A few weeks into the beginning of the year

Dear CAISL Community,

Welcome Back Picnic 2013 photos

Three weeks of school have already come and gone—and how busy they were!  Last week, particularly, was quite full with two Open Houses, one for Secondary parents and the other for Elementary parents, as well as the Parent-Teacher Organization annual Welcome Back Picnic with grilled hamburgers, lots to eat and drink, games for the children as well as sports matches (including Baseball!) and a bouncy castle/slide.  Many thanks to those who worked quite hard planning the event as well as to those who pitched in on the day to make it a great success.  What a wonderful way to kick off a new school year!

(To see more photos of the picnic please follow this link)

One of the themes of CAISL—and one you heard at both Open Houses and will continue to hear throughout the year—is the focus on individual effort.  No matter how much innate ability a person has, no matter how talented he/she is, little can be achieved without effort.  This is a one of the core concepts CAISL works to instill in our students.  For this reason, you will hear the terms “formative” and “summative” assessments.  The purpose is to allow students to put effort and energy into their learning without being fearful of making mistakes.  “Formative” assessments are for learning.  “Summative” assessments are also given and these occur after the student has had “formative” learning and practice and is ready to show what he/she knows and can do.  

Much of the philosophy which underpins this distinction can be found in the work of Carol Dweck and those who have subsequently built on her work.  The essence is that a person with a “fixed” mindset only wants to show how smart or talented he/she is and thus shies away from challenges.  A “growth” mindset person seeks to learn and challenges are a good way to learn to that person seeks them out.

There are so many excellent resources available for parents who wish to know more about, particularly about how to foster a growth mindset in their children.  Of course, a major source is the original book by Carol Dweck, called Mindset, The New Psychology of Success:  How We Can Learn to Fulfill our Potential.  (Ballatine Books, 2006).

 Below are some other sources, shorter and more focused on specific aspects of this topic:

•  Carol Dweck website with links to many articles and resources is http://mindsetonline.com 

• Video Clip: This short clip from YouTube is entitled “Growth vs Fixed Mindset”, posted by Matthew Metoyer in October 2012.
  

Print articles available online:

• Krakovsky, Marina The Effort Effect  Stanford Alumni web site.  March/April 2007                                       
• Gladwell, Malcolm.  The Talent Myth:  Are smart people overrated?  The New Yorker. July 22, 2002.
• Bronson, Po.  How Not to Talk to Your Kids:  The inversepower of praise.  New York                                     Magazine.   August 3, 2007.