Greetings,
Meet Josh. If you talked to his teachers they would say he was a great kid but always off task, talking non stop to his classmates usually about the weather, and rarely completes any written assignment. His friends would say he knows a lot about only one topic, weather, but he is fun to be with, when he isn't talking about it. His parents are delighted with Josh and love his enthusiasm. They can see how teachers are frustrated but don't understand why the teachers can't see his positive qualities. Parent conferences are frustrating for both teachers and parents. If you ask Josh how he feels about school he'll tell you he likes his friends but thinks the teacher doesn't like him and wishes he could just study what he wants. Josh is in 2nd grade and is already a discouraged learner with an affinity for weather.
Meet Josh. If you talked to his teachers they would say he was a great kid but always off task, talking non stop to his classmates usually about the weather, and rarely completes any written assignment. His friends would say he knows a lot about only one topic, weather, but he is fun to be with, when he isn't talking about it. His parents are delighted with Josh and love his enthusiasm. They can see how teachers are frustrated but don't understand why the teachers can't see his positive qualities. Parent conferences are frustrating for both teachers and parents. If you ask Josh how he feels about school he'll tell you he likes his friends but thinks the teacher doesn't like him and wishes he could just study what he wants. Josh is in 2nd grade and is already a discouraged learner with an affinity for weather.
An affinity is an area of study where a child is most enthusiastic and passionate. Mel Levine wrote, “One of the most important things we can do is celebrate their strengths. Those assets with which they’re going to find meaning in life and be able to make contributions”. He states also, “(Affinities) also can enhance skills; the best way to learn how to read and write well is to read and write about something you know and care a lot about."
A content affinity is an area of content toward which a child is drawn for some reason. A particular kid loves cars. Someone else is into sports statistics. Another child loves fashion. It is so important to identify these content affinities. An awful lot of important skills can ride on the coattails of your affinities. If you combine affinities with strengths, you begin to carve out a potential career.”
Many school counselors have a Career Day. Although the children get to learn about many careers that may be of interest to them. The students are still passive in their participation. Exploring ones affinity gets the children engaged in their learning.
Josh is a perfect candidate. His love of weather can be a spring board for engaging him in every aspect of his learning and educational growth.
The Affinities Program at Haycock Elementary School began during the summer of 2006 in the living room of our reading teacher, Barbara Bosworth. Barbara and I had just read Dr. Mel Levine’s book “Ready or Not Here Life Comes”. As we discussed the main concepts introduced in his book it occurred to us that Haycock School needed something to capture the zest for learning in our students. When a student is interested in the subject and working with their strengths wonderful things can happen socially, emotionally, and academically.
With the end in mind, a night where students could share their affinities with each other and celebrate their knowledge and passion for a topic, the Haycock's Explorers & Affinities Festival was born. Over the years the program has evolved and grown and now all students share their affinities at the end of the year.
Starting an Affinities Program at your school provides an opportunity for parents to support their child to develop and explore their affinities. In this program in which both parent and child sign up, parents will have opportunities to learn more about supporting their child’s affinities. The year will culminate in an Affinities Festival to celebrate the students' learning.
Throughout the year there are many activities and events which highlight Affinities. Guidance lessons help students discover what topics they might want to explore as well as learning about adults who's affinities turned into careers such as Jim Henson's book The Guy Who Played with Puppets. In addition, students share their affinities on the morning new or display in the hallways (Affinity Alley).
Lastly, a student, who was known to avoid homework, proudly told his mom, when she reprimanded him for building with his Legos. "Mom, Lego's are my affinity. One day I may build something with real bricks."
What's your affinity?
Affectionately,
Jeanette
A content affinity is an area of content toward which a child is drawn for some reason. A particular kid loves cars. Someone else is into sports statistics. Another child loves fashion. It is so important to identify these content affinities. An awful lot of important skills can ride on the coattails of your affinities. If you combine affinities with strengths, you begin to carve out a potential career.”
Many school counselors have a Career Day. Although the children get to learn about many careers that may be of interest to them. The students are still passive in their participation. Exploring ones affinity gets the children engaged in their learning.
Josh is a perfect candidate. His love of weather can be a spring board for engaging him in every aspect of his learning and educational growth.
The Affinities Program at Haycock Elementary School began during the summer of 2006 in the living room of our reading teacher, Barbara Bosworth. Barbara and I had just read Dr. Mel Levine’s book “Ready or Not Here Life Comes”. As we discussed the main concepts introduced in his book it occurred to us that Haycock School needed something to capture the zest for learning in our students. When a student is interested in the subject and working with their strengths wonderful things can happen socially, emotionally, and academically.
With the end in mind, a night where students could share their affinities with each other and celebrate their knowledge and passion for a topic, the Haycock's Explorers & Affinities Festival was born. Over the years the program has evolved and grown and now all students share their affinities at the end of the year.
Starting an Affinities Program at your school provides an opportunity for parents to support their child to develop and explore their affinities. In this program in which both parent and child sign up, parents will have opportunities to learn more about supporting their child’s affinities. The year will culminate in an Affinities Festival to celebrate the students' learning.
Throughout the year there are many activities and events which highlight Affinities. Guidance lessons help students discover what topics they might want to explore as well as learning about adults who's affinities turned into careers such as Jim Henson's book The Guy Who Played with Puppets. In addition, students share their affinities on the morning new or display in the hallways (Affinity Alley).
Lastly, a student, who was known to avoid homework, proudly told his mom, when she reprimanded him for building with his Legos. "Mom, Lego's are my affinity. One day I may build something with real bricks."
What's your affinity?
Affectionately,
Jeanette