http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/ en Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:10:32 -1000 http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/ http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss
Now that parents have had some time to digest the information and file the handouts, let's consider for a few moments what I call the "real" curriculum -- beyond reading, spelling, writing, mathematics, and beyond learning about science and social studies through an inquiry approach.  

Consider the real curriculum: learning to be passionate about learning, being ready to take risks, being mindful learners, thinking critically, having multiple strategies to problem-solve, working independently and collaboratively, persevering, caring for and being of service to the community.  


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/09/the-real-curric.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/09/the-real-curric.php Fri, 05 Sep 2008 23:10:32 -1000 In the tradition of most schools nationwide, we held an Open House for Kindergarten and Multiage 1st- 2nd grades this past Wednesday evening, while parents of preschoolers met for a session on the documentation process.  The Open House for Multiage 3rd-4th grades and 5th grade will be next Wednesday, September 3, 6:00-8:00pm.  The specialists (teachers of art, physical education, character education, and music) provided a brief overview of their content areas.  These teachers, experts in their fields, teach across several grade levels each day (think about their ability to shift instructional strategy from hour to hour) and are aware of the developmental needs at each grade level.  The specialists also have the privilege of teaching every child every year, so they have the advantage of observing the physical, social, cognitive, and emotional development of each child across the span of possibly eight years!  These areas are critical to each child's growth and are as important as academic content. Throughout the school year, you'll be hearing more about the integration of content and skills as foundational to the program.


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/the-business-of.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/the-business-of.php Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:24:52 -1000
Dear Parents of Mid-Pacific Institute:

At the closing of our second week of school. we applaud our students for their ability to adapt and adjust to the rhythms of school life in a relatively short time.  We are especially observant of students new to Mid-Pacific and how well they are making sense of our school culture.  As adults, we might forget the complex learning of returning to school or entering a new school community. Consider these challenges:
]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/transitions-and.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/transitions-and.php Sat, 23 Aug 2008 14:14:29 -1000 We’re off to a wonderful beginning of school year 2008-2009! The entire week has been running smoothly for the most part with so many indicators — very few tears when children said goodbye to their parents in the autoline or just before entering classrooms the first day of school; the broad smile on many children’s faces as they’ve walked onto campus; teachers talking animatedly in the faculty workroom and on their way to their classrooms; relatively few phone calls to the office, even on the first day of school; and the feeling that we’ve settled into a comfortable rhythm early in the school year.  I’m trying my best to learn the names of our new students, who’ve been patient with me as I ask them to repeat their names. I’m getting there!

The entire school gathered in the dining room on Thursday morning for our welcome assembly to introduce the faculty and staff to the children and to introduce all of our new friends from preschool through fifth grade.  Ms. Jenkins, the K-5 physical education teacher, reviewed playground rules via a PowerPoint presentation and
]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/first-week-succ.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/08/first-week-succ.php Thu, 14 Aug 2008 17:54:36 -1000 In our final chapter highlighting the last week of summer school, we begin with gratitude to many of our parents who supported their children’s learning by reading the weekly updates on the website or in the Friday information packets. Heartiest appreciation to our talented faculty who truly inspired your child’s enthusiasm and interest in reading, writing, visual artistry, computer graphics, mathematics, science, theater, Lego robotics, nature, or entrepreneurship.  Our student aides — all Mid-Pacific students or alumni — were excellent assistants in the classroom.  It was a full six weeks of fun learning for all, including the faculty!  


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/final-chapter-i.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/final-chapter-i.php Sat, 26 Jul 2008 13:29:46 -1000 As we look forward to our last week of summer school, the students, faculty, and staff invite you to several celebrations of learning.  

•  Our end-of-summer-school assembly is Friday, July 25, 11:00am, in the dining room. We’ll feature the remaining classes that have not yet had an opportunity to do their presentations.  We have been so impressed with every class that has presented at previous assemblies, so we’re hoping to end summer school with a splash!

