The Power of Community
2/29/2020
Creating the classroom community and culture is one of the most important aspects of teaching - and one of my favorites. It is a privilege to share my days with my students, seeing the world through their eyes and creating a place in which each of them know they belong, a place where they know we will share special, fun moments together throughout the year, a place where they know they will explore the world and start to find their place in it. I am excited about the community we have built (and continue to build), and each one of your sweet little ones is an important and treasured part of it. "Alone, we can do so little; together, we can do so much." -Helen KellerHowever, at PNA, there are not just strong classroom communities, but a strong school community and culture as well. Throughout the year, students are given ample opportunity to share special moments and events together, like Space Week, 100s Day and our recent Science Party, and to support one another in their endeavors. "There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about." -Margaret J. WheatleyAn important component of project based learning is a public product, which takes students beyond their classroom and shows them that what they do at school matters, that it is important on a deeper level, that others care about it too. Oftentimes, this aspect of PBL allows us to enrich and grow our school community by providing an opportunity for students to support one another in their inquiries, studies, and passion projects. This week, our kindergartners were able to support first grade students by attending their lantern exhibition, oohing and ahhing over their magically lit creations. Our sweet mushers also felt the love as the school came together to truly make the Iditarod an enriching and meaningful event. First and second graders acted as check points, either being veterinarians or checking for the mandatory supplies. It was sweet to see how excited - and serious - they were about being part of something they treasured as kindergartners. "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." -Coretta Scott KingPreschool students cheered our mushers on at the start of the race and the rest of the school cheered them on at the end, complete with signs and words of encouragement. When one student did not like the loud noise, students switched to silent cheers to usher her to the finish. It was a touching moment and a small example of the thoughtfulness and compassion we are able to build together by inviting students into each others' projects and events. It is wonderful to be part of a supportive community. I am happy we actively work to build that at PNA so that each of our sweet little ones knows they are valued, loved, and part of something special.
Growing Leaders
2/15/2020
One of my favorite things about teaching kindergarten is watching our sweet little ones grow in their confidence and leadership skills and take more and more ownership of their learning. While there is ample opportunity for this throughout the day, it often occurs during Inquiry Workshop, the time in our day in which we engage in Project Based Learning. It is especially rewarding to see the way, at this point in the year, students naturally step into the role of confident leaders in our classroom (and school). That was my goal with Inquiry Workshop, and it makes my teacher heart happy to watch it play out daily as our little learners interact with one another, working towards a shared learning outcome. During Inquiry workshop, students often ask me, "Can I share this with the class?" (in reference to something they have learned or created at school or to something they have brought from home to enhance our study), or "Mrs. McCormick, you've got to see this! Can we show everyone?" Watching our little ones become confident leaders and learners who are excited about learning and helping their classmates learn is one of my favorite parts of every day. This did not happen overnight. As an educator, my goal is for students to become confident, lifelong learners who know they can make a difference in our world. One powerful tool towards this end is Project Based Learning. This year, I wanted to enhance an important component of PBL, student voice and choice, while honoring our little ones' need for play-based learning. Thus, Inquiry Workshop was born. I love that during Inquiry Workshop our learners have the freedom to play, explore, and share their learning with their classmates. This week, I witnessed students coaching other students and helping them problem-solve. Other students brought in dog booties and a dog coat so students could see these items that we had been learning about. A few other students, students who do not usually ask to share, wanted to share the test run of a sled they built. When our guest expert and musher visited, students introduced themselves and asked relevant questions afterwards, questions that would further drive their learning. Students have also had the opportunity to mentor preschool guests the past few weeks, inviting them into their play and learning and teaching them how to be part of it. It has been amazing to watch students take ownership of their learning and share what they are learning with confidence and excitement.
The Rhythm of Learning
2/8/2020
It is important for learning and activities to be developmentally appropriate. Usually, when they are, students are naturally engaged and learn effortlessly. As educators, we often say, "Students are having so much fun, they don't even realize they're learning!" While I understand and appreciate this sentiment, I try to emphasize to my students that we are ALWAYS learning and that there is always more to explore and discover. Our world provides such a rich wealth of interesting things. It is a privilege to share this curiosity and love of learning with our sweet little ones by providing engaging and playful learning opportunities and helping them understand more about how we learn. It is rewarding to see our sweet little ones engaged in and looking forward to not only special events, like the recent 100s Day celebration, but everyday activities throughout the year. In the kindergarten classroom, each learning opportunity is carefully curated to not only hit learning targets, but to provide opportunities for students to learn through play and exploration as well as through authentic and engaging experiences. Favorites include Inquiry Workshop, which is highly play-based, as well as Reading and Writing Workshops, which provide authentic opportunities for students to play with words and read and write actual books. Math concepts are introduced through engaging lessons and then practiced repeatedly through games. Engaging in all of these activities daily not only helps students learn important concepts and skills, but provides the opportunity for students to better understand the rhythm of learning as well. It is highly rewarding to see evidence that students have internalized the learning process by repeatedly engaging in playful and authentic learning experiences that reinforce it. After our most recent entry event (receiving a box full of stuffed huskies needing adopted and trained for the Iditarod) and listing questions we had about caring for our dogs and the race, one of our sweet students suggested, "Mrs. McCormick, we should ask a real musher (or, "moosher," in her words) to come tell us about it." This one simple statement showed her understanding that we can consult experts when we need to know more about a specific topic. As educators engaging in PBL, we have a study planned out (usually including guest experts or field trips) so that it covers the necessary standards and learning goals, but students drive the study. As the year progresses, students learn the rhythm of learning and thus work more independently within its structures. It is always a proud teacher moment when students confidently and enthusiastically lead our learning and engage naturally in the process of learning and exploration. What a privilege to be part of this each and every day!
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Saania AliMs. Ali graduated from the University of Houston with a Bachelors of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. She specializes in Early Childhood Education, ESL, and Special Education. Her hobbies include traveling, reading, and painting! Archives
April 2021
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