Friday, September 26, 2008

“Navigating our students through Math” On Monday, I had the chance to visit Mr. Hockford’s Algebra I-9 class and observe its introduction to the TI-Navigator System.  Students used their TI-84 calculators and were able to interact and simaltaneously connect with others on their their devices.  Mr. Hockford taught a lesson on “order of operations, real versus rational numbers, and combining like terms” without pencil and paper and gave work soley over each student’s calculator. Since this was the class’s first lesson on the use of this system, Mr. Hockford walked the class slowly through the steps of using the calculators and posting their computed information by broadcasting on a whiteboard through a ceiling-mounted projection unit. This method of teaching allows Mr. Hockford to quickly check students' answers for both accuracy and understanding. His students can compare answers with each other in seconds.  In addition, Mr. Hockford can identify which students answered first, second, etc. Students have the opportunity to receive immediate feedback and visually compare their answers with the rest of the class. It was no surprise that there were a lot of smiles and much positive energy throughout the lesson.

Mr. Hockford, Mathematics Department Chair, uses the TI-Navigator system mostly for mental math drills, practice sheets and the infamous “PODs” (problems of the day). In addition, he often uses this interactive teaching method to introducing new math concepts. Rest assured, Mr. Hockford still assesses our students the “old-fashioned way” with pencil and paper in order to avoid any input error or sharing of work that could occur when being tested or quizzed solely on a calculator. 

I am pleased that Mr. Hockford is helping math teachers at other schools use this innovative and relatively new math system. Each summer, he directs workshops for peer schools on the TI-Navigator and gets the latest updates from Texas Instruments for new ways to use this technology.

Stay Tuned.  Enjoy your weekend!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Our founder, Harriet Peck Williams, would have been especially proud of our Latin students today. It was her expectation that students at Williams would be provided a classical education—a curriculum which included the teaching of Latin.

“Rage: Sing, Goddess, Achilles’ rage, black and murderous, that cost the Greeks incalculable pain....”  The opening of the Iliad, as translated by Stanley Lombardo.

Ms. Melissa Moss accompanied the Classical Languages IV class to a performance at Connecticut College of the first book of Homer’s Iliad given by New York's Aquila Theater Company. This reading, complete with a recitation in ancient Greek of the first lines of the epic, used a WWII setting and dramatic choreography to interpret the oral poetry. 

Homer’s work still resonates with modern audiences, whether as a text or performance. And the study of the languages of ancient Greek and Latin are valued and are still a hallmark of the education offered at Williams. The Classical tradition permeates the school: not only are students able to learn the ancient languages, but ancient literature in translation and ancient cultures are studied English, History and Theater classes. Williams Classics students must learn their conjugations and declensions well, but along the way they also learn about ancient art and culture in Ms. Moss’s lectures, about etymology and ancient food in Mr. Kenworthy’s classes, and about mythology through projects in Mr. Leach's classes. Later in the year look for information on our students participation in the Connecticut State Latin Day, National Latin Exam, Connecticut State Latin Contest and museum trips for AP students.

Stay tuned.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Friday, September 12, 2008

One of my favorite parts of the school day begins before our first bell at 7:55 AM.  If I am not in an early morning meeting, I love to be outside on the front steps chatting with the teacher on morning duty about various topics such as news headlines, the weather, the previous night’s sports highlights and maybe even school issues. It is a pleasure to greet the students coming off the shoreline and New London buses, and from their cars lugging their various forms of bookpacks (some with wheels) on their way to their lockers and grade level hallways.  The signal for me to come in is the daily cannon blast from the Coast Guard Academy and subsequent playing of our National Anthem. If you haven’t experienced this, I invite you to come join me! (I’ll even provide coffee or tea.)

Yesterday was, I believe, a first for our visual arts program. Art teachers Ms.Tekla Zweir and Mr. Greg Bowerman discovered horses on Freeman Field in the quad area on Connecticut College’s campus. During the day both teachers brought their art classes (Art I and Digital Imaging & Graphic Design) over to the horses for use in teaching “gesture”  and expose the students to the elements of a college drawing class. Our students paralleled their work alongside students from a class taught by Conn. Professor Pam Marks. Our film students used this exceptional opportunity to take photographs of the horses with their newly designed pinhole cameras. Like you, I am excited to see the finished product from these talented students. Look for these drawings and photos when you come for Parent’s Night on October 2.

Stay tuned - Enjoy your weekend.

Friday, September 5, 2008

It was an opening day to remember! At 8:00 AM on Thursday, the energy and spirit that permeated throughout the Daren Performing Arts Center was awe-inspiring. I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak to the entire student body as we begin the 2008-09 school year and stress the mission and core values of a Williams education. During this assembly, the tradition that I most anticipate and am most proud of is the true warmth and acceptance (and loudest applause) that our returning students show our new students, faculty, administrators, and staff as they are introduced. After assembly, our students had the opportunity to meet all of their teachers and learn about the academic expectations and opportunities that will shape their year.

It was exciting to see the faces of the students as they entered the Student Center for the first time—“awesome” was the word I heard most often as they turned the corner from the catwalk queuing into the now much speedier lunch line. We ended day one with our traditional tug-o-war (won by the senior class) and sent the students off to 9th period and after school activities with a scoop of ice cream. All in all, a terrific day. I hope it was for everyone.

Stay tuned. I look forward to sharing a window on Williams each Friday! 

Enjoy your weekend.

August 2008, Proud to Be...At Williams!

This year 311 students don the mantle of the Blues. Whether at play on the athletic fields, performing on stage, participating in class or competing in academic contests such as the Physics Olympics, Williams Blues bring a distinctively joyous energy and pride to all they do. As you can tell from pictures of my appearances at holiday and senior assemblies past, this spirit of fun is contagious!

To capture and share the excitement at Williams, this year I will be blogging weekly about the amazing student experiences and accomplishments. I look forward to hearing what makes you proud about Williams and sharing great news with you each week!

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