Chrysalis School

Project-Based Learning

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10675727_910653492297324_2330367965164480381_nResearch: The objective of project-based learning is to engage students in projects that will help them learn content and skills in ways that traditional nose-to-textbook methods can’t offer. When learning is connected to real world situations it becomes relevant to students’ lives and provides the foundation for deeper, more joyful learning, and better retention. Aside from building critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, project-based learning also encourages independence, collaboration, communication, goal-setting, and creativity.

Practice: Project-based learning is a critical avenue for students whose learning style favors kinesthetic or “hands-on” activities. Our students take up a myriad of projects each year at all ages and grades, ranging from constructing a milk jug igloo to better understand geometry, to combining a Physics of Flight course with actual flying lessons to understand the principles of physics, to participating in a crime to learn about forensic science. By engaging themselves in every detail of a project, students learn lessons they’ll never forget. It’s not only fun…it’s learning at its finest!

Senior Nate Pollak- Where is He Going and What is He Doing?

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PollakNateResizedNate Pollak is at home at Chrysalis – this is likely why he chose to go to Fairhaven at Western Washington University. If you want to find Nate, check the activity room, but be ready to look around, because he is never just with one person. He flows in and out of different social groups and navigates a variety of friends and experiences. When asked about Chrysalis, he often cites how much he appreciates the flexibility and small classes. He credits Chrysalis for his belief in himself and his desire to pursue more education after high school. Nate says he chose Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies in Bellingham precisely because it reminds him of Chrysalis. We have appreciated Nate’s smiles, confidence and strength. We wish him great success next year at Fairhaven!

 

Happiness

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IMG_1891Research: The World Happiness Report was released last week with the purpose of assessing quality of life to measure national progress and inform future policy making for the well-being of society. It dedicates a chapter to the well-being of children and concludes that emotional development—not academic achievement—is the best predictor in determining whether a child becomes a satisfied adult. It recommends that schools focus on well-being to nurture children’s emotional health by developing trust, practicing empathy, stressing the use of praise, and emphasizing mutual respect, kindness, and play.

Practice: At Chrysalis we know that the foundation for learning is based on two very important things: (1) individual well-being, and (2) engagement. When a child isn’t well, they cannot perform at their potential, despite their capacity. When a student isn’t engaged and doesn’t buy in to the work they’re doing, they achieve less. Our goal is to provide a safe, positive, and stable environment for kids to assure their happiness in school. When kids are happy and engaged we are given the opportunity to stretch their abilities, deepen their learning, foster their success, and provide joy in learning.

We Don’t Adhere to Arbitrary Standards

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IMG_9685-e1429895851898-768x1024Research: Rebecca Givens Rolland laments that schools are racing through K-12 education these days, with policies that encourage children to cover more material in shorter amounts of time, under expectations that are misaligned with natural child development. She argues, “This push, while well-intentioned, is counterproductive. Children need time to sit with a subject, to see mistakes not as humiliations, but as chances to learn.” What’s missing in this “need for speed” is an understanding of the nature of the learning process and proper encouragement to create lifelong learners.

Practice: Every student at Chrysalis is allowed to learn at their own pace and in their own time. Since we don’t adhere to arbitrary standards we can create educational programs that meet each child where they are and allow them to progress when they’re developmentally ready. Our program allows children the extraordinary gift of time to flourish, learn deeply, and develop a love of learning.

Will DJ for Food

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ValdezDrew-2-683x1024Drew Valdez is dedicated to playing music. He’s also dedicated to helping others. Recently, he was able to combine both of those interests and at the same time, earn the highest Boy Scout honor possible – Eagle Scout.

Drew not only plays music, but has a knack for picking out just the right sound for the right event – usually electronic dance music with undertones of jazz. Although he has played in venues as large as Bumbershoot, most recently, that ‘right event’ was held at Chrysalis. For his Eagle Scout project, “Will DJ for Food,” Drew hosted an event at the high school that raised between 700 and 1000 pounds of food for Hopelink and the local foodbank!

Drew has released his own EP of music called “Bada Bing” under his DJ name Slap Serif and looks to his future knowing music will be part of it. He hasn’t decided on a major yet, but is thinking of Engineering or Computer Science. No matter what he decides, his passion for music and his passion for helping others has made a difference – here at Chrysalis and out in the world.

 

Our Campuses

Chrysalis High School and Middle School
15900 Woodinville-Redmond Rd NE
Woodinville, WA p: (425) 481-2228

Chrysalis Elementary Campus
17005 140th Ave NE
Woodinville, WA p: (425) 481-2228

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