833 Young Scholars

Happy Fall, Everyone!

Your Young Scholar has no doubt had a busy first two months getting used to new schedules, teachers, and classmates. Hopefully, now that we are at the end of October, things have settled into a happy routine of learning and growing in a new grade.

This month in our newsletter, we will be exploring questions you can use at home to help your Young Scholar build their Divergent and Convergent thinking skills. These questions work especially well when discussing books and stories.

By talking to your Young Scholar about what they are reading, you are sharing in the important job of helping your student process information in different ways, make connections, and become aware of their own thinking. It's also a great way for your Young Scholar to share their voice and thoughts and take ownership of what they are learning.

The questions below focus on the Divergent and Convergent thinking skills students have been practicing this month in Young Scholars. These questions are meant to help to start conversations. Where they go from there is up to you!

The topics and characters in the following books work especially well to encourage Divergent and Convergent Thinking.

Each of the books below is available for checkout at Washington County Libraries.

In the Caldecott Award-winning picture book, Flotsam, author David Wiesner reveals the magical possibilities of ordinary things and the beauty of our own imagination.

Another picture book, Ish by Peter Reynolds, shows how thinking divergently and believing in yourself can lead to amazing possibilities.

Paul Fleishman's Weslandia tells the story of Wesley, a boy who doesn't really fit in at school, and decides to start a summer project creating his own civilization in his backyard. Now, that's divergent thinking!

Mystery stories are perfect places to try out both Divergent and Convergent Thinking questions. Below are two great examples:

In Looking for Bongo, by Eric Velasquez, a boy works to solve the mystery of his missing stuffed toy, Bongo. After the boy's abuela accuses him of being careless with his beloved Bongo, he devises a trap and catches the toy thief red-handed.

The chapter book, Chasing Vermeer, tells the story of friends Petra Andalee and Calder Pillay as they look for evidence and follow clues through their Chicago neighborhood to solve an international art crime. Chasing Vermeer is the first in a series of three mystery stories by author Blue Balliet.

Hi All!

My name is Colleen Redmond, and I am thrilled to work as the 833 Young Scholars advocate and lead teacher.

I'm a mom of two teenagers, a wife, small business owner, avid biker (the pedal kind), book enthusiast, and beekeeper. Plus, on top of all of that, I have the happy job of implementing and growing the Young Scholars program here in 833!

I've been lucky enough to teach in South Washington County Schools for over twenty-five years and have had the incredible opportunity to be a part of the lives of so many students and families over the years.

Now, as part of Young Scholars, I have the honor of working with the amazing staff, students, and families throughout 833. I am so very excited to work with and support you and your Young Scholar. I can't wait to see where the journey takes us!

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions, thoughts, or needs!

Colleen Redmond

651-425-6212

credmond@sowashco.org