune in to our site August 1. Aloha.

Carol's Point

Carol's point is well taken. One would imagine that the impact of MI on a student would have real world implications due to the classroom interaction between the individual and the domain. At the Gardner School, for instance, we use an apprentice model. Our students practice in an authentic environment while in school as apprentices in a project-based curriculum. Each of our classes has a real world theme that defines a domain. Our eighth graders operate a newspaper and are apprenticed to local newspaper employees who volunteer to help in their project. Third and fourth graders run a student store that operates just like a real business and have a mentor from the community who teaches them business practices and the stock market. It would be hard to imagine that practicing in an environment that so closely mimics real world domains will not have lasting effects. By learning that they can produce builds confidence and competence. Working with "masters" their can see that their work has relevance and students rarely ask the question that haunts most teachers, "Why do I have to learn ______." In an MI classroom when you fill in the blank it is usually apparent why it is important to learn.

In essence MI helps students mine their talents as they find new ways to solve problems and complete tasks. It is a powerful lesson.