WCS Blog

Monday, October 29, 2018

The Bigger Picture

We, at Woodstock Christian School, are part of the bigger picture of education. There are times when we focus on our school and our particular joys and challenges. The annual Christian Educators' convention helps to provide perspective and is a wonderful reminder that we are part of something bigger. We are part of the education system in Ontario - the independent schools sector. We are part of a larger community of provincial and national Christian schools. We are part of God's family and His story, partnering with parents to raise children who will learn how God has gifted them and how they can use their gifts and skills as citizens and in service to their communities.

Did you know that more than one quarter of independent school enrolment in the province of Ontario is in Christian schools? The Edvance group of schools represents 75 schools in Ontario & the eastern provinces which contribute an enormous service to the population. As Christian independent schools, we are in a unique position to collaborate with our families. We are blessed to be able to unfold the beautiful story of Christ. God has called us to be people and schools which show and build character, competence, and courage. We are part of God's bigger picture - part of His story - as we learn and serve in our communities.

C. Verbeek, Principal

Posted by admin @ 03:48 pm

Share

Comments

Login to post comments.

Why Project Based Learning?

Monday, October 22, 2018

Why PBL (Project-Based Learning)?

“Project Based Learning can be transformative for students. By presenting students with a mix of choice and responsibility, cognitive concepts and practical activities, within an environment of real-world authenticity, projects engage students in learning that is deep and long-lasting.” This quote comes from the website of The Buck Institute for Education (http://www.bie.org/about/why_pbl). This is one of the leading organizations that provides support and resources to educators who use the practice of PBL in their classrooms.

Over the past couple of months our Eighth Grade students have been engaged in two major PBLs, the Gaga Ball Project and more recently a Fractured Fairy Tale Project, which they have been working on in partnership with the Fourth Grade class. As an educator, I have been using PBL to some extent for as long as I have been a full-time teacher. Watching students engage in deep and long-lasting learning is very encouraging. However, knowing that we at Woodstock Christian School are able to provide these opportunities to our students from a faith-based perspective opens up so much more potential for students.

Our school-wide theme for 2018-2019 is “Walk with God and Talk with God”, based on James 4:8, which says, “Come near to God, and he will come near to you”. As we work to unpack what this means in our classroom this year, students are given the opportunity to apply this thinking to the real-world authentic learning that occurs in Project Based Learning. What a privilege it is for me to be used by God to serve Him at Woodstock Christian School!

Mr. Tony Schaafsma, Grade 8 Teacher

Posted by admin @ 02:43 pm

Share

Comments

Login to post comments.

Community Prayers

Monday, October 15, 2018

Community Prayers

For many years, staff and Board representatives of WCS have attended the Mayor's Prayer Breakfast for the City of Woodstock. This event provides an opportunity for the Christian community -- pastoral teams, ministry leaders, Christian business people -- to seek the well-being of the community and to pray for our leaders, as Scripture commends. It is an opportunity to build stronger bridges between City Hall and the faith community. It has been a blessing to meet and pray with community leaders and to see their heart for families throughout the city, for students, for those who struggle. Our WCS Forward Drive campaign booklet this year focuses on prayer and includes a prayer for community written by Trevor Birtch, Woodstock's Mayor.

1 John 4:12 "No one has seen God. If we love each other, God lives in us, and His love is perfected in us." The City of Woodstock and its citizens belong to You, God. Endow our mayor, and city council with your wisdom in decisions they make. Fill them with compassion, with discernement to listen as they lead their constituents. Give them courage to speak and live Your love and truth to those they serve. Hold the families of the city leaders as they support their loved ones. Protect them, enfold them with Your Spirit even as the enemy continues to attack. We know Jesus Christ already has the victory! In His name we pray, Amen.

C. Verbeek, Principal

Posted by admin @ 03:19 pm

Share

Comments

Login to post comments.

A Mindset

Tuesday, October 09, 2018

As someone thinks within himself, so he is. Proverbs 23:7

A mindset is a belief about yourself and your basic traits relating to your intelligence, talents and personality. An individual may hold a fixed mindset or a growth mindset. A fixed mindset is a belief that traits are fixed and cannot be influenced nor increased. A growth mindset is a belief that traits can be cultivated through attention and effort. Believing that your qualities are fixed, or can be cultivated, leads to a host of thoughts and actions that carry an individual down entirely different paths of growth and development (Dweck, 10).

The students of grade 7 began their year learning about mindset. Angela Watson is a Christian, wife and educator. She has created a 10 lesson unit on Growth Mindset. Grade 7 began the year in this curriculum. We explored the terms, definitions and practical applications of mindset. We learned the difference between a fixed, and a growth mindset. We identified our responsibilities in our own learning and contributions at WCS. We became aware of, and put to use, language that develops and supports a growth mindset.

The following visual is helpful in distinguishing between how a fixed, and a growth mindset, responds in a learning environment (www.quora.com).

Most importantly, we learned what God’s word instructs us about how he created us and how he desires us to think in order to grow and flourish in his will.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14

So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Phil 4:13

Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace. Rom 8:5–6

God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Tim 1:7

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Cor 10:5

Whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things. Phil 4:8

Lesa Racicot- Gr. 7

Posted by Joleen @ 01:42 pm

Share

Comments

Login to post comments.

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

Monday, October 01, 2018

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)

One of the ways that we measure student learning at WCS is through the use of the MAP test. MAP is an acronym for Measures of Academic Progress. Several years ago, we were using the Canadian Test of Basic Skills to measure how we, as a school, were doing in terms of educating our students as compared to provincial and national norms. The CTBS no longer suited our needs and was somewhat outdated, so the search was on for a more reliable and current test.

We are now into our fourth year of testing using Northwest Evaluation Association's (NWEA) Measures of Academic Progress (MAP). Edvance (formerly The Ontario Association of Christian Schools) has highly recommended this test for participating Christian Schools. The test is designed not only to compare students' scores to norms but also to measure individual student progress over time in reading, language usage, and math. The MAP on-line test adapts the level and complexity of the questions to be appropriate for each student's level of learning. As a result, each student will have the same opportunity to succeed and maintain a positive attitude toward testing. Another advantage of MAP tests is that we receive detailed, accurate information about student growth. Over the past two years, NWEA has done some terrific work in building in assistive technology supports. We are excited about the new features for this year's test.

Students will start the testing this week. Testing will occur three times this year, once during each of the fall, winter, and spring terms. If you are interested in learning more about MAP, here is a link to further information: nwea.org/assessments/map/ and/or nwea.org/content/uploads/2017/08/Parent-Guide.pdf.

During parent-teacher conferences, there will be opportunity to ask questions about MAP testing and results as well. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to speak to staff.

October 2018

Why Project Based Learning?

Community Prayers

A Mindset

Measures of Academic Progress (MAP)