Starting off right...
8/31/2019
At PNA we use The Responsive Classroom Approach. It is a way of teaching that fosters safe, challenging and joyful classroom and school wide climates for all students. Using this approach we understand that all of a students' needs - academic, social, emotional and physical - are important. This is teaching to the whole child. At PNA we create an environment that responds to all of those needs using practical strategies for bringing together social and academic learning throughout the school day so that your child can do his or her best learning. Key responsive classroom practices include the following: - A Morning Meeting - Guided Discovery - Creating own Guidelines - Classroom Organization - Interactive Modeling - Academic Choice - Teacher Language - Collaborative Problem Solving - Logical Consequences - Working with Families So how does PNA build and nurture a culture of collaboration in a classroom or a school of diverse learners? We intentionally build it with our students! We start our day with a morning meeting to create a stress-free atmosphere where everyone is welcomed and greeted. We explicitly teach children how to make eye contact and a friendly handshake. We create guidelines with the students and hold them accountable. Students had to learn what it looks like, sounds like, and feels like to solve problems together, to think critically together, and how to communicate by respecting each other’s ideas, strengths, and skills. In Fourth Grade the classroom guidelines were put forward, discussed, developed and eventually decided upon by the students of the class. After all, they are the ones who they are most important to. Finally there were 5 guidelines that were decided upon and agreed to by all. Each student wrote out their own classroom guideline contract and signed their name to it, agreeing to start off 4th grade the right way. Take turns speaking and listen to each other. Help each other and work together. Be positive and kind. Have an open mindset. Try your best and have fun! Comments are closed.
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Martina HenkeMartina Henke has been a K-8 educator for 30+ years. A life-long learner, she loves working with kids of all ages, new technology, great books, fiber arts, and her wonderful family! Archives
April 2021
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