Focus on Curriculum: Cross Curricular Tools
- Sunday, September 21, 2008
I would encourage our parent body and those connected to our school to continue to educate themselves on what makes the Academy an academically-rigorous environment. With that in mind, I plan to periodically highlight some of the resouces we've invested in that have significantly impacted student outcomes.
During the school day, across the grades as well as the subject areas, students are processing information using Thinking Maps. This is a curricular tool developed out of brain-based research that systematically fosters the development of critical thinking skills in our students. Faculty members teach and integrate eight graphic organizers, which stay consistent throughout the grade levels and subject areas. Students are epowered, through these maps, to shape their understanding, and consequently, their writing, in regards to various subject matter. Each map is used for a specific thought process (e.g. the flow map is always used to sequence information).
Since implementing this curricular tool, we have seen an increase in the writing levels of our entire student body. We implemented this program in order to empower students to write effectively, and in order to produce students who think critically about their Christian faith. This works hand in hand with our commitment to integrating Biblical Truth into everything we do at the Academy.
To learn more about this program, please click on the following link: Thinking Maps.
Quality Christian Music
- Friday, September 19, 2008
 I'm always looking for high quality Christian music with well-written lyrics that engages the culture in a way that's relevant to our young people. To this end, Leeland is one of my favorite bands. Their first album, Sound of Melodies, was a huge hit with top songs "Tears of the Saints" and the title track. They recently released a new album entitled Opposite Way, which was also a great investment that I would highly recommend. Stop by my office to hear some samples!
Both albums are available for download on iTunes for $9.99. You can also order them by clicking on the following links:
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Raising Kids for True Greatness
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 Last year, Trusha Barner organized and led a book club for Academy parents. Dr. Tim Kimmel's Raising Kids for True Greatness details a Biblical model for how we are to redefine success for ourselves and the children that God has entrusted to us.
Kimmel provides the following definition for success: "True greatness is a passionate love for God that demonstrates itself in an unquenchable love and concern for others" (XII). How often I concern myself with others only when its convenient for me to do so! Becuase I move throughout my days in a Christ-centered environment, agreeing with this definition is relatively easy; living out this definition is what proves to be my downfall.
I found Kimmel's words very encouraging. "According to Jesus, if we want our kids to be truly great, we must first teach them to be servants...God has bigger and better plans for our children than merely indulging them. He has called our children to a much higher set of goals than what this world has to offer" (3). This is what we work towards as parents and educators at the Academy; we hold our children to a higher standard and enable them to develop a Biblical worldview. We raise our children to see that when we settle for the world, we settle for less.
If you would like to order this book, click on the following link: http://www.amazon.com/Raising-Kids-True-Greatness-Redefine/dp/0849909511/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1221834470&sr=8-1
To read more about Kimmel's ministry, go to http://www.familymatters.com/.
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Annual Report
- Wednesday, September 17, 2008
I just finished the Annual Report last week, and the printed booklets came in to school yesterday. This is always one of my favorite projects to do, and the high quality of Sam Brockinton's photography makes my job so easy! I love the way that he captures the facial expressions of the students - its very authentic and true to the moments of the school day. Aside from the various portraits of the older students that are in the report, none of the photography was posed or pre-planned.
Thanks to the generosity of Sam and to Intech Printing, this high quality report was also very affordable. Enjoy!
Annual%20Report%2007-08.pdf
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Spirit Night Photos
- Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Here are some photos from Spirit Night. Thank you to Dennis Goodman and Sylvia Norsworthy!
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A People in Community
- Monday, September 15, 2008
We have been going through a series in church this month about connection-- with God and with one another. Yesterday, our associate pastor mentioned a recent survey's conclusion that I found very interesting: America is the most isolated, individualistic, and lonely culture that has ever existed.
In my heart, I know that this survey's findings are true. What made us unique as a society - what was once our greatest strength - has now become our greatest weakness. Yet as a school community, I daily experience the antithesis to this isolated and lonely existence. The core of our school's mission, to partner with Christian parents, works in stark constrast to the cultural pre-disposition towards individualistic behavior. Our school would not function apart from community, and I am so blessed to be a part of something so revolutionary.
On Saturday night, we celebrated our school's 35th Anniversary, but the focus of the evening was clearly a celebration of who we are as a school: a body of believers that can come together and partner with one another in a spirit of joy. I've never felt more comfortable or at home in a room of 350 people!
Sandy Shedden came into my office this morning and informed me that the clean up of the gym was completed by 8 pm, just 1 hour following the conclusion of the event. What a picture of what a community of people can accomplish!
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Living Simply
- Saturday, September 13, 2008
 This month I've been trying to see what I can cut back on in my life, especially in the area of driving. I drive to NCA and around town everyday, and my fuel in-efficient car does a number on my budget. In light of that, I've been thinking through how to make some lifestyle changes. When I'm feeling overly ambitious, I attempt riding my bike to and from school, so if you see a tired looking 20-something on the Golden Gate Parkway sidewalk around 4 pm, you'll know to lift me up in prayer! :) Obviously, most NCA families do not have a choice but to spend a good amount of time driving each week.
I poked around the internet, and I found two somewhat reliable articles for how to save money on gas. Most of these tips are common sensical, but its always good to think through the ways that we use our non-renewable resources, especially those that seem to drain our bank accounts dry.
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Gas
http://www.wikihow.com/Save-Money-on-Gas
As a sidenote, wikihow is an offshoot of wikipedia. Both are user-edited websites that offer non-academic information about a very wide range of subject matter. One of my college professors used to say that the internet is a proverbial bathroom wall - anyone can write anything on it, and not much enforcement takes place. Take what works, and leave the rest. Enjoy!
Anna
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Spirit Night - Let's Celebrate Our 35th Anniversary Together!
- Tuesday, September 9, 2008
I can't wait for Saturday night! Everytime NCA families get together to eat or celebrate with one another, I have a great time! There is something so special about fellowship with other Christian parents, and I'm of course partial to NCA parents. Because we are doing a potluck-style family dinner, I think the evening will be relatively stress-free. Nicole Sullivan is organizing some games for the children that will take place after dinner. The theme is Spirit Night, which I think is so appropriate for an anniversary celebration-- we are showing our team spirit for a Christ-centered school devoted to ministering to the whole family.
Here are the details:
5-7 pm in the gym, rain or shine
RSVP to spiritnight@ncanaples.com
Call Tami Vernon (775-1225) or Sandy Shedden (514-2513) with questions.
See you there!
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Parent Connection
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I am so excited that we are moving towards electronic communication this year! This will be much more user-friendly and efficient for NCA families. I will be able to include lots of photography, links to helpful external websites, and at times, video. We won't be reliant or held to that one-page sheet. The move towards electronic communication points to our desire to be good stewards of our resources. If you are not receiving the email, please let the front office know-- I am still working out some of the kinks in the system!
If you haven't receive any of the Parent Connections yet, please click on the following link to view archived newsletters: http://www.napleschristian.net/newsletter.asp.
Anna Futrell
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Previous Posts
Practicing Patience by Gary Thomas
When Kids Question Their Faith
Virtual Choices ... Real-World Consequences by Kur...
Fearless Parenting by Max Lucado
Serving Others at Christmas by Anita Agers-Brook
Entertainment-Soaked Culture Damages Kids' Brains;...
2010-2011 School Calendar (Draft)
Sports as an Evangelistic Tool
Noah Nite
8th Grade Mission Trip
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