Thursday, December 12, 2013

But inside, it's so delightful...

Despite the frigid school temperatures outside, warm and joyful learning is happening inside Dryden. Come take a peek!

Record-breaking freezing temperatures have hit the Chicago area this week, Brrr! But, as long as the windchill was above zero degrees, children were happily playing outside in the first snow. 
Fortunately, inside Dryden, it is merry and bright and WARM! The kindergarten hallway was transformed into a cheerful, welcoming Gingerbread Village decorated with students' artwork. 

First grade students are learning from second grade students as they present their national landmark research projects. 

Thank you, Dryden Families, for donating $1358.80 to the Dolphins Filling Buckets coin drive for the American Red Cross. All of our donations will aid Illinois families affected by the tornadoes in November. 

Guitar lessons are beginning during 5th grade music class!

During PE, fifth grade students teach kindergarten students about the circulatory system with this obstacle course simulation of the heart.

During Computer Science Education Week, students participated in an Hour of Code to learn about computer programming.
Dryden students and staff show their school spirit each month with a fun dress-up theme. Our most recent was Crazy Hat Day. Yee-haw!


A great number of students have been participating in Fuel Up to Play 60 Club by the Midwest Dairy Council, and Dryden is being recognized for the students' outstanding participation in a variety of fun, healthy activities. They won 3rd place in the Milk Mustache Contest for National World Milk Day. Club sponsor, Mrs. Crandall was invited to Halas Hall to meet the Chicago Bears football players and network with 25 other Fuel Up to Play school representatives from across the state. 

Sunday, November 17, 2013

Rising to the Challenge

This week I was fortunate to join the LMC Directors from Arlington Heights School District 25 at the National Conference for the American Association of School Libraries in Hartford, Connecticut. They are a dynamite group of instructional leaders! They are so passionate about instilling a love of reading and learning in each child and supporting classroom teachers. They understand that students' motivation to learn and take on challenges stems from the children's own questions and curiosities, and that we as educators have the responsibility to strengthen (and be careful not to stifle) those dispositions. Following are some highlights that I learned...

Keynote speaker, Tony Wagner, referenced the research in his book, Creating Innovators. He emphasized the importance of school librarians and educators in teaching and motivating children to become self-directed, innovative, collaborative learners. Children need opportunities to design their own investigations that include asking deep questions, thinking critically, and speaking and writing with voice and reasoning. These skills are vitally important in the workforce and for citizenship. Wagner noted that schools with a culture of innovation and collaboration have a sense of play, passion and purpose. He shared that real learning is built around real, complex problems in an environment where children feel safe taking risks and learning from their failures. Classrooms should not be places where children "sit-and-get."

Many of the workshops emphasized student-directed research aligned with Common Core ELA Standards, beginning in kindergarten. All kinds of helpful strategies were shared so that students can be successful and self-directed in the following aspects of research:
  • Questioning
  • Locating and evaluating print, multimedia, online and human resources
  • Reading informational text
  • Note-taking
  • Writing and revising so that text is clear and coherent, shows evidence, and includes correct grammar and mechanics
  • Making positive connections in a global community
  • 21st Century Skills of collaboration, communication, problem-solving, creativity and innovation
  • Habits of Mind such as persistence, thinking flexibly, striving for accuracy and taking responsible risks

The presenters reminded us that it is okay to focus on a particular aspect of the research process during instruction. In addition to these short, focused lessons, completing a full research process with students once or twice a year using a flex schedule is ideal.


It was emphasized that student research should not be "fact-fetching", but an opportunity for students to analyze and synthesize information. Students should be empowered with choice and responsibility.

Presenter Paige Jaeger shared an awesome template for developing Common Core aligned student-led research that includes a teacher self-assessment.

Kristina Holzweiss shared 25 websites that include access to a variety of informational texts and lesson plan ideas that align with Common Core Standards.


It was a treat to see and hear firsthand childrens' authors Jon Scieszka, Adam Gidwitz, Tony Abbott, Jonathan Auxier, William Alexander & Neal Schusterman talk about boys reading, focusing on fantasy. They expressed the benefit for boys to be able to connect with a main character and experience vicariously problems and journeys that connect with their deepest fears and desires, and ultimately helps them cope with life's challenges. It was also inspiring to learn how these authors incorporated or referenced great classics in order to connect students with the greater body of quality literature.

After attending the AASL conference, I certainly have a deeper appreciation for all our LMC directors do for students and teachers. I am filled with gratitude for all the exciting learning, collaborating, and innovating our children can experience at school. I am also filled with optimism and hope for a bright future that will result from these amazing school experiences.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Text Complexity is Complex!

Recently at Dryden we participated in "close reading" of the first 16 pages of  Appendix A of the Common Core Standards for English Language Arts to learn more about text complexity and what this means for our students. We quickly learned that text complexity is very complex!

