Inquiry Based Science

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year. We are completing our 3rd week of school, and it has been a great start for teachers and students! Every year brings some exciting changes, and this year we are thrilled with our new science curriculum with its "hands-on" instruction and focus on challenging students to be thinkers!

Education in Indiana is moving to Common Core State Standards and shifting its focus to demonstrating how to use concepts (process skills), reading informational text, applying reading and writing skills in all subjects, and using critical thinking skills. At Evansville Christian School we are preparing teachers and students for these standards in several ways: intense teacher training, development of K-6th Literacy Plan, concentration on increased text complexity and literacy standards in all subjects, continued focus on critical thinking and problem solving skills, attention to mathematical practices, and adoption of inquiry-based science.

Students and teachers are already excited about inquiry-based science and "notebooking" (keeping a science journal). The journal allows students to show evidence of their learning while organizing ideas and using expository writing in meaningful ways. This writing is descriptive, responds to a question or problem, and encourages students to reflect on what they are learning.

At every grade level K-8, students will have one quarter each of life science, earth science, physical science, and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) appropriate for the standards at each grade level. Our classrooms and library are stocked with non-fiction books at various levels purchased specifically to support students' interests in a variety of science topics they will be studying. In the classroom, students will have access to science texts that provide crucial science vocabulary. However, the content is not textbook-based, but will be learned through the process of science "investigations", problem solving, and journaling. In the science journal, K-8th grade students will have everything they need for science, including vocabulary, notes, investigations, drawings, observations, and Biblical integration. These journals will allow students and teachers to assess each student's progress and understanding of content and process skills, while receiving meaningful feedback.

Students have quick access to a lot of information, and at ECS we are training students to become critical thinkers who know how to use the information they have and reflect on their learning.

Leading the Way: 4th graders and global connections

When the 4th grade and I finished the book Adventures of Isaac Knight, based on the true story of a boy in southern Indiana who was an indian captive, we decided we wanted to keep meeting together once a week. Currently, we are reading Extra Credit about two students, one from Illinois and one from Kabul, Afghanistan, who develop a friendship by corresponding by letters. These two students learn about one another's culture, lifestyle, and traditions that unite them in friendship.

In order to provide a frame of reference for ECS 4th graders, I shared some of my video, pictures, and experiences from my visits to Afghanistan. Understanding the cuture of others allows us to develop relationships and value others, whether it is in the classroom or across the world!

Now, these ECS 4th graders are taking on a project that will sharpen their leadership, expand their influence, and allow them to impact the lives of families living in a refugee camp in an area north of Kabul. For just $57, food supplies can be distributed to a family that is barely existing, and the 4th graders will be challenging all ECS K-8th grade students to sacrifice spending or to do extra work at home in order to donate to the food distribution project. I am excited about feeding families, but equally as thrilled that our students are learning to serve others and to create positive change in the world.

So be ready for the poster blitz and the persuasive 4th grade presentations regarding this project! More information to come soon!

Kindergarten Enrollment for 2011-2012 School Year

Parents begin to think about their child's kindergarten experience sometimes well before the child is kindergarten age. Parents want to be informed about academic and social opportunities, pursue all the educational options, and pray about the right choice for their child. ECS has several resources to help parents sort through the choices and ask crucial questions, such as our resource entitled "A Parent's Guide to Choosing a School ". ECS also provides services such as Kindergarten Preview Q & A meetings the first Tuesday of every month, scheduled personal tours, financial assistance help sessions, a summer "Ready for Reading" program, and an informational kindergarten video found at http://www.youtube.com/user/ECSwired#p/a/u/1/6cFitc4rcdc .

If you or a family you know are researching kindergarten options, you will want to review this video. Contact our Admissions Director at 812.477.7777 or visit www.evansvillechristian.org to learn more about Evansville Christian School's commitment to providing an academic and spiritual foundation for kindergarten and beyond. As K-4th grade principal, I will be glad to meet with you and your child to answer questions and begin the exciting journey of learning!

