Increasing Meaning in Math

We are excited to be starting work in grades 6-8 with increasing conceptual understanding and meaning in math. Our math teachers have already met with a math consultant who will guide us and train me to better support our math teachers. The goal in the short term will be to improve achievement in middle school math, specifically in 8th grade Algebra I. We recognize as a school community that for two consecutive years the CST results in algebra have been unacceptable, and we are focusing time, energy, and resources in this area. In the longer term, our work in math will involve increasing meaning and deep conceptual understanding. Parents and teachers can help support our students in this endeavor in simple but powerful ways–for example, asking a student the following question before they solve a math problem: About how much do you think the solution will be and why do you think this? We will be working with students to help them understand that there are multiple approaches for problem-solving in math, and that numbers are quantities that can be manipulated, re-grouped, and re-organized rather than simply digits.
I would like to recognize our math teachers for their openness to this work, which presents additional commitments of time and energy on their part. As always, they undertake the work of continual improvement on behalf of our students.

Welcome Back

After a summer break and a hiatus from blogging, I am back and school is in session as of this past Monday, August 31. Despite the very unusual weather (hot and humid), our first week has been smooth and exciting.

Looking ahead to this school year, some blog-worthy things on the horizon include our impending visit from the International Baccalaureate authorizing committee, our ongoing collaboration in rewriting the middle school charter with an eye towards February, 2011, and important improvements to the way in which we assess and support our students.

Of course there is also the API rankings which are set to be released from Sacramento on September 15…I suspect I may have a few words to say about this as well.

Warm regards.
DS

AEA Today Student Newspaper

The AEA Today offers our middle school students a practical and meaningful avenue to showcase their writing.  Covering topics ranging from campus beautification to field trips to advice columns, this student-run project comes out of Ms. Peters’ (7th grade English) middle school journalism elective.  Students are involved in every step of the process, from researching and writing to editing and photography.  Click here to read the latest edition.

San Diego Union Tribune editorial promotes charters

I came across this interesting editorial in today’s SD Union Tribune in support of the innovations that charter schools can offer.  The piece offers an overview of the growing opposition charters face in several states.

Memorial Day Reflections

Memorial Day is a much-anticipated day off from school and work, a chance to stake out a space at the beach or attend a BBQ or take advantage of special sale prices.  The risk in all of this is that we overlook the significance of the day.  Tomorrow I will ask AEACMS students if they are aware of the reason for their day off from school.

Today I have been thinking of my late maternal grandfather, a WWII vet who volunteered for service at age 35.  A peaceful man with a close connection to nature, my grandfather nonetheless was outraged at Hitler’s actions in Europe and felt compelled to take action.  As with many veterans, my grandfather was reluctant to speak about his war experiences, preferring to take us birdwatching on long walks in the countryside.  I did hear occasional snippets from tales of close escapes, of shrapnel perforating the pillow inches from his head, of fellow soldiers lost.

One local San Diego veteran who has shared his story is Richard Kenney, who played a key role in the famous ‘Great Escape.’  His story gives voice to those many thousands over all the wars who did not survive, those we should pause and honor today in the midst of our social activity.

Books of Hope

Books of Hope is a service-learning program where U.S. schools sponsor a school abroad and create books to help meet the students’ educational needs. Middle school Spanish teacher Mrs. Burnham has expertly led this initiative at AEA during the current school year.  She writes, “Books of Hope is an ideal way to incorporate service into practically any unit of study in  any classroom at any level. Albert Einstein Academies sponsored Lungulu Primary School in Uganda, a school that offers education to students ranging from kindergarten until 8^th or 9^th grade, just like Albert Einstein Academies. Every AEA grade (k-8) participated in making beautiful books to send to students in Uganda.

Books of Hope is a great program that supports our focus on the year’s theme “Education for All.” The purpose of the program is to enhance literacy and learning abroad by creating educational materials for vulnerable children in countries where English proficiency is necessary for success. The program supports literacy in U.S. schools by motivating students to read and write for an audience of their peers who will value their work. Books of Hope also fosters empathy and social responsibility in American students by providing an effective way for them to learn about and make a difference in the lives of children facing war, poverty, disease, and slavery around the world.”  Thanks Mrs. Burnham for your leadership, and to all the teachers and students for your contributions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

AEACMS Science Teacher Wins Award

On Monday, May 11 we held our annual STAR testing kick-off assembly to motivate students in grades 6-8 for the upcoming two weeks of state testing.  The inspirational gathering concluded with a surprise–representatives from radio station KSON and Azusa Pacific University as well as the San Diego County Office of Education were on hand to present science teacher Andrew Prouse with a Teachers Are Heroes award.  Mr. Prouse, who was nominated anonymously, received a plaque and an invitation to a June reception at Legoland, accompanied by his students.  Congratulations Mr. Prouse and thanks for all you do on behalf of our students.

AEA Parent Creates Field of Dreams Slideshow

AEA elementary parent and professional photographer Kim Curran has created a slideshow  on her blog that documents the development of the Field of Dreams project on campus.  The grass gets greener by the day!

Showcase Night a Success

The second annual AEACMS Showcase Night was a success, thanks to the hard work of teachers and students.  The ASB students, led by Mr. Prouse, created colorful signs for each teacher, while many students set up and maintained exhibits.  Two years ago the AEACMS teachers decided to shift from the traditional school open house model (with teachers presenting in isolation in their classrooms) to a communal fair-like setting in our Multi Purpose Room.  The goal of last evening’s event was to empower students to ’showcase’ key components of this year’s curriculum.  Exhibits ranged from a hands-on science experience to math problem-solving using toothpicks to Wii-fit for PE to “Are you smarter than a middle schooler?”  Thanks to all the parents and students in the AEA elementary and middle schools for stopping by to share in our Showcase.

Coach Diamond

Spanish Exhibit

Wednesday, April 22 is Earth Day

This coming week is a full one at AEA.  We return to school tomorrow morning, which is always an exciting time after a vacation.  On Wednesday, April 22, we will be kicking off our Earth Day celebration on the lower playground area at the start of the school day.  At this time we will also initiate a fundraising drive to refurbish the Fern Street mural (see previous post).  Each classroom will have a collection jar, and students are encouraged to bring in spare change to contribute to this effort.