Lower School Newsletter – March 27, 2024

Dear Lower School Families,

Welcome back from spring break! I hope you and your family had a wonderful and relaxing time!

We hope you enjoyed participating in your child’s student-involved conferences and learning about their progress and goals for the remainder of the year. During those conferences, you may have noticed that your child and their teacher used Harvard Project Zero Thinking Routines to prepare for their presentations. Examples of those routines are “3-2-1” (3 Things I learned, 2 Things I accomplished, 1 Goal I have) or “Compass Points” (What are you EXCITED about? What is your STRENGTH? What do you NEED to work on? What do you WANT to learn next?). These routines are simple yet powerful tools used by our teachers to spark deeper thinking and meaningful discussions in the classroom.

These routines are sets of questions or prompts that guide students through a specific thinking process. They encourage students to observe closely and analyze details, identify patterns, and make connections. They also ask our students to wonder and question, challenging assumptions, generating new ideas, and exploring possibilities. Our students consider various perspectives, analyze cause and effect, and compare and contrast. Through all this work, they become effective communicators that articulate their thoughts clearly and confidently, collaborate with peers, listen actively to others, share their reasoning, and participate in productive discussions. 

By using Project Zero Thinking Routines throughout their learning in the Lower School, your child is becoming a more active learner and engaging in deeper understanding. They are developing critical thinking skills that help them analyze information, solve problems creatively, and reach well-supported conclusions.

These routines aren’t confined to the classroom walls! You can use them at home to spark conversations and encourage deeper thinking during everyday activities. While watching a movie or reading a book, you can ask “What do you think will happen next? Why?” (Think-Pair-Share). Or after a family outing or activity, you can ask “What was the best part of today? Why?” (Headline News). 

Project Zero Thinking Routines are a powerful way to equip your child with the tools they need to become lifelong learners and critical thinkers. We are fostering a love of learning and empowering them to think deeply about the world around them!

We are grateful for your unwavering support and active role in the Lower School community. Your partnership is truly invaluable, and it plays a critical part in fostering a positive and enriching learning environment for our students.

Please don't ever hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. We value your input and are always happy to connect with you!