What I Have Learned From Students This Week

Yes, I am a lifelong learner! Just this week my "teachers" have been ECS students! On Tuesday during a follow up lunch meeting about our first semester study on "friendships"with 4th grade girls, I experienced lessons in compassion, kindness, sacrifice, and loving others. The girls and I created a "time capsule" during our study in November, challenging ourselves to be a better friend to others. Their ideas included: speaking to people cheerfully, smiling at people, calling people by their name, being helpful and willing to serve, being genuinely interested in others, being generous with praise, being considerate of others' feelings, and being thoughtful of others' opinions. We opened our time capsule to take a look at the area we committed to work on, then I listened as the girls candidly shared how they were striving to be a better friend to others. While some girls at this age struggle with cliques and hurt feelings, these fourth graders are using peer pressure in a positive way to encourage one another and transform their classrooms. What a great lesson for them and for me!

On Wednesday I was honored to be part of a small group discussion of 5th grade students after their middle school chapel. I couldn't have been more impressed by their candor, their knowledge of God's Word, their problem solving skills, or their transparency to share how they apply biblical principles in their daily lives. I look forward to this semester and being part of this small group of amazing students. We will all learn from one another, I'm sure, but as an educator I am not surprised that I continue to learn from students!

Being "intentional"

There is a lot of conversation in education recently about the importance of being intentional...with instruction, with student data, with researched-based teaching strategies. As educators, we do want to make a lasting impact on the lives of students by using time wisely and by providing instruction that targets what students need most. Every teacher I know is concerned about the learning process and academic growth for their students! At ECS, teachers are committed to providing instruction that connects learning to real life experiences and to encouraging students to take ownership of their learning progress.

It is just as important, though, to be intentional about training and challenging students (and ourselves) to develop character qualities that allow us to impact the world for good. Recently at a school basketball game, ECS invited kindergarten families to attend as featured guests. During a conversation, one of the kindergarten "dads" was talking about his daughter and said that because of her outgoing personality and determined spirit, he knew he had to purposefully "lead" as a parent, so her character would be shaped to use those qualities in a positive way.

With Christmas just weeks away, what would it be like if we challenged our children to develop the character quality of being generous to others? As adults, we have to be intentional to do that by example! Currently at ECS, our faculty and staff are working in teams, each team with $100 "seed money" to grow and use to bless others. The students are involved and are more excited about giving right now than about parties or programs or even snow! These projects will allow us to bless people and groups here in Evansville, around the country, and even around the world. Most exciting is the additional benefit of training students to see and be involved in the needs of others. These students know that they don't have to wait until they are adults to change the world...they are doing it today, by learning to be generous!

ECS Achieves "Exemplary Rating" Once Again!

Congratulations ECS faculty, staff, parents, and students for achieving "exemplary progress" under Indiana Department of Education's PL221 accountability measure. ISTEP scores are the key measure in determining a school's placement, and the more progress a school makes in a year, the higher its category placement.

Evansville Christian School strives to provide rigorous academic opportunities for all students, uses data from classroom assessments and formal assessments such as Acuity to plan instruction, and differentiates instruction for learners to allow students to achieve their best in a positive learning environment.

We are thankful for a committed faculty and staff, supportive parents, and hard-working students!

ECS Will Sponsor a Food Drive

I recently saw a picture of the shelves of the food pantry at the Evansville Christian Life Center. At the time of that picture, a few days ago, the shelves were empty! My heart ached for those who depend on this assistance.

ECS will sponsor a food drive from Tuesday, September 7 through Tuesday, September 14. We are asking students to bring in canned or boxed food items to their homeroom. September 15 is service day in the Intermediate/Middle School, and the team serving at the Life Center will collect and take the contributions.

We serve an amazing God who blesses us with all we need, and this is a chance to be His Hands to our community!