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Increase in Anxiety

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Axiety clipartResearch: A study by Jean Twenge in Clinical Psychology Review uncovered a dramatic shift in the indices of anxiety and depression among young people in the last half century, with an 80% increase from 1960 to 2002. Her theory behind it lies less to do with the state of the world, the economy, or other extenuating circumstances, and more to do with how children are taught to value their own worth. Twenge notes that anxiety and depression correlate with a sense of lacking control over one’s life or destiny, and is consistent with a societal shift from intrinsic goals (personal development or well-being) to extrinsic (primarily materialistic) goals. In schools this presents as a shift from a focus on developing independence and personal abilities to a focus on grades and testing, and adult-driven decisions about how children spend their days.

Practice: In an internal study conducted this fall, we found that 33% of Chrysalis students reported experiencing anxiety to some degree–from a general feeling of nervousness around particular situations to anxiety disorders. Our role in these students’ lives is to ease the pressures associated with traditional schooling: re-thinking the school day in terms of scheduling, allowing them to participate in individual or small group classes, reinventing social expectations, letting them to work at their own pace and ability level, providing flexibility in their coursework, giving them choices in how they pursue their education, and reinforcing the value of their personal interests. Our goals vary for each student depending on their particular circumstance.

Stop Hovering, Your Child Needs to Be Creative

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photo 1Research: Adam Grant of the University of Pennsylvania published an article over the weekend entitled “How to Raise a Creative Child. Step One: Back Off.” He reviews a number of studies about child prodigies and their ensuing careers and concludes that the way a child is raised can either encourage or thwart their creativity and what they achieve in the future. He notes that most prodigies never reach their full potential because they conform to adult expectations and interests, effectively becoming “excellent sheep.” The parents of highly creative people have few rules, encourage their children to find joy in their work, and respond to their intrinsic motivation and curiosity. Above all, they support their children’s passions, not their own.

Practice: These findings have big implications for schools, where kids spend a good deal of their day. At Chrysalis we encourage creativity by creating an environment where out-of-the-box thinking isn’t just accepted, it’s required on everyone’s part! We place a great deal of emphasis on finding children’s strengths and place them in educational programs where they will be able to incorporate their passions and interests into their learning. It means they spend more time in their areas of strength to further develop them, feel success, and develop a breadth of knowledge around them.

Developmental Levels

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IMG_4820Research: Most children are placed in classrooms based solely upon their birth date. Forgotten is the fact that brain function is highly individualized, developing at different times and rates for every individual. Margaret Semrud-Clikeman of the University of Minnesota warns that instruction that is above or below the maturity level of a child’s brain is inappropriate and can lead to behavior problems. Even worse, it can also lead to the misidentification of learning challenges and put a child on the path for academic failure. She argues that being aware of these developmental differences is important so teachers can both adequately challenge and nurture their students to promote academic growth.

Practice: We base our practices on what’s developmentally appropriate for each individual child. We have flexibility in determining which grade, campus, courses, and types of instruction a child receives. We can accommodate a variety of educational paths that allow for variations in brain maturity and developmental readiness, including later school starts in the primary years (some are ready at 5, others when they’re 7), early/late placement in high school courses, and postgraduate years for students who need a little more time before college. This way, we ensure that every child’s path is tailored to their own personal development.

“Hack School”

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IMG_2503Research: In our quest to implement our burgeoning makerspace, a team from Chrysalis toured Microsoft last week to see their version, called “The Garage.” While the space itself was inspiring, as they have access to the latest and greatest technology, even more so was the philosophy, attitude, and community that surround it. Our guide, Steve Scallen, reinforced the importance of what he termed “hack culture,” which can be summarized as a penchant for disrupting the conventional or safe way of doing things by asking how else it could be done. An organization that promotes hack culture understands there are many ways to get things done that are meaningful and valuable.

Practice: Applying Scallen’s ideas to Chrysalis, you could say we “hack school!” We often reject the traditional ways that schooling is done in favor of more effective ways to get better results. Where most schools’ practices are dictated by what’s most economically efficient, we look at what’s most efficient for learning, basing our practices on what’s best for the brain and learning at each developmental stage. This happens at many levels…from the construction of nontraditional schedules to alternative demonstrations of what kids know. Hack on, Chrysalis!

