Spring is almost here and we’ve moved into the third trimester of the school year. As our students are tackling new curriculum challenges, they are also excited about traditional spring activities that enhance and broaden their learning at Washington School. At the same time, our classroom teachers are involved in ongoing professional development geared towards enhancing instruction to improve student learning. Please read on to learn more.
Scooterville
Now a long-standing tradition at Washington School, Scooterville is an interactive experience in Physical Education class that our students look forward to each spring. Their teacher, Mr. Randazzo, transforms the multipurpose room into a min-city equipped with buildings, roadways, street signs, challenge courses, student “licenses”, and lots of scooters! The purpose of the tow-day event is to reinforce traffic and pedestrian safety rules the students have learned about in the preceding weeks.
Discovery Day
Another long-standing tradition at Washington School, Discovery Day is a full day dedicated to theme-based learning. The students are provided the opportunity to step outside of the usual routine to participate in workshops, assembly programs, and classroom activities all related to one theme/topic. Themes in past years have been Ocean Life, The Rain Forest, Go Green, Space, and The Incredible Human Body. The title for Discovery Day 2019 is Crating Calm & Growing Grit! It ties directly into our school goal related to Mindfulness, Stress Reduction, and Growth Mindset.
Book Studies
Many of our staff members are involved in one of two Book Studies being undertaken this winter and spring. These study groups, made up of different teachers from across grades levels and disciplines, are focused on our school goals related to Writer’s Workshop and Mindfulness, Stress Reduction, and Growth Mindset. One group is reading and discussing A Teacher’s Guide to Writing Conferences Grades K-8 by Carl Anderson. The other group is reading and discussing Mindset, The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.