Dear CMS Families~
I got started on my summer reading list over the July 4th weekend at my favorite place in the entire world…the 7th Avenue beach in Belmar, New Jersey (my hometown). There is something about the roll of the waves and a sturdy beach chair that somehow helps me to settle into a book. Each summer every middle school teacher in West Genesee reads the same book, usually on a topic related to instruction. This summer we decided try something a little different, and so we decided to all read Mindsets by Carol Dweck, Ph.D. As I was re-reading it on the beach last weekend a gentleman approached me to ask about it. Turns out he is a principal of a local high school and he had also read the book. As we were talking it occurred to me that this would be a great book for parents and students to read. (It is available on Amazon for under $10.)
Dr. Dweck’s research focuses on motivation and the characteristics of a fixed versus growth mindset. Her conclusions on the inherent benefits of developing a growth mindset in our young people are compelling for both families and schools alike. The book is full of real-life examples, with a dose of easy to read research, about how these mindsets develop in early childhood and what adults can do to build more resilient children. This article from the New York Times also cites Dweck’s findings and provides an excellent list of strategies to use with your children. As a school, this body of work aligns closely with our belief that it is about the learning process, not the 91 on the report card that is most important. It is more valuable to build curious students who have a passion for knowledge and are not afraid to make mistakes.
I encourage you to read this book and share it with your child. I’ll be writing more about it next school year.
Wishing all of you a terrific summer break…full of rest, fun and many good books!
We Celebrate Learning!
Beth Lozier
Principal
P.S. - Summer break is the perfect time to get going on our annual 10 Book Challenge. The State Education Commissioner, Mary Ellen Elia, has started a conversation on Twitter for families to share their favorite book titles. You can join by sharing your photos by tagging @NYSEDNews and using the hashtag #SummerReading.
