May 10th Initiatives Meeting

 On May 10th the district will host it's Spring Initiatives meeting. If you have any lingering questions from the Roadshow that were not answered in the previous post this week, please be sure to send those to your AR/building reps if you would like to have the district weigh in on it. We look forward to our joint work together to wrap up the year. 

8th Grade Student Self-Reflection Example

As we ask students to take a more active role in their own learning it is essential that they have opportunities to engage in reflection on learning itself and who they are as learners. At HMS, Mr. Purnell has included the opportunity for his students to develop Artist Statements. Here, students reflect on their artistic creations, as well as their creative process.  They acknowledge the challenges they faced in the learning process and note how they worked to overcome these challenges. The focus is solely on the student's thinking, problem-solving, planning, and recognizing things about themselves as learners. Take a look at one of the reflections below:

                               Will Staszak - Artist Statement
                        Abstract Illustrator / Photoshop Combo

             I think the main reason that I automatically chose to make a space-themed project is that I've always been interested in that kind of stuff. Not that I would ever actually go there, because that would be terrifying, but I've always liked the look. I think it's mostly the infinite stars and galaxies and planets all together in a randomly generated mesh that is just so intriguing. Anyways, typically space-themed projects are pretty simple. I mean, usually, you have a planet, some stars, and maybe a galaxy, but this project was different.

            Instead of viewing space from a realistic standpoint, I got to re-shape space into something that isn't real; something that couldn't exist in real life, but sure looks cool hung up on the fridge. I think that's why I enjoyed this project more than some of the other ones we've done in this class. Rather than just stealing a specific amount of images or coloring in shapes, I had the freedom to do basically whatever I wanted, as long as it met the requirements. But, other than having to add a radial gradient and some shapes from Adobe Illustrator, I was free to make whatever I wanted. This time, I felt more in control of the piece, and therefore I felt that I could make something that I haven't made before.

            However, before growth, there's typically struggle. For some parts of the project, it was hard to find places to add extra objects or fit specific things. But my main problem came with the radial gradient. I had a somewhat difficult time finding a place for my radial gradient to fit into the piece. Because of my background, I couldn't have it above the astronaut, so I needed to put it somewhere else. I eventually decided to put the gradient onto the planet thing I have on the top right of the image. It's kind of hard to see, but I promise it's there.

        Overall, this project definitely helped me expand my skills with Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator. As I tried out things that I haven't done before (both image-wise and technique-wise), I learned a lot about my own art style, as well as the limitless possibilities of making art with Adobe.       

*Shared with permission from both teacher and student    

 

Roadshow Updates

 Thank you all for a great series of roadshow visits.  We would love to hear feedback on the structure choices from this year.  Please know that we tried to captured as many questions asked as possible.  Please see this list of questions.   

Educator Advisory Council Seats Available for 2023-24

 We are excited to begin to look ahead at building the Educator Advisory Council shared decision making process for next school year.  Kudos to all staff that took part in our membership this past year!  The Council had many crucial discussions and brought clarity to many key goals projected for EC-5.  At this time we are looking for members in the following seats for next year:

Kindergarten/1st Grade seats for KSS, KME and KST

2nd/3rd grade seats for KME and KSS

4th/5th grade seats for KSS and KBK

SPED/MTSS/Related Service for KME

2 Exploratory Seats

1 IgKnight Academy seat

If you have an interest in being an EAC member please email Sarah Mumm or Cindy Babich.  The following is our meeting structure for next school year:

Kaneland Connects Raffle!

 As we begin to head into our last month of school, we are offering a raffle for Knights swag!  If you are interested in being part of the raffle, submit how you are bringing Kaneland Connects alive in your learning.  Please submit how you are bringing it alive this year to Sarah Mumm at 10358@kaneland.org to be entered to win!  Good luck and stay CONNECTED AND COMMITTED!  

Student Panel Feedback EC-5

Each month the CHESS takes time to host a student panel of K-5 students sharing feedback on our practices.  This month the students came to discuss proficiency and learning progress.  It is a great practice to take time to hear directly from our primary stakeholders!  It was impressive to see the Student Principal of the day be able to select peers to be on the panel.  Here were a few statements shared during the student panel in their words...

I reflect on our learning with a contract, we check boxes and then 3-2-1 reflection of learning

Teacher reflects on it and gives feedback and plans next steps

I am proficient in math because I am working on telling time and coins

I want to be able to count lots of money 

I find answers in my brain

If I need help I ask for assistance from teachers

Teachers explain it in a variety of ways to help me learn 

From the moment on the bus to the moment I get home KME teachers always welcome me

I do reading conference with my teacher to find a just right book

I get feedback on the math sheets to know what to focus on next

We talk about the word proficiency lots!  

If I am ready to move on I get a 3, if not ready I might get a 2

We use the math continuum to know where we are and what we still need to work on

In writing I look at the rubric to see what I am missing or need to work on still