According to this document, although the reading demands of universities and the work place have increased in recent years, the overall text complexity of K-12 reading texts have decreased significantly. Furthermore, although non-fiction texts make up the majority of required reading in college and the workplace, relatively very little non-fiction reading has been required in the elementary and middle school grades. Fortunately at Dryden, we strive to ensure a balance of quality fiction and non-fiction literature instruction that enhances student learning in the content areas like science and social studies. 





In order to read complex texts with understanding, students must develop skill, concentration and stamina. Students should have many opportunities to persist at reading challenging texts that offer them "new language, new knowledge and new modes of thought."

Lexile uses word length, word frequency and sentence length to give a quantitative measure to text complexity. However, to ensure students are reading and comprehending age-appropriate texts within an increased Lexile band, there are two additional features of text complexity that are important to consider:

1. Qualitative Dimensions of Text Complexity include levels of meaning or purpose, structure, language conventionality and clarity and knowledge demands. These dimensions range from simple to sophisticated. At this time, qualitative dimensions are most discernible by humans and require attentive reading and trained judgement.

2. Reader and Task Considerations are variables specific to readers such as motivation, knowledge and experiences. They are also specific to tasks, such as purpose, complexity of task, and the questions posed. Teachers' "professional judgement, experience, knowledge of their students and the subject" play a critical role in determining whether a text is appropriate for a child.

What further complicates reading instruction is that "students' ability to read complex text does not always develop in a linear fashion." For example, a teacher may choose to use a text with a lower Lexile but challenging content that could carry multiple meanings, figurative language and events out of sequence as a student learns to understand text with this kind of sophistication.  

It is important to note that increasing text complexity alone for our students will not strengthen their reading and comprehension. In addition to instruction that stretches students' reading abilities, they also need many opportunities to read for enjoyment at levels they find easy to understand. Parents and teachers play a valuable role in nurturing, supporting and being aware of our children's reading interests and giving them time and space to read for enjoyment. 

Friday, September 6, 2013

Getting into the Groove

It has been a very exciting and fun beginning to the school year at Dryden! Our PTA and staff warmly welcomed families back to school with new student tours, Meet & Greet, Ice Cream Social and Curriculum Night. Teachers have gotten to know their students and are building a positive, interactive community in their classrooms where everyone can do their best learning and learn from one another.

I apologize for not blogging earlier this school year, but I have been busy learning a lot of new things myself. I have learned how to use Dropbox, Animoto and Vimeo to create and share videos highlighting our week at school. We post these videos on our school website and email them home as links in our weekly school newsletter. Here is an example from our first week of school.

Our Technology Facilitator, Mrs. Breaux, and Assistant Principal, Mrs. Trendel, helped me create an iMovie to share information about our school on Curriculum Night. In past years, all the families met in the commons to hear this speech. Being able to share this video in the classroom helped with the flow of the evening and allowed us to keep most of the evening time focused on student learning.

So now, classroom routines have been established and we have quickly gotten into the groove of learning. This past week, as I visited classrooms, I observed our students deeply immersed in close reading, writing and problem-solving in math.

Watching the children "lose themselves in a book" brings back fond memories of similar reading experiences I was able to enjoy over the summer break.  Here is a summary of the professional books I read and how they are inspiring me to continuously improve the way I work and live my life:


Unmistakable Impact by Jim Knight
Our Instructional Leadership Team read this book over the summer. This book serves our team as a guide in strengthening our school's culture of ongoing professional development as well as developing a very focused, action-oriented, streamlined school improvement plan. The Partnership Principles of Equality, Choice, Voice, Reflection, Dialogue, Praxis and Reciprocity were of most value to us, as they are the foundation to all of the work we do in teams at Dryden. We are constantly learning and growing together.

Notice & Note by Kylene Beers & Robert E. Probst
I gained some powerful ideas for teaching Common Core English and Language Arts from this book. Beers and Probst offer instructional strategies to cultivate reading habits that make students more observant, responsive, questioning and analytical of what they read. With "signposts", students learn to become alert to significant parts of texts, read closely and support their interpretations with evidence. Several of our teachers participated in a book study over the summer, and it's exciting to see them applying these practices in the classroom. Even more of our teachers plan to participate in a book study over the course of the school year as well.

To Sell Is Human by Daniel Pink
It almost felt unnatural to read this book because of my own opinions regarding differences in the corporate world and the education profession. However, I found this book highlighted many positive ways that our society is evolving, and how we can incorporate specific strategies in improve our service to others. This includes being fair and honest, understanding other people's perspectives, being flexible and willing to improvise, communicating a consistent message clearly and through multiple forums, and maintaining an open, optimistic outlook while applying grit.

Mindset by Carol Dweck, Ph. D.
This book was actually on my daughter's high school summer reading list, too! Author Carol Dweck distinguishes a "growth" mindset from a "fixed" mindset, and explains how the mindset you adopt for yourself guides a large part of your life. When we take on a "growth" mindset our potential is unknown and unknowable, so a continuous thirst for learning, effort, grit, and resilience become part of our personalities, which leads to personal motivation, success and happiness. In contrast, a "fixed" mindset focuses on one's abilities, attitudes, etc. as unchangeable, which can lead to negative self-image, feeling stuck in a rut, and needing to protect a perceived status of being "the best" rather than being comfortable with learning from mistakes and striving for continuous improvement. This book inspires me to nurture a growth mindset in our children and ourselves as we confront challenges throughout our lives.





