Woodley Words I S S U E

Principal’s Corner

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What is Mind in the Making? Ellen Galinsky’s book, Mind in the Making: The Seven Essential Life Skills Every Child Needs, focuses on early childhood development and shares research findings from experts in the field. From these findings, the author identifies seven life skills that can help children reach their full potential and unleash their passion to learn. This young age is a critical period for developing and supporting executive functioning skills, or the management function of the brain. Executive functions enable us to deal with problems in a deliberate yet flexible way to reach a goal. Executive functioning skills support learning, academic achievement, and social development. Galinsky shares 7 essential life skills that promote the executive function envelopment: 

Focus and Self-Control- helps children achieve goals by emphasizes paying attention, remembering the rules, thinking flexibly, and exercising self-control. This is especially critical in a world filled with distractions and information overload.

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Perspective Taking- involves figuring out what others’ think and feel. Children who can take others’ perspectives are often less likely to be involved in conflicts.

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Communicating- determining what one wants to communicate and realizing how our communications will be understood by others.

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Making Connections- figuring out what’s the same, what’s different and sorting these things into categories. This is at the heart of learning- from knowing information to using it well.

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Critical Thinking- the ongoing search for valid and reliable knowledge. This knowledge guides beliefs, decisions, and actions.

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Taking on Challenges- resiliency and willingness to take on challenges rather than avoiding them. Research indicates children who take on challenges do better in school and in life.

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Self-Directed & Engaged Learning- through learning we realize our potential. The world continues to change, so can we—be a life-long learner.

The big message is a simple one: teaching children to think may be the most important thing we can do to prepare our children to be successful in life. With this in mind, we can instill in our children a grasp of different kinds of knowledge to foster self-motivation and become life-long learners.

Sharon Aldredge Principal Theresa Garvis Assistant Principal WOODLEY

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NOVEMBER

17TH

Willisa Toney Assistant Principal

Woodley Words Rincón informativo de la Directora ¿Qué es “Mind in the Making” (la mente en la fabricación)? El libro de Ellen Galinsky, Mind in the Making: Las siete competencias prácticas esenciales que todos los niños necesitan, se centra en los resultados de desarrollo de la infancia y de investigación de acciones tempranas de expertos en el campo. A partir de estos hallazgos, el autor identifica siete habilidades para la vida que pueden ayudar a los niños a alcanzar su máximo potencial y dar rienda suelta a su pasión por aprender. Durante esta edad joven es el período crítico para el desarrollo y apoyo de habilidades funcionamiento, o la función de gestión del cerebro. Las funciones ejecutivas nos permiten hacer frente a los problemas de una manera deliberada y flexible para alcanzar una meta. Habilidades de funcionamiento ejecutivo apoyan el aprendizaje, el rendimiento académico y el desarrollo social. Galinsky comparte 7 competencias prácticas esenciales que promueven el desarrollo de la función ejecutiva: • El enfoque y auto-control-ayuda a los niños a alcanzar metas, enfatizando prestar atención, recordar las reglas, pensando de manera flexible, y el ejercicio de autocontrol. Esto es especialmente crítico en un mundo lleno de distracciones y sobrecarga de información. • Tomando en Perspectiva- implica averiguar lo que piensan y sienten los demás. Los niños que pueden tener perspectivas de los demás son a menudo los menos involucrados en los conflictos. • Comunicando- determinar lo que se quiere comunicar y darse cuenta de cómo nuestras comunicaciones serán comprendidos por otros. • Haciendo Conexiones- averiguar lo que es lo mismo, lo que es diferente y clasificación de estas cosas en categorías. Esto es el corazón de aprendizaje- de conocer la información para usarla bien. • Pensamiento Crítico- la búsqueda permanente de conocimiento válido y fiable. Este conocimiento guía las creencias, decisiones y acciones. • Asumir Retos- la respuesta y disposición para asumir retos y desafíos en lugar de evitarlos. Las investigaciones indican que los niños que asumen retos les van mejor en la escuela y en la vida. • Auto-Dirigirse y Envuelto en el Aprendizaje- a través del aprendizaje nos damos cuenta de nuestro potencial. El mundo sigue cambiando, por lo tanto- ser aprendices de por vida. El gran mensaje es simple: enseñar a los niños a pensar que lo más importante que podemos hacer es preparar a nuestros niños para tener éxito en la vida. Con esto en mente, podemos inculcar en nuestros hijos una idea de los diferentes tipos de conocimiento para fomentar la auto-motivación y convertirse en aprendices de por vida.

Sharon Aldredge Directora Theresa Garvis Willisa Toney Asistente Drirectora Asistente Drirectora WOODLEY

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NOVEMBER

17TH

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Math Anxiety in Elementary School (adapted from “Teaching Children Mathematics” March 2013) Math anxiety is a real condition, and has shown up in MRI data scans of student’s brain activity. The part of the brain associated with negative emotions was more active than their brain activity for mathematical reasoning. While there is little evidence on math anxiety for elementary students, research on adults with math anxiety has shown an inability to perform mathematical operations (add, subtract, multiply and divide) due to a lack in self-confidence. We want to support students so that their anxiety does not impede their mathematical abilities. Many students that have math anxiety also lack self-confidence in their mathematical abilities. So, if we focus on building student’s confidence in math, they will have less anxiety surrounding their mathematical skills. One way to help students build their self-confidence is to show that math problems can be solved in a variety of ways. There is generally one right answer, but many different paths and strategies to get to that answer. Also, each student needs to feel valued that they have something to contribute in the mathematical solving process. For students that are uncomfortable sharing out loud, journal writing may be a way to get them to share their math strategies. We also want to emphasize the importance of making and learning from mistakes, and helping students to see how math is relative to their everyday lives. We want students to be lifelong learners, and be flexible mathematical thinkers!

