Eight Ways to Access Your Child's Growth in a Progressive (or any) School

Eight Ways to Assess Your Child’s Growth in a Progressive (or any) School.

Incredible things happen when children love to learn.

Preschool – 12th Grade calhoun.org

Have you seen your child develop and deepen a sense of self-confidence?

No two children have the same learning styles, personalities or interests. Your child’s classroom should foster an atmosphere of acceptance, acknowledging unique talents, interests, temperaments and learning styles. When teachers take the time to understand and show respect to each student as an individual, students become confident in their own abilities while respecting others’ differences.

Did you know?

At Calhoun, we take an individualized approach to each student’s development, based on his own learning style. Our teachers give children the time and space to be young children while building strong basic learning skills. Students emerge as confident learners who value their unique abilities.

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Do you see growth in your child’s ability to communicate with peers and adults?

Your child should be developing the skills to present her ideas— providing the proper support to back up her position—to peers as well as adults. This is best accomplished in a classroom where conversation is a two-way street. In the most effective classrooms, teachers cultivate a culture in which students are encouraged to share their thoughts and feelings. Class discussions should engage students and teachers, promoting an open exchange of new ideas.

Did you know?

A healthy exchange of ideas between Calhoun students and teachers allows students to become invested in their learning.

A case in point is a recent food study initiated by kindergarten students after a lunchtime conversation about dumplings.

Inspired by this interest, teachers worked with students to create a classroom café. Students wrote recipes and menus, measured ingredients, graphed food groups, discussed health and nutrition, and prepared homemade snacks for classmates.

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3 Is your child willing to try new things and learn from mistakes?

Studies show that young children aren’t afraid of experimenting and making mistakes, but as they grow older they become more self-conscious. It’s all about environment. Having the freedom to take appropriate risks, and even make mistakes, is important to ensuring your child’s intellectual and emotional development.

When children are free to try new things and aren’t afraid of making mistakes, they develop resiliency and problem-solving skills that can be applied to all of life’s challenges.

Did you know?

We embrace mistakes at Calhoun. Why? Because every mistake presents an opportunity to learn. Calhoun teachers create space for guided risk-taking in a classroom that values exploration and inquiry. The result: empowered students with the maturity and resilience to explore the unknown and challenge themselves to deeper learning.

4 Is your child demonstrating increased proficiency in fine and gross motor skills?

Are there opportunities for your child to develop physical skills, strength and stamina at school? When you watch your child play, there’s much more going on than you think. Studies show that strong motor skills translate into higher academic achievement throughout the school years. So while your child is learning his ABCs and 123s, he should also have lots of time for physical activity and artwork.

Did you know?

The development of fine and gross motor skills is integral to students’ experiences at Calhoun. Holding pencils and crayons, using scissors, sewing, weaving and working with small construction materials refines hand-eye coordination and improves grip, while physical education and movement lessons develop strength, balance and an awareness of space.

5 Is your child demonstrating engagement with and understanding of classroom experiences?

At the end of the school day, what sorts of experiences does your child share? Is she participating in dynamic projects that engage all of her senses as well as her cognitive and creative abilities? Is she able to apply her learning in situations outside of the classroom?

While excessive rote memorization inhibits children’s ability to think critically and creatively, interdisciplinary, projectbased education promotes neural connections that support deep thinking, problem solving and innovation.

Did you know?

“Learning by doing” is at the heart of Calhoun’s progressive pedagogy. Calhoun teachers emphasize depth of learning rather than merely a short-term collection of information, through a curriculum that is both interdisciplinary and experiential. For example, first graders choose a mammal to study and embark on a journey of research and discovery that interweaves science, literacy, mathematics and visual arts.

Does your child see herself as a valued and contributing member of a larger community?

Even at a young age, your child needs to feel connected. Initially, the concept of community revolves around herself and her family.

As she grows, her community expands to include her teachers and classmates. Eventually, she will take her place as part of the local and world communities. In school, she should feel safe in the knowledge that she is valued as a member of the school community, and should begin to grasp her responsibilities towards others.

Did you know?

At Calhoun, learning to be part of a community begins with our youngest students. By first grade, students explore “What Makes a Community” by crafting their own fabric “Pocket People,” constructing homes and then collaborating with peers to create neighborhoods. They consider what services their communities need to thrive and the conflicts between wants and needs. Communication skills are strengthened when the children write biographies for their Pocket People, arrange playdates and engage in simulated conflict resolution.

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7 Are you getting clear feedback from your teacher about your child?

Examine the written and verbal feedback about your child’s growth and development. Does that feedback reflect your understanding of your child’s cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth? When the feedback from your child’s teacher matches your own observations, it’s a good sign that your child feels comfortable being himself in the classroom.

That frees his mind to explore and grow on his own terms.

Did you know?

Calhoun encourages a strong partnership between parents and teachers. Written narrative assessments twice a year provide comprehensive feedback about each child’s cognitive, social, physical and emotional growth. Parents are invited into classrooms each day at drop-off and pick-up, and have three scheduled conferences throughout the year — plus others as needed. Parents also have a window into class activities through weekly newsletters and special events.

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Does your child love to learn?

Incredible things happen when a child loves to learn. When your child is excited about school, each new day is an adventure in learning. He’s expanding his horizons in ways you’ve never imagined. Happy, engaged children remain open to discovery at all ages; they look forward to exploring new and increasingly complex concepts.

Did you know?

Here’s an example of what happened in our joyful, engaging and challenging environment. While in fourth grade, Calhoun student Baelee G. discovered a new method for multiplying by six based on her in-class experiences with manipulatives, patterns and number games. Now known at Calhoun as the “Way of Baelee,” the theorem is an example of the way our children are taught to approach math, and what they can accomplish in a school where learning is interactive, fun and intellectually inspiring.

Main Building 3rd – 12th Grades 433 West End Avenue New York, NY 10024 212.497.6500

Robert L. Beir Lower School Building 2.8 Years – 2nd Grade 160 West 74th Street New York, NY 10023 212.497.6550

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