Keeping Parents and Campuses Connected
April 2014
Writing at Challenger:
The Purpose and the Process
Results have begun to come in, and once again, Challenger
students have excelled in the Daughters of the American
Revolution (DAR) American History Essay Contest, which is
open to students in grades 5–8. In the last two school years alone,
eleven Challenger students have won top honors at the state level
in California, Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, and two have gone on to
place at the national level.
At the Spring Program
presentations next month,
Challenger will display
Young Author projects.
All K–grade 8 students
compose and illustrate
original short stories, and
the results are impressive
keepsakes that showcase
Fiftieth Anniversary Flashback: Challenger students
their composition skills.
study The Diary of Anne Frank, 1980s.
Both DAR essays and
Young Author projects
demonstrate student progress in learning to “write with clarity, precision,
and independence.”
April at a Glance
• April 14–18 (CA, NV, UT)
Spring Break
• April 24–25 (PS–K)
Teddy Bear Picnics
At Challenger, we teach our students the factors that comprise effective
composition and the process involved in producing a written piece that conveys
information coherently and powerfully. We help students build the logical,
creative, and mechanical skills needed for successful written communication.
The Challenger Advantage
What does Challenger do to produce these confident, proficient writers?
We write every day. Challenger teachers don’t limit writing opportunities to
language arts classes; they incorporate writing into other curriculum subjects.
• In math, students may be asked to describe the difference between two shapes or to
create word problems to apply a concept.
• In science, activities may include writing a letter to an inventor or documenting
experiments using the scientific method.
• In history, teachers may have students describe the achievements of a historical
figure or the consequences of a historical event.
• In many subjects, tests use essay questions to evaluate mastery of concepts.
continued on p. 2
© 2012,
Barbara B. Schools
Baker
2014, Challenger
ChallengerSchool.com
17-50.08-14
17-50.08-12
Writing, cont. from p. 1
We teach students to approach a composition logically.
Instead of assigning a topic and having students stare at
their blank papers to get started, Challenger teachers first
do exercises in class to stimulate thinking and then move on
to outlining. They teach students to organize their ideas to
follow a logical
progression,
starting with
a strong topic
sentence, building
a paragraph by
adding supporting
details, and then
adding effective
transitions
between
paragraphs
to result in a
clear and wellconstructed
composition.
By learning the
logic behind
the craft of
This final draft of an exemplary Challenger
writing, students
kindergarten composition features
multi-syllabic words in complete sentences with
gain the skills
correct spelling and punctuation.
needed to write
independently.
We build competence step-by-step. Challenger tailors
assignments to students’ age and skill levels.
• First graders are accountable for complete sentences but not
for varied sentence structure or consistency of tenses, which
they will learn later.
• Fourth graders can properly use compound sentences and are
able to vary sentence structure with prepositional phrases.
• Middle schoolers are able to effectively apply participles
and gerunds.
Similarly, word choice improves as students study
vocabulary. With each grade level, teachers start with
what students know and build upon it, and this systematic
progression is reflected in student writing.
We emphasize that writing is a process. Rather than
viewing an essay as an assignment to complete and be done
with, Challenger students learn to revisit and reevaluate
their own work several times before turning it in. Teachers
move around the room to give clear feedback and support
while students are writing.
By teaching editing and proofreading skills, teachers help
students understand how varied sentence structure, smooth
transitions between thoughts, and precise language impact
a composition. The goal is a piece that is stripped of all
unnecessary fluff, in which every word and punctuation
mark does its work to efficiently convey a message.
It is no wonder that Challenger students consistently
perform well in writing assignments and competitions.
They know how to organize
their thoughts, how to tailor
their writing to a situation
and audience, how to
properly follow conventions,
and how to choose the best
words to express their ideas.
Why does Challenger focus
so intently on writing? The
ability to communicate
clearly, precisely, and
confidently is an invaluable
tool in real-world success.
Challenger’s approach to teaching composition equips
students with the written communication skills necessary
for achievement in any field or discipline they choose
to pursue.
