INNOVATION
new event—the Panther Parade. Students and their families were the entertainment as a line of cars wound around the school and teachers cheered for students, blew bubbles, and waved Marburn foam hands from the parking lot. In addition to the joy it brought us to see our families at the school again, it also allowed students to pick up any materials left at school and drop off items to be returned. Our second Panther Parade launched the 2020-2021 school year as families again joined in the fun while picking up supplies for the start of school. After a difficult decision to start the school year remotely for the first four weeks, the Panther Parade was a fun celebration that allowed our faculty and staff to meet students and families.
summer prOgrams
When Marburn was forced to cancel its heralded Summer School program, and with the realization that some students in our day school may be falling behind in their studies due to distance learning, an idea was born. Interim Head of School, Scott Burton, asked the academic and Summer School teams to find a way to extend educational support and community engagement throughout the summer at no cost to families. Three main offerings were developed to build community and review essential concepts for each grade level. Book Clubs and Guided Math were both offered twice a week. Book Clubs allowed students to use text to guide comprehension, extend vocabulary, and explore forms of writing. Small groups read and discussed age-appropriate books, and teachers led discussions about assigned reading at each club meeting. Guided Math offered students the opportunity to participate in math sessions with Marburn teachers. To limit learning loss of key concepts, teachers provided live videos that covered the essential skills needed for each grade level. In each video, the teacher walked students through conceptual and procedural understanding. Then, students had a chance to complete similar problems while receiving guidance and review from a teacher. After each set of three concepts were reviewed, students were offered interleaving practice: a mix of problems requiring different solving strategies designed to help with retrieval and improve retention of key concepts.
Adept
Adaptations and tools are a critical part of Marburn’s academic program. Some students use adaptations and tools to manage the challenges associated with their learning differences, while others use them to better focus in class.
ADAPTING
Marburn offers access to adaptations and tools to students in any division and gives students the autonomy to determine if they want or need to use them. Students have access to and use assistive technology tools on iPads and laptops including Speech to Text, Grammarly support for writing, Read Write Gold, and so much more. In addition to tools that are used throughout our environment, students are also coached on
at
Noise cancelling headphones are used to reduce sensitivity to loud noises in classrooms and during pep rallies.
18 Marburn Magazine 2020
Lower Division students use dictation and Siri on iPads to speed up the typing process, and cameras are used to respond to prompts rather than responding in writing.
Wobble stools and standing platforms are used in Lower and Middle Division classrooms to help maintain focus.