Each year, Congress provides financial assistance to local school districts through the Impact Aid Program. We are requesting your assistance in completing the Impact Aid form so that Fairfax County Public Schools can obtain its fair share of funds from this program. forms were sent home on October 30th . The forms sent home are to be returned to the school no later than Friday, November 20, 2015.

Impact Aid Forms

Todos los aňos el Congreso proporciona ayuda financiera a los distritos escolares locales por medio del programa de Ayuda por Impacto. Solicitamos su ayuda para completer este formulario de manera que las Escuelas Públicas de Fairfax puedan obtener la parte que les corresponde de los fondos en este programa. Algunos de los maestros mandaron el formulario a la casa el viernes, 30 de Octubre. Tienen que devolver estos formularios a la escuela, el viernes, 20 de noviembre, 2015

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Energy Zone NUTRIFAX Fighting Childhood Obesity

Today, childhood obesity is a major national health crisis affecting about 25% of all students. Poor diets and lack of exercise are the major causes of this epidemic. Parents are role models who must take an active role in guiding their children’s food selections and encouraging physical activity. It is recommended that children exercise at least 60 minutes a day and spend less time in front of the television or computer. Family Exercise Tips • Be an active family.

• Plan a daily exercise routine.

• Wear a pedometer

• Limit TV and computer time.

• Adults and children should exercise 60 minutes a day. The goal is 10,000 steps per day

2,000 steps = 1 mile NUTRIFAX Peleando con la Obesidad en la Niñez Hoy, la obesidad en la niñez es una gran crisis nacional de salud afectando aproximadamente al 25% de todos los estudiantes. Dietas pobres y la falta de ejercicios son las mayores causas de esta epidemia. Los padres son los modelos a imitar, quienes deben tener participación activa guiando a sus niños en la selección de sus alimentos y alentando sus actividades físicas. Es recomendable que los niños hagan ejercicio por lo menos 60 minutos al día y pasen menos tiempo en frente de la televisión o la computadora. Consejos para hacer ejercicios en Familia • Sea una familia activa.

• Planee una rutina diaria de ejercicio.

• Use un podómetro.

• Limite el tiempo en la TV y computadora.

• Adultos y niños deben hacer ejercicio 60 minutos al día. La meta es 10,000 pasos por día. 2,000 pasos = 1 milla WOODLEY

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Student Council Class Representatives & Ambassadors 2015-2016 On October 26th we inducted our student council class representatives for grades 2-6 and student council ambassadors for grades kindergarten and first grade. These students help deliver the student council news and support student council events throughout the year! We look forward to another great year with the student council! Ambassadors DeVille: Jack Boehm Dunbar: Joseph Fenuku Smith: Jacob Fisher Mathwin: Syntyche Assiobo Pikul: Kailey Wong Crockett: Danny Hernandez Green: Hilda Lartey & Michael Delcid Yousaf: J.J. Notte Sinclair: Ibby Hussain Ketchum: Brayden Kromis Class Representatives Butler: Britney Ampong & Antonio Look Whitten: Amelie Granados & Will Welch Sloane: Charlotte Koch & Enock Ofosu Sharma: Ella Lyowski & Claire DeRose Stoddard: Hesham Javed & Mariana Avelargueros Sypek: Ben Notte & Kenya Gonzalez Cruz: Samuel Dever & Leyli Benegas Nunez Hunter: Aarti Nachani & Steven Cisneros-Diaz Carter: Angie Manzanres-Ramos & Thomas Mastrain Steele: Mia Miller & Grace Johnson Thompson: Vanessa Amaya & Carlos Sanchez Mojica: Liz Hernandez Ramirez & Aidan Koch Byrd: Alannah Dixon & Anthony Sorto Lawrence: Lydia Welch & Miguel Cortes-Nava Cole: Kathy Castillo & Celvis Turcios Branick: Francessca Montero & Jose Barrera Lopez Janssen: Sara Carranza Morels & Victor Rodas Garcia Rubright: Ciara Fogle & Vera Nimoh Eustis: Nicholas Cippola & Caden Ritchie Martin: Daniela Suarez-Funes & Cesar Almendares Lopez Clinkscales: Tatianna McDaniel & Conner Walthall WOODLEY

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Miller: Mariam Mehmood & Nathaly Ramirez Kardisco: Robert Nachnani & Ella Dever

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Monday

November is… National Career Development (Month) Native American Heritage (Month)

Tuesday

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Teacher Workday No school

Teacher Workday No school

Wednesday

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Thursday

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Friday

6 9:15am Kg. Field Trip National Zoo

7pm PTA Board Meeting

School Psychology Awareness (Week 9-13)

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Veterans History Week in Virginia (Week 9-13)

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7:00pm PTA Meeting

10:50am Thanksgiv-

American Education Week (Week16-20)

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8:00am Fall Make up Pictures

9:00am 5th Grade Field Trip-National History Museum 6:00pm Turkey Bingo

ing Luncheon Veteran’s Day

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Afterschool Programs 3:30pm – 3:45pm Student Leadership Academy

10:30pm FECEP Parent Meeting

(Tuesday) Woodley Gents (Tuesday) Lego Mindstorms NXT (Tuesday)

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Brain Busters (Wednesday & Thursday)

25 9:00am 4th Grade Assembly

2:30pm SCA Meeting

1:30pm Students Released 2 Hours early

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9:00 am Career Day

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27 Thanksgiving Holiday No School No School