Martha DeJesus
I have mentioned mental models a number of times recently, and
we are working as a staff to help our students learn by creating
mental models. You can help at home by encouraging your child to
“make a picture” in his or her mind to help them remember
things.
I was in a second-grade classroom the other day and a student
was having trouble with proper nouns. The teacher sat up straight
with her feet flat on the floor acting “proper” and the student
remembered to capitalize the word. In kindergarten, our students
learn secret stories. Certain letters of the alphabet have special
stories that explain the way the letters sound together. One story
is about the letters “c” and “h” riding the train together saying
“ch ch ch.” These ideas may sound silly but they are effective.
One of our first-graders was struggling to spell a word and the
teacher said “Remember the train.” The student knew right away what
the letter combination was. We can use mental models for any number
of reading and math facts and rules, at any age. Mental models
don’t have to be pictures or stories; they can also be songs. The
idea is that the student is able to put something in their mind to
attach the new information to, making the learning deeper.
When we read, most of us make a movie in our mind to help us see
the story. Comprehension improves when we are able to use our
mental movie to recall information and think about the story. When
you share a book with your child, ask them to picture what a
setting or character or a situation looks like. It’s fun to have
conversations like these and the habits of learning become
ingrained.
Math facts are hard for some students, and I have found that
making up silly stories for some of the hard ones can really help;
like six times eight went over the gate and when they came back
they were forty-eight. Everyone does not need to have the same
mental model as long as it works. Maybe you can think of some of
the mental models you use every day to share with your kids.
Junior Pioneers will be from 10 a.m. to noon Feb. 18. Students
will also perform later that day at a home basketball game. For
more information, contact Sandra DiCamillo at 719-689-2661.
The CCV School District will be closed for President’s Day on
Monday, Feb. 21.
Third-grade reading CSAP tests will be taken Feb. 23-24.
Students will test for about an hour each day. Sometimes students
are nervous when they see a story that seems too long, or they see
a page full of blank lines they are supposed to fill with their
written answers. But if they just relax, read carefully, and think
about their answers they will do well. Encourage your child to be
confident in their ability, relax, and give it their best.
Immunization clinic will be Feb. 21 at CCV Mountain Health
Center (School Based Health Center). Call 719-286-1100 for an
appointment.
Early Childhood Parenting Program designed by Love and Logic
will be offered Jan. 26 to March 2. This five-week class will be
each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. in the kindergarten classroom at
Cresson Elementary. The cost is $20 per person or $25 per
couple.
We have openings for preschool students who qualify for Head
Start, Colorado Preschool Program, or Tuition. We look forward to
increasing our preschool capacity, preparing our students for
success in school.