Mrs. Masterson's Blog

Inquiry Based Science

2011-08-26T10:10:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-01T08:29:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-20T12:37:00.000-08:00

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"

2010-12-06T08:58:00.001-08:00

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!

2010-11-29T12:10:00.000-08:00

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

2010-09-02T05:12:00.000-07:00

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!

Great Start to the 2010-2011 School Year!

2010-08-25T08:39:00.000-07:00

What a great start we have had to the new school year! Welcome back to all returning students and families, and a huge WELCOME to students and families who are new to ECS this year. A new school year is an opportunity for a fresh start - establishing great study habits, meeting new friends, and growing stronger in our faith! As elementary principal, it is a joy to see the fresh faces of kindergarten students excited about school, and just as rewarding to see last year's 4th graders moving into Intermediate School this year and loving their new schedules.

I think I have the best job there is! I get to work with talented professionals (our ECS faculty) who love God and integrate biblical principles into rigorous academics, enjoy time with our amazing ECS students at four campuses, and partner with our wonderfully supportive parents to educate children.

Our PTF has two fun events coming up: September 14 is ECS' Hacienda "give back" Fiesta night at the Greenriver Road Hacienda. A portion of sales from carryout, dining in, or gift cards that day with a coupon (to be sent home with students) will be donated to ECS. You won't want to miss the annual Fall Family Fun Night on October 1 at the East Campus. I hear there will be a dunking booth at that event, and I have it on good authority that I will be in it! In fact, there are a lot of 1st graders already telling me that they plan to "dunk" me at FFFN!

Let's make this the best year ever at ECS!

Wrapping up the school year!

2010-05-25T06:57:00.000-07:00

ECS has enjoyed another great school year! Thank you faculty, staff, parents, and students for contributing to a positive environment where learning is a joy. Please enjoy "Mrs. Masterson's Summer Message" and the good advice from these awesome ECS elementary students.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=65DJ9Qrwx8o

Parents of 3rd-8th graders: Remember to use the letter mailed to you earlier this month to connect to the Parent Network for viewing your student's ISTEP+ scores beginning June 3. Contact the school office if you need assistance.

Teachers will be working throughout the summer on tiered lessons, a vertical math plan for K-8, a literacy plan for K-3, and technology inclusions, as well as attending the Differentiated Instruction conference in Chicago. Pray for them as they work and plan together.

Enjoy fun and restful summer! See you in August for another amazing school year!-

Indiana Parent Network Information

2010-05-05T14:47:00.000-07:00

ECS students have completed Terra Nova and ISTEP+ testing for Spring 2010. We are so proud of our students for their diligent work and great effort during testing week!

During the week of May 10, the school office will be mailing a personalized Indiana Parent Network letter to parents of students in 3rd through 8th grades, which will allow parents access to their students' ISTEP+ data for Spring 2010. Each letter has a unique Invitation Code parents can use to create a personal account to track their children's results year after year. Parents also have access to personalized resources and engaging activities. Student results will be available for ISTEP+ in June 2010, and parents can access the website at www.inParentNetwork.com . The website provides technical support and a FAQ sheet about the Parent Network. ECS will not be mailing ISTEP results when they are returned, since this network allows parents to see their child's report. Parents who do not have access to their child's report, however, may come to the East Campus school office in June to request a copy.

1st and 2nd grades students took the Terra Nova achievement test, and their test scores will be mailed to parents at the end of May.

Terra Nova and ISTEP+ Testing April 27-30

2010-04-13T13:17:00.000-07:00

The great spring weather means we are counting down the final weeks of the 2009-2010 school year! Here is a friendly reminder that the Terra Nova testing for 1st and 2nd grades, and ISTEP+ testing for 3rd-8th grades are coming up soon. Mark your calendars for April 27-30, and help your child be "test ready" by watching this little video message from me, as I prepare materials for testing week. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8G-vatvsgE

ISTEP Testing

2010-02-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

During the week of March 1-5, 3rd through 8th grade students will take the Applied Skills portion of the ISTEP test. This is the first ISTEP window for this spring. All 3rd-8th grade students will be testing each morning, and some grade levels will also be testing after lunch periods. It is especially important for students to arrive to school on time. Also, please reschedule any appointments that would cause students to miss school during this week. As always, we appreciate your prayers for our ECS students.

