The Wisdom of The Willows EBook

Wisdom of The Willows A collection of Willows Wisdoms

What parents need to know...

How does co-teaching benefit my child?

How do I foster my child’s expression?

How do I deal with my child’s emotions?

What’s the importance of technology in learning?

Solving it Together! Co-Teaching at The Willows As any Willows teacher will tell you, they assume numerous roles to successfully lead their students through an entire school day, inspiring and motivating along the way.

To build the student/teacher connection and successfully meet each student’s needs, our Lower School implements co-teaching, with two, or sometimes even three teachers in a classroom. The benefits are endless! Teachers offer more individual attention to students, but also have a colleague to collaborate with daily. Team Teaching helps build stronger relationships between students and teachers, but also among the teaching teams.

There’s no better way to emphasize the benefits of Willows co-teaching than from the perspectives of the teachers themselves. Teachers from our 3rd Grade shared their thoughts on the benefits of co-teaching for their students, and themselves.

3B Teachers leading an erosion science experiment

Lauren Tenzer, 3rd Grade Teacher “The co-teaching model at The Willows benefits both our students and our teaching team in the classroom. The diverse backgrounds of our team allow us to meet and exceed our students’ social, emotional, and academic needs daily in a creative and purposeful way. Our various experiences, perspectives, and strengths benefit our curriculum when creating engaging and thought-provoking lessons and problem-solving. Our differing backgrounds provide us with the opportunity to foster deep and meaningful relationships with our students. “ Taylor Stacey, 3rd Grade Teacher “The co-teaching model is so integral to The Willows experience. For teachers, it is quite literally a marriage – a relationship where we bounce ideas off each other, offer perspective, lean on, and support one another. This enriches the experiences of our students in every way. They observe productive collaboration and partnership all day every day! The result is a carefully considered, holistic curriculum and classroom.

The relationships formed between teachers and students are definitely one of the most special and intangible aspects of The Willows. Having multiple teachers with different strengths and different sensibilities only makes it better!”

Brevin Archer, 3rd Grade Teacher “Professionally, my organizational skills have improved from working with Taylor and Lauren. I am more confident in my teaching when I can rely on them for guidance, support, and feedback.”

The Willows is committed to developing each child academically, socially, and emotionally through effective and engaging education, with our co-teaching teams setting the foundation for this growth.

Emotions Matter: Social-Emotional Learning & The RULER Approach at The Willows Preparing students for the future remains the principal purpose of a child’s school career, even as curricula and educational practices evolve. Teachers and staff at The Willows provide students with the necessary knowledge and tools to succeed, focusing on the humanities (language arts, social studies) and S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) to create a wellbalanced educational program. However, The Willows sets itself apart from many other schools due to our commitment to Social Emotional Learning (SEL), aimed at developing each child’s emotional intelligence and well-being. In conjunction with The Willows core curriculum, SEL serves to elicit engaging learning experiences and transform them into valuable and pragmatic life skills. We believe emotions matter and are vital to effective learning, academic growth, development, and maturation.

Our commitment to SEL is further enhanced by our adoption, 8 years ago, of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence RULER approach, developed by its Director, Marc Brackett. RULER is an acronym, representing the five skills of emotional intelligence. They are as follows: Recognizing emotions in oneself and others Understanding the causes and consequences of emotions Labeling emotions with a nuanced vocabulary Expressing emotions in accordance with cultural norms and social context Regulating emotions with helpful strategies The five skills of the RULER framework are not just exclusive to developing emotional intelligence in children, but in adults as well. Willows faculty and staff have participated in numerous RULER trainings & workshops, to transform the

research-based curriculum into tangible learning activities. These give students the opportunity to consider and reflect upon their own emotions, as well as the emotions of others, in creative and interactive ways. The aforementioned workshops also emphasize the importance of regulating emotions for faculty and staff. When adults are able to explain, and most importantly, model healthy emotional practices, they are able to build stronger connections with students and create a more engaging classroom experience.

With all this said, you may still be wondering how the adoption of SEL and RULER benefit in the short term, especially in relation to academic activities. Studies focusing on the impact of the RULER curriculum have shown that students tend to build stronger bonds with their classmates and teachers, engage more and perform better in their classes, and create healthier work habits. The main intention of RULER is to provide students with effective strategies to help regulate their emotions, however, its effect ends up being twofold, as students that emotionally self-regulate, are able to spend more time and attention on their academics.

