NewGate School Newsletter | March 2020

from NewGate School Newsletter | March 2020

Assessing Life Skills

Assessing Life SkillsWhen asked if we “test” students, our answer is generally “not really.” This is because our students look at tests as demonstrations of mastery. Tests are challenges to be embraced and conquered for personal and professional reasons. Yes, professional reasons! Students and teachers are members of professional learning communities. As professional learners, we consider assessments of all kinds as a life skill supporting adult necessities such as driving a car, applying for college, or securing a professional license. Simply put, assessing progress in the Montessori classroom is a practical life skill that shows a student’s mastery of skills and developing knowledge. Although NewGate offers students standardized assessments beginning in the third grade, all of our teachers also rely on observations to inform decisions and on a broad array of social/emotional and academic markers to ensure the wellness of each child from a holistic perspective. This newsletter highlights ways we assess children from the time they toilet successfully until the time they receive college acceptance letters.

-TANYA RYSKIND ASSOCIATE HEAD OF NEWGATE SCHOOL

**Secondary Students at the SRQ Media SB2 Spring Economy Luncheon, Feb. 2020**

Love Our School

EAT-DRINK-BID Love Our School Fundraising Event

“Thank you to all who attended our Eat-Drink-Bid, Love Our School event and those who participated in our online auction! The room was filled with Love for NewGate and I am inspired as we look to the future of our school!” -KRISTI ANTCZAK

Our Stories

THE CHILDREN’S HOUSE | Ashton Road Campus

Cousteau | TODDLER CLASSROOM

Our most effective method of assessment in the Toddler environment is constant observation. Watching the children work, interact with others, and test their own limits each day allows us to note slight behavioral changes and progressions. Before students are ready to move to the Primary classroom, we want to see them choosing materials from the shelves, working with them to satisfaction, and then returning them to the shelf ready for the next friend to use. We want to see healthy interactions with peers, and for the children to use words to express themselves. While they are here, we try to instill a love for purposeful work, for peaceful relationships, and for learning and growing. We foster deep concentration and perseverance, as these attributes will serve our students for the rest of their lives. The work of toilet learning, language learning, and the refinement of motor skills come naturally as we care for the spirit and well-being of each individual child.

Cassatt Room | PRIMARY CLASSROOM

At the 3-6 level, there are certain benchmarks and expectations for each year. However, those are simply guidelines, as progress is determined by each child’s own readiness and ability. The markers are something to work toward, as well as suggestions for general appropriateness, but are not limits barring them from moving beyond. The same can be said for when a child is not where one of their age would be typically -- the child’s progress is measured against themselves and what they are currently able to do.

Montessori Room | PRIMARY CLASSROOM

In our Primary classroom environment, the way we assess children is by observation. Observation is the key to know when a child is entering a sensitive period, is ready to be introduced to a lesson, is ready for an extension of that particular lesson or has mastered a lesson and is ready to be introduced to the following lesson. We also use the Three Period Lesson to assess for understanding. We follow each child individually and keep records on lessons given. Our classroom environment is designed to meet the developmental needs of our primary age children. We guide our children to learn from the materials, and they also learn from observing their peers and working together. Self-directed learning is key in our classroom environment.

Carson Room | LOWER ELEMENTARY (LE)

At the elementary level, observation and conversation are key assessment methods. We watch and record which lessons are being chosen, what is keeping their attention, and their ability to demonstrate the process of work as well as coming up with the answer.

At the lower elementary level, we begin exposure to more objective forms of assessment such as the Performance Ed assessment by Scantron, phonics-based spelling tests, SRA, running records while reading aloud. The most important assessment we have is the students’ own opinions and confidence in their work. A student who is excited and wants to share shows us that the information has connected, and that is the best indicator that those seeds sown today will have the chance to grow and blossom.

Picasso Room | UPPER ELEMENTARY (UE)

In the Upper Elementary classroom, most Montessori materials are autodidactic or self-teaching. They have been intentionally developed in such a way that the child can not complete the work incorrectly, or there is a built-in means for them to check their own work. When given a lesson on how to use a material correctly, the children learn about these built-in tools and how they can use them to guide their work.

Secondly, Montessori students are taught to be reflective. In Upper Elementary, individual meetings with teachers give the children the opportunity to be an active participant in planning their own education. They are not told what they must do, but they are asked how they plan to accomplish specific goals. Some of these goals are set by the teacher, but others are set by the child. When needed, teachers will give strategies and suggestions, but the hope is that eventually, the child will develop more independent strategies. Cassatt Room, October 2019

“Never help a child with a task at which he feels he can succeed.” -Maria Montessori

UPPER SCHOOL | Lakewood Ranch Campus

Secondary First Cycle

The students are assessed on their academic knowledge as well as on their personal and environmental growth. Informal observations are made daily on how the students interact with one another and the environment.

Some examples are; being responsible for their materials, for managing their time to complete tasks, for working in groups to contributing to discussions, for restoring the environment without being reminded as well as how they use the prepared environment for self-discovery into areas of interest. We also check to see if they take the time to renew; whether by choosing to read or simply just taking a mental break and sitting outside.

Secondary Second and Third Cycle

Assessment at the Secondary level is a highly participatory activity for both students and teachers. Though we value assessment as an important part of a whole school policy and strategy; testing does not define us nor how we educate. We strive to make assessments fair, diverse, and appropriate to the learning outcomes. Besides providing individual feedback, assessments are used to inform classroom instruction and therefore must be considerate of diverse learning styles and appropriate to both content and setting.

