A Welcome for Parents!
Me, in the Olympic Mountains. Aerodynamic.
As you know, a school only works effectively if it is a partnership between teachers and parents. I think that you will find that The Peck School is a community of robust partnerships. I hope this web site, a work in progress, serves as a window into what we do every day in class. Fifth grade is such a crucial year for students. It’s a year filled with challenges, changes, and incredible growth - physical, emotional, and intellectual growth. As you explore this site, I hope you get a good sense of me as a teacher and of my ambitions and expectations for your children.
In 5th Grade History, students focus on ancient civilizations. The civilizations covered can vary from one year to the next, and this site contains more information than we will be able to explore this year. For the adventurous student, I encourage them to spend some time investigating civilizations that we may not get to study in class. Each lesson in every unit has something to teach us about the past, as well as about ourselves.
All units are interdisciplinary and each lesson addresses one or more of the seven themes of history. Skills that students develop over the course of the year include performing strong, focused research, developing active reading skills, and writing well-organized, well-supported paragraphs. Additionally, students are expected to lead class discussions, teach an occasional lesson, design and perform presentations, participate in online and classroom debates, and give constructive peer critiques.
For more information about 5th Grade History, feel free to explore this site. If you'd like to contact me, please email me. Any time. I love to hear from parents, and I strongly encourage you to be as involved in your child's 5th Grade experience as you can.
Bill
bmetcalfe@peckschool.org
In 5th Grade History, students focus on ancient civilizations. The civilizations covered can vary from one year to the next, and this site contains more information than we will be able to explore this year. For the adventurous student, I encourage them to spend some time investigating civilizations that we may not get to study in class. Each lesson in every unit has something to teach us about the past, as well as about ourselves.
All units are interdisciplinary and each lesson addresses one or more of the seven themes of history. Skills that students develop over the course of the year include performing strong, focused research, developing active reading skills, and writing well-organized, well-supported paragraphs. Additionally, students are expected to lead class discussions, teach an occasional lesson, design and perform presentations, participate in online and classroom debates, and give constructive peer critiques.
For more information about 5th Grade History, feel free to explore this site. If you'd like to contact me, please email me. Any time. I love to hear from parents, and I strongly encourage you to be as involved in your child's 5th Grade experience as you can.
Bill
bmetcalfe@peckschool.org
About Bill
Ready for 5th grade. Hair-o-dynamic!
After teaching at Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences for 14 years, I begin my second year at The Peck School. I feel incredibly privileged to work in a dynamic and supportive community of parents, kids, and colleagues, and I consider myself especially lucky to work with the 5th Grade team to create a challenging, supportive Peck experience for all of our students. While I ask students to work really hard I am, quite honestly, always amazed by things they do and the quality of their achievements.
Education:
University of Virginia, Ph.D., Political Philosophy
University of Virginia, M.A., International Political Economy
University of Georgia, B.A., Political Science, English, Drama
Interests:
After completing my graduate work at UVA, I worked for a decade in the outdoor industry and love, love, love being active outside - hiking, paddling, surfing, skiing, or simply watching the clouds overhead. These days, cycling is how I enjoy most of my outside time. An activity that allows me to exercise while sitting down, what could be better?
I enjoy writing songs on guitar and playing a bit of banjo and mandolin. I keep a couple of guitars and a ukulele in the classroom and I love to hear our students play.
Education:
University of Virginia, Ph.D., Political Philosophy
University of Virginia, M.A., International Political Economy
University of Georgia, B.A., Political Science, English, Drama
Interests:
After completing my graduate work at UVA, I worked for a decade in the outdoor industry and love, love, love being active outside - hiking, paddling, surfing, skiing, or simply watching the clouds overhead. These days, cycling is how I enjoy most of my outside time. An activity that allows me to exercise while sitting down, what could be better?
I enjoy writing songs on guitar and playing a bit of banjo and mandolin. I keep a couple of guitars and a ukulele in the classroom and I love to hear our students play.
Sarasota High School's Big Top
I have also been privileged to lead student trips to Turkey and to Spain. In Turkey, my students and I explored Istanbul and hiked the Lycian Way along the Mediterranean coast before heading to Antalya. In Spain, we hiked the Camino de Santiago and spent time in Barcelona, Granada, Sevilla, and Malaga. There's a saying that "travel is the enemy of bigotry," and I've valued the chance to deepen my empathy for others and my understanding of different peoples and their cultures through a ceaseless wandering. It has also been just a whole lot of fun.
Goals: Oh my goodness, there are too many goals to list them all, but they all boil down to simply being better - a better teacher, a better coach, a better musician, a better writer, a better athlete, a better person. Oh, and to have a more full head of hair.
Odd Fact: I grew up in a circus town, Sarasota, Florida. Because it was once the winter home of the Ringling Bros, Barnum, and Bailey Circus, the big top frames a large part of the culture of the town. In fact, my middle school history teacher was a member of the flying Wallendas troupe of tight rope walkers. While other high schools take pride in the prowess of their debate team or football squad, mine was and is quite rightfully proud of their circus. In fact, a three ring circus big top is a permanent structure on my high school campus.
Goals: Oh my goodness, there are too many goals to list them all, but they all boil down to simply being better - a better teacher, a better coach, a better musician, a better writer, a better athlete, a better person. Oh, and to have a more full head of hair.
Odd Fact: I grew up in a circus town, Sarasota, Florida. Because it was once the winter home of the Ringling Bros, Barnum, and Bailey Circus, the big top frames a large part of the culture of the town. In fact, my middle school history teacher was a member of the flying Wallendas troupe of tight rope walkers. While other high schools take pride in the prowess of their debate team or football squad, mine was and is quite rightfully proud of their circus. In fact, a three ring circus big top is a permanent structure on my high school campus.