I just wanted to write a quick note to say how awesome Seth's student led conference was today at SCVi. This was "sorta" like a parent teacher conference, except it was 45 minutes instead of 20 ~ and Seth led it - taking me through four different stations where he showed me what he has been learning.
We started in the Science station where he showed me about producers and consumers (thankfully I home-schooled Reece for 4th grade and actually remembered this stuff! People, food webs are confusing!!!!). He also showed me what his Social Studies class was learning - check this out: they're doing a project about CA Regions (his is coastal) - and he has to work with his group to try and get his teacher (location scout) to want to film a movie in his region. So they are doing a power point presentation, a poster, and a skit about the CA coastal regions to "sell" it to the location scout. Love it!
Then we moved onto Language Arts where he read from a book of his choice and we played a game where I asked him various questions about the book. This was pretty cool...because he's reading "Maximum Ride" by James Patterson which is a sci-fi fantasy book about a flock of six human/avian fugitives. I wonder if his Dad has anything to do with that book selection? Yeah. Definitely.
After that, it was on to the social-emotional station ~ we role played and asked each other questions.....this is part of his curriculum. He is learning things like how to start a conversation, problem solving, and expressing his feelings when they are hurt. Okay, for a Psychology major like myself....you know how much I love this. Whole child!
And then it was time for the famous, illusive "Singapore Math". It's a completely different type of math skill ~ and when he solved that first problem, I gotta say, I was LOST - like Season 6 LoST. But I got it.....after a couple of problems. The most important thing is that HE gets it! And he does. Now I want to learn more about it!
I know a lot of people have been wondering how they are learning on over at SCVi....well, this is a small glimpse into it. It was really great - Seth is loving it there & I have seen a HUGE change in him since transferring there. It's definitely a good fit for him. :)
Hi,
We are in our 1st year at SCVi. Our boys are in 3rd grade, Ms. Muusse's
class. This was the best move we could have made for our boys, Jake
& Ryley. They are thriving! We thought long & hard through the
summer whether or not to move them from our traditional public school.
They were not having any issues with the school or teachers. We simply
wanted to give them more. Here at SCVi they are getting "more". The idea
that they are free to walk around the classroom, asking their peers
questions about school projects, learning to work as a community, being
able to work at their own pace, using the computers to finish tasks
(whenever they need to not just on allotted days & times), is a
refreshing & much neededchange.Theyare
learning how to be problem solvers. The teachers are developing a
relationship with the students. Making them feel at ease in class. Not
to be afraid to ask questions. They are so happy here. We will continue
to support SCVi in any way we can.
I don't have any pictures to share at this time. Only our story of success.
Thanks for letting me share our story.
The Farina Family
Teddy, Hillary, Jake & Ryley
After trying our local public school and a private
school, my husband and I were at a loss as to our kids' future
education. Finding a balance of happy kids and great education without
costing a fortune seemed impossible! Enter SCVi! From the moment our
kids started (January '09), they, and we, were happy, fulfilled and
excited!
SCVi provides everything we were looking for in a school: a different
approach to education that includes the kids working together on
projects, learning skills beneficial for their future and minimal
homework, which allows them to enjoy activities they want to do after
school. Because of this, our family enjoys more quality time together.
Having been at SCVi for over a year now, we have noticed that the
independence in our kids has grown. They are self-directed (with minimal
parent involvement) when it comes to their projects, which is how it
should be. Their focus and enthusiasm to do their best amazes us as
parents. Thank you, SCVi!
Hi Amber
I had a meeting with Mrs. Rockwell, she is awesome. Alex & I
appreciate her help in creating a solution to cater to his academic
needs. SCVi is at the cutting edge in education & I feel blessed
that my boys attend this school.
Sincerely, Helene
SCVi IN THE NEWS
By Signal Staff
Posted: Sept. 21, 2009 5:39 p.m.
