Category: Uncategorized (Page 7 of 40)

This year we had much to be thankful for, although our celebrations were somewhat dimmed by our political team not crossing the Finish Line, the political climate, illness, and overwork/working on the holiday (silly Mom)…

Still, we have our family and friends to laugh (and despair) with.

We travelled to Burlington, Iowa to see G & G Weiss, Uncle Chris and beau Melissa, cousins Eva and Murphy, and Hal, Cheryl and daughter Lauren Hunt, which was a real treat. I loved catching up with Lauren and picking her brain about jewelry, and we all shared much laughter. D did a sleepover at G & G’s house, without us (first time!), camping out in the basement with his cousin Murphy.  That was simply thrilling for him. He idolizes Murphy, who is a gentle and kind older mentor. The two played for hours together.

Clogging up the Marble Run

In this snap you can see Don’s framed photographs that were in his first solo art exhibit (congrats again Don!)

Marble run up the stairs

D had what we thought was just a cold when we left town and flew to Chicago, but by the day after Thanksgiving he was quite sick. A visit to Urgent Care revealed he had a double ear infection!

We didn’t know he was that sick when we ran the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning, and looking back I can see that is was probably a mistake for D to run his first-ever 5k in very cold weather, with a headcold (he said he was hot, but it was super windy and cold, the way it is in the Midwest).

I’m Number 246

Stretching Before the Starting Gun

D came in with an excellent time of about 40 minutes–not bad for having not trained at all, likely having an ear infection, and not being on his home turf. Here is the moment he crossed the finish line, with Dad right behind (I didn’t finish, because I was worried that if I did, I’d miss D finishing–he was too far ahead of me to catch up!)

Finally, I am so proud to showcase D’s beautiful artwork made in art class for Thanksgiving. It’s a watercolor piece, mounted on a folder card:

Thanksgiving Card 2016

I think the lines of the pumpkin are very realistic. He sketched the pumpkin first then applied watercolors. I particularly like the color mixing going in the lower right-hand corner, making the pumpkin’s shadow. Ever since art teacher Jane complimented him on his good color mixing and put his Sunflower in the school calendar, D has concentrated on making interesting backgrounds! You can see too here that he is grasping perspective.

Institutional racism has been on our minds a lot after the heartbreaking presidential election results (notice I find it hard to even commit his name to the page here). We happen to live in a pretty white place, which is one major disadvantage of the Pacific Northwest, and something that bothers us now more than ever.

Jeff has been reading Race & Racisms: A Critical Approach, by Tanya Maria Golash-Boza, which I plan to pick up next. Throughout  my life I have experienced that general level of discrimination borne out of being a woman, and I have also been consistently discriminated against for being a mother. I have however, a particular experience of racism, being of Jewish descent (not to mention Scottish as well, a people still struggling with what it means to be so). With D asking lots of questions about WWII (after visiting Pearl Harbor), war, and good vs evil (who will win?), are frequent topics of discussion.

One reason we like being at the Gardner School is so that D can experience America as it is, not the demographics of the place we live. Although there aren’t many people of color there, there are more than 0, and Willis and Jackie are major role models. D is somewhat color blind, although that is changing as he learns more American history. He is noticing that Willis is black, and colleague Roman is black, and he is not black.

At music night you may have noticed the lyrics in the last ensemble piece: “We are a rainbow of people/ we have our own history /…” I was relieved to see that the stage did contain a rainbow, but still, sadly, an incomplete one.

Now more than ever amazing musical artists are making incredible and important statements about being black in America, and I’m using these to start to explain racism to D, as he’s ready for it.

Exhibit A: Christian Scott.

One great piece comes from jazz trumpeter Christian Scott, in this Tiny Desk concert, in which he and his band play heavenly music from his last record, but he also tells his “driving while black” story. At first I was skipping this part of the interview when D and I watched the video, but D was interested in why a police officer might be acting unfairly, so now I let him watch Christian tell his story without skipping ahead.

Plus the music will blow you mind.

…this is also a must-see for the other-wordly Elena Pinderhughes, rocking it on her flute (check this out Eva!)