Friday, June 21, 2013

A Great Start to the Summer!

Even though school has officially let out for summer, there are still many special things going on here. Several of our staff have been participating in curriculum and professional development in science, literacy,  technology and language acquisition.

It's also been great to see many Dryden students and teachers participating in the Summer U programs at South Middle School:

Joe showed me his awesome insect box. He added a banana peel, peanut butter, sugar, dirt, sticks, leaves and grass to attract insects. I wonder what he'll find!


Danny is demonstrating how to use the catapult he created for a play in the "Booktivities" class. 

Summer is a great time to strengthen literacy skills.

Mrs. Crandall is leading a fun and creative clay animation class. 

Ms. Feck captivates students with an exciting summer read. 

The gym/commons/cafeteria is being updated with a fresh coat of paint, a new color scheme and new stage curtains. 


Thank you to Miss Lowry and the PTA Ecology Club for planting hostas in the courtyard!

We have an awesome summer crew deep-cleaning every room and hallway in our building. 


Grounds are getting cleaned up and updated as well. This is the site of Dryden's future Welcome Garden!
It's been a quiet month in the office, but we have been able to organize many files and work on plans for making the 2013-2014 school year another great one for our students. 

I hope you are enjoying your summer days! Please send me pictures and stories of your summer adventures! 



Thursday, May 30, 2013

Principal Macy's Afternoon in Charge at Dryden School

Third grade student, Macy, won the ABC25 Foundation Raffle at Dryden to be principal for a half day. She did an outstanding job visiting classrooms, making announcements, Tweeting and supervising recess. Following are her words about her afternoon as principal of Dryden...

Principal Macy is sitting in her principal's office.


Mr.Deptula is playing a game with his class.


Principal Macy is opening the door to the courtyard.

Principal Macy is standing where the bridge is gonna be.

Principal Macy is speaking to the 1st graders.

Principal Macy's class wrote her notes about Dryden

Principal Macy is watching everybody at recess.

Principal Macy was eating a dolphin cookie.

Principal Macy is chatting with someone on the phone.

Monday, May 27, 2013

What a WONDER-full Spring at Dryden


What a WONDER-full spring it has been at Dryden! We were captivated as Gertrude the Duck successfully led her 10 ducklings out of the Dryden courtyard and into the big, big world. 

Similarly, our fifth grade students are ready to spread their wings as they leave Dryden and head to South Middle School. They demonstrated maturity and responsibility during World of Work Day in downtown Arlington Heights. We wish our Fifth Graders all the best. They are truly “UNSTOPPABLE”!




Our Kindergarten students our growing up, too! Here they are singing a song written by art teacher Mrs. Fuglestad at their spring musical performance:




It takes a very talented, dedicated staff and a very strong, supportive parent partnership to make the school year a successful one for children. This spring we have been able to celebrate and share our appreciation of everyone’s hard work during Staff Appreciation Week and the Volunteer and PTA Recognitions. The sincere expressions of gratitude from students, parents and staff for one another through letters, posters, videos, food and handmade gifts meant so much to all of us who are so committed to making each day a WONDER-full experience for the children at Dryden. 

PTA Moms and Munchies

Teachers training teachers... 
They brought back many great ideas to share from the ICE (Illinois Computing Educators) Conference. 
There were many exciting learning opportunities at Dryden this spring. Following are just a few of the highlights:
Author visits from Jennifer Ward and Bill Buczinsky thanks to our LMC and PTA

Live interactive presentation by University of Minnesota Raptor Center in 3rd Grade
First grade studying wind with the wind socks they created
Hosting middle school students from Shitara, Japan
Twelve teachers and administrators from Shitara, Japan came to Dryden to learn about elementary education in the United States...
Our warm and welcoming students and staff quickly made our guests feel right at home, and soon they were participating right along side the students!

The Arlington Heights Council of PTAs awarded two Dryden alums and several other former AHSD25 students with generous college scholarships. These scholarship recipients attributed their academic success and desire to make a positive impact on the greater community to their teachers and families who upheld high expectations and never stopped believing in students' abilities to reach their highest academic and citizenship potential. 

The Dryden Courtyard has been a special place for learning and reflection over the years. Thanks to the ABC25 Marion Elliot Grant, we are able to bring some enhancements to the courtyard this spring and in the coming school year. 
Kindergarten students create mud pies and nests out of dirt and straw.
A snapshot of the courtyard prior to enhancements... 
A view of the courtyard with the walking path and rock exploration space... arched bridge, student-created stepping stones, mystery rock cart, stump seating, compost tumbler, rain gauge and bird houses soon to come!

May the summer vacation bring your families continued special moments of WONDER and enjoyment. Read lots of good books, play outside, enjoy the arts and keep us posted on your many exciting adventures, whether through traveling or in the neighborhood. Send us a postcard or email. Have a great summer!