Student Voice

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IMG_1422Research: Russell Quaglia, President and Founder of the Quaglia Institute for Student Aspirations, conducted a study on the importance of student voice in schooling and student achievement. He found that students who are engaged are 16 times more likely to want to do well in school and concludes that “students who feel respected and have a sense of control and purpose over what they do at school have a much greater chance of doing well.”
Practice: At Chrysalis we recognize the importance of student voice and engagement in learning. We listen to students’ wants and needs and personalize their educational program to them. They have a say in their schedule, the selection of their teachers, and the direction of their classes. When we receive a new student we’re not only assessing where they are academically, but trying to connect with them on a very human level to understand their goals and help them find purpose in school. All of this adds up to engagement, which forms the basis for any and all academic work that follows.

Traditions

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IMG_6384Research: Psychologist Marie Hartwell-Walker’s article on family traditions gives some great insight into the importance that they play in our children’s lives. The holidays are steeped in tradition, with every family’s particular version varying widely. But what they all have in common is that they help mark the passage of time, provide moments for introspection and reflection, identify a child’s place in their community, and most importantly, reinforce a child’s sense of security. She states, “Anything positive, done regularly, puts something important in the child’s internal ‘security bank;’ emotional steadiness that can be drawn on in more difficult times.”
Practice: One of our winter traditions at South Campus is our annual Gingerbread House Day. It’s a time when the whole school (grades K-7) comes together to construct sweet fantastical creations. It’s so fun to see how the kids’ creations progress each year as they grow older and more skilled, and we all develop fond memories (teachers included)! What traditions does your family have?

It’s Not Rocket Science, It’s a No-brainer

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band (1 of 5)Research: In 1933 John Dewey wrote that teachers must “give full time and attention to observation and interpretation of the pupils’ intellectual reactions.” What he was referring to is now termed “presence.” Research shows that learning is bound to essential, authentic relationships where teachers are present with their students, paying close attention to their needs, and responding intelligently and compassionately to them. Presence is a major component of prompting participation in the learning experience and positive educational outcomes.
Practice: At Chrysalis we recognize the power of presence—it build the critical foundation for learning and can contribute to a transformational experience for students. All of our students receive one-on-one instruction in some form, providing hours of adult presence in their days. They feel seen and heard by teachers who strive to constantly balance the right amount of challenge with support to create and optimal learning environment. Click here for tips on how to practice being present at home.

Makerspace

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band (2 of 5)Research: A new trend in education is the concept of the “makerspace.” Makerspaces are zones for creativity, where people can access tools and materials to tinker, experiment, and try out new ideas. It’s student-driven experiential learning in action. Roland Barth, of the Harvard Principals’ Center, notes that such hands-on learning develops risk-taking, purposefulness in learning, the ability to pose important questions, freedom, hard work, collective learning, leadership, and a sense of responsibility for one’s self and others (2001). These are important characteristics not only of a successful student, but of a successful adult more generally.
Practice: We received a generous grant from the Glendorn Foundation to set up our own makerspace this year at the high school, and it’s starting to take form! Several enrichment areas have already been added to the activity room (where students gather between classes), including a sewing station, textile/paper station, game corner, and musical instruments. A workshop is in the works and electronics are coming in the new year! Students are beginning to use the new items in their free time and our hope is to encourage socialization, student-driven projects, peer teaching, and multiple ways to express learning.

We Don’t Confine Learning To the Classroom

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Dante GymnasticsResearch: There’s a movement happening in education that seeks to validate the learning that students do outside of the formal academic setting. Important skills can be gained in a variety of areas outside of school, including sports, music, art, volunteer work, or any other passion—activities that truly express student personalities, interests, and achievements. The challenge schools face now is to formalize a process that expresses these learning experiences and acknowledges the learning they’re already engaged in.

Practice: We’ve always known that learning isn’t confined to a classroom or school setting. This is why we encourage students to follow their passions and allow them time in their schedules to do so. It’s also why at the high school level we allow students to gain credit for activities they pursue outside of school, including PE, volunteer work, employment, and music.

Talking About Tragedy with Children

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France flagResearch: Our hearts go out to those affected by the attacks on Paris last weekend. These are scary moments that bring up many questions for adults and children alike. Time magazine published a great article this week that compiled various expert opinions on how to talk to kids of all ages about the attacks. What matters most is that kids know it’s okay to feel afraid or sad in these moments, that we all express these emotions in different ways, and that we are available for them if they want to talk about it. It’s important that they express their worries and concerns. At the same time, it’s important to maintain routines and reassure them that these events are unusual.
Practice: Some students are engaging their teachers in conversations about these events, others are not. We take each student’s age, level of anxiety and sensitivity into account when confronting these issues. We will be available for kids to talk if they need to, without requiring that everyone do so.

Our Campuses

Chrysalis High School and Middle School
15900 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE
Woodinville, WA p: (425) 481-2228

Chrysalis Elementary Campus
17005 140th Ave NE
Woodinville, WA p: (425) 481-2228

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