Then there is Kamasi Washington, changing the world of jazz and speaking in a more subtle but still powerful way about racism (I’m thinking of his cover of Cherokee, and spiritual jazz bent). And John Legend.  And Kendrick Lamar. And Frank Ocean (in Nikes:  “RIP Trayvon, that ni**er looked just like me).

These have all been in heavy rotation during 2016.

Exhibit B: Solange

But somehow I slept on the mind-blowing Solange (Beyonce’s far less mainstream, far more interesting, sister).  Not only is she making music that is genre redefining, but also giving voice to her experience of racism in a poetic and brilliantly moving way.

I tried to drink it away
I tried to put one in the air
I tried to dance it away
I tried to change it with my hair

I ran my credit card bill up
Thought a new dress would make it better
I tried to work it away
But that just made me even sadder

I tried to keep myself busy
I ran around in circles
Think I made myself dizzy
I slept it away, I sexed it away
I read it away
Away

Away, away, away, away, away
Away, away, away, away, away

Well it’s like cranes in the sky
Sometimes I don’t wanna feel those metal clouds

And then there’s Pharrell.  And Common. And Robert Glasper, and Selma, and the 13th…it’d be impossible to grow up today without recognizing that this is a major issue of our time, and with a backlash election, it’s more important than ever to have these discussions, without pretending we live in a glorious rainbow of light and love.

Even if you’re 6.

I told D that maybe he can be President one day, and start to get everything sorted out.  He might be able to do more as a Superhero though, because I think that’s what we’re going to need. Lots of ’em.

About a month ago, D started reading…everything. And fluently, like he’d always been able to read. He started reading entire paragraphs, then chapters, and it was like a switch simply flipped. It has been astounding to watch.

Teacher Jackie said that’s how it happens. A couple weeks prior she’d given him this:

She put him in a reading group with Evan,  and they started working on chapter books. The 2nd graders are reading chapter books, but D and Evan are among the few reading chapter books. We are so so proud of D, since reading is the key to success in life. I keep telling him that books will always be your friend, and keep you company on a lonely day, like today, when ice covers the driveway and it’s too cold to go outside and play.

D is sitting next to me as I type this and he wants you to know that he can read the Mercy Watson books all by himself (and finish one during a quite time). He took the initiative and started reading these books on his own without anyone asking him to try. He says right now his favorite chapter books are the Magic Tree House Jack & Annie books. Thanks to Aunt Amanda for the set she gave D for his 6th birthday! I think we will read them all the way through many times.

Charlotte’s Web has also encouraged D to read chapter books, because we have it at home, and we heard that it will be on the book list for next year, in 2nd grade. Right now, Jackie is reading Toy Dance Party, which is the second book in the series.

At the beginning of November the Loowiters took a field trip to downtown Vancouver, where they visited City Hall and met the mayor, went to the main Library, and played at Esther Short Park (Ester Short and family feature prominently in the children’s thematic studies of our town–stay tuned for more on these folks at Culminating Event).

Here are some snaps Angela (Jamison’s mom)  took from that day:

The Gang: D with Ben, Brayden and Jamison

Riding a Salmon: from left, Brayden, Andrew, D, Jamison, Roman and Ben waving

Reading at the Library

America was the theme of this year’s Music Night…

This is good timing, since the Loowiters are studying the States.

Considering the upheaval of the Presidential election, there was more gravitas in the air than might have been there; it was painful to see these bright faces singing proudly about freedom and equality when those very virtues are currently at stake.

On the other hand, the voices carried a fighting spirit as well, which will serve these young people well. And we adults may need to look to them for inspiration, in these dark times.

Enjoy.

Here is a letter that came last night from Teacher Jackie, outlining this exciting week.

Dear Families,

Happy October All! Last week felt like the Loowits were settling into our routines and responding very well to the curriculum! Reading groups are going strong and we began our FAST (multisensory reading and spelling) program. The students are engaging and sharing thinking much more in math, while strengthening collaboration skills through games and activities. I think the biggest growth thus far in the school year is that the students are building resilance and embracing challenge.