POSTED Sept. 22, 2009 4:55 a.m. Full Article
SCV International Charter School Grade 3
First place
My name is Tiffany Chang, and I am a third-grader at SCVi Charter School.
I like SCVi because we learn about people from all over the world. We learn how to respect other cultures.
We learn how to respect other people's feelings. And most of all, we learn to be one big family. We do a lot of projects that involve teamwork at school. I also like my school's project-based learning.
Here is one example of what project-based learning is. Our class wanted to find out about frogs last year. So we got some real tadpoles in our classroom and we watched them growing into frogs.
I love the teachers at SCVi because they always encourage your learning and curiosity.
I like the kids at SCVi because we never leave people out. SCVi is the best school ever.
Tiffany Chang
Second place
My name is Chloe Gardea Faith. I am in 3rd grade and I am eight years old. I go to SCVi Charter School, which stands for Santa Clarita Valley International School.
I like my school because my classmates are funny. I also like my school because it has a bunch of fun stuff that we can do for the rest of the year.
I also like my school because I met a lot of different people and made new friends.
I like all classmates because they are fun to play with and they are also smart.
Chloe Gardea Faith
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
Third place
My name is Rook Calderon. I like the playground because of the equipment. I like the teachers. We do really fun stuff. I know 40 people in the whole school. I like the mind challenge puzzles. I like reading time. I like the kids especially. I like our classroom. I like the books.
Rook Calderon
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
My name is Alicia. I am 7 years old and I'm in third-grade at Santa Clarita Valley International Charter School. My favorite sport is swimming and karate. I also like my classroom, my school, and our library. I get to ride my bike to school because this school is only two minutes away. I went to this school because my old school was too hard.
Alicia
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
Hello. My name is Claire Katheryn Robinson. I go to SCVi; it stands for Santa Clarita Valley International. I like SCVi because we meet new friends and have fun. It is an international school.
Claire Katheryn
Robinson
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
My name is Ryley Farina. I am eight years old. I go to SCVi Charter School, which stands for Santa Clarita Valley International. I like this school because the teachers do all kinds of fun stuff with the children. I also like the play area because they have all kinds of stuff like tennis rackets and jump ropes. I also like the location. It's so close to my house.
Ryley Farina
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
My name is Jake Farina. I am in third grade. I go to SCVi Charter School which stands for Santa Clarita Valley International. I like my school because of the good teaching by the teachers. I also like the I-statements. I also like the tennis rackets because they're fun. I like my classmates also.
Jake Farina
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
Hi, my name is Alyssa Valenzuela. I am eight years old. I go to SCVi Charter School, it is one of the best schools ever. I like the kids in my class. There are twenty kids in my class. I like the teachers. I think SCVi Charter School is the best. You should have your kids come here soon.
Alyssa Valenzuela
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
Hello my name is Zachary LaCruz. I am eight years old. I am in 3rd grade. I go to SCVi. SCVi stands for Santa Clarita Valley International. I like the classes and the teachers. My other school was nearly as fun than SCVi. SCVi is the best school for me.
Zachary LaCruz
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
My name is Patrick Sweeney. I go to SCVi. I like my school because I have a nice teacher. We have science lab. The school has two stories. The kids are way nicer. This school lets you think more. That way you excel in what you want to do. You get to use computers.
Patrick Sweeney
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
My name is Scotty L. I go to SCVi Charter School. SCVi means Santa Clarita Valley International. I like the I-statements we did in class. I like the happy and nice kids in my class. I like doing the mind challenge puzzles that Ms. Nadia gives us. I like all my classmates.
Scotty L.
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School
What I like about my school is recess! Another thing I like about my school is that my friend Brittany who is next door to me. I love playing cheetahs with Brittany. We pretend we are cheetahs and run all over the place. We pretend that the rolly pollies are signs in which way we should go. After we play cheetahs, we play jumprope. Sometimes I hope on one foot.
Clarise Ochoa
Grade 3
SCV International Charter School