Wednesday, May 9, 2012
A second journey begins...
After Model Schools last summer, I was very interested in looping. Certainly there is a lot of documented research full of benefits to students... But honestly, it is a selfish reason which is paramount for me. Relationships are something I thrive on-- personal, social, and within my career. My favorite part of Rome City School was when I moved from 5th grade to middle school language arts. I had some of my 5th grade kids for four years! Talk about heaven for me! I love getting to know the kids and their families--think about how well I knew that bunch!? Even today, I write scholarship applications, proof essays, and keep in touch with this special group of kids. The growth I have seen is AMAZING! They have become remarkable young adults full of pride! And now, I will get that chance again!
And what a group to begin this journey with! I look forward to the classroom community part of looping...having these same kids in the same community. Structures and processes and even simple terminology--we all created it and will continue it.
And the journey has already begun! My benchmarking this spring is so much more meaningful! Already I'm creating strategy groups and guided reading group changes. I am annotating at the bottom of the record sheets in such a specific way. And the matrix we plan to try next year? Already trying it!!! Instead of easing out of 4th grade, we are easing into 5th grade. Behavior is fabulous...work is rigorous, and no one is giving up. I've never had an end of the year like this. Heck, I'm not sure how many days we have left!:)
The Journey Continues...for Most of Us
A month ago I started telling my students, "We have 35 days left to be ready for 3rd grade. After that I kick you out. Let's not waste one moment."
Two weeks ago I announced that, rather than kicking them out, we'll all be going to 3rd grade together. This news was met with cheers, smiles, and applause. Their reactions nearly brought me to tears.
Parents were given the option of keeping their children in my room or moving them to a new class. It's interesting how many students were allowed to choose for themselves (according to the kids anyway). Only one of my 23 students will be moving on to another room next year. This young man joined us in January. His mother says he just "wants a change." She says there are a few students in our class who accuse him of running in the hall, which causes him to worry about getting into trouble.
Seriously? That's the reason? We've discussed it and I've offered to bring it up in our class meeting, but his decision is firm. When we talked about the new books I've already purchased for our room, when we discussed incentives for doing homework this summer, when we realized that there's no need to send paint shirts home...each time a sad look has flashed across his face. And despite this, his mind is unchanged.
Neither he nor I have explained his reason to the other students. At first they expressed sadness and outrage, feeling rejected I suppose. They quickly accepted the news however, and except for the occasional, innocent reference to his impending absence, nobody seems bothered anymore. Nobody, that is, but the one with the sad face. Whose paint shirt is missing from our crate.
Jane
Two weeks ago I announced that, rather than kicking them out, we'll all be going to 3rd grade together. This news was met with cheers, smiles, and applause. Their reactions nearly brought me to tears.
Parents were given the option of keeping their children in my room or moving them to a new class. It's interesting how many students were allowed to choose for themselves (according to the kids anyway). Only one of my 23 students will be moving on to another room next year. This young man joined us in January. His mother says he just "wants a change." She says there are a few students in our class who accuse him of running in the hall, which causes him to worry about getting into trouble.
Seriously? That's the reason? We've discussed it and I've offered to bring it up in our class meeting, but his decision is firm. When we talked about the new books I've already purchased for our room, when we discussed incentives for doing homework this summer, when we realized that there's no need to send paint shirts home...each time a sad look has flashed across his face. And despite this, his mind is unchanged.
Neither he nor I have explained his reason to the other students. At first they expressed sadness and outrage, feeling rejected I suppose. They quickly accepted the news however, and except for the occasional, innocent reference to his impending absence, nobody seems bothered anymore. Nobody, that is, but the one with the sad face. Whose paint shirt is missing from our crate.
Jane
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