Allowing Scholars to Make Mistakes

Mistakes are an important part of the learning process. The attached article by Alina Tugend published in Edutopia explains the research on how children use mistakes to learn. How adults react to children when mistakes are made is critical to the learning process. What are your thoughts about the role of mistakes in the learning process? You can access the article by clicking on the wordle.

Traffic

We are working hard to make our afternoon traffic as safe and convenient as possible. I've been observing our afternoon pick up, and I have seen our teachers and staff working very hard. We have a few ideas that we will put in place over the next couple of days to make our afternoon traffic flow more smoothly. We will continue to monitor our afternoon traffic and make improvements where we can. We appreciate your patience. If you have lived through afternoon pick up, you know that it can be tedious. Success boils down to good procedures, a willingness to adapt, and a little grace from everyone. I have invited the NRH police department to observe our afternoon traffic to see if they have suggestions on how to improve. If you have suggestions on how to improve, we invite you to comment here.

The Role of Technology in School

It has been suggested that today's school-age children think and process information differently than their parents. The reason for this fundamental difference is the availability of technology. Smart phones, computers, and unlimited access to information are things that our children simply view as part of life. For them to imagine life without them would be like me trying to imagine life without vehicles or electricity. There are serious questions and responsibilities for educators and parents when dealing with technology and children. What role does technology play in today's elementary school, and how would you like to see technology used in your child's education?

Building Background Knowledge and Vocabulary

One of the most important things a parent can do for their child's education is work on vocabulary. Vocabulary increases academic achievement in every subject. Excellent vocabulary also builds background knowledge that provides context for future learning. I believe the most effective way to work on vocabulary is through life experiences and using rich language in daily conversation. You can also find fun vocabulary games online at places like pbskids.org and funbrain.com. What are some fun ways you build vocabulary in your home?

Traditions - What Makes Walker Creek Elementary Special?

Walker Creek Elementary has a stellar reputation in Birdville and beyond as an exceptional place for scholars. What would you tell this new principal about Walker Creek Elementary? What are the traditions and customs that are important to your family? What makes Walker Creek a special school?