by Renee Owen | Feb 4, 2011 | Director's Blog
As you may know, Rainbow’s educational philosophy is wonderful. But it takes much, much more than a great philosophy to have a great school. What is that makes the difference between a classroom where kids REALLY learn, and one where they just do okay? The answer is classroom management. If you walk into a Rainbow Mountain classroom on any day, at any time, you should see children engaged in learning, or if in a transition from one activity to another, they transition smoothly and efficiently, with minimal time loss. The atmosophere is one of cooperation and joy. That’s because the teachers are masterful classroom managers.Â
Unfortunately, it is common for alternative schools to “throw out the baby with the bathwater” when it comes to behavior management. Because they don’t want their students to be fettered by the rigid style control of the public schools, they forget that children still need — and, in fact, thrive — in an environment that is organized and has a clear underlying structure and rhythm to it. Experienced, well-trained teachers know how to strike a balance. Rainbow teachers are firm, yet kind. They are structured, but not rigid. They know how to manage in such a way that disruptions are minimal, so every child  can make the most out of every day.Â
Various research in classroom management has revealed that in public schools there are so many behavioral disruptions, institutional disruptions (announcements, etc), and transition times, that students are only on task about 30% of the day! By contrast, for anyone who has been involved at Rainbow Mountain for the past three years or has toured it recently, it’s clear that our students are making the most out of every minute! For more research on classroom management: http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=BVM2ml2Q-QgC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=classroom+management+marzano&ots=GbtNbUMaRP&sig=hHGH3kEpWRZpRKhPE0LK-6ffEEI#v=onepage&q&f=false
by Renee Owen | Jan 19, 2011 | Director's Blog
Remember playing as a child? Most of us had a lot more freedom as children to run through backyards, wade in a creek, or form a neighborhood baseball game than kids do today. It turns out, all that “play” time helped us develop the most important skill for success in life: EXECUTIVE FUNCTION. To learn more: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=19212514
by Renee Owen | Jan 12, 2011 | Director's Blog, News
There is IQ, EQ (or EI for Emotional Intelligence), SI (Social Intelligence), but did you know there is a CQ for creativity?  What’s remarkable, is that researchers who have done longitudinal studies, have found that children who have high CQ’s, are exceptionally succesful adults. In fact, the correlation between CQ and adult success is three times that of IQ. Unfortuately, creativity scores are steadily decreasing in American children. Are we having a creativity crises? Read more…..
http://www.newsweek.com/2010/07/10/the-creativity-crisis.html
by Renee Owen | Jan 10, 2011 | Director's Blog
Some of America’s top schools no longer require SAT or ACT test scores for admission, because the correlation between test scores/IQ and success in college is very poor. (Grades are a much better indicator.) Some suggest a new measure called the EF Index, for “Executive Function.” The EF Index provides a mesaure of 1) Ability to complete tasks. 2) Being able to see the “big picture.” 3) Being able to deal with a multiplicity of factors and challenges.
Looking at the EF indicatores, a highly competent person probably has high intelligence in their field, but also has social intelligence (“plays will with others”) and emotional intelligence (self-control), along with organizational and time management skills, such as the Essential Learning Skills taught at Rainbow Mountain.
by Renee Owen | Dec 27, 2010 | Director's Blog
“If you want Santa Claus to be real, then you have to be like Santa Claus.”
Many of you who have told the Santa Claus story to your children, have been concerned about how to handle their disappointment when they realize the myth isn’t real. Although it sounds very cliche (but we are talking about Santa Claus here!), the myth is about having generosity and love in our hearts. Yes, Mom and/or Dad have been providing gifts in Santa’s name all these years, but that is because we want you to feel that love and generosity are real and universal. Love can travel the length of the globe in one night. It really is magic.
by Renee Owen | Nov 12, 2010 | Director's Blog
“I’m totally surprised and have never been more honored in my entire life…” Those were my words as I proudly accepted the PEACE PRIZE. The Fourth/Fifth grade “Fantastics” are studying twelve different Peace Prize Laureates from all parts of the world through the Peace Jam Curriculum. They learn the biography of each Laureate, his/her region’s geography, history, culture, and political landscape. Most importantly, they learn about virtue and character by studying what makes each laureate a hero, and talking about how they desire to help create a peaceful world as children and as they grow up. After designing and making their own Peace Prize medals, they each nominated someone for a prize and wrote an essay explaining why their nominee deserves the prize. To receive such high regard from these peace-loving children was an achievement that I was honored to receive.
