Chesapeake Academy's mission: to inspire each student to approach learning with
curiosity and creativity,
pursue excellence in all endeavors,
and act with integrity--
so each can make our community and world a better place.
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If you want to make a teacher irritated (and why would you want the stink eye from a teacher?), trot out the old George Bernard Shaw quote that disparages teaching. You may have heard, “Those who can, do; those who can't, teach.” Throughout my 30 year career in education, I have heard many people say things along those lines or also, “I will just teach if I can't find a job in my field” as if teaching is a fall back position rather than an aspiration.
I think because almost all adults have been students at some point in their lives, they believe that their experience in education makes them qualified to be an educator. It only takes a few minutes in charge of a class to know that there is both an art and science to teaching. Without the required training, practice, gut instincts, investment in continuous learning and creativity, students will not learn (or at least won't learn the right lessons!).
I often liken the experience of being a classroom teacher to being an air traffic controller. The teacher sets and files the flight path for all the students in the classroom. Then, the teacher must work effectively with each one to ensure that take off and landing occurs smoothly, that troubleshooting is quick, and that redirection gets the student back on track. Speed and altitude are constantly monitored and plans are adjusted on the fly to avoid turbulence.
If you fancy yourself a good multitasker, I would pit your skills against any teacher! They hold in their brains the content of the unit they're teaching, the skills and objectives required of students, and the academic and social needs of each student at any given moment. In addition, they monitor who's in the bathroom, who has a dentist appointment and needs to be packed up early, whose dog is sick, whose parent is out of town, where a student's pencil bag is, who is picking up at car pool, and who brought Pringles for snack! Add in last minute instructions about changes in the day's routine, covering someone else's class when needed, answering emails from parents and colleagues, and making sure that all the materials are where they need to be, and you've got a brain firing on all cylinders all the time.
That's just what happens during the school day! I didn't even mention that beyond school hours, teachers think about their students all the time. They spend after school hours on planning, grading, responding to emails, texts, and phone calls, and doing their own professional development to stay current.
The skills a teacher has don't necessarily translate to as teachers move from one level to another. Even experienced teachers get flummoxed in new scenarios. For example, in my career, I have worked with students from 3rd grade through college. I do not have the necessary skills (or temperament!) to teach PreK or kindergarten. I bow down before early childhood educators who know how to bring out the best growth and development in the youngest students. Other educators look at the middle school level and think, “not I!”
In this pandemic, many parents have had to take on the role of teacher with their own children for periods of time. Even when a teacher scripted a lesson or provided instruction over zoom, parents have realized how challenging a job teaching can be. I heard from so many parents last year what a stressor it was to teach their own children (and yes, teachers feel the same way about teaching their own children!).
So, as we celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week at CA and recognize the impact that teachers have on the whole educational experience, I hope you will thank a teacher with: “Those who can, do; those who can do more, teach.”
Julie
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Class Acts...
Chesapeake Academy 3.0: Blended Learning
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Midsummer Antics Delight
On March 17, Chesapeake Academy's Performing Arts and Lecture Series (PALS) presented Richmond Ballet's "Midsummer Night's Dream." The virtual performance excerpted iconic scenes featuring Puck and his mischief making from Shakespeare's famous play! The performance was performed and recorded in Richmond Ballet's Studio Theatre in downtown Richmond and includes engaging and interactive parts of the video where students can learn a dance to do in their chairs or at home, basic ballet terminology, where the dancers are from and how they developed their background in dance.
PALS programming is funded by the Wiley Foundation with support from the Virginia Commission for the Arts. Chesapeake Academy received additional funding for this program from Ms. Lisa Neimeier, grandparent of Davis and Anna Bugg.
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Pre-k Countdown Begins!
One huge bag of pocket change equals endless opportunities for learning to sort and identify coins and skip count on a hundreds board! And once students have finished with this counting extravaganza, the class will donate the loot to the Bell Tower Annual Giving Fund!
