Friday 22 September 2017

Thoughts from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

I attended Longwood College in the United States many years ago where I earned my bachelor’s degree in elementary education.  In addition, I took extra reading / literature classes to earn a reading endorsement allowing me to teach in that area from grades K-12.  Later I went on to earn my master’s degree as a reading specialist. I assumed I would do something with reading when I embarked on my journey in earning my doctoral degree.  As they say, life got in the way.  


In my first year as elementary principal at ABA, there was concern voiced by middle school teachers and parents that our elementary students were not proficient in recalling their multiplication facts.  I set out with my doctoral dissertation to determine if a) that were true, and b), if so, why not?  The title of my dissertation was The Effect of Matheletics.com Technology on Basic Multiplication Fact Fluency.  


In writing a dissertation, one requirement is to compose a Literature Review chapter.  This chapter is dedicated to the most current research where one reads peer reviewed articles, research and other dissertations in the subject area as well as the surrounding supporting aspects of the subject.  One area of my literature review focused on the importance of understanding multiplication at the conceptual level.  I took this information back to our teachers for us to consider.


The teachers and I have met together to read and speak of how the PYP believes children learn mathematics. We learned what the most recent research says about the importance of children’s conceptual understanding in the context of mathematics and how this influences later mathematics learning.  The research is clear, when a child does not know what it means to multiply numbers conceptually, even the memorization of multiplication basic facts becomes more challenging.  The research is also clear that it is not an “either / or” approach in pedagogy.  Procedural learning is important in learning mathematics.  However, Rittle-Johnson and Alibali found that children with greater conceptual understanding tend to have better procedural skills.  In other words, procedural teaching, although and important educational piece, must go hand in hand with the teaching of conceptual understanding in mathematics.


Stanford University mathematics professor Jo Boaler, who I have mentioned in previous newsletters, has influenced me in how I believe teachers should be teaching mathematics to our children.  She has been recently recognized as the twelfth most influential person in education.  I would encourage you to visit her website www.youcubed.org/ through Stanford University where she is a University Professor and Researcher to learn more about her revolution in how we teach math.


As Boaler repeatedly states, “Viva La Revolucion”.








Week 7 of the Primary Weekly Correspondance

Week 7
Primary
  • Chatsworth HOME Service Group & Chatsworth Food Drive Singapore Service Group
    More details here.
  • Professional Development Day for Teachers (NO SCHOOL)
    Please note that there will be no school on 29 September 2017 due to Professional Development Day for Teachers.

Library
​Library​ ​and​ ​Online​ ​Research​ ​Sessions​ ​at​ ​Orchard​ ​Campus
Session 1: 26 September 2017
More details here.

Hazwani Hassim (Wani)

Primary Administrative Assistant

Friday 15 September 2017

Thought from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

I have had two twitter accounts.  One is more of a personal account that basically is dedicated to sports while the other is focused on education and parenting which I consider my professional account. I have found this to be a gold mine for finding resources that I share with my teachers at school; I also locate many articles that are aimed at parents.  


Last week I found an article that I would like to share with the parent community. To give you a bit of background, I have two children, a girl and a boy.  At family dinners we speak about school.  My daughter is more than eager to share every small detail of her school day, my son-- not so much.
The article entitled, “15 Questions to Replace, ‘How Was School Today?” offers suggestions in how to initiate rich conversations with your children getting the best from them when involved in the discussion.  Author Elena Agular also shares other recommendations in how to facilitate the dialogue as it unfolds.

If interested in more articles and resources you can find me on twitter at:  Michael David Berry@globaleduc8ion    


Dr. Michael Berry Head of Primary

Week 6 of the Primary Weekly Correspondance

Week 6
Primary
  • K1 Swim Letter (20 September 2017)
    More details here.
  • Y5 & Y6 Residential Information Evening (4 October 2017)
    More details here.
  • K2, Y1,Y2 & Y3.4 Swim Letter (30 October 2017)
    More details here.
  • CCA / ECA letter for parents More details here.
  • Fever in Primary School
    This letter is to notify you that we have a significant number of students having fever in the Primary level and that your child may have been exposed.
  • UN DAY (13 Oct 2017)
    More details here.
  • Non Uniform Dress Days In Primary
    More details here.
  • NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment
    More details here.
Library
​Library​ ​and​ ​Online​ ​Research​ ​Sessions​ ​at​ ​Orchard​ ​Campus
More details here.
Primary
Parent
Event
  • Parent Cafè: Ensuring School Success
    School and home offers an environment for students to grow and learn. We will look at ways for parents to have discussions, create routines and encourage positive school attitudes both while at home and at school. We will look at collaboration, organization, technology, motivation as well as building a positive attitude.