In Thematics we created a historical timeline that will help us understand Vancouver’s early beginnings. To help the students relate personally to the historical events we will be talking about, please talk as a family and choose a personal event that we can add to our timeline. Ideas might include: parent or grandparent birthdates/wedding dates, when you moved into your house, when a parent graduated from high school or college, etc. Tomorrow each child will bring a blank index card home. Please record the family event on the card and be sure to include the year it occurred.

We are looking forward to a very busy week coming up! Here are some highlights looking ahead:

Monday – Tomorrow we will have our first Community Meeting of a series focusing on the Gardner Apple Election. Our version of the election will help students understand the election process, while including them in the decision-making process as we decide on what type of apple trees to replant at school.  The guiding question for the next couple of weeks, How do Groups Make Decisions?, will be explored and reflected upon as we introduce the primary election process. Our Primary Election will allow students to sample six apple varieties: Jonagold, Gala, Braeburn, Fuji, Honey Crisp & Empire. Students will take notes as they sample and then cast a primary ballot. Next week we will further explore our guiding question and reveal the winners of the primaries. In upcoming weeks we will hold student-led educational forums and debates, leading up to the final election on November 7th. You can help your child process this experience by discussing how your family or how groups make decisions.

Tuesday – Loowit’s first field trip of the year – Fort Vancouver, here we come! The purpose of this trip is to help the students actively seek understanding about the origins, functions and impacts that the Hudson’s Bay Company and the fur trade had on the development of Vancouver. We will be leaving school at 9am and spending the morning walking the land bridge and touring the fort. We will have a picnic lunch and then return to Gardner. Please be sure your child brings their booster seat (place under their coat hook area in the hallway), a rain coat, and a lunch to school Tuesday! The weather looks wet and we will be outside most of the time. Thank you to everyone who volunteered to drive on this trip! I will be contacting you separately with addtional information.

Wednesday – Open Choice begins! Designed to give students more choice in their learning, as well as offering a variety of options that incorporate the Multiple Intelligences, this program is loved by students and teachers! Students in Loowit through Tahoma explore, inquire and learn together in mixed-age groupings. Last week students learned about the classes, voted and were informed of their placements (we will review these this week). Open Choice takes place from 12:45 – 1:40 on each of the next four Wednesdays. This round’s selections included: Make Your Own Comic; Creek Running at WSU; Yoga & Mindfullness: Halloween & Day of the Dead Crafts; The Small Things – Investigating the Outdoors with Science Tools; Photography.

Conferences – begin this week and continue next. I would like to meet with each family, so please sign up on the sheet outside the door, or email me and we can arrange a time! Please think about short-term and long-term goals you have for your child.

That is all for now – please get in touch with any questions you have and I hope you have a wonderful week!

Warmly,

Greetings from the ART room!

The Loowit art students started the school year drawing self-portraits. This was a fun exercise in which they looked in the mirror and studied the shapes of their faces and observed their facial features. Using their imaginations they topped their heads with a hat of their choice. They added color using watercolor paints.

I look forward to more wonderful artwork from the Loowit artists!

 

Thanks for Grandma Sherry again for the family portrait plan at our local talented photo studio, Yuen Lui. Here are some of the best shots from this year’s session.

(and yes prints are coming for all sets of Grandparents! if you see one you particularly love let me know and I’ll try to get it printed)

Jeff is building a small boat in the garage, because…well, because of course he is.

Actually I think his interest in rowing was rekindled after we watched The Boys of 36, a beautiful film based on the book The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown (thank you to Stacey Ostrin, Ember’s mom, and former rower, for giving us a copy!)

We had a playdate recently at our house with our old Goddard pals Ember and Emmett, and their parents (Stacey & Jeff, and Quoc & Chow). This turned into a day-long affair, during which we all took turns hanging out in the basement, working out on the water rower. Ember blew us all away by rowing a couple thousand meters (in a few sittings), and even her little sister Sydney (3) rowed enough to moisten the hair on her forehead. The natural interest the kids have in rowing makes sense; it’s so mechanical and inviting (who can resist: pull here!), and the machine is on the floor, on their level. The sound of the water swooshing around it also relaxing.