While each skill of the RULER approach holds value in regulating and managing one’s emotions, being able to accurately label emotions with a nuanced vocabulary is especially crucial to each of the other four skills. One of the main RULER strategies Willows educators use is the Feeling Words curriculum, a diverse set of vocabulary that gives students the ability to determine the specific emotion they are feeling at a given moment. An example of the Feeling Words in action is the 2021-22 seventh-grade art classes creation of Abstract Feeling Words, a set of art pieces in which students observed how a single element of art can be used to convey an emotion. They extended this idea by utilizing shape and color to represent a feeling word from the RULER curriculum. Each constructed geometric and organic shapes using tissue paper and collaged them strategically to create expressive, abstract compositions. Finally, to share the intention behind their piece, each student wrote an artist’s statement, explaining their choice of color, shape, and composition.

Our focus on SEL & the RULER Approach is just one example of many that demonstrates The Willows’ approach to developing the whole child, preparing them to become adults who value empathy, make sound decisions, and practice ethical behavior. Considering our demanding progressive curriculum rooted in engaging learning experiences, and all that comes with maturing and growing up, we believe that emotions matter, and being able to recognize, express, and

regulate one’s emotions is not only essential for social-emotional development, but also for academics too. It is clear how SEL & RULER integrate with The Willows, seamlessly supporting our mission to foster capable and confident individuals who demonstrate character, engagement, and a joyful passion for creative inquiry across a lifetime.

The Power of Robotics: The Middle School Robotics Team As our world becomes more digital and automated, the skills we teach our students need to be tailored to the future careers when our students graduate into the work force. Many of those positions will be in the field of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). STEM continues to evolve and play a huge role in the future of our world. STEM education creates critical thinkers, instills a passion for innovation, and develops creative problem-solving skills. The Willows believes not only in the importance of STEM but in science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) and incorporates them throughout the curriculum in all grades in an integrated approach.

The Willows offers many opportunities for students to pursue these types of classes. One major program The Willows offers is the Robotics team. Every fall, The Willows Robotics team is open to any Middle Schooler. From September to November, those on the Robotics team meet roughly twice a week to prepare for the First Lego League Robotics competition in November. The friendly competition consists of teams engaging in researching, problem solving, coding, and engineering – building and programming a LEGO robot that navigates the missions of a robot game.

The Willows Robotics team provides an opportunity for students to develop real world skills. As a school community, The Willows offers a wide variety of experiences for students to try and explore.

Having a Robotics team that is inclusive to all, exposes students who may have never thought about it before. These little experiences may lead them to pursue something in STEM in the future. For example, check out Willows alum Isis and her Stella 5.0 App and Alums Julianne Hannon and Eliza Kaplan on the Robotics team at Marlborough High School. Being on the Robotics team provides them real exposure to what careers and jobs look like in that field.

Wendy Amster, Dean of Ed Tech and Robotics team Coach, says, “It’s more than just a robotics team. There’s the component that many of us think of when we hear robotics, the building and programing of the robot to accomplish mission, but there’s also a research component which is equally weighed. The research

component requires students to research about a real-world problem and to develop an idea, speak to experts, make a model, and pitch their ideas. This is STEM in the real world.”

Erin Carter, Middle School teacher and Robotics team Coach, says, “STEM education is so important in general. This is just one facet of STEM. It exposes students to a wide range of real-world applications and opens up many possibilities of where this interest can take them in the future.”

So whether or not our students pursue a career in STEM or robotics, The Willows understands the myriad interests of our student body. Our goal is to create a place for individuals to explore and to find their passion.

Fostering Student Expression At The Willows, we believe each child brings our community an extraordinary gift: a curious mind, ready to explore, and eager to learn. We believe that in order to allow our children to grow into lifelong learners who discover, ask questions, make connections, and take creative risks, we must foster student expression.

Fostering student expression starts within the classrooms:

The Willows encourages students to ask questions, be creative, and take initiative in their own learning Projects The Willows’ assigns allow for students to have substantial autonomy.

