September 16, 2019

Hi Families and Friends of THRIVE,

Here we are in the middle of September, and students and teachers are settling in and doing well.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we have tried to place your student in the optimal space for their learning needs.  Some changes still need to be made, perhaps, but for now things are going well. 

In Language Classes we have progressed through some review concepts for all classes, intermixed with new information as well.  Four classes have had their first test, and three have completed reading their first novel.  The two younger classes will be having their first test within the two weeks.  First math tests will also be on the horizon.  Please check your child's daily assignment sheets to keep up with due dates, homework assignments, and test dates.  Students are given time each day in class to write down these assignments directly from the board in each class.

One thing I would like to comment on is how our teaching philosophy differs here at THRIVE.  Instruction includes every area of academia, and one of the most important things to learn with the first test is "how to take the test."  Many students have test anxiety, and it is very helpful to teach students how to manage the anxiety, and how to look for clues and strategies while taking a test.  We look for the recall and understanding of the concepts taught so far as we give our first test, but just as importantly how does the student take the test.  In Language and Math alike, tests are not given just for a grade.  Our philosophy goes much deeper than that and builds and repeats concepts to build toward recall and replication.  This recall and replication does not happen for 90% of students with just a few repetitions.  The average learner takes
14-20 repetitions to be able to understand, recall, and replicate a concept.  A student with a learning disability will require 20+++ repetitions before this cycle is completed.  Ours is not a "one and done" instructional philosophy.  So the tests are really not the measure of success or progress, only a stepping stone in a year of learning.  This sometimes is difficult for parents to understand, as it is most often not the way of traditional classrooms.  I hope this helps to put any worries out of your mind if things don't look "the same way" as they may have looked if your child has been in a general education classroom.  We are not a sprint, but a marathon.  Trust the process and enjoy the progress you will see along the course.

We look forward to seeing each of you at our "October Check-in" on the third and fourth of October.  If you have not signed up, please do so immediately using the Google Form that you received by email.

Remember we have an open door for your questions and concerns, so please do not hesitate to text, email, call, or schedule a time to discuss any of these.  We need firsthand information from you if you have any of these.

Look for a new blog post each week.  I'm working on other ways to communicate as well.  Please be patient as we try and make communication channels as effective as we possibly can.  

Thanks so much for allowing us to be a part of your child's educational journey.

My best,
Cheryl Eller