Here are the boys working away yesterday. After the job safety briefing, D donned work gloves and helped hold up some wood while Jeff made a long cut with the jigsaw, and then after the cutting, helped sand the edges. He was sanding away when Sidney, our pal next door, lured him away to her backyard. He asked her if she wanted to sand instead; I think D was a bit disappointed to learn this activity did not ignite the imagination of his friend.

I love these photos, but wanted to highlight what I think is a special portrait I took of D on his way to the garage. Recently his face has changed (and his voice, too), and I can see the new shape of his face in this great shot.

Boatbuilding Sept 2016 (Age 6)

First grade has begun.

The “Loowit” classroom (1st and 2nd graders) takes it name from the original name for Mt. St. Helens:

Native cultures in the Pacific Northwest, such as the Salish and Klickitat Indians, called Mt. St. Helens “Loo-Wit Lat-kla” (fire mountain or smoking mountain). According to Indian legend, Loowit (Mt. St. Helens) was once a beautiful maiden. When two sons of the Great Spirit fell in love with her, she could not choose between them. The two braves, “Wy’East” (Mt. Hood) and “Pahto” (Mt. Adams) fought over her, throwing fiery rocks at each other and causing earthquakes. The Great Spirit was furious: he smote all three and erected a mighty mountain peak where each fell. Because Loowit was a beautiful maiden, her mountain (Mt. St. Helens) was a beautiful, symmetrical cone of dazzling white.

This year the class is almost all 1st graders, so teacher Jackie (and assistant Michelle, formerly Kindergarten assistant) are going to need some extra patience…and sleep!

Jackie Taylor is the teacher, whom we’ve interacted with on some level since we started going to Gardner 3 years ago (and our beloved aftercare genius Willis is her husband). We’ve heard stories about what awesome teacher she is, so we have been looking forward to Loowit.

I was impressed when we received this postcard over the summer:

Besides taking a field trip to Fort Vancouver, we recently learned that later this school year, D’s class will go on an overnight field trip to the zoo—without parents! I wasn’t 100% prepared for that (Jackie assures me no parent is!) but I know it will be a great learning experience for all of us.

Here is D on his first day back on campus (yes, tired, probably from getting up early to plan his outfit). Please note his “Damien Lillard” basketball shoes, of which is is so, so proud:

And here is a nice shot of the name tags the kids made for their cubbies on the first day:

I love how you can start to really see the personalities of the kids in their name tags. They are all interesting, and surprisingly different from one another (sometimes I wish D’s name was shorter; look at Aiko’s block letter success!).

Here is D with his buddy for the year, the 6th grader Neil:

And finally here is a dispatch from Jackie, that gives you a sense of her discipline and focus:

Dear Families,

At the end of last week the Loowits asked about sharings (or show and tell).Sharings are a terrific way to build community, gain confidence with speaking in front of others and strengthen communication skills. We discussed the idea at our morning meeting and came up with the following criteria for bringing something to share at school:

• something you made
• something important to you
• something you’ve earned
• something you’ve found or that you collect
• a story, experience or memory

Students should ask before bringing a sharing to school. Once we’ve decided it meets the criteria and chosen the best day, their name will be placed on the calendar.

On Friday the students learned (or reviewed) how to play the math game Dice Race. Many children were interested in playing the game at home so you may have seen the sheets in backpacks. To play the game, your child simply rolls two dice and adds to find the sum. The sum is written in the appropriate column and play continues until at least 3 numbers reach the top. The game is great for reinforcing number writing, addition fluency and even probability. If your Loowitter plays the game at home that’s great! S/he can bring it back to school if desired, but it can stay at home as well. I’ve attached a copy for anyone interested!

Loowits are also working on skip counting in math. Right now we are practicing 5s and 2s. Practicing this in the car or on walks can really help kids master these skills quickly.

And here is D on sweat equity day, flattening cardboard into the recycling dumpster, with Spanish teacher Maria. Maria told me she was delighted that D volunteered to get inside the dumpster.