[Durant] Some insights into the classroom

[Jill Bender]

Thanks, Dave.  The egg drop sounds really fun!  Matt will be out Friday so I'll brace myself for the disappointment he will express once he learns he will miss it.  We are so lucky Mrs. Durant is so welcoming of parent volunteers.  I'll be at school Thursday volunteering during the Turkey Trot.  Hope to see some of you there!

On the academic front, Matt recently got some low grades on a few Language Arts papers.  Mrs. Durant found me after school one day to let me know that when she saw this she was concerned so she went over them with him and realized he knew the answers, but was rushing through.  She talked to him about it and showed him the difference in his work when he slowed down.  I really appreciated her noticing and intervening quickly.  She told Matt she was going to be "watching" him and it has made a difference for the better.


Can't wait to hear about your week in the classroom.  Hope everyone enjoys the Thanksgiving break.



On Sunday, November 17, 2013 4:26 PM, Dave Allen Barker Jr <dave at 1.0ne.org> wrote:
 
I asked Ms. Durant about the morning math worksheets that come home completed on Thursday, and if maybe kids could get something a little more interesting (challenging).  She explained that those are just a baseline that are issued and graded, but that the real math work they do we parents wouldn't see because it doesn't come home.  They play interactive classroom games and other things.  I thought this was good to know, because I like to think our kids can really "be more" if we give them the chance, and I wasn't seeing it.

I asked if I could come in and watch, to get a better sense of what they're getting in class, and Ms. Durant answered, "Yes".  I'll report back here like I hope you all would.

Even better, she is taking advantage of my presence in her classroom to put me to work!  Here's what I got from her.

Yes I would love to have you on Monday 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and Wednesday 9-10:30 and Friday during our grade level official EGG DROP. While you are there we will begin our S.T.E.M. project. As a matter of fact, you will be our head Facilitator for our Classroom Egg Drop.  During our morning Language Arts you will be a part of our Science center. I will rotate 2 to 3 groups your way, one group at a time consisting of 4 to 5 students for about 20-25 minutes. You will discuss with each group how they think they should design their egg drop protector. I will give you chart paper so that you can write down their ideas. Next, if time permits each group will begin the project using only the materials provided.
>	1. 15 plastic straws
>	2. 1 piece of 8 1/2x11 construction paper
>	3. 1 foot of any type of masking or scotch tape
>	4. 10 Popsicle sticks (normal size)
>	5. Liquid glue-no limit
>	6. Scissors maybe used to cut items but cannot be included in the container design
>Before you arrive the students will have already viewed this short video on YouTube and have had a brief discussion on materials, purpose, and required outcome.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehVQM0I0PSU
>
Sounds like fun, eh? :)

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