Students are encouraged to think outside of the box, think for themselves, and find new and creative ways to connect their learning. This type of learning fosters more creativity, creates a sense of ownership, and provides new opportunities for students to express what they have learned through their own unfiltered lens.

One week during the school year, The Willows departs from the day-to-day curriculum to offer an in-depth, cross-disciplinary study of the school wide

theme called Intersession. Intersession offers a different approach to projectbased, experiential learning and an opportunity to fully integrate our disciplines in a fresh, illuminating academic experience. Intersession fosters deep learning and allows for student expression in a variety of ways by letting them choose their class and spend a week of diving deep into open ended projects.

The Willows values individuality Willows’ teachers embrace differences and out of the box thinkers. We encourage and foster, creativity, new ideas, new perspectives, and dialogue. We want students to speak up and to be passionate about their learning.

In middle school, students can team teach an elective with a teacher. This unique team-teaching experience allows middle schoolers the option to dive deeper into a subject and learn how to create a curriculum, manage a classroom, and collaborate on a professional level.

There’s also an annual middle school fashion show. The fashion show is a collaborative effort between the art teachers and middle school students. It is an opportunity for self-expression through wearable art that takes its inspiration

from the school wide theme. Students are encouraged to create fashion out of a variety of materials and often repurpose other clothing or recyclables to create finished pieces. Under teacher guidance, students design outfits, walk the catwalk, MC, and DJ the show. The Fashion Show embraces creativity, diversity, and personal interpretations of the theme.

The Willows promotes inquisitiveness We teach our students that anything is possible. If there’s an issue at the school, try and fix it. That’s what happened when we didn’t have an efficient rack to hold all the sports equipment on the yard. Instead of bypassing the problem, our middle schoolers decided to find a solution using the Design Thinking process.

They interviewed teachers and students from all different grade levels asking them questions. After reviewing all the data, they created blueprints and a prototype. They then tested it out and eventually made a final product for all students to use.

The Willows understands that in the real world many problems are not always linear, and it takes creative thinking, inquisitiveness, and the ability to view the problem from a different perspective to solve a problem.

The Willows removes constraints for creativity Many of the projects that are done at The Willows are open-ended. This provides students with the opportunity to find creative ways to tie in their learning. Openended projects reach and engage more students as it gives them the chance to explore and present in a way that’s meaningful to them.

Projects at The Willows come in all shapes and sizes. By allowing students to create in their own medium, they can explore the content more fully. Teachers are constantly evolving lessons and activities to make sure there are bountiful opportunities for students to take control of their learning.

The Willows also offers many outlets for students to be creative such as being part of Rock Band, Dance, Electives, Fashion Show, Intersession, and Theater.

These are just a few opportunities that allow students to embrace their creative side.

The Willows learns by doing Hands-on learning is integrated into everything at The Willows. We believe children learn best when they are fully engaged using all their senses. Students are immersed in hands-on learning throughout the day. Instead of showing what students can do, we have them do it. Through trial and error and pushing them outside of their comfort zone, students begin find out a lot about themselves as an individual, student, and learner. It allows them to dive deep into an introspective view on the type of learner they are, their interests, and their passions.

What we teach in the classroom, we hope extends beyond the classroom. We believe that our approach to fostering student expression in the classrooms will

provide our students with the skills and tools needed to live fulfilled, meaningful, and joyful lives.

The Importance of Using Technology in Schools at an Early Age Technology has become so prevalent in our society that everywhere you look; you’re surrounded by it. Whether it’s in our homes, our cars, our pockets, or in our schools, you can’t avoid it. While there can be many drawbacks of technology if not monitored or used correctly, there are many reasons why it’s so crucial for our young children to engage with tech in a developmentally appropriate way.

At The Willows, we use technology in all grades as a tool to enhance and supplement our curriculum.

Technology Engages Students By incorporating technology into the classroom, it can help transform the mundane into the extraordinary.

The book report that was once done on paper can now have QR codes and interactive pictures when combined with cutting edge technology. The history lesson on the Gold Rush in 5th grade can be presented by using Scratch, a block-based coding program, which can make the project come alive with sounds, graphics, and lights. All these different uses of technology in the classroom make students become active participants in their own learning.