In the Spotlight—
Aditya D. of Middlefield (CA), Taekwondo Artist
Recently, Middlefield (CA) third grader Aditya D.
successfully passed his Black Belt test in taekwondo.
Aditya, who has been studying taekwondo since age six,
has rapidly progressed through
challenging physical, mental, and
emotional testing to become an
accomplished martial artist. His
Challenger education and the values
he has learned in class complement
the rigors of taekwondo well.
As his expertise in taekwondo has
grown, he has become a role model
for other students in the program and
often helps teach them some of the
skills. Challenger applauds students
who find time outside of the school
day to pursue such activities.
ChallengerSchool.com
Aditya D. of
Middlefield (CA)
Spring Programs (PS–8) and Art Fairs (K–8)
Young Author (K–8)
Challenger students compose
and illustrate books for
the Young Author project.
Students are in
the process of
creating their
Young Author
projects, which
will be on
display during
the week of
Spring Programs
in May.
Challenger’s 2014 Spring Programs are coming in May! Visit
ChallengerSchool.com to see schedules for each campus.
Exemplary art work will be on display, too. Students are encouraged
to participate in the Art Fair and take advantage of the opportunity to
showcase their creativity. You won’t want to miss it!
They are
writing short stories as they concentrate
on enhancing their creative writing. Both
students and teachers are excited to be
working on this rewarding project.
Fitness Testing (1–8)
The final testing for Challenger’s physical
fitness program for first through eighth
graders begins this month. The results of
these tests will be sent home with your child’s
final achievement report.
During the merit assembly at the end of
the year, we will recognize those students
who have earned award certificates for
physical fitness.
Rehearsals are underway for next month’s Spring Programs. Each class will perform an
entertaining program showcasing their singing, dancing, and dramatic talents.
Learning Curve
Contest Winner: Rosa K.
of Berryessa Campus (CA)
Congratulations to third grader
Rosa K. of Berryessa (CA),
who designed this amusing comic.
We thank all students who
participated and submitted to
the contest. Challenger School has
many talented and witty artists!
Tax Number
The tax deadline is near!
Challenger’s tax ID is
94-1709563.
ChallengerSchool.com
Patriots’ Day (K–8)
Heard It in the Halls
In class this month, elementary and middle school
students will commemorate the Revolutionary War
holiday Patriots’ Day.
Ardenwood (CA) campus—Three-year-old Clementine
was shown a picture of the Statue of Liberty. “What is this a
picture of?” asked her teacher.
Without skipping a beat, Clementine replied, “With liberty
and justice for all!”
Boise Bloom (ID) campus—The preschool Program Director
concluded Kevin’s alphabet crown test by asking, “What are
the vowels again?”
Kevin responded confidently, “A, E, I, O, and U.”
“Great job, Kevin! What color crown would you like?”
“Red,” responded Kevin.
This day marks the anniversary of the Battles
of Lexington and Concord, the first military
engagements of the war, fought on April 19, 1775.
On this date, the war began, but more importantly,
a momentous idea took root—government of, by,
and for the people.
“And how do you spell your name?” she asked.
“K-E-I-O-U—oops! I mean, K-E-V-I-N.”
Everest (ID) campus—A classmate saw three-year-old
Evan’s name on the table for tracing and proudly announced,
“Look, Evan, I found your name!”
Evan replied, “Thanks, but I like to choose my own destiny.”
Preschool
Teddy Bear Picnic (PS–K)
At the end of this month, we will
celebrate the arrival of spring with our
Teddy Bear Picnic. Each student may
bring a favorite stuffed animal guest to
the picnic.
Adventureland
Have you heard about Challenger
Adventureland? During our summer
school program, children will go on
imaginary trips each week as they learn
phonics, numbers, and so much more.
All preschoolers (including those in
all-day classes) need to re-enroll for
summer. Classes begin June 23. See your
campus office for details.
Challenger preschoolers and kindergartners may bring
a favorite stuffed “friend” to the Teddy Bear Picnic in late April.
ChallengerSchool.com