Pruett's AIG Blog for IBJ

Wow, this is it! I'm watching 5th grade play kickball in what will be their last recess here. Touching! I wanted to say thanks for all the support I've received from the Jones community. This is only my second year here, and I feel welcomed and appreciated. I should note that AIG services for sixth graders receive a major re-assessment - based on the same measures we've used in the past, aptitude and achievement. Our cut-off scores have moved to 90th percentile, but we're looking for patterns of performance over all the existing measure we have - namely EOG, MAP, iReady, and other scores including the Cognitive Abilities Test - which sixth graders will take again in the fall. You'll hear more about this from jo.landreth@acsgmail.net and mary. nichols@acsgmail.net. Fifth grade students all received a letter from the AIG program as well as a personal letter from me in their folders this week. Rising fourth and fifth graders, for the most part, will receive the s...

Third grade ESG students shared Insects Are My Life, a book about a kid with a huge interest in bugs. The question begged:  what is your life? Here are some results. Dig that robot dog!

Kamishibai are a form of Japanese street theater popular in the early twentieth century. I shared one with fifth grade ESG students this year and then unleashed them to make their own. I found it a lot easier for students to use note cards - although original kamishibai would have been larger. Here are a couple for your consideration!

I feel truly fortunate to be a part of such a great school. Here is a SMALL slice of some of the awesome things going on: Here are the "Mystery Lunch" winners heading out to lunch. Did you know there's a drawing for kids showing up for EOG tests to head out for a special lunch? Killer. And I got to chaperone! Here is Ms. Page hosting readers theater plays in the media center. I love readers theater! I confess I'm not sure what brought these fine folks to our school, but clearly it was some kind of mentorship program. What a great opportunity for students! Finally, here are some shots from the extensive talent show that showcased so many Jones students.

UNCA neuroscientist and Jones parent Dr. Patrick Foo visited fifth grade AIG students today. He brought with him tons of scientific equiptment to learn about the brain and eyes - including cow eyeballs which students were able to dissect! Dr. Foo presented an interesting historical overview of human understanding of thought as an introduction. Students looked at models and specimens of brains and eyes before getting to dissect the cow eyes. This was, hands down, one of the best classes ever! THANKS SO MUCH to Dr. Foo for his time and his pledge to continue Jones' connection with UNCA.