Thank you third grade

2010-01-19T09:51:00.000-08:00

I have to admit that I have been busy and have neglected my ECS blog. Today I had 47 comments from ECS third grade students, who told me how their school year was going so far. Thank you third graders for reminding me what a wonderful school we have at ECS! As you talked about your amazing teachers, all the activities you participate in, what you are learning in class, how thankful you are for your school, and how much you enjoy your friends I was impressed again by the academic and extra-curricular opportunities students have at Evansville Christian School. Your comments made my day!

Recently I was reading about the importance of building a culture of leadership within our students. The "7 Habits" in kids' language look like this:

Habit 1, Be Proactive: I am a responsible person; I take initiative; I choose my actions, attitudes, and moods. I do not blame others for my wrong actions, and I do the right thing without being asked, even if no one is looking.

Habit 2, Begin with the end in mind: I plan ahead, set goals, and do things that have meaning and make a difference. I am an important part of my classroom and contribute to my schools' mission and vision.

Habit 3, Put first things first: I spend my time on things that are most important, which means I say no to things I know I should not do. I set priorities, make a schedule, and achieve my goals. I am disciplined and well-organized.

Habit 4, Think win-win: I balance courage for getting what I want with consideration for what others want. I make deposits in others' emotional bank accounts. When conflicts arise, I look for alternatives. I look for ways to be a good citizen.

Habit 5, Seek first to understand, then to be understood: I listen to other people's ideas and feelings. I try to see things from their viewpoints, I listen to others without interrupting, I am confident in voicing my ideas, and I look people in the eyes when talking.

Habit 6, Synergize: I value other people's strengths and learn from them. I work well in groups, even with people who are different from me. I seek out other people's ideas to solve problems, because I know that by teaming with others we can create better solutions than any one of us can alone. I am humble.

Habit 7, Sharpen the saw: I take care of my body by eating right, exercising, and getting sleep. I spend time with my family and friends. I learn in lots of ways and lots of places, not just at school. I take time to find meaningful ways to help others.

I see many of these leadership qualities being developed within ECS students at every grade level as a result of incorporating a biblical worldview, teaching good study habits, and implementing effective classroom procedures.

ECS third through eighth grade students will be participating in the third Acuity testing window the weeks of February 15-26 (school is in session on February 15, Presidents' Day as a snow makeup day). The ISTEP Writing Assessment will be during the first week of March.

It's a New School Year!

2009-08-10T14:16:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the 2009-2010 school year! ECS teachers and staff have been diligently preparing for this year, including praying for the students and families that will be part of the ECS Community. Several teachers spent three days in Chicago in July attending a Differentiated Instruction Conference, which will allow teachers to more effectively meet the varying learning needs of students. All teachers worked on academic standards and technology over the summer and look forward to teaching students in the coming year. We anticipate a successful school year as parents, ECS staff, and students work and pray together.

It's not deja vu...it really is ISTEP time again!

2009-04-17T08:45:00.000-07:00

The week of April 27 is the second ISTEP window this spring. Students in 3rd - 8th grades will take the Multiple Choice portion of the Spring 2009 ISTEP. All grade levels will take Mathematics and English/Language Arts multiple choice assessments. Grades four and six will also take science multiple choice assessments, and grades five and seven will take social studies multiple choice assessments. The ISTEP will cover all grade level standards for the subjects tested.

Please pray with us that our students will do their best and will confidently complete each test to the best of their ability.

As we look forward to completing another great year at ECS, we are grateful for the teachers, staff, and families that have prayerfully supported our students.

It's ISTEP Time Again!

