It is the end of the first trimester at TKG! We have spent the first three months of the school year getting to know ourselves as learners and also getting to know what interests us and how best we work together. It has been an exciting time of exploration, learning and connecting. What we have learned about ourselves is that it is hard to keep a growth mindset when faced with something new and challenging. Now that we are connected, the Redwoods are ready to dive into time management, rigor and community building through empathy.
In terms of time management, students will start to work on projects that have specific deadlines. We will work together to map out how to reach the deadline stress-free and confidently. In terms of rigor, students will practice working with non-numerical rubrics. The rubrics will outline expectations that teacher and students agree upon that will encourage students to strive to dig deep, stretch further and produce their very best work.
To support foundational learning, I will be discussing a home practice plan with the students that will begin in January. It will be an opportunity of empowerment for students to decide what kind of home practice they can be doing to support their learning goals. I’m open to hearing your suggestions as well, for supporting your children’s learning experience at home. More information on this in the coming weeks.
Renee has been joining us on Wednesdays, to help us explore this idea of empathy and how it can help us grow as a community and as connected human beings. We are all unique individuals with differing experiences and points of view. Rather than shy away from and avoid these differences, it is so important that we honor and celebrate them and, yes, learn to work together knowing just how different we are. This is a skill that our students will take with them into their future work places and lives, and it is this very skill that will help them experience so much future success. In addition to this weekly class, the Redwoods and Evergreens will also be coming together to work on a community-building project in which all students will have a stake. Stay tuned for more details.
It has been my absolute pleasure to be on this journey of growth and understanding with the Redwoods and the TKG community. I am grateful to be a part of a community that focuses on the well-being of the whole child, the whole community. School is so much more than academic standards, and we are lucky to be a part of a mission that recognizes this in today’s educational climate.
Namaste,
Jill
COMMUNICATION STREAMS
Jill Vengerik, Lead Teacher
Nicolette Rodriguez, Co-Teacher
Lena Garcia, Head of Education – Teacher Mentor
Trish Valdez, School Business Manager
Shannon Minor, Board President
Facebook (private group), Community Forum
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