November 2005
Click to Listen
Back to the Library

"When I read a book I seem to read it with my eyes only, but now and then I come across a passage, perhaps only a phrase, which has a meaning for me, and it becomes part of me."
~ William Somerst Maugham ~

Dear Parents,

Welcome to the November Grandview Library Newsletter.  Get a cup of coffee or tea – I’m in the mood for some heavy duty storytelling. 

I was once asked, “What’s more important process or product, my answer was simple, they are both important.  Having worked as a consultant, analyst, and programmer, I’ve dealt with some messy problems. Quality results (products) don’t materialize without quality processes.  So what does that have to do with your children?  Well, teaching and learning are both messy problems, and teaching doesn’t always equal learning.  Here’s the scenario: a teacher just taught one of her best lessons ever -- the children have been attentive, they’ve “demonstrated” in one or more ways that they’ve “got it” and she’s feeling pretty good about herself.  But just to be sure that her class has mastered the material, she asks one more question – phrased a little differently perhaps – and – well it gets pretty scary now; they haven’t got a clue. So what’s the point?  Children have to experience a new skill or concept over and over again to make it theirs (in educational jargon, to internalize it).  This kind of learning happens when children see it, feel it, touch it, hear it, struggle with it and on the rare occasion even taste that which they are trying to master. This is the process of learning. 

But who has the time for such nonsense?  When my son was a little over a year old, my mother was visiting for a few days and she gave me a reality check – the kind only a mother can give.  She said, “You are worried that Charlie is not talking enough; well, why should he?  You anticipate his every need. He doesn’t have to ask you for anything; he just makes a little noise and you give him what he wants … for goodness sakes let him tell you, even if he gets a little frustrated.”  Of course, she was right. To make things worse, she said this in Italian with all the appropriate gestures – talk about a guilt trip.  So now I’ll pass some of that guilt off to you.  How many times have you tied your child’s shoes because you had to get out the door?  Do you pour the milk onto her cereal so you won’t have to clean up the mess?  Finally, and I promise I won’t tell, how many times have you done just a little bit of his homework to avoid an evening power struggle? 

So, where am I going with all of this?  Well, it’s really pretty simple – I’m trying to tell you that the first issue of the Grandview Newspaper is going to be late.  The third graders are in the middle of a very interesting and challenging process that I just can’t cut short. Sure I could help them to quickly generate some pretty impressive little articles, but what your children are doing (the process) is much more important right now.  I am holding back on some of the “teaching” until they’ve depleted their own resources – I’m finding out just what they know – and how far they will push themselves. For some, it is easier than for others. I promise I’ll throw out the lifeline. No one will drown. In fact, they are all going to be better swimmers. (This is creative tension, not frustration!).  Ask your third grader to explain just what’s going on – if you don’t have a computer at home, take her to the library.  If that doesn’t work, just tell me what day you can join me after school and I’ll demonstrate with him.  I hope I’ve piqued your curiosity!

The first and second graders have been working on poetry and reader’s theater. We are reading literature which gets us into the thanks – giving mood. Ask them about the play, “The Mayflower”. The second graders are delivering the mail – and they are writing many of the letters.

The kindergarteners are able to listen to longer stories now.  They are learning to retell a story in the correct sequence, they can identify story characters, and they are starting to make connections between their own lives and the stories they hear.  Ask them about the books, The Paperboy and Teddy Bear Baker.

The library is coming to life with your children’s artwork. We will be adding many new books to our growing collection over the coming year.  Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Make this a weekend to set aside some time to read to your children. Slow down and give them a chance to try something new – even if they don’t do it perfectly.

Warmly,
Mrs. Chauncey