News from Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Events
Mon, 10/1  5th Grade to Houston Food Bank
Tues, 10/2  Parent Math Night, 6:30 pm
Thurs, 10/4 Fall Picture Day
Fri, 10/5  PTO Meeting and Bond Information, 8:10 am
Sat, 10/6  Worldwide Day of Play, 3-6 pm @ Roberts
Tues, 10/9 Middle School Information Night, 6:30 pm
Thurs, 10/11 +Talk I: School Connections, 7 pm
Fri, 10/12 PADRES Family Camp Out (ticketed event)

Parent Math Night
October 2, 2012, 6:30 p.m.
Roberts Cafe
This is your golden ticket to understanding the math curriculum, and your opportunity to help your child develop algebraic thinking.  We will discuss the design of our curriculum, Everyday Math, and will share the routines of the spiraling curriculum that keep the curriculum fresh for your child.  You will take home a Home Connection Handbook that will serve as a resource for you, as well as learn how to use the online resources.  Help us get a good head count as we prepare materials by completing the RSVP here on the blog (top right).

Why Isn't Homework Graded?
For many years the policy at Roberts about homework has been that while it should be checked, it should not be graded.  Many parents wonder why.  Homework is an opportunity for students to leave the safe confines of the classroom and practice what they learned independently.  Children need the repeated practice to firmly root new learning.  Teachers need to know whether students could complete the new learning with accuracy.  Often times, students need support at home when they can't remember how they "did the work" at school.  When you sit with your child and help with homework you are supporting their understanding.  The confusion comes when students return with work completed accurately, but they actually could not do the work alone.  The best way to support your child when they are struggling with homework is certainly to help, but make a note on the assignment for the teacher.  If you helped with questions 3 and 5, the teacher will want to know that.  A strong line of communication with your child's teacher will let him know what reteaching needs to be done during the next class period. 

Our goal is to ensure your child is proficient with the work.  When homework is graded, often the focus shifts from independent practice, to a focus on getting everything correct for the best grade.  This will often work against us because the teacher won't have a clear picture of what your child is doing well, and what she is still learning. 


IB PYP Language Learning
What does IB say about proficiency goals?

“Most IB World Schools implementing the PYP, particularly state or national system primary schools, would struggle to create a learning community where bilingualism was a realistic goals—indeed, it would be an impossibility in most cases.  Consequently, the strategic goal of the IB to broaden access to its programmes would be in conflict with the notion of IB World Schools having bilingualism as a goal for all their students.”

“Exposure to and experience with languages, with all their richness and diversity, creates an inquisitiveness about life and learning, and a confidence about creating new social interactions.” 

What does it look like at Roberts?

The scope of language learning within the IB framework is comprised of three primary areas:

1. Integrated development of the language of instruction;

2. Support for learning an additional language; and

3. Support of mother-tongue language when that language is different from the other two languages.  

At Roberts, the language of instruction is English, with the additional language, or Language B, Spanish language instruction.  When considering mother-tongue, or native language, support as a component of language learning within the IB, we are referring to as many as 40 home countries with 25 or more different languages or dialects at Roberts.  The diversity of Roberts creates a complex challenge within this curriculum area. 

Q. What are the target languages of Roberts IB World School?

A.  Roberts delivers content in English and has chosen Spanish as student’s “other language” .

Q. What does it mean to “support mother tongue”?

A.  IB recommends that schools find support for students and families whose first language is different from those offered by the school.  With the implementation of online language instruction through Rosetta Stone, for the first time, Roberts has been able to offer instruction to maintain and develop mother tongue language for 25 different languages.  If your child qualifies for that mother tongue support this year, you will receive a letter by mid October.  Stop into the office if you don’t receive a letter but think your child may qualify.

Q. How does the instructional program support my child if they are already fluent in English and Spanish? 

A.  Students are able to move more quickly by testing out of levels of instruction.  Many students are fluent in listening and speaking but have limited exposure to reading and writing.  Rosetta Stone allows students to develop all areas of the language.  Once students have completed all five levels they will be allowed to move to another language for independent study.

Q. Can my child access Rosetta Stone from home? 

A.  That is exactly the beauty of this online learning environment.  With at home access, parents and students who are more motivated to learn Spanish or English more quickly, have the ability to spend more time on it each week.

