Inspired Teaching Learning Showcase

[Anonymous]

This school is amazing! I attended this evening with some family members, and and I must say that I was really was blown away by what I saw. My niece LOVES her teacher and her school, and now I see why. Well done to the entire staff! Your dedication and hard work truly showed tonight, through the incredible work and enthusiasm of the students. Kudos to all of you!

[Anonymous]

I am a parent and my kids were excited all week about this month's Learning Showcase, and after last night I can see why. It was so crowded, I think every parent in the school showed up. Apparently, my kids weren't the only excited about the evening.

Every classroom represented a continent and the kids were charged with drafting blue prints and constucting buildings and environments that represented some aspect of a particular continent.

Instead of sending the project home with the kids, they worked on it in teams or 2-3 kids at school. Every project was conceptualized and completed by the students-- and the students alone --and their creations were AMAZING!!

The truth is, if my DC had brought the project home I would probably have put in more than my "two cents" worth of assistance and it would have either become a battle of the wills, or it wouldn't have been a creation that was fully their vision.

Moreover, since all the projects were done in school, the students had equal access to the materials which many families donated. In other words, less fortunate students were able to make their vision come to life because they weren't constrained by their parent's ability to buy materials.

Bravo IT! You guys get "teaching" right. I've already turned in my re-enrollment packet. My kids would kill me if I messed up and they couldn't come back to school here. They absolutely love it.

[Anonymous]

I love the whole Learning Showcase thing. I particularly liked the volcano one of the older kids made. And the passport stamps!

We are in preschool there. My preschooler was so excited he couldn't nap. Honest question-- is this very unique or do other schools do similar things? Even if they call them something different?

[Anonymous]

I've been in 3 different schools systems and I haven't seen anything like the learning showcase. However, I'm sure it's done in other places or at least some form of it. (There's nothing new in the universe). I do however think IT has created something very special with the children. They feel ownership. That's why they were so excited.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are in preschool there. My preschooler was so excited he couldn't nap. Honest question-- is this very unique or do other schools do similar things? Even if they call them something different?

Having not been to the IT Learning Showcase, I can't compare completely, but this sounds much like Mundo Verde's expedition showcase, in which the children show all that they have learned in the last expedition to parents and family members.

[Anonymous]

I think Capital City does something similar. It must be an expeditionary learning thing?

Anyway, it was really cool to see what the kids are doing and to see how the curriculum is being integrated across the grades. And the panels for the Phillips Collection were impressive, too!

[Anonymous]

Yu Ying does something called student led conferences that sounds a little different but maybe with common themes. Instead of just a report between the parent and teacher on student's progress, the student leads parents through a series of stations for an hour + where they show their work and teach parents without any assistance from the teachers. It is definitely the highlight for me and I agree with the OP that seeing your child show you with excitement what they are doing at school is a great experience!

[Anonymous]

Yes, like PPs, I've seen these type of showcases at other schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I've been in 3 different schools systems and I haven't seen anything like the learning showcase. However, I'm sure it's done in other places or at least some form of it. (There's nothing new in the universe). I do however think IT has created something very special with the children. They feel ownership. That's why they were so excited.

This was special, for sure. It was not a performance piece rehearsed ad nauseum at the expense of learning time. It isn't teachers repeating curricular plans. Parents spent an evening enjoying their children's learning at their own pace and with such a personal focus. It's a true picture of learning happening in so many forms and ways - and is about as authentic as I've ever imagined. This place is so fabulous - and I'm not sure a good chunk of parents even realize how unique this sort of experience is in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I've been in 3 different schools systems and I haven't seen anything like the learning showcase. However, I'm sure it's done in other places or at least some form of it. (There's nothing new in the universe). I do however think IT has created something very special with the children. They feel ownership. That's why they were so excited.

This was special, for sure. It was not a performance piece rehearsed ad nauseum at the expense of learning time. It isn't teachers repeating curricular plans. Parents spent an evening enjoying their children's learning at their own pace and with such a personal focus. It's a true picture of learning happening in so many forms and ways - and is about as authentic as I've ever imagined. This place is so fabulous - and I'm not sure a good chunk of parents even realize how unique this sort of experience is in DC.

I don't doubt that it was great, but do you realize how condescending you sound to all the pp's who have just said that their schools do this type of thing? At least one of the schools mentioned above has a showcase that does exactly what you say, so I'm not sure you can say that it is unique. Rare, yes, unique, no.