    Date: 22 September 2017
    Time: 0900 - 1100
    Venue: Room 5A
    Presenter: Shira Fisher & Claudia Saunders

    RSVP your seat here.

Hazwani Hassim (Wani)

Primary Administrative Assistant

Friday 8 September 2017

Thoughts from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

Educators (and parents) are charged with preparing students for life after school.  For some that means university while others will go different route.  No matter which path students decide to follow, there are various skills and attributes that need to be developed within them ensuring they experience success in whatever they decide to do.  
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) has identified five skills (Thinking, Social, Self-Management, Research and Communication) and sub-skills that PYP teachers should strive to develop within their students.  In the PYP publication Making the PYP Happen, it states, ”… in order to be well prepared for lifelong learning, students need to master a whole range of skills beyond those normally referred to as basic” (p21).  In doing so, students realize that the skills are not “pigeon-holed” to one discipline.  In fact, they soon learn that these skills can be transferred to a multitude of situations. The PYP also believes to enhance these skills, they should be taught authentically in a transdisciplinary manner.  Although teachers report on the skills in the context of the units of inquiry, it is important to remember that these skills are utilized in all areas of the curriculum.  In the near future, these transdisciplinary skills will be referred to Approaches To Learning (ATL) skills that will permeate through the three IB programmes, PYP, MYP and DP.
In the written reports for the Primary School, our teachers report on these important skills explicitly. They are also at the forefront of the teachers planning for teaching and learning. When planning lessons, teachers develop activities that support the development of transdisciplinary skills. Daily opportunities are provided at school for students to practice using the transdisciplinary skills and to reflect on how they are applying them to their learning. Parents can support student use of these skills outside of school by referring to them with their children. As with any tool, the more purposeful, guided opportunities we have to use them, the more skilled we become in its use.

Dr Michael Berry
Head of Primary

Week 5 of the Primary Weekly Correspondance

Week 5
Primary
  • NWEA Measure of Academic Progress (MAP) Assessment
    More details here.
  • JYP Fun Run (15 Sep 2017)
    More details here.
  • UPDATED: Semester 1 Key Dates
    Please take note that there are changes with the calendar. Click here to view the Updated Semester 1 Key Dates.
  • UN DAY (13 Oct 2017)
    More details here.

CCA /
ECA
A reminder that CCA’s and ECA’s start from Monday next week.
Please click on the “Guidelines available here link” on our CCA/ECA page for information on times/locations
Primary
Parent
Events
  • Parent Cafè: Ensuring School Success
    School and home offers an environment for students to grow and learn. We will look at ways for parents to have discussions, create routines and encourage positive school attitudes both while at home and at school. We will look at collaboration, organization, technology, motivation as well as building a positive attitude.

    Date: 22 September 2017
    Time: 0900 - 1100
    Venue: Room 5A
    Presenter: Shira Fisher & Claudia Saunders

    RSVP your seat here.
  • Terminal 4 @ Changi Airport
    As you may be aware, Terminal 4 at Changi Airport will open soon. In an effort to ensure the terminal runs smoothly when it opens, the airport is running a trial of their systems on the 26th September from 10am through to 6:00pm.
    Changi Airport Group has sent us an invitation and registration link for any parents who might wish to participate in the trial run at the airport on that day. Note that you would need to stay for the entire time, with lunch and tea breaks provided (this would affect you if you normally pick up your child from school). Registration is open to the first 200 participants. There is no obligation to participate and others within the community will be invited to participate.
    Once registered, an email with further information will be sent out to you.
    The link is below.
    http://t4trial.eventnook.com/register/group/61654


Hazwani Hassim (Wani)

Primary Administrative Assistant

Friday 1 September 2017

Thoughts from the Chatsworth Primary Hallway

I remember sitting in Mrs. Miller’s class as a grade five student.  Every day we had to tear a piece of A4 paper “hot dog style” (length wise) and share the other half with a friend.  We then numbered our paper from 1-10.  She then set out calling times tables at breakneck speed.  As she called out the questions, the students’ job was to write down the answers as quickly as possible.  We then exchanged papers and graded the problems.  Mrs. Miller would then call our names and we had to tell her, in front of the class, how many we answered correctly.


