Trip to St. Mark's

Dear Parents,

I’m writing to you on my return trip from St. Mark’s School in Southborough, MA. Eve McDermott, Kathy Richardson and I attended a lecture on technology, engineering, and neuroscience. The topic of our children coming of age in a world of technological innovation and change was exciting and controversial. Most interesting to me was the exploration of an assessment matrix that focused on critical thinking and problem solving, creativity and innovation, communication and collaboration, information literacy, flexibility and adaptability, innovation and self direction, and leadership and responsibility. These are assessment benchmarks that I haven’t written down in a formal assessment matrix but they are, decidedly, the guiding principles of my curriculum development. It was satisfying to see them presented as essential to assessment.

This week I launched a pilot program in science. We dove headlong into a Lego robotics activity (Lego Mindstorm NXT) that will engage students at the exhilarating level of play and sophisticated levels of mathematics, programming, problem solving, and creativity. There is a vibration of energy in the classroom as the students work together in the initial building phase of this project and a measurable excitement in the anticipation of what is to come. On Friday, students will begin to program their robotic creations. They’ll encounter one challenge after another, giggle with nervous excitement, try and fail and try again and discover, in the process, relevance in their work with mathematics. These are exciting days to be in the fifth grade.

Incidentally, this pilot program was made possible by a generous earmarked gift to The Grammar School’s science department. I am enormously appreciative.