Technology Facilitates Communication Through programs like Google Docs, Google Classroom, Zoom, and Seesaw, students are now able to communicate with peers, teachers, and professionals via technology. The ability to communicate with a marine biologist in Antarctica or an astronaut in space has never been easier. Students using technology can easily collaborate, review, and participate with individuals and experts from all over the world with just a simple click.

Technology Opens the World What was once only accessible by plane, students can now travel the world via the Internet. Learning about the world and different cultures is easier now than ever before. Classes have established pen pals with students in other countries and have been able to learn about each other’s cultures through technology.

Google Maps, museums, and libraries have created virtual tours and 3D maps that allow children to explore cities and historic landmarks almost anywhere in the world from your computer screen.

Technology Prepares Students for the Future

Our world is constantly changing and evolving. We must prepare our students to learn in different ways and through different means. Introducing cutting edge technology at school gives students the opportunity to engage, experiment, and experience technology that will be needed for them to succeed in the future.

Technology Helps with Multi-Step Directions Following directions step-by-step is an integral part of the classroom and work environment. Students need to be equipped with the ability to recall, listen, and follow through a series of instructions.

Traditionally, younger students spend a lot of time in the classroom working on this skill through games and songs in the classroom. Now, technology can assist with that. The new trend of learning to code in elementary school focuses on how students learn cause and effect, sequencing, and critical thinking skills. These skills are supplemented through technology that requires students to follow multi-step directions and problem solve to get the intended result.

As technology becomes an integral part of how we work and live, we must adapt to how we teach and how to use technology in a developmentally appropriate way to supplement learning. Teaching our students technology at an early age will better prepare them for the future and create new opportunities for meaningful learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom. The Willows, always embracing new technology, adapts to the ever-changing environment of society to best support and prepare our students for success.

Independent Investigations @ The Willows

One core concept of The Willows’ philosophy is to provide students with rich, engaging, and authentic real-world learning experiences. We understand that at the very heart of learning is allowing students to explore for themselves. When students can explore and make discoveries on their own, the sense of autonomy tends to be more rewarding and meaningful to learners.

Each year, The Willows’ seventh graders start the year with a unit on the scientific method. They explore topics such as experimental design, hypothesis testing, variables, and scientific analysis. In addition, they hone their skills as young scientists by carefully collecting, organizing, and analyzing both qualitative and quantitative data. The unit culminates with each student conducting an independent investigation where they create and design an experiment in an area of interest for the purpose of demonstrating their understanding of the scientific method.

The independent investigations last around three weeks. Throughout those three weeks, students turn in step-by-step assignments via Google Classroom and are also given time in class to work on their independent investigation and seek out assistance from the teacher.

Liz Stocksdale, a seventh-grade teacher, loves supervising these independent investigations. She says, “This project is a great way for students to apply the vocabulary and concepts of scientific inquiry in an engaged and creative way. It allows them an opportunity to dive into a topic they are interested in (sports, chemistry, gardening, physics, food, etc), giving them ownership over the process. The whole project is so thorough, it ends up becoming a clear and valuable assessment tool for where they are as scientists after the first trimester.

It is fun to see the students who can just run with it from beginning to end, accomplishing impressive scientific discoveries. At the same time, it is helpful for evaluating who needs more guidance or clarification of the curriculum, and this project often ties things together for the students who might have initially struggled with the vocabulary or concepts.”

Here are a few independent investigations questions the 7 th graders came up with: • • • • • • • • • • •

Do girls complete a written maze faster than boys?

How do different liquids affect the dissolving of Alka-Seltzer?

Does smell affect taste?

What types of paper hold the most water?

How does different levels of salt affect the boiling point of water?

How does glass react when exposed to different temperatures?

How do different brands of markers and paper affect whether they bleed or not?

Do 7th graders complete the monkey bars faster than 4th graders?

What ingredients affect how fast water boils?

What type of soup stays warm the longest?

Do gluten -free cookies bake differently than non-gluten-free cookies?

Simone's Thermo-Molecular Heat Expansion Independent Investigation These independent investigations provide students an amazing opportunity to immerse themselves in real-life experiences that are meaningful to them, along with building a wide range of skills such as critical thinking, time management, writing, researching, and planning that will give them the tools needed to be successful in the future.