KWON students in grades kindergarten through three are learning about reference books. They are using encyclopedias and atlases in book form as well as iPad applications. Students used Google Earth on a laptop as well as on the iPads and Encyclopedia Britannica online, which they LOVED! They watched two videos, one for atlases and one for encyclopedias. Last week they searched dictionaries and learned about guide words, alphabetical order, and definitions through this video and through exploration. Students will use these sources to research their grade level topics in the next few weeks!
Kamehameha preschool students visited the library last week to hear Mr. Kekoa and Aunty Danette read about the weather in Mo Willems Elephant and Piggie book, Are You Ready to Play Outside? For games that involve Elephant and Piggie, click here! Mr. Kekoa also read a book about firefighters to the students to remind them about their recent visit to the Fire Station! The students loved the books and enjoy coming to visit the KWON library once a month!
All KWON students in grades K-6 will code for one hour during the week of December 8-14 along with millions of children around the world! Let's do this! For more information, go to hourofcode.com!
Ka Waihona o ka Naauao (KWON) will begin the accreditation process on Sunday, October 26, 2014 when a five member team from across the islands and United States converges on our school campus. The team will review KWON's educational environment and program. The accreditation process has been a long and arduous but worthwhile one for the students, staff, governing board, parents, and community partners of KWON. See below for FAQs about KWON's accreditation process.
What is accreditation? Accreditation would recognize that KWON maintains standards that allow graduates entrance to other reputable institutions of learning. The goal of accreditation is to ensure that the education provided by KWON meets acceptable levels of quality. Why get accredited? Accreditation confirms KWON's ability to provide a rigorous and worthwhile educational option for our students. The accreditation process allows stakeholders the opportunity to examine the school's academic standards and educational program to make improvements and set goals for future growth. Who is accrediting KWON? Hawaii Association of Independent Schools (HAIS) has put together a team that will review KWON's established operating standards, determine the extent to which the standards are met, and publicly announce these findings. What are other details I should know about accreditation? Accreditation is usually awarded in 3 or 6 year increments; 6 years being the highest award. Every 3 years thereafter, independent teams will visit KWON to ensure that a quality learning environment is still present. For additional information regarding Accreditation, go to the Hawaii State Public Charter School Commission's link or the Department of Education's link regarding accreditation. Ka Waihona o ka Na'auao's Fall Book Fair will be Monday, September 29-Friday, October 3. Students in grades K-6 will visit the Book Fair during the school day to view the books and write a wish list of books they are interested in purchasing.
Parents can attend the Fair with students before and after school on any day of the Fair. There will also be Muffins with Moms on Tuesday morning before school, Donuts with Dads on Wednesday morning, and Goodies with Grandparents on Thursday morning. Join us on those mornings for coffee and breakfast muffins! When you visit, please consider donating a book for your child's classroom. Students use the books for daily reading, AR tests, and for in class read alouds. The Book Fair will be dragon-full of fun! Hope to see you there! KWON students in grades two through eight read and take quizzes on Accelerated Reader (AR) to grow in their reading levels. Second graders are learning how to find AR books on the shelves using the library's destiny program on the iPads. If you would like to help your student practice at home, have them visit destiny.k12.hi.us and they should know what to do from there. You can also visit the library with your child to borrow books in their level for the fall break. Hope to see you soon!
During KWON's Open House on Wednesday, September 3, Principal Parker spoke to parents about KWON's accreditation process. KWON staff, students, and parents participated in a self-study for the past two years. This self-study resulted in a six year action plan for further school improvement, which Mr. Parker reviewed during his Open House speech. He also discussed KWON's accreditation visit coming up in the end of October. During this almost week long visit, a six member team from around the United States and Hawai'i will visit KWON to observe school practices and offer suggestions to encourage further student growth. Mahalo for your support of this endeavor. KWON fully expects to be awarded the full six year term of accreditation. If you would like to know more about the accreditation process, go to the Hawai'i Association of Independent School's (HAIS) website here.
Ka Waihona o ka Na'auao partners with many schools across the world but the farthest in location is definitely Japan. Teachers and Educational Leaders from Japan visit KWON annually to see our curriculum and experience our culture. This year, teachers were able to eat lunch in the cafeteria with students in grades 2-4 and one of the Japanese teachers taught a fifth grade class! A kindergarten student from Japan spent the day in a KWON kindergarten class where she learned about the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, by Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault, and and was able to write her name in English for the first time! The visitors felt welcomed and encouraged by their visit. Great job KWON students!
Calling all KWON graduates! PLEASE take a 10 minute survey to help us become an even better school! Go to http://goo.gl/rvH88l
KWON is working to better support our future graduates and your input would help! Questions? Email Kumu Keolani at [email protected] or call the KWON office. Mahalo! This week, kindergarteners and first graders at Ka Waihona o ka Na'auao are learning about research using the Super3. The students helped each other learn the Super3 song (sung to the tune of BINGO)! Great job KWON students!
If you are interested in learning more about the Super3 process, click HERE for a Super3 lesson about dinosaurs! |