Q. How can parents get involved in the Roberts’ language learning community?

A.  Parents and siblings will again be able to purchase a discounted 12-month subscription to Rosetta Stone and learn alongside their Roberts student.  We recommend that you learn Spanish or English with us, but if you are already a Spanish speaker, you may choose between the 25 languages offered. If you purchased this subscription last year, you will receive an email soon with the opportunity to renew your subscription.

News From Mrs. Graves

Upcoming Dates

Monday, Sept 17 Fall Holiday - No School

Tuesday, Sept 18                Room Parent Meeting, 8:15 am, Cafe

Thursday, Sept 20              +Work Parent Coffee, 9:30 am, Southside Place Community Center

Monday, Sept 24                  Bond Information Meeting, 6 pm, Bellaire HS

Wednesday, Sept 26 Early Dismissal, 12:30 p.m.

Friday, Sept 28                     KNO, 6 pm

Building a Strong Relationship with Your Child's 

Teacher

Experts will tell you that a strong  partnership between parents and teachers will benefit your child.  As parents, you should feel like you sit on the same side of the table as the teacher, and the teacher should feel similarly. 

A favorite article for parents can be found online at PBS Parents. 

I think the trap we fall into most often is that we try to guess about why a teacher says or does something, or why a teacher assigns a particular activity, or even assigns a particular grade.  Many times it feels safer to reach out to another parent or even a former teacher.  The only person who can really tell you the answer though is the teacher who made the decision.  When we reach out to others, at birthday parties, on the playground or even via facebook, we damage the parent and teacher partnership.  Go directly to the teacher. 

Maintaining a strong relationship takes work on the part of the teacher and work on the part of the parent.  PBS Parents gives good advice on building and maintaining a strong relationship.  It’s worth doing!

What is the IB Learner Profile?

An excerpt from IB Learner Profile Booklet…

The IB learner profile is the IB mission statement translated into a set of learning outcomes for the 21st century. The attributes of the profile express the values inherent to the IB continuum of international education: these are values that should infuse all elements of the Primary Years Programme (PYP), Middle Years Programme (MYP) and Diploma Programme and, therefore, the culture and ethos of all IB World Schools. The learner profile provides a long-term vision of education. It is a set of ideals that can inspire, motivate and focus the work of schools and teachers, uniting them in a common purpose.

IB programmes promote the education of the whole person, emphasizing intellectual, personal, emotional and social growth through all domains of knowledge.  By focusing on the dynamic combination of knowledge, skills, independent critical and creative thought and international-mindedness, the IB espouses the principle of educating the whole person for a life of active, responsible citizenship.

IB learners strive to be:

Inquirers.  They develop their natural curiosity.  The acquire the skills necessary to conduct inquiry and research and show independence in learning.  They actively enjoy learning and this love of learning with be sustained throughout their lives. 

Knowledgeable.  They explore concepts, ideas and issues that have local and global significance.  In so doing, they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a broad and balanced range of disciplines.

Thinkers.  They exercise initiative in applying thinking skills critically and creatively to recognize and approach complex problems, and make reasoned, ethical decisions.

Communicators.  They understand and express ideas and information confidently and creatively in more than one language and in a variety of modes of communication.  They work effectively and willingly in collaboration with others.

Principled.  They act with integrity and honestly, with a strong sense of fairness, justice and respect for the dignity of the individual, groups and communities.  They take responsibility for their own actions and the consequences that accompany them.  

Open-minded.  They show empathy, compassion and respect towards the needs and feeling of others.  They have a personal commitment to service, and act to make a positive difference to the lives of others and to the environment.

Risk-takers.  They approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage and forethought, and have the independence of spirit to explore new roles, ideas and strategies.  They are brave and articulate in defending their beliefs.

Balanced.  They understand the importance of intellectual, physical and emotional balance to achieve personal well-being for themselves and others.

Reflective.  They give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience.  They are able to assess and understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning and personal development.

+Parenting

Bullying: A Process -- Not a Person

an excerpt from +Parenting, pg 20

Dr. Stuart Twemlow, international bullying expert and co-author of Why School Antibullying Programs Don't Work, believes bullying behavior can be understood as a struggle for power--between students; between teachers; between parents and teachers; and between parents and their children.

