Teacher Margaret's "View From My Window" - February 13th

Dear Friends,

When was the last time you stood on stage, in front of an audience of over 100 people, and gave a speech from memory? That is what our fourth-grade students did today. Their speeches were the culmination of weeks of research in New Jersey history. Each student chose a famous New Jerseyan for a deep dive into their lives with particular attention to contributions to their communities.

We had Vince Lombardi, Harriet Tubman, Danny Devito, Shaquille O’Neill, Derek Jeter, Christopher Reeves, Clara Barton, Alice Paul, Laurie Hernandez, Joe Flacco, and Mike Trout. Public speaking is a muscle children strengthen with practice. Every year Westfield students have multiple opportunities to speak before small and large groups.

Thank you to the families who braved the snow to come to Tuesday’s Demonstration of Learning Evening. The Middle School students’ work in science was on display in the gym. Seventh and eighth-grade students had completed renderings of body systems affected by disease. Each small group had researched problems such as diabetes. Fifth and sixth-grade students' dioramas and written descriptions of their portion of the earth’s spheres were carefully and accurately depicted. Students were ready to answer questions about their work from the parents and others. This is not unlike the poster talks scientists and researchers present at conferences as a part of their professional responsibilities. These students have the foundation they need to present with confidence regardless of the work they may do as adults.

Warmly,

Margaret Haviland