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Étude Elementary Blog

November 6, 2016
by: Susan Griffiths, ESAA Dean of School

Trimester 1 Exhibitions of Learning

We are excited to invite you to ESAA’s Trimester 1 Exhibitions of Learning (EoLs) on Friday, November 18, 2016.  EoLs are the students’ culminating presentation of projects. These exhibitions illustrate the integration academics, arts, and our Habits of Mind and Learning found in students’ projects.  Students share their learning and problem solving through the creative process. Exhibitions of Learning are also an opportunity for friends and families to participate in the learning by asking questions and giving feedback to students on topics such as the process, working together as group, how the students’ thinking changed, or how might their newly gained knowledge be relevant beyond the project.

This year we have changed the format so that all of ESAA’s Exhibitions of Learning occur on the same day. This change allows students and families to see the learning that takes place throughout the school. It is an opportunity to see how authentic projects lead students to be more self directed and to explore concepts and ideas on a deeper level. Also, we have made this change with the hope that holding EoLs on the same day will be more convenient for parents and families to attend.

On November 18th, students will share their learning about Native American use of natural resources, how students have helped the monarch population, and how learning about early United States democratic processes helped students improve recess at ESAA. All Exhibitions of Learning will be held in the gym at the following times.

 9:00am       Mrs. Pasche - 2/3 multiage 
                        Essential Question: What can we learn from past use of Wisconsin’s natural resources to build 
                        a better future?         

10:00am      Mrs. Pekarek - 2/3 multiage 
                        Essential Question: What can we learn from past use of Wisconsin’s natural resources to build
                        a better future?

12:00pm      Mrs. Beilke and Mrs. McKeone - 1st grade
                        Essential Question: Why are Monarch Butterflies important?

 1:00pm       Mrs. Faul - 4/5 multiage 
                        Essential Question: How can we work together for a common purpose?

 2:00pm       Mr. Scharenbroch -  4/5 multiage
                        Essential Question: How can we work together for a common purpose?

First trimester kindergarten does not share their learning through an Exhibition of Learning. They will attend the EoLs and use the experience to learn about what an EoL is, reflecting afterward through a thinking routine. They will share their learning with their parents at their Presentations of Learning at the end of November. We look forward to kindergarten students joining the school in presenting their learning at the second trimester EoLs.

 


September 5, 2016
by: Susan Griffiths

Connections: Building Community at ESAA

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If school is about helping students understand the world around them, it makes a great deal of sense to start the school year helping students better understand themselves as friends, learners, teachers, and leaders. With this in mind, ESAA teachers Rachel Pekarek and Jamie Faul created a school wide plan to build community during the first weeks of school. We began the year using this plan to provide students and teachers with the time and space to make connections not only in their classrooms, but throughout the school and in the community. The following are some highlights from our first two days of school.

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August 16, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

MAKER Break at Sheboygan Summer Music Series

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MAKER Break, the creative makerspace program developed by The Étude Group’s IDEAS Academy and The ARTery of the John Michael Kohler Art Center, was a featured program at the August 11th Levitt Amp Sheboygan Summer Music Series.

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July 1, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

Announcing MAKER BREAK: A Summer Makerspace Program

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We are excited to announce a free summer makerspace program developed by IDEAS Academy[ideas/] and The ARTery of The John Michael Kohler Arts Center. MAKER BREAK is a series of summer workshops and sessions that explore a wide range of making practices and activities. Participants can explore everything from circuitry and mic building at IDEAS Academy to knotsmanship and screenprinting in The ARTery.

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June 28, 2016
by: Lori Ladiges

ESAA Literacy Parent Connections: Reading to Children at Home from Birth to Age 8 and BeyondNew News Article

ESAA Literacy Parent Connections:  Reading to Children at Home from Birth to Age 8 and BeyondNew News Article Thumbnail

Dear Parents,

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June 3, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

ESAA World Peace Games Challenge 4th and 5th Graders

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Students in the 4th and 5th grades at ESAA spent time this spring participating in the World Peace Games and were guided by the essential question, “How can people better understand each other?”

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May 24, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

ESAA 2nd and 3rd Graders Skype with Lightning Thief Playwright

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ESAA 2nd and 3rd graders recently had the opportunity to attend a matinee showing of Theatreworks’ The Lightning Thief at the Weill Center. Exposure to theater is important to everything from developing creativity and imagination to lengthening attention span. It’s also a powerful connector to reading. We were fortunate that our students had the chance to attend a live production of a book so many of them enjoy.

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April 21, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

The Étude Group's Maker Movement

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There is a lot of talk in education these days about “makerspaces.” It seems to be a new buzz word. The reality is that while it may be a new concept for some in the education community, it’s one of the foundations for The Étude Group. While the concepts of making and creating are not new for us, our role in sharing this concept at a greater level with the community is.

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April 2, 2016
by: Kimberly Johnson

Parent Maker Night

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Please join us for an evening of making at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center!

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March 25, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

ESAA Creative Process: It’s No Accident

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A recent blog covered ESAA’s first grade Exhibition of Learning (EOL) on human body systems. It was a reminder of what The Étude Group’s education philosophies create when they are put into practice. It was also an opportunity for us to step back and acknowledge that this is not an accident. The approach, the successes, the learning…it is purposeful, and it is a process.

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March 24, 2016
by: Beth Carreno

ESAA receives funding for forestry education

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The Wisconsin Environmental Education Board (WEEB) announced that ESAA / The Etude Group has been awarded $4,700 to develop and enhance forestry education projects at the school.

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March 9, 2016

ESAA First Grade Exhibitions of Learning

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As a supporter of our schools, I was invited to a first grade Exhibition of Learning (EOL). I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve attended EOLs for our high school students. They are amazing. But, I’ve also spent lots of time with first graders. I wasn’t sure how what I understood about EOLs would be translated by first graders.

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February 14, 2016
by: Lori Ladiges

ESAA Literacy Connections: What is family literacy?

ESAA Literacy Connections: What is family literacy? Thumbnail

Dear Parents,

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February 3, 2016
by: Janelle Bane

Kindergarten Students Study Holidays and Celebrations from Around the World

Kindergarten Students Study Holidays and Celebrations from Around the World Thumbnail

Kindergarten classes are exploring the question: How can I learn about others? To answer this, they've explored the holidays and celebrations of different cultures in our community. Guest speakers came to kindergarten to share information, food and background information about a holiday they observe. Students learned about the Hmong New Year, Las Pasadas, Yule, Christmas, Hanukkah, Epiphany, and Indian Harvest Festival and always had plenty of questions. The visits included stories about the origin of the holiday, why it is important to that particular culture, and customary food, toys, clothing and plants. Students then identify elements of each holiday, and compare and contrast to find themes. At the end of the unit, the classes will use this research as a model to create their own celebration about peace using the common themes and elements in world celebrations they’ve discovered.

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January 9, 2016
by: Susan Griffiths

Gaining understanding through close looking

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In our busy world, we rarely take the time to look closely to see things that often go unnoticed. Much can be learned when we slow down and really look at something. As one of our Habits of Mind, observation is essential to learning. Observation requires students to intentionally slow down and look closely to see details. From these details students start to form patterns and make connections. This leads to understanding not only the details they see, but how these parts interact systematically to form the whole. In projects at ESAA, observation can be found throughout the creative process. Observation is a form of research and discovery. Students use the details they uncover to wonder, think deeply, and analyze. These observations help students understand the complexities of the world around them.

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