Discovery Elementary – Site Observation
Discovery Elementary School
Discovery is a net-zero school aiming to make an impact on the world through innovation and creativity.
Through personalized learning and collaboration with experts, students receive the support the need from educators to become experts themselves. An example of this collaboration occurred after SOLs when students worked with experts to learn how to build through 3D printing. Teachers and students worked with experts. The idea is that the student learns, runs everything and becomes an expert. Teachers only guide and facilitate student learning.
- Each section of the school has a purpose, examples: the reading stairs, the river of kindness earth day pledge, discovery butterfly garden
- Less clutter, airy and light atmosphere
- Through data, personalize student learning
- Each student has a job and collect data on their iPads
- Ocean assignment with recycled plastic material to reflect the effects of pollution
- Class size: 22-30 students
1st Class – Mrs. Burke
Design challenge – outdoor learning: 1-2 point perspectives
1-pt p of interior room, 1-pt p of exterior, 2-pt p of building exterior
1st phase of research
Explore the inhabitance and life in discovery woods
Phase 2
- Record and research
- Explore natural resources
- For inspiration, make sure install is sustainable
Phase 3
- Our mind in nature – see how the mind reacts
- Then skype with David Stubb: a Principal and Architect
- Talk about process
- Kids use iPads, materials in nice packaging
- Mrs. Burke grades everyday – end of the quarter done
- 4 classes: 30
- Next year 5 classes of 20-22
Do not grade on effort – skill
- you know how hard someone’s working
Budget: Her and Katie, share together and PTA budget
- Amazing amount the 1st year = $50,000
- Now $9/child
- Diversity – everyone’s getting the same thing
Next Class – Katie
Katie greeted class: “Good morning artists! We have visitors, make them feel welcome.”
Working on Mandalas
- The next class they will not be working on same assignment
- instead: River of Kindness project
Focused on Symmetrical Design
- Mandala – inspiration from ritual symbol
- 1 vs. 2 lines of symmetry
- Multiple lines
- Alphabet used as an EX
To Make Mandala
- 1st fold paper
- Hands on head when done
- Students did a good job on Mandalas – very unique
To end the class: Katie used a Chime (Triangle instrument) to conclude the class and encouraged students to exit using their “walking feet.”
Q & A – Part 1 – Katie
Katie – teaching for 9 years
- 1st HS then Elementary for 4 years
- Teaches 1st, 3rd
Information on the two teachers
- The 2 teachers split Pre-K, K and 2nd
- Every Arlington school has special education Pre-K
- Mrs. Burke (Marie) teaches 5th – 6th
- Katie – Both SOLs & Grading
- Larger unit project – look at examples discuss artists
Standards used as guide (ex) symmetry
- Are kids developing the standard?
- Meets vs. exceeds
1st grade
- Smaller projects, bigger shapes, trace
- Special Ed Class (nonverbal) – Life Skills
- 30 min block
- 2 times a week
- Sing welcome song, read story, read song
- Caterpillar assignment – precut felt
- Circles = feel, count then glue
The class we saw = 1 hour (e) week
Lesson Plan
Start with standards
- Brainstorm with other teacher
- (ex) creative architecture
- Standards – look for artists, ex, media
- Maybe not go into detail about art history
5th grade = Grade Wide Project
Architecture projects developing project
School Wide Project
- Sustainability and kindness
- PTA support – buy in from entire admin
- Last year School Wide Project
- Plastic Ocean – used recycled plastic – clips – environmental art
- Grade levels work together
- In class – if you’re talking you have to be working
Responsive Classroom
- Helps with behavior, intrinsic motivation
- Not all schools have school wide behavioral system
Be positive
– Bad ex = “stop doing that”
Q & A – Part 1 – Marie
Boy drawing waterfall instead of doing assignment
- teacher remains flexible
Clay in every grade level
Previous project – Mask based on superpower
- Studying Greece – integrated with social studies
- (ex) mountain-climbing
- 1st sketches in sketchbook
- Reflection form at the end of the project
- Maybe writing prompt
- Used as evidence for evaluation
- See what students are retaining information
Life work balance
- if you need support, get it
Art shows at school and through county
- Not Pyramid
- HS, MD, ES (separate shows)
Previous Project: Maps on sustainable transportation
- Personalized trips – trip planner
- Incorporate lights
Discovery School – we want to make an impact on the world through innovation and creativity
Words of Wisdom
- Get into the classroom – Sub
- Videotape yourself
- Reflect: be open and flexible on your flaws
- Principals: want to hear how you’ll improve
Develop the Program
Create tradition
- Museums on teacher workday – 2 times/yr
- Art and Music Night
- “hey I have some ideas”
- Projects that work with school’s theme
- Global cardboard challenge
- Chalk for peace
- Visiting Artists
