Classroom Learning is for Teachers, too!

Over the last weeks our classroom teachers had an opportunity to visit with fellow teachers at the French American School in Portland.
The purpose of these visits was to offer an opportunity to learn more about the Primary Year Program that runs successfully at FAIS.
Our teachers met with the school's program coordinator (a role that we at GSP will fill very soon) and observed instruction. in various classroom settings.
While we learned about the PYP (Primary Year Program) in shorter workshops during staff development days and meetings, this was the first time our teachers had an opportunity to see the program in action.
We all took away ideas about how this could look like in our unique GSP setting. Here is a link with more information about the Primary Year Program: IB Primary Year Program
Starting in January GSP will be able to officially apply for candidacy with the IB program and I am planning to share more information with you about these exciting developments very soon!

Compassion

In second step our students are learning and practicing compassion this month. 

After initial classroom discussions students started to create meaningful activities through which we can all show compassion.

Our grade school classes learned about an orphanage in Ghana and are writing messages and holiday cards for the students at the school.They watched a video to learn about life for the orphans at the Bukesa children’s home in Kampala, Uganda, Africa. This is an orphanage supported through the HALO Portland non-profit Halo Worldwide Frau West's husband is one of the project coordinators.

Our 5th grade students initiated the coat drive that started this week. If you have walked through the lobby this week you can attest to the success of their efforts! The donations will go to the Portland Rescue Mission Portland Rescue Mission 

The clothes drive continues for the next 2 weeks, so there is still time to go through your closet and help somebody in need. I am amazed by the compassion I see here at school everyday and am proud I can be part of a community that strives to help others in need.

Reading around the World

Dear GSP families,
Why are YOU reading?
Is it to gain information, for enjoyment, to be close to the person you are reading to?
Especially when reading with children we can experience all three reasons at once - and now that the days get shorter and sports schedules hopefully less crazy, why not find a cozy spot at home and read together? Our students have many opportunities throughout the week to read in class and in the library. When I walk by our library and see our students reading, I often pause what I'm doing for just a moment. The highlight for many 5th graders and kindergartners, for example, is to read together on Fridays. They often form a lasting bond beyond their years here at GSP. Steve McCurry's pictures reminded me of that magical power of reading. Here is the link to his picture gallery: people-reading-around-the-world 

I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Stefanie Amann

"No matter where I go in the world, I see people immersed in books.  It doesn’t matter if they are rich or poor, young or old, they find comfort, information, distraction, and inspiration between the covers of their books."
Steve McCurry

German Music

Today I would like to share something on the lighter side. Music and singing is such a big part of our education here at GSP. Especially this time of the year, there is not a day where I don't get to listen to St. Martin songs or even an early Holiday song. As our students get older they are more and more immersed in pop culture and unfortunately it is not that easy to find German pop music that speaks to a tween/teen - and is appropriate. That's why I get really excited when I find a song that is contemporary enough to resonate with them.
I hope you enjoy the following video and I can assure you that it does bear a deeper cultural message, because German grandma's do have that drawer full of chocolate!
Enjoy! Schokolade

Stefanie Amann

Facing an Obstacle - and Managing Through

Our fifth grade class traditionally embarks on an adventure at the end of the school year. This year we changed things up and sent our students on an early challenge. I have written about the importance of facing and overcoming obstacles here a few times and this topic is at the center of many discussions on NPR, education blogs and TED talks.
We believed there is no better way than to have students face these obstacles quite literally - by visiting an aerial obstacle course. Our fifth graders were excited, but when it came to facing the obstacles it did take encouragement by the group, bravery, believe in themselves and resilience to successfully manage the course!
We plan to refer back to this experience throughout the year with the students to encourage these traits in all kinds of situations. Not to give up if things seem difficult and working hard on managing through a tough situation are important qualities necessary to be successful. The following link describes how the right attitude can make a significant difference even in math.
persistence
It does not take a trip to the aerial obstacle course to develop these skills (but it surely is fun!), our lives are full of small and save challenges where we as educators and parents can take a step back, or just wait a little longer before we help a child. Many times you may be surprised how much they can do, if we give them the encouragement to try one more time!