September 10, 2007
 

Ready to Learn
Setting Up Routines

Bruce and John are close friends with similar abilities.  John does well in school, but Bruce struggles.  He often seems tired and misses assignments.  Why the difference?  One reason is that John’s family establishes daily routines to help him do his best.  Consider the routines below to help your child feel more…

Relaxed.  Music can help your child avoid the morning rush.  Play a soothing CD and ask him to be dressed and ready by the time it is over.

Energized.  A good breakfast increases concentration.  Offer your youngster healthy choices.  Examples:  a whole-wheat bagel with peanut butter; orange juice blended with fruit and yogurt; instant oatmeal.

Connected:  Talking about the school day lets your child know you care.  Ask him/her to share two good things that happened during the day.  Do not focus on negative things.  Prompt your child with questions, such as, “Which multiplication tables did you practice?”

Prepared:  Studying a little every day is the best way to learn new material.  Help your youngster choose a time for homework when he/she is most alert – and try not to change the routine.

Rested.  A set bedtime helps kids fall asleep more quickly.  Suggest that your child get in bed 15 minutes early to read, make up stories, or talk quietly with you.

 

This Week at St. Paul's

September 11 ~ Auction Information Session at the home of Christian and Ellen Hack
September 12-14 ~ 4th and 5th grades to Camp Allen
September 14 ~ Last Day for Sally Foster
September 14 ~ 5:30 p.m. ~ Newcomer's Welcome Party at the home of Gordon and Valerie Robinson

Hot Lunch Menu & Servers

Monday ~ Steakfingers ~ Lori Becker
Tuesday ~ Spaghetti with meat sauce ~ Len Brown
Wednesday ~ Pizza Hut Pizza ~ Karina Deaver
Thursday ~ Hot Dogs ~ Melinda Suchecki
Friday ~ Chicken Nuggets ~ Scott Connell
 

IB in Action

How do we make a unit of inquiry? There are many items to consider as a teacher plans a unit. First, all units fall under a transdisciplinary theme. Transdisciplinary means going across the disciplines. These themes can be found in any subject area. There are six transdisciplinary themes: who we are, where we are in place and time, how we express ourselves, how the world works, how we organize ourselves, and sharing the planet. Students at each grade level will complete 6 units, one under each of the transdisciplinary themes. PreK and Three Year Olds are the exception, as they are only required to complete four units in a school year.

St. Paul's School has laid out a program of inquiry. This is the plan of what will be taught at each grade level. The units of study are chosen as relevant topics to each grade level and then the entire program is studied to ensure that there are no major overlaps in what is being explored. Our program of inquiry is on the wall outside the office. There you can see the title, central idea, and lines of inquiry for all of St. Paul's 56 units. The titles and central ideas are also on our website under the section "About St. Paul's."

Each unit has as its basic structure a central idea and lines of inquiry to define the area that will be explored in that unit. A central idea is one sentence that expresses concisely the idea we want the students to take from this experience. This statement should be broad enough to allow for exploration in the topic, but not so broad that the concept can not be covered in a reasonable amount of time. Lines of inquiry serve to clarify the central idea and focus the unit. Students and teachers then have a framework under which they can effectively ask questions and plan activities.
 
Co-Curricular Classes Were in Full Swing This Week!



Third graders checked out their first books in library.
 



Fifth grade worked on their chime ringing.
 


In art, fourth graders made 3D dioramas to illustrate the Learner Profile.
 


The first graders learned the parts of the computer.
 



Second graders worked to keep a steady beat on chime blocks.
 



Two year olds jugaron con sombreros (played with sombreros).
At the Dr. Pepper Museum, Sixth Graders learned about advertising.