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Book Lover's Delight!
Birthday Books have all arrived and are distributed. Many have entered circulation to wide acclaim! Check out what wonderful titles were added to the James Library collection by the birthday book program!
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How to Describe the Fun?
Who said grammar can't be tons of fun? First graders are learning all about adjectives and how they add so much to a story. Students listened carefully to Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes, and gave an excited silent thumbs up each time they heard adjectives being used to describe Lily, her classmates, or her teacher. Students created their own character to add to the story, and were challenged to make them as magnificent as Lily was in the story by including lots of detail. Then, students labeled their characters with adjectives that described them.
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El Día De San Patricío
Third grade learned about El Día De San Patricío and its significance to Mexico. During the Mexican-American War, many Irish immigrants abandoned their adopted country (U.S.) to join their fellow Catholics in Mexico. Their actions are still celebrated in Mexico today where they are viewed as heroes. The class learned about the cultural importance and vocabulary related to the celebration of St. Patrick's Day in Mexico. They then made fortune tellers to practice the vocabulary they learned.
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Rocking Around the Rock Cycle!
Where do rocks come from? How are they made? What types of rocks are there? Third grade is investigating the rock cycle as they answer these compelling questions. Ms. Rogers would never let this inquiry be as dull as a stone! Instead the pied piper of third grade embraced a colorful confection, Starburst!
Once upon a time Starburst (playing the role of rocks in this lab) were a very hot liquid under the ground. Now they have cooled. Students cut the Starburst into pieces in the way that the mechanical forces of nature break rocks apart (Think, sedimentary rock).
Then (sticky) small hands apply pressure to the candies, chanting compaction and cementation, the forces that amalgamate the disparate pieces into a mass of component parts! The heat of hands helps with this process. (Think metamorphic rock).
And lastly, the smooshed ball of compacted Starburst visits the microwave (think, intense heat and pressure of the Earth's core), which melts their distinct colors (and flavors) into a common substance. Voila'! Igneous Rock!
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Detectives Crack the Crime!
Fifth graders recently finished the gripping mystery The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin. As they read, students kept track of the novel's 16 protagonists, clues, and evidence in a case file. Students had to think critically about the characters at every turn and imagine what characters might share with the world on a social media page. The end result was a detailed portfolio that helped inform the novel study's final writing piece.
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Humpty Dumpty 2.0!
Fifth grade designers drew on all they knew of drop rates and impacts to build an egg carrier that could prevent fracture in raw eggs dropped from a height. Students worked within a fictional budget of one hundred dollars for materials and labor costs as they created their designs.
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Agree? Or Disagree?
The goal of a pre-reading discussion is to get students buzzing about a work of literature and thinking about their own assumptions and beliefs. Fifth grade literature students engaged in an agree or disagree discussion in which they considered statements drawn from themes of the novel Hatchet. Students were asked to pick a side and then defend their position in a class discussion. Buzz and thoughtful discussion ensued!
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The Titans of The Gilded Age!
Seventh graders have just started studying the Gilded Age in U.S. History. First up...learning about monopolies, corporations, and the rise of big business in the United States. Students worked on a poster project where they had to compile important information about 4 important heads of industry: JP Morgan, Cornelius Vanderbilt, John Rockefeller, and Andrew Carnegie.
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Spanish Foodies, Unite!
Seventh grade Spanish students will soon know their way around a Spanish menu as they are expanding their food vocabulary in class. Students made good use of this vocabulary by making a foldable to sort all the things that they do and don't like to eat and drink. Students will use this to confirm and retain this vocabulary!
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Summer Camp is Just Around the Corner: Believe!