At +Works, we believe that bullying is a social process--not a person. The process typically involves a bully, a target and a bystander; and these are roles we all play during any given day.  The question is: can we learn to recognize these situations for the power struggles that they are, and act in a way that promotes peace and respect?  

News from Mrs. Graves

Parents,
This blog will replace the printed publication, The Principal's Page, but will contain much of the same information that went out twice per month.   One of the many benefits of this transition is that my posts will be archived on the blog for easy access.  You will never have to worry about losing the piece of paper.  You will receive an email from me with a link to the blog every time I post.  I have decided to make this transition in an effort to reduce our paper consumption and lighten your child's Tuesday folder load.  The office will keep a few hard copies of my blog posts for families that find this format difficult.  Feel free to stop in the office and pick up a hard copy.

Mrs. Graves
  

Curriculum Information Night

What is Curriculum Information Night?  Its an opportunity for you to hear directly from your child’s teacher about what you can expect this year.  Beginning at 6:30 p.m on either September 11th  (PK-2) or September 13th (grades 3-5) you will first go to the café to learn more about our school performance data and school improvement plan, and then report to your child’s classroom.  The teacher will outline the daily schedule, discuss the  curriculum, and tell you what to expect this school year.  You will learn how best to communicate with your teacher, and how to access your child’s gradebook online. This is a great opportunity to get to know your child’s teacher, and lay the foundation for a strong partnership.  I do hope every child will have someone in attendance. This event is designed for parents only.  Later this school year students will have the opportunity to share their work with you in a student-led conference.

Need some help staying connected?  Visit our Center for Inquiry (formerly known as the library) between 5:30 and 6:30 to learn how to pay for lunches online, set grade triggers for the online gradebook, or set up a twitter account to stay in touch with what’s happening at Roberts.

Morning Drop-Off Procedures

Students should arrive on campus between 7:45 a.m. and 7:55, unless they’re eating breakfast at school.  Children eating breakfast may come as early as 7:00 a.m. and report to the café. 

Beginning at 7:45  a.m. and until school starts at 8:00, parents are asked to drop off children in the Circle Drive where teachers and staff are on hand to help children from their cars. 

If you wish to walk your child onto the school grounds, you must legally park your car; remember, there is absolutely no parking allowed during drop-off in the Circle Drive or on School Street, or in any other illegal parking area (see the Parking Map included in the red In The Know handbook).  Prior to the 7:55 a.m. bell, students in grades K, 1 and 4 line up in the covered area near the playground, while students in grades 2, 3 and 5 convene in the area near the Circle Drive.   On very rainy days, students wait inside the school building in the main hallway until the 7:55 a.m. bell rings.

School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m.  Children should be in their classroom ready to learn when the bell rings at 8:00 a.m.  Any child arriving at school after the announcements begin will be considered tardy.  An automated call will be sent to your home to alert you of the tardy for your convenience.

What's in the Ancillary Rotation?

Here is the bite-size description of what your child is doing at school during ancillary.

Art Ms. Herrick has a scope and sequence that allows students to build art skill from year to year with work in 2-dimensional art forms as well as 3-dimension are forms.

Music Ms. Sauer will continue to teach students to read music, use tone and pitch for choral music, and learn the recorder in upper grades as a transition to an instrument at the middle school level.

PE.  Mr. Lytton is joined again this year by Mr. Orozco to offer two days of PE in each 6-day ancillary rotation.  We are thrilled to be able to again offer more time for physical activity to improve student health. 

Academic Skills Lab (ASL).  This is an opportunity for students to learn keyboarding and basic computer skills, but it is not only about learning to use the computer.  The ASL is an opportunity for students to use technology to learn other disciplines.  This allows teachers to differentiate and give children more time on task for critical areas specific to each student.  A student who is struggling with automaticity of math facts can spend time working on First in Math, while a GT student may spend more time on Renzulli.  Students who want to work on language proficiency may spend that time on Rosetta Stone.  These are just a few examples of the differentiation we can provide through the ASL.

Science Lab (same class structure as last year).  Ms. Savarese will continue to offer hands-on science lessons that coordinate and enhance the science learning from the classroom.  There is a change in the way this ancillary day is scheduled.  Each class has an assigned science time that may be different from the regular time ancillary is scheduled the other days of the rotation.