Chrysalis School

Paradigm Shift

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Para ShiftResearch: Research on the brain and in education clearly shows that many of the practices held tightly by traditional schools are flawed and even harmful to continue. Even though we can all see a desperate need for change, schools remain status quo, with rigid structures and a focus on norms, efficiency, obedience, and passive learning. Marilyn Ferguson described the need for a paradigm shift in education in her classic book,The Aquarian Conspiracy, to find more effective ways to educate our children than the traditional school model.

Practice: At Chrysalis we recognized the paradigm shift occurring in education years ago and have been operating in this new paradigm for 32 years. In the new paradigm, learning is individualized and flexible, based on human relationships, and focuses on each child’s potential. We enjoy watching our students adapt to this new sense of schooling, where learning isn’t defined by the number of worksheets you fill out, but by the depth of your ability to think critically, creatively, and independently.

Is Homework the Problem or the Solution?

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homework-clipartResearch: The latest National Center for Families Learning survey found that 60 percent of parents admit they face chronic struggles helping their children with their homework, which is up about 10 percent from last year. Parents complained about their level of involvement in the process, not having enough time, not understanding the subject matter, and experiencing push-back from their kids as specific challenges.

Practice: At Chrysalis we view homework as a measure of independent learning, meaning that we ask parents to minimize their involvement in the process. While it may be important to help your child by setting aside for homework, we want and need to know if your child struggles with or is stressed by the assignments we send home. This is crucial information for a teacher and an important element of personalization. In our elementary and middle school programs homework is typically done in class or study session. We take purposeful steps to expand students’ independence and increase their capacity to do homework over time. We may choose not to assign homework when a student isn’t ready because we know it has to be purposeful to be meaningful. So if you’re not feeling the struggle this year, welcome to the club!

Is Your Child Getting Enough Sleep?

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Sleep CartoonResearch: The American Academy of Pediatrics recently issued a new recommendation for later start times in schools. They conclude that early start times are key contributors to insufficient sleep, especially among middle and high school students. Chronic sleep loss can increase indices of obesity, depression, and automobile accidents within this population. Just as significantly, it makes it harder to learn. Sleep boosts memory, attentiveness, and ultimately, student performance.

Practice: We want our students to perform their best, so unless they ask us for early classes, we tend to start their schedules after 9am. As parents we can promote good sleeping habits by helping them establish restful bedtime routines, removing their phones and computers at a reasonable time so they are able to rest without the pressure to respond to texts, and letting them sleep in when their bodies need it.

You Can Learn Anything

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You can Learn Anything PosterResearch: The Khan Academy recently published a video entitled “You Can Learn Anything,” which emphasizes a very positive message about learning. It contradicts the common perception that intelligence is “fixed” or that people are “born smart,” and instead relays a message that we are born to learn. Failure is part of our growth and an important part of the learning process at any age or stage.

Practice: We often receive students from other schools who believe they are “bad” at a particular subject because they never got their questions answered, weren’t able to master a concept “in time,” or failed to see the relevance in their assignments. By giving them the support they need to experience success we see students develop the confidence they need to persist, grow, and learn whatever they seek.

Self-Awareness

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Brain PictureResearch: In his new book, entitled How We Learn, Benedict Carey claims that self-awareness is key to effective learning. He argues against traditional notions of how we learn (long hours in quiet isolation with a textbook) and promotes “tactical schooling,” which incorporates new knowledge about memory and the brain. When students learn how to learn, the task becomes less stressful and gives them an edge in making choices about their academic pursuits.

Practice: One of the benefits of working so closely with our students is that we can continually examine what works and what doesn’t to develop such self-awareness. Our teachers are constantly experimenting with new learning tactics and strategies to help students get to know themselves as learners and identify their true academic capacity.

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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