Voted top-rated in Eastern Virginia for the last six years, Chesapeake Academy Summer Camps combine adventure, the outdoors, and every variety of glorious summer fun. "If you are looking for quality summer experiences for kids in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula area, Chesapeake Academy has what you need!" explains Head of School Julianne T. Duvall. Camp Irvington for ages 4 to rising first graders, offers six one-week sessions and holds the answer to summer childcare needs. And Camp Chesapeake is perfect for rising second through eighth grade adventurers. Campers in both age groups will explore each week’s theme through age appropriate field trips and activities. All activities and entrance fees are included. All camps run Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and cost $250.00 per week. Space is limited, so sign up early. Register for all camps before May 1 to quality for zero registration fees.
In addition to this lineup, Chesapeake Academy is hosting Girls, Gizmos, and Gadgets the week of June 28 through July 2 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. as a specialty camp for girls in rising fourth grade through rising seventh grade. "Making full use of CA’s Arts & Innovation Hub, campers will design and code robots to perform a variety of tasks, create their own pieces using the 3D printer and laser cutter, and compete on fun challenges! This is a week that will inspire and energize your young inventor! We are pleased to offer a subsidized tuition of $100 thanks to generous donors," Duvall enthuses.
Fun Day Sundae- July 5-9 $250
Nothing is more patriotic than a cool ice cream after a hot summer day of adventure! Campers will participate in daily trips and activities such as bowling and beach time. Each day will include a cool treat at new, local ice cream destinations. Of course, expect splashes of red, white, and blue celebrations all week long!
Northern Neck Explorers- July 12-16 $250
Find adventure in and around the water! This favorite camp is back with new activities and destinations. Campers will swim, paddleboard, and explore parks --a perfect way to see the beautiful waterways the Northern Neck has to offer!
Farm to Table- July 19-23 $250
This exciting and delicious week is back! Campers will travel around the Northern Neck learning about local foods and harvesting and growing techniques. We will also seek the expertise of local chefs to learn more about how our food is prepared and try our own hands in the kitchen. New cooking experiences combine with old favorites to make this a can’t miss week of delicious meals!
Mystery Tour- July 26-30 $300
Chesapeake Academy’s famous mystery tour is back! New destinations and surprises make for a thrilling week where no two days will be the same. There is something for everyone at this camp. Mystery Tour will keep campers guessing what fun is to come each day!
Animal Adventures- August 2-6 $300
Calling all animal lovers! Campers will travel to local zoos and farms to see regional and exotic animals. Each day is sure to be a unique adventure as we see awesome animals up close. This is sure to be an exciting week! All entrance fees are included.
Mad Science- August 9-13 $250
Come experience the fascinating world of science at this new camp offering. We will explore astronomy, meteorology, and more through experiments on and off campus. New destinations and activities make this camp unlike anything offered before. Embrace your inner scientist and join the fun!
Chesapeake Academy camps will follow recommended COVID safety protocols in consultation with the Three Rivers Health District. In the event that CA must cancel a camp, registrants will receive a full refund.
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Attitude of Gratitude
- Thanks to the Friends of the Rappahannock for including CA faculty in their tree distribution.
- Thanks to Rosetta Struse for tackling a revamp of the Wiley Building supply storage.
- Thanks to CAPPA elves who ensured the CA faculty felt the love all week long!
- Thanks for all the sweet surprises from parents!
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Save the Date
3/26 Student Council Movie Night, 5:30 p.m., "The Princess Bride"
3/29 through 4/5 Spring Break
4/5 Faculty Professional Development, No School
4/7 Dress Uniform
4/9 End of Third Marking Period
4/1 through 4/30 ERB Testing
4/16 Report Cards emailed
4/28 Faculty Professional Development, 3:45 p.m.
4/28 Tag Day
5/1 Auction
5/5 Dress Uniform and Shoes
5/5 PALS presents, Geoffrey Marsh Puppetry, 9:30 a.m.
5/10 through 5/14 Virtual Grandparents and Grandfriend's activities
5/17 Environmental Study at Echo Hill, seventh and eighth grades
5/26 Tag Day
5/31 Memorial Day, Offices Closed
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