Collaborative Community
12/16/2019
What does it really mean to be a collaborative community? Our newest PBL project combined with our recent Parent Lunch gave some insight of what a collaborative community can look like at PNA.
Students are deeply involved in the current Class Store project, in which they are brainstorming and creating their own business, designing and manufacturing product to sell and working through what it truly means to play a role in the economy. This itself offers multiple opportunity for community - from feedback on anything from product ideas to business names from their peers. Students are well-versed in giving and receiving feedback with others and have been working on these skills all year. Part of being in a community is also the support that comes when unexpected challenges occur, as well as having that growth mindset to move on from frustrations and problems. At PNA, we believe in having the courage to make mistakes and then taking that knowledge and learning from it, all while feeling supported and valued, no matter our age. What made this Parent Lunch so special was watching the second graders work through these ideas of being part of a collaborative community with their parents. Typically, one would look to the oldest in the group (in this case, their parent), to lead and guide them on the project. However, the second graders had no problem taking charge when needed, offering feedback on ideas and helping to problem solve when things went awry. These are the kinds of skills that are becoming increasingly more important in today's work force, and these are the skills that PNA students learn and hone on a daily basis. Courage
12/7/2019
"Courage is not the absence of fear but action in spite of it."The word courage is an integral part of our school's mission, forming a triad with vision and integrity, that helps to guide us everyday. Courage can mean a lot of things to different people but Webster's definition is "mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty."
The public performances that PNA puts on each year, from the Winter Concert, to Martin Luther King Day activities, to the Spring Shows offer an authentic opportunity for students of all ages (3 year olds to 8th graders) to practice having courage. In the recent Winter Concert for example, students found the strength within themselves to stand up in front of a huge audience and perform. Whether it was singing a song, playing an instrument, reciting poetry, or doing sign language, there was the chance for mistakes and very public ones at that. Nerves were running high, but by the way the students performed, it was hard to pick up on. For some, performing in front of an audience is easy and happily anticipated; for others, it is a worrisome and dreadful experience. However, our students continually step up and do the hard things, maybe not without fear, but definitely with courage. |
Marcella HitchcockMs. Hitchcock teaches second grade, is a mom of two, an avid reader, lifelong learner, and a seeker of sunshine! Archives
March 2021
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