To encourage dialogue and reflection about the ways hope can help us learn, grow, and ‘keep going’, our question for the week is: What hopes do you have for this school year? Hopes for the Year (Week of 9/18/22) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake's Guiding Lights
Our Students
Blake's Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection
Our Essential Question: How can we cultivate and curate the progression of student learning and growth?
Our Mission: Blake Middle School believes in a living mission statement, based on the concept that our community seeks and respects knowledge, integrity, character, wisdom, and the willingness to adapt to a continually evolving world.
The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning. - John Dewey
You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow. - John Dewey
I hope that everyone enjoyed a restful, fall weekend - the weather and light was beautiful. The cool air on Saturday morning was certainly a surprise as I had to find my winter hat for a morning walk! The boys and I had a pretty quiet time, as Katie was away with friends for the weekend. We enjoyed a nice family dinner together Sunday evening as we welcomed the week.
As we are still in the beginning phase of the school year, I believe it is important that we take time to think about our hopes (along with our fears, as they may provide a window into our hopes well) for our students, ourselves, and the school year and work that lies ahead. In a similar vein of hope, Carol Ann Tomlinson’s post at the end of August expressed the 5-part dream she has for this school year. I have shared both posts below (Tomlinson and Corba’s), and the responses from last week’s question help to provide a window as well into the self-reflections of our community of learners…
Carol Ann Tomlinson: My Dream for This Extraordinary School Year
by Carol Ann Tomlinson in Education Week
These days, I have a different dream for a different time. I construct it during waking hours—between work responsibilities, as the morning begins, or as the day wanes into sleep. The students I see in this dream are the COVID kids: the ones who will begin 2nd grade hoping for their first normal school year ever; the 9th graders who never had a normal middle school year; the high school seniors who hope this one year might magically prepare them for the world ahead. I see, too, the teachers who taught for months at the outset of the pandemic in uncharted territory, trying to normalize life for their students as their own lives were shaped by fear, self-doubt, and exhaustion.
I dream of five realities for each student and teacher who embarks on this extraordinary school year…
This is my dream these late summer days in the third school year that COVID is among us. A skilled and resolute teacher. A classroom that feels and is safe. Re-connection with peers and the larger world. Being a celebrant of joyful learning. Learning to strive not for proficiency but for excellence.
In a right-side-up world, those would not be things of a dream but rather baseline expectations. In this third year of COVID and other threats to normalcy, some students will find these conditions in their new classrooms. Many, tragically, will not. I wish for each of you the courage to weave worthy dreams for each young person in your care.
Child psychologist: The No. 1 skill that sets mentally strong kids apart from ‘those who give up’—and how parents can teach it
by Michelle Corba in CNBC News
Without the right tools to handle adversity, hopelessness can set in and kids’ overall well-being can decline. Hope is what energizes them to stay mentally strong during tough times, and it’s what sets them apart from those who give up easily.
Research shows that hopefulness can dramatically reduce childhood anxiety and depression. Hopeful kids have an inner sense of control. They view challenges and obstacles as temporary and able to be overcome, so they are more likely to thrive and help others.
Here are nine science-backed
ways to help kids maintain hope, especially during tough times.s:
1. Stop negativity in the moment.
2. Use hopeful mantras.
3. Teach brainstorming.
4. Share hopeful news.
5. Ask ‘what if?’
6. Celebrate small gains.
7. Boost assertiveness.
8. Create gratitude rituals.
9. Embrace service.
Sampling of Responses from Last Week’s ‘Question of the Week’: What are your strengths as a learner?
- My strengths are making a good plan to accomplish what I need to do. I often look to break things down into small, manageable chunks that I can accomplish one at a time.
- My curiosity - and willingness to ask "the next question."
- I learn a great deal simply by listening and taking information in auditorily. Taking notes helps me to absorb information as well. There is something about writing it down that helps me learn.
- I am enthusiastic and love to learn new things.
- I absorb information like a sponge.
- Visual projects, essays
- Public speaking
- Social Studies and ELA
- I pay attention in class and study
- I listen, pay attention and try my best.
- I am a good listener, I am good at teamwork and I raise my hand when I have a question
- Reading and being able to work with other people.
- I participate in class discussions and work hard on assignments.
- Fast learning (most of the time).
- Being organized
- kind, smart generous
- Listening and helping others
Please click here for Blake Updates.
Please click here for District Community Notices.
Take care.
Nat