8th Grade Trip: Florida Trip Details

Attached you will find links to important details about the Florida Marine Science Trip some of the 8th graders will be taking beginning February 11.

Detailed Florida Itinerary
Florida Packing List
Scuba Contact Sheet

How Will You Use Your Gifts?

On Monday one of our 8th graders, DJ, gave a sermon on gifts. I felt it was a timely message coming on the heels of the holiday season where sharing one's gifts often ends with the exchange of some object. DJ reminded us all that God has bestowed on us incredible gifts and our job is to identify and share them with the world.

The text of his sermon is below:
 
DJ Sermon on Gifts

Making Memory May Mean Modeling and Remodeling - Dana Foundation

A fascinating look at how memory is used in thinking about the future. You can make some great links to how education can use the research that is coming out of brain science to make learning more meaningful.

For example, memories are most vivid when there is a surprise, either in the context or the environment. Furthermore, memories are most vivid when the prediction side of the brain is the most off from the actual outcome. Any good teacher would tell you this is the hook in their lesson plan.

Making Memory May Mean Modeling and Remodeling - Dana Foundation

Game Changer

www.apple.com

Not only is Apple coming out with textbooks, but now they have an App for the mac which will let us create our own - for free.

iBooks Author for the Mac

Apple to Remake Textbooks; Project Begun by Steve Jobs

VERY Interesting and potentially exciting news about Textbooks and the iPad. Thank you to John Schoultz, our Middle School Technology Coordinator, for passing this along.

Apple to Remake Textbooks; Project Begun by Steve Jobs: Even in his last months, Steve Jobs, the Apple co-founder who had already masterminded the iPad and iPhone, reimagined digital music, animated films and done so much more in modern technology, said he had new projects on his mind. On Thursday in New York, Apple...

8th Grade Trips Information

Hello,

I wanted to post the 8th grade trips information I sent out this fall as a reminder for those families who are beginning to plan for their children to be away in February. Below is a link to the letter and all the information therein.

8th Grade Trips Letter and Information 2012

Northern Guilford High School Curriculum Night

Check out this information from Northern Guilford High:

High School Placement Page

ANYDAY Reflection

I've asked 8th grader MK to describe for us her experience at the ANYDAY seminar our students attended on January 4. Below is her description:

When I first heard that I had been chosen to go to the ANYDAY conference, I didn't have a clue about what it was. But when the day came to actually go to the conference, it was very eye-opening. We first played ice breaker games to get to know each other and our leaders a little bit better. We then made a list and discussed what was great about our school and some of the stuff that was not so great. One topic we discussed was bullying.  We decided that if any bullying was going on in our school, it was not physical bullying, but bullying in the sense of excluding others. We spent the rest of the day learning more from our leaders about that type of bullying and how we can be leaders in our school to try to prevent it. We played games showing us what it felt like to not be accepted, watched some video clips on real life bullying situations, and made posters to hang in the halls to send the "no bullying" reminder to our classmates. Another thing we learned about is stereotypes and how hurtful they really can be. We were taught not to judge others before we get to know them and that stereotypes can really hurt someone's feelings. By the end of our day, we had acquired skills to be better leaders in our school and community and had a better understanding of bullying.  

Bassett Blog, 2012/01

Bassett Blog, 2012/01

Pat Bassett, president of the National Association of Independent Schools, discusses critical thinking and how independent schools teach students to develop it. A good, quick read from someone who has shaped the direction independent schools are taking into the second decade if the 21st Century.

12 Reasons You Will Be A Better Leader This Year

12%20Reasons%20You%20Will%20Be%20a%20Better%20Leader%20this%20Year

As we continue to work with our students in leadership development, I came across this blog post which I thought was a nice summary of what leadership should entail. Take a look.

IB and Curriculum Information From Grimsley

Check out the High School Placement Page for information on an IB Open House and Curriculum Fair at Grimsley.

High School Placement Page

Reconfiguration Status Report: January 2012

Dear Parents,

As we begin the second half of our academic year, I wanted to take a moment and update you on the progress of our reconfiguration work. In November, I sent a Reconfiguration Status Report outlining three main components: the transition to the middle school, staffing and scheduling, and the middle school program. Attached you will find the January version of the Reconfiguration Status Report, which focuses on building community, staffing and scheduling, and enhancements to the middle school program.

I would like to take a moment to thank the Reconfiguration Committee, headed by Karen Niegelsky, for their hard work. Many hours have been spent in research, school visits, and meetings in order to delve deeply into both the big picture and operational issues associated with reconfiguring the grades. The results were well thought out recommendations on the direction we should take for the 2012-2013 school year when the 5th grade joins the middle school. Most of what you will read in the report is a direct result of their work.

My hope in this letter and status report is that you feel informed about and invested in the experience your child will have once the 5th grade moves into the middle school. Please email or call me with any questions or input you may have.

Sincerely,

Dave

David W. Skeen Jr.
Middle School Director
Canterbury School


Check out the Report: Reconfiguration Status Report: January, 2012

This American Life: Middle School

Canterbury? No - but could be.
7th graders at a school dance
dressed as The Outsiders.
www.thisamericanlife.org

In this episode, Ira and the This American Life team of producers set their sites on Middle School. Many thanks to my brother who passed this along to me.

It is a great window into the world of the American Middle Schooler - and all they are dealing with.

And so it begins....

As I was roaming the halls during lunch, I found a student studying for a Latin quiz. I thought this picture could say a lot more about the beginning if the iPad Pilot Program than I could.

Big Ideas

One of the things that educators have been talking about for some time is how creative thinking can change the way we teach and learn. Engaging the right side of the brain in ways that allow us to think outside of the box as we develop lessons and units for our students.

I found this conference on the web and thought it hit exactly what we're trying to do when we put these ideas into action. The Big Ideas Fest is a place where teachers can meet and greet with like-minded educators and practice the kind of thinking that can foster Big Ideas from our students.

Check it out

Big Ideas Fest