Assessment is ongoing and used to provide both formative and summative feedback to improve learning. An assessment can be an exam, but it is also just as likely to take the form of a presentation, project, or performance. Student portfolios and demonstrations are also important pieces. In other words, by employing a wide range of strategies, we can more accurately and fairly assess learning. This variety of strategies also helps prepare students for the many types of expectations and assignments they will someday perform as adults. This preparation for adult life is the ultimate goal of a Secondary Montessori program, and assessment plays a role in that process.

THE SOMEWHAT TRUE TALE OF ROBIN HOOD

Friday, April 3 6:30PM | Come cheer our Second Cycle students along as they bring this classic hero and his friends to life on stage at the Lakewood Ranch Campus. Weather permitting, the show will take place in our own outdoor version of Sherwood Forest! Secondary Cycle 2, Feb, 2020

Summer Camps

Summer is on its way! Join us this June and July for two summer camp programs that will engage your children in activities that will challenge and enrich their summer experience.

NewGate Camp Passport | AGES 3-6 YEARS OLD

Every week, our younger campers take an imaginary journey to another land, exploring the sights, sounds, flora and fauna, music and food, arts and crafts, dance, games, and stories of countries around the world. Daily activities include fine and gross motor development, nature study, games, gardening, singing, dance, creative drama, and more.

NewGate Camp Endeavor | AGES 6-12 YEARS OLD

Every week, campers are immersed in a different theme, learning skills in science and STEAM, cooking, arts, and Circus arts to name a few! Summer camp at NewGate is a wonderful opportunity to meet new friends, engage in diverse and meaningful activities, and develop new interests and skills.

DATES & TIMES

Weekly sessions begin on Monday, June 8 and run through Friday, July 17th, 2020 and operate from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. Monday to Friday (except July 3).

Enrichment

“One of the exceptional qualities of project-based learning like what happens in the MakerSpace, in art classes, and even music (let’s consider a performance a type of project, for a moment) is that the work requires students to apply discrete knowledge, such as solving a math problem, drawing lines, writing a sentence, or listening for context clues, to a much larger context and in an integrated way. Integrating discrete tasks is a demonstration of mastery in and of itself, and a successful project can be used as an assessment of all the areas of learning the student has applied to the work.” -JENNIE CASKEY

“In order to grow as an artist it is important to take assessment of one’s work. However, as an art instructor, I find students far too often assess their own artwork too severely, demanding perfection at the outset of their artistic journey. I believe it is important to remember that as individuals in life and in art, we need not compare ourselves to others, but only to who we were yesterday, and strive each day to be just a little better.” -ED COSTER

MARCH EVENTS

MONTESSORI FAMILY ALLIANCE NIGHTS

The Montessori Family Alliance nights will be held on Thursday evenings each month on both campuses. These get-togethers give us an opportunity to share various topics from what is going on in the classroom to special guest speakers.

LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS | MARCH 5, 6:30PM

The Third Cycle Literature and Performance students will present four original theatrical pieces for our enjoyment. 6:30pm on indoor and outdoor stages.

ASHTON CAMPUS | MARCH 26, 6:30PM

Celebrate moving up by joining us to meet the teachers and explore the classrooms as you follow your child’s journey through Montessori.

UPCOMING COMMUNITY EVENTS

YARD SALE | ASHTON CAMPUS

Saturday, March 7 8 AM-1PM | We are seeking donations to sell at the yard sale to build NewGate’s Annual Fund. If you are spring cleaning and come across any items that could be added to the inventory, please get in touch with Jenni Presley (jennipresley@newgate.edu) to arrange a drop-off. Items like gently-used books, toys, furniture, etc. would be most welcome. We are also looking for a few parents and/or student volunteers.

RC CAR COMPETITION | FAB LAB

Saturday, March 7 | The 5th Annual RC Custom Car Open. Festivities kick off at 10am and run through 2pm. Join us in supporting several NewGate Secondary students/teams who will be competing this year.

CULINARY DINNER | LWR CAMPUS

Friday, March 27 6:30PM | The culminating experience of the Secondary students’ culinary class is a multi-course meal that is prepared and served by Secondary students at our Lakewood Ranch Campus. Look for an email with information on the menu and how you can purchase tickets.

ENTREPRENEUR FAIR | ASHTON CAMPUS

Monday, March 30 2:30-5PM | The elementary students submitted business proposals, met with a guide to help formalize their plans and then defined their idea with a business plan. We will help set prices by going to stores to price necessary items and do the math to discover what should be charged for the items to be able to make a profit. Elementary students are working with the ‘money work’ to label the bills and coins and then practice building different amounts. They are excited to practice “selling” items to each other, and making change, to get ready for the afternoon event. Join us for a chance to purchase unique goods produced with love and care by our elementary students! The event is cash only and will take place on the Picasso Courtyard. All are welcome.

NO SCHOOL

Friday, March 13th TEACHER IN-SERVICE DAY

March 16th - 20th SPRING BREAK

NEWGATE, THE LAB SCHOOL OF THE MONTESSORI FOUNDATION A Non-Profit, College-Preparatory, International Baccalaureate Montessori School | 18 months through 12th Grade

ASHTON ROAD CAMPUS (941) 922-4949 | LAKEWOOD RANCH CAMPUS (941) 222-0763 | NEWGATE.EDU