EYE ON EDUCATION A Publication of the Paramount Unified School District
AUGUST 2011
15110 CALIFORNIA AVE., PARAMOUNT, CA 90723 • TEL: 562-602-6000 • FAX: 562-634-6029
Technology Brings Significant Results in Learning to Paramount’s Students Algebra Support is a course students take in that reinforce math skills and re-teaches concepts that are challenging. Algebra Support classes at Paramount High School utilize a technology that leads to improved student learning. In these classrooms students spend two to three days each week in a computer lab. Each student has an individual subscription for a technology named ALEKS, which stands for Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces. In an ALEKS computer lab students are given specialized lessons that are tailored to reinforce the skills they still need to learn. When a student logs in for the first time, the program delivers a series of questions and problems. Based on the response to each question, an individualized lesson plan is prescribed for every student in the classroom. As students master each component of the program, their progress is shown on a graph visible
to both the student and teacher. As students learn more and more, ALEKS makes available new lessons that move them to the next skill level. This allows students to progress at their own pace while receiving immediate feedback about their results. Effective teachers use skillful techniques to check students’ understanding throughout the lessons they teach. In PUSD’s middle and high schools, teachers use technology to find out exactly
what students do or do not understand. A device that looks like a TV remote, called a clicker, is given to every student in a classroom. At key points in the lesson the teacher projects a question onto a screen visible to the class. Students answer the question by pushing a button on their remote clicker. A summary of each student’s response is electronically collected into a data bank and automatically converted into a graph that shows how students
answered. Results are displayed to the teacher and shared with the class. In one classroom, a science teacher displayed concepts on the theory of continental drift. At different points in the lesson, a question about the topic being discussed appeared on a screen. Each student with their own clicker gave their response and in a fraction of a second the teacher could see which students were having trouble understanding the topic, giving her the op-
portunity to re-teach and clarify misunderstandings as soon as they occurred. The instructor’s ability to see the gap in students’ understanding and her ability to respond took place in a matter of minutes. These are just two of the many powerful and effective technologies implemented in classrooms in Paramount Unified, providing our students a competitive edge in both technology use and academic learning!
Alondra Middle School Artful Endeavors
The growth of Alondra Middle School’s art program was evident this school year. Beginning art students started by learning the basics: line drawing, sketching techniques, and color schemes; by the end of the year, they progressed immensely, drawing faces and animals in motion. Second year students in intermediate art explored self-portraits, used architectural and design elements to construct their “dream home”, and created their own still life. These experiences were amplified by yearlong visits and mini lessons taught by future art educators studying at California State University Long Beach. All seventh and eighth grade students enjoyed participating in the Contemporary Art Start program at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles. The yearlong program afforded Mrs. Griffith-Wu the opportunity to take her art students to the museum twice during the year to examine, interpret, and experience the wonder of viewing art in
Eighth grade intermediate art students, Estefany Galaz and Andrew Hernandez demonstrate their talent, person. Students were challenged and excited at the chance to view well-known pieces. Participation in the program included a yearlong free pass to the museum good for each student and five guests! In addition to their travels, over forty students entered paintings and drawings in The Traditional Artist’s Guild show of Paramount. Alondra took home many awards. Earning second place among all seventh graders for her outstanding drawing, Kora Manzano-Lopez created a beauti-
ful Dia de Los Muertos-inspired piece; the Commissioner’s Award for an amazing still life went to seventh grader Alberto Cuevas. It is clear that Alondra art students represented their dolphin pride with full force this year, and their creative sides shall continue to shine. We look forward to more artful endeavors next year! Lynn Butler Principal Alondra Middle School
SCHOOL STARTS AUGUST 24, 2011
Award winner! Still Life by, Alberto Cuevas
SCHOOL BOARD MEETING DATES August 24, 2011 - September 14, 2011 Board of Education meetings are held at 6:00 p.m. in the Boardroom at the District Office, 15110 California Avenue, Paramount, and are open to the public