The end of the school year takes on a pace of its own - fast and furious! Parker students are giving presentations and showing the growth and confidence they have gained during the year. Here's a glimpse of what is happening:
STEM Challenges
Our project-based approach makes STEM projects (science, technology, engineering and math) a natural way for Parker students of all ages to learn. Working together in teams to solve engineering challenges is motivating and it gives our students practice in thinking through real problems. We often add in visual or performing arts (making STEAM). Authentic assessment is part of the mix, too, through reflection and peer critique. It all adds up to the kind of analytical learning that kids love and that sticks with them.
This spring, students worked on water wheels, marble mazes, paper towers, rockets, robotics and more. The 4-5's designed wind turbines. They learned about wind power and studied the designs of real turbines, then tried their own designs. Together they determined "The Best Wind Turbine Blades" and drew and labeled them showing the ideal
shape and angle of the blades. My favorite part of this project was reading the kids' reflections on everything from what they learned to how they functioned within their groups.
The Culmination of a Semester of Learning
On Friday, May 30 there will be a final Show of Work after Assembly:
- K-1's Sonoran Desert display and bird research
- 2-3's study of the Ganges River and Hindu Gods and Goddess research
- 4-5's Animated Autobiographies
Eighth Graders gave Thesis Presentations last week that were an impressive synthesis of their 4-month-long research and writing project. The students were poised, articulate and informative on a diverse array of topics from the Red Scare and Hydraulic Fracturing, to Beauty Pageants and Title IX.
With the help of parent Joe Meunch and math teacher Shelli Casler-Failing, we tried live streaming the event. There were a few technical difficulties, but many grandparents and others were able to watch from afar. If you missed it, you can watch it here: http://www.ustream.tv/channel/parkerschool and use password: rcp123 You won't be able to see their supporting slides, but we'll try to perfect that for next time! 
The delightful Pre K Slide show also premiered last week to an appreciative crowd of 3 and 4-year-olds and their families. Next showing: Field Day.
6-7's Space Tourism promotional videos were also on display, along with the rockets they built during their action packed STEM week. We hope to make the video link available soon!
Would You Host an International Student?
Ten families said yes! They will host middle school students from our partner school, St. Peter's in Barcelona, this coming October.
Ten students are coming and we have ten host families lined up. We can't wait!
How about hosting a student from China for the school year? We have contracted with Ivy International to help us find one or two students who would like to attend Parker for their seventh or eighth grade years - and last week we had our first Skype Interview with a prospective student! He was delightful - he is talented in cartooning and likes to play basketball and the saxophone.
If a Chinese student accepts our offer of admission, he or she will need a Parker host family for the year. Ivy will help manage the home stay and the host family will receive a generous stipend. More information will come home if we do get a signed contract from a student.
This is an incredible opportunity for Parker and our families and Laura Mandelson and I very much hope that we will open our doors and hearts to a Chinese student or two next year!
4-5's in the News!
Taking their bee show on the road to Doane Stuart is an example of purposeful
action - learning that goes beyond the classroom. As the resident bee-keepers, 4-5's made an informative and beautiful presentation to teach others about bees. They also invented a game, The Waggle Dance, to help others remember bee facts.
Read more in this Times Union piece...
Presentation of the Enrollment Survey
Don't forget to mark your calendar for the presentation by Siena professor Paul Thurston on Thursday, June 5 from 4:45 - 5:45. Snacks and childcare included.