Luckily I was good at my times tables.  However, I had friends who had not yet learned them consistently.  Because of this, they did not like going to math class.  They became turned off to the subject because they felt unsuccessful and embarrassed each day.  Instead of becoming inspired to learn the tables, they became to loathe the subject of mathematics.


The dissertation for my doctorate degree focused on how technology can help digital natives (today’s students) learn their multiplication facts more quickly and sustain the knowledge over time.  In doing this research, I read extensively about mathematics and mathematics learning.  An area that was of particular interest to me was how students can develop anxiety towards mathematics.  Researcher and educator Gerardo Ramirez has found that children as young as 5-6 years old are susceptible to developing anxiety towards the subject.  


One major cause of our children developing math anxiety is due to timed testing.  The scenario I described above still happens in schools all over the world; it does not, however, occur in the Primary section at Chatsworth.  


I presented this idea briefly when I met with Primary parents at the first Parent Café.  This was also a topic of conversation at our first Primary staff meeting where we spoke of how we will continue to stay away from timed testing as any benefit that would come from them was heavily outweighed by the damage it could cause our students.  


To our Muslim families celebrating Eid al-Adha, I wish you well.  I hope that all of our community enjoys this long weekend.  


Dr Michael Berry

Week 4 of the Primary Weekly Correspondance

Week 4
Primary
  • ​School​ ​Photographs​ ​2017/18
    More details here.
    Photo Schedule here.
  • Immunisation Requirements: Diphtheria
    Here you will find a letter from Singapore's Health Promotion Board concerning local immunisation requirements and, most notably, Diphtheria. Many of you may be aware that Singapore recently had a case of Diphtheria, the first since 1992. Please read this important message and, if necessary, take necessary action.

Primary
Parent
Events
  • CPG Coffee Morning
    Welcome to the 2017-8 school year! The Chatsworth Parent Group (CPG) would like to invite you to our first Coffee Morning of the year.
    You will be able meet other Chatsworth parents and find out about some of the exciting events coming this semester, such as UN Day and the Christmas Bazaar.

    We look forward to seeing you there!

    Please RSVP via: cpg@chatsworth.com.sg
    What: CPG Coffee Morning
    When: September 6, 2017 (Wednesday)
               9:00 a.m.
    Where: Main Hall
  • Exclusive​ ​Movie​ ​Screening​ ​of​ ​Remittance​ ​on​ ​7​ ​September
    We are pleased to announce that there will be an exclusive movie screening (link) of the film Remittance at Chatsworth Orchard. The movie screening is specially organised by Sassy Mama, ahead of the Helper Awards 2017 on 23 September.
    More details here.
  • Terminal 4 @ Changi Airport
    As you may be aware, Terminal 4 at Changi Airport will open soon. In an effort to ensure the terminal runs smoothly when it opens, the airport is running a trial of their systems on the 26th September from 10am through to 6:00pm.
    Changi Airport Group has sent us an invitation and registration link for any parents who might wish to participate in the trial run at the airport on that day. Note that you would need to stay for the entire time, with lunch and tea breaks provided (this would affect you if you normally pick up your child from school). Registration is open to the first 200 participants. There is no obligation to participate and others within the community will be invited to participate.
    Once registered, an email with further information will be sent out to you.
    The link is below.
    http://t4trial.eventnook.com/register/group/61654
  • Parent Cafè: Ensuring School Success
    School and home offers an environment for students to grow and learn. We will look at ways for parents to have discussions, create routines and encourage positive school attitudes both while at home and at school. We will look at collaboration, organization, technology, motivation as well as building a positive attitude.

    Date: 22 September 2017
    Time: 0900 - 1100
    Venue: Room 5A
    Presenter: Shira Fisher & Claudia Saunders

    RSVP your seat here.

Hazwani Hassim (Wani)

Primary Administrative Assistant