[Anonymous]

Agree with 13:51, I know of 2 schools in DC that do almost the exact same thing as part of their expeditionary curriculum. It is not a performance piece or teachers presenting work. I follow IT threads because I am interested in sending my child to the school-- but there are a couple of IT boosters that make the school seem desperate.

[Anonymous]

You guys have to be kidding me! I'm not the PP, but it has been acknowledged by several parents that other schools may have similar events. However, I'm the parent that has kids who have attended schools in 3 different states at public, private and charter schools, and what I have witnessed at Inspired Teaching is very special. I refuse to water down the incredible experience my children are having for some overly sensitive people on DCUM. I am not exaggerating the fact that my kids love this school. Their enthusiasm has been no where near this level at previous schools--even the ones I personally liked. I can't express how happy I am that my children feel as good as they do about their school and I'm sure your children are having a great experience as well. (At least that is my hope)

Isn't it fantastic that we have all of these great options in DC! So why are you fussing.

This string is talking about Inspired Teaching and it's Learning Showcase. No one has said anything negative about any other school in this city. DBJ

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This was special, for sure. It was not a performance piece rehearsed ad nauseum at the expense of learning time. It isn't teachers repeating curricular plans. Parents spent an evening enjoying their children's learning at their own pace and with such a personal focus. It's a true picture of learning happening in so many forms and ways - and is about as authentic as I've ever imagined. This place is so fabulous - and I'm not sure a good chunk of parents even realize how unique this sort of experience is in DC.

I don't doubt that it was great, but do you realize how condescending you sound to all the pp's who have just said that their schools do this type of thing? At least one of the schools mentioned above has a showcase that does exactly what you say, so I'm not sure you can say that it is unique. Rare, yes, unique, no.

13:36 here.

I'm not condescending to the people who said their schools do this type of thing. I'm saying that IT - and those select schools, too - have a unique - or yes, rare - thing happening in DC with these sorts of exhibitions. The vast majority of parents of the 80,000 children in DC who attend publics or public charters aren't experiencing this sort of "showcase" or presentation with their children. IT's philosophy is all about inquiry - and this was true inquiry into the teaching/learning process. Kudos to the schools, teachers, administrators, and staff who can create such an amazing experience for teachers, students, and families all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 13:51, I know of 2 schools in DC that do almost the exact same thing as part of their expeditionary curriculum. It is not a performance piece or teachers presenting work. I follow IT threads because I am interested in sending my child to the school-- but there are a couple of IT boosters that make the school seem desperate.

It's sad that you equate parental enthusiasm with desperation. I'm do not see myself as an IT booster but as a parent who, from time to time, shares information and my experiences on DCUM. I've been amazed at how the parental and student excitement has remained so high for the school (even as we head into the home stretch). If you came to the Family Day last weekend or the Learning Showcase last evening you would know that many of the IT posts are simply trying to convey community spirit and atmosphere that is hard to put into words. If you are cynical, then this may sound like boosting to you. However, we're having a community event in May and if you are lucky enough to win a spot, you can come experience it for yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with 13:51, I know of 2 schools in DC that do almost the exact same thing as part of their expeditionary curriculum. It is not a performance piece or teachers presenting work. I follow IT threads because I am interested in sending my child to the school-- but there are a couple of IT boosters that make the school seem desperate.

It's sad that you equate parental enthusiasm with desperation. I'm do not see myself as an IT booster but as a parent who, from time to time, shares information and my experiences on DCUM. I've been amazed at how the parental and student excitement has remained so high for the school (even as we head into the home stretch). If you came to the Family Day last weekend or the Learning Showcase last evening you would know that many of the IT posts are simply trying to convey community spirit and atmosphere that is hard to put into words. If you are cynical, then this may sound like boosting to you. However, we're having a community event in May and if you are lucky enough to win a spot, you can come experience it for yourself.

This. NP. I'd love to echo my excitement about the school and do not want to come off as desperate. I truly have not experienced anything like what we are experiencing at IT. My kid was so bummed out not to have school today. I absolutely love IT and personally, would not leave for any other public/charter in the city. But that is my personal experience and would never expect anyone else to have that same perception. There are so many great schools in DC and I'm excited about that. We just never got lukcy in getting in any of the other ones and are over the moon that we were lucky to get into IT. Big risk, but big rewards IMO.

The showcase was pretty awesome. It does happen at other schools. We went to one with a friend at Bridges. It wasn't as in dept, of course as they're preschoolers, but there were stamps and that was exciting. I was very impressed that it seemed to be at least a 90% turnout for each class.