•  On July 24, the Afternoon Camp sessions will gather in the dining room at 2:00pm for another assembly to showcase other student skills and talents. This past Wednesday, the Afternoon Camp students showed us some of the computer skills they’ve learned in a six-week learning unit called “Passport” to four different countries.  Another group demonstrated some of the volleyball skills they’ve been practicing, as well as running and catching skills. They ended their presentation with a team huddle and cheered “Owls!”
Students in art camp have made opihi shell jewelry, pinwheels, habitats for their insect creations, and small canvas paintings using one-point perspective.


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-five-ce.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-five-ce.php Sat, 19 Jul 2008 23:53:29 -1000 We celebrated our fourth week of summer school with another student assembly featuring the work of several classes — Jump Start Kindergarten, Lego Robotics, Reading and Writing Workshop, and The Genius of Inventions. Our assemblies are important occasions for students to proudly share their learning and to build our summer school community. Unlike the regular school year, we have students from many other O`ahu schools and from other countries, as well as faculty from other schools, so we make an extra effort to ensure that students and faculty are experiencing a sense of community through these assemblies. And we have had wonderful attendance by our families who seem to be enjoying these presentations as much as the students. ]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/week-four-summe.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/week-four-summe.php Sun, 13 Jul 2008 16:42:55 -1000 Jump Start Kindergarten, Lego Robotics, Reading and Writing Workshop, and The Genius of Inventions. Our assemblies are important occasions for students to proudly share their learning and to build our summer school community. Unlike the regular school year, we have students from many other O`ahu schools and from other countries, as well as faculty from other schools, so we make an extra effort to ensure that students and faculty are experiencing a sense of community through these assemblies. And we have had wonderful attendance by our families who seem to be enjoying these presentations as much as the students.  


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-four-le.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-four-le.php Sun, 13 Jul 2008 15:57:19 -1000 At the Diamond Head/mauka end of the elementary campus are about 25 pots filled with soil and new plant buds soaking up the summer sunshine.  The students in one of the Math Adventures session planted the seeds a week ago and have generated a set of questions about their plants for which they’ll find answers through observation and measurement. These students were also solving multiplication problems in many different ways by showing their thinking process outlining unit blocks on graph paper.  In an adjoining classroom, the other students worked on fractions using puzzle pieces, played a dominoes-like game using fractions, and subdivided shapes on computer-drawn images to indicate fractions.

Just about every member of summer school attended the premiere viewing of short film subjects by the Lights! Camera! Action! class.  We enjoyed eight different pieces completely authored, created, directed, and edited by the student filmmakers.  Clearly, it’s all in the editing and the willingness to collaborate. The Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees class sold 160 bags of popcorn and made over $40 for the American Red Cross Relief Fund to help survivors of the China earthquake.  


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-three-y.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/07/chapter-three-y.php Thu, 03 Jul 2008 11:56:18 -1000 We are having fun!  And learning, too!  At our assembly this morning, students from some of our summer school sessions shared what they’ve been learning.  One of the Reading and Writing Workshop sessions taught by Ms. G. explained that they’re writing various pieces using an aspect of their five senses to convey detail and make their writing come alive.  The other group of older students in Reading and Writing Workshop are reading science fiction and learning to appreciate the characteristics of this genre. Students are reading and writing everyday because that’s how these skills are further developed and strengthened.


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/chapter-two-sum.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/chapter-two-sum.php Fri, 27 Jun 2008 15:08:25 -1000
preschoolers in brightly-colored swimsuits dancing under water sprinklers . . . students hovering over mounds of Lego pieces, searching for just the right pieces to build their first cars . . . first and second graders in reading circles . . . students in the Art Cottage carving out their designs in potatoes to make prints . . . students explaining their strategies to estimate the number of chocolate-covered raisins in a single box . . . boys and girls editing their first animation video . . . a group discussion on everyday inventions . . . children on the playcourt learning strategies to aim and throw a ball . . . children filling small bags of freshly-popped popcorn to raise money for earthquake victims in China . . . a circle of children learning how to knit with one needle . . . students reviewing basic math facts (how many feet in a mile? minutes in an hour? cups in a pint?)