2009-02-19T07:35:00.000-08:00

During the 2008-2009 school year, students in grades three through eight will take the ISTEP test during two testing windows in the spring, in addition to the fall assessment of 2008. The first testing window is coming up soon! The week of March 2nd, all third through eighth grade students will take the Applied Skills Assessment portion that will focus on constructed reponse and extended response to specific standards. In math at all grade levels, test items will focus on problem solving and grade level standards relating to geometry, measurement, computation, and number sense, as well as algebra and functions at the 6th-8th grade levels. In English/Language Arts at all grade levels, students will be assessed on specific grade level standards related to constructed response to a writing prompt. Grades four and six will be tested on specific science standards, and grades five and seven will be assessed on specific social studies standards.

At Evansville Christian School, we use the Indiana Academic Core Content Standards as a guide for curriculum decisions and to drive instruction and assessment in the classroom. The ISTEP assesses student learning on these standards.

We appreciate parent support in preparing students for testing weeks, and student attendance is very important. Also, the prayers of the ECS community on behalf of our students and teachers means so much. The partnership of parents and teachers is such a benefit to ECS students.

Teachers are learners too!

2009-01-19T13:55:00.000-08:00

Professional development is very important at Evansville Christian School, since teachers know that student learning and progress is impacted by teacher preparation. Teachers have a lot of student data available to them and careful analysis of this data can help teachers improve instruction for all students. During our professional development session this month, teachers and administrators discussed the "global achievement gap" and how critical thinking and problem solving are survival skills that students need in school and later in the work place. ECS teachers carefully connect professional development to our school goals, focusing on critical thinking skills, technology, and student ownership of their learning. The teaching staff is constantly looking for innovative ways to engage students in learning and to assess students by using a variety of assessment strategies. As a team, we discussed the North Central Association Accreditation Standards #3 on "Teaching and Learning" and #4 on "Documenting and Using Results". By evaluating what we are currently doing well and where we need to improve, the faculty and adminstration focus on being a constantly improving school. We are blessed to have a faculty of professionals who devote their time to study and preparation to be the best teachers they can be, providing excellence in the classrooms at ECS. Thank you ECS teachers!

Welcome to a New Semester and a New Year!

2009-01-02T13:59:00.000-08:00

A new year and a new semester offers the opportunity for a fresh start and a renewed commitment to do our very best for Christ in the coming year. ECS welcomes several new students this semester, and we are grateful for each new family. It will be a busy semester with two ISTEP testing sessions this spring and plenty of student activities in the coming months.

Two honor roll breakfasts will be held soon: January 8 at 7:30 a.m. at the North Campus and January 9 at 7:30 a.m. at the East Campus. Report cards will be sent home on Wednesday, January 7th, and students who have earned honor roll either first or second grading period are eligible to attend the breakfast with their family. It is a pleasure to recognize students for their hard work.

Please be in prayer this semester for the students, staff, and families of Evansville Christian School. ECS strives to be an encouragement to the families it serves and to the community.

God bless you in the New Year!

ECS Welcomes International Guests

2008-12-16T09:22:00.000-08:00

Students at ECS were thrilled to welcome special visitors to our school this week. A family from China, who work at our sister school in Kabul, Afghanistan, visited classrooms to thank students for supplies ECS students have sent to their school over the past three years. Students also had many questions about life in Afghanistan and what they liked about their first visit to the United States. One second grade class is experiencing China first-hand, as the young son of this family is enjoying an American school and loving it!

December continues to be a time for celebration, as ECS posted outstanding ISTEP scores again this year. Thanks to the teachers, parents, and students for their commitment to excellence!

Merry Christmas!

What's Happening at ECS in December

2008-12-03T11:58:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of December at ECS, you can find kindergarten students preparing their songs for the Christmas chapel they will lead on December 17th. Several area preschools and ECS families will join ECS students in worship as we honor the birth of Jesus. Elementary students are practicing for the upcoming Christmas musical on December 18. There will be a 9:00 a.m. matinee and a 7:00 p.m. performance. Middle school bands and performing groups will also be part of the program.

Teachers are busy reviewing ISTEP data and planning instruction that interests and challenges the students as we count down the days to Christmas break (yes, we are counting days!) School is a joyous place to be during the holiday season, as students are always full of the excitement and anticipation of Christmas. This season is a reminder to be thankful for our Savior, God's Gift to us.