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.
Comments are closed.
|
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
Categories |