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/first-chapter-o.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/first-chapter-o.php Fri, 20 Jun 2008 10:41:25 -1000 Thank you.  These are the two most important words to end school year 2007-2008, the centennial of Mid-Pacific’s presence in Manoa. We celebrated big time with in-depth class inquiries about our surroundings, revived Kite Day (certainly to be an annual event), and produced the opera Kahalaopuna, Princess of Manoa.  Our children’s successful experiences are attributed to strong community effort, beginning with parents.  

Thank you, parents, for your incredible support of your children’s learning and for your support of the faculty and staff. Your attendance at school and class events, inquiry presentations, student conferences, `Ohana and Parent Community Association (PCA) meetings, as well as generous support of the Children’s First Campaign, Annual Fund, Moon Over Manoa, and M Club Gala, demonstrate strong commitment of your time, talent, and treasure to Mid-Pacific Institute.  


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/twas-a-very-goo.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/06/twas-a-very-goo.php Tue, 10 Jun 2008 21:57:57 -1000 Pueo. Nene. A baseball. A laptop computer. The Hawaiian flag. Books. A cross.  These are some of the symbols representing ideas that the Fifth Graders value — their heritage as a people of Hawai`i, learning/education, faith, family, and community, to name a few.  And they will leave a special remembrance of themselves in a unique sculpture, inspired by the concept of a totem pole, which they learned about while studying Native American Indians.  The project was also undertaken to commemorate MPI’s 100th year in Manoa.  Their semester-long inquiry project, guided by Chaminade University student-teacher Tracy Stewart under the mentorship of our art teacher Jill Books, integrated reading, writing, science, mathematics, and Hawaiian history.  Through a collaborative process requiring negotiation and reflection, the students worked side by side to create a four-foot-tall sculpture currently housed just inside the glass doors facing the central courtyard. In the center of the “totem pole” is a potted tree representing life that is rooted in values.
 

]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/rooted-in-value.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/rooted-in-value.php Fri, 23 May 2008 00:29:28 -1000 41 + 21 = a lifetime of commitment and dedication to serving young children. Mrs. Gail Fukumoto and Mr. Louis Rivera served most of their years at Epiphany School, continued their work at Mid-Pacific Institute, and will be retiring at the end of this school year.

Gail began as a substitute teacher in 1966, was hired as a third grade teacher the following year, and continued in that grade level (with a few years as fourth grade teacher) until we began multiage instruction in 1990. At Epiphany School, she served as director of summer school, vice-principal, dean of faculty, interim principal, and director of the afterschool program (which she has also continued to oversee at MPI). She is a strong proponent of reading and writing.  She will be best remembered as the no-nonsense teacher with the big heart, who helped give birth to our children-first philosophy, and who has been a supportive, trusted colleague.


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/aloha-to-mrs-fu.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/aloha-to-mrs-fu.php Fri, 16 May 2008 09:57:08 -1000 Kahalaopuna. You already know that this original opera, written by Dr. Neil McKay, will be performed May 9 and 10, 6:00pm, to celebrate MPI’s 100th year in Manoa.  It’s been somewhat a leap of faith for all the children, who’ve been practicing their numbers pretty much in isolation without fully comprehending the opera in its entirety.

Well, today the pieces all fit together to create a wondrous tapestry of song and image. What talent abounds in the school! And I was amazed by the students’ sense of space and how they were able to adjust from practicing in the dining room or on the courtyard lawn to practicing in a space three to four times the size of their practice areas. They were focused on their cues and didn’t seem to skip a beat.  This opera, from the very beginning we began on this schoolwide journey, has been integrated into classroom curriculum through the production aspects. The children read James Rumford’s book, discussed the plot and themes, researched life on the ahupua`a (food production, Hawaiian pastimes), and read the libretto.  As I compose this letter, the performance is less than 24 hours away. Based on today’s preview for the middle school and high school, I’d say you’re in for a very special treat!


]]> http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/curtain-calls-a.php http://www.midpac.edu/elementary/2008/05/curtain-calls-a.php Thu, 08 May 2008 21:12:02 -1000