Building a Learning Community
Peach dangles on a tree limb above the pond. She is ripe, juicy, and ready for picking; her days are coming to an end. Below, a blue-bellied toad is startled by the tear drops that fall like rain from the tree above. How will these two unlikeliest of friends help one another see the world in a whole new way?
This beautiful picture book written by Sarah Kilborne and illustrated by Steve Johnson leads to a thoughtful and insightful discussion about strengths and challenges. Blue uses his ability to problem solve to help Peach down from the tree, build her a floating nest of leaves, and help her see a world she has never seen before. Peach, in turn, uses her gift with words and her ability to appreciate true beauty to help Blue "see" his world in a new light. We have to "think outside of the box" to understand how Blue becomes Peach's "legs" and Peach becomes Blue's "eyes." Each character uses their strengths to help the other with their challenges.
We compare Peach and Blue to Pete and Pickles written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed. We are quick to recognize the similarity in theme. Once again, the two main characters in this beautiful story use their strengths to help one another with their challenges. In both stories, extraordinary friendships are formed.
Through discussion and an invigorating movement activity, we realize that we all have strengths and challenges. We raise our right hands and promise to use our strengths to help others with their challenges and allow others to do the same for us.
Strengths and challenges come in many different forms not just the traditional "school smarts." While some of us struggle with reading, writing, or math, others find it difficult to make friends, take risks, or see someone else's point of view. The list of strengths and challenges goes on and on. By appreciating our own strengths and recognizing our own challenges, we can begin to connect and empathize with others. We can also begin the important work of setting individual goals and making explicit plans for improvement.
Let the learning begin!
This beautiful picture book written by Sarah Kilborne and illustrated by Steve Johnson leads to a thoughtful and insightful discussion about strengths and challenges. Blue uses his ability to problem solve to help Peach down from the tree, build her a floating nest of leaves, and help her see a world she has never seen before. Peach, in turn, uses her gift with words and her ability to appreciate true beauty to help Blue "see" his world in a new light. We have to "think outside of the box" to understand how Blue becomes Peach's "legs" and Peach becomes Blue's "eyes." Each character uses their strengths to help the other with their challenges.
We compare Peach and Blue to Pete and Pickles written and illustrated by Berkeley Breathed. We are quick to recognize the similarity in theme. Once again, the two main characters in this beautiful story use their strengths to help one another with their challenges. In both stories, extraordinary friendships are formed.
Through discussion and an invigorating movement activity, we realize that we all have strengths and challenges. We raise our right hands and promise to use our strengths to help others with their challenges and allow others to do the same for us.
Strengths and challenges come in many different forms not just the traditional "school smarts." While some of us struggle with reading, writing, or math, others find it difficult to make friends, take risks, or see someone else's point of view. The list of strengths and challenges goes on and on. By appreciating our own strengths and recognizing our own challenges, we can begin to connect and empathize with others. We can also begin the important work of setting individual goals and making explicit plans for improvement.
Let the learning begin!
Promises
First Day Jitters
The buses pull up to the curb. Doors slide open, and children with fresh haircuts and brand new sneakers climb off. Weighed down by backpacks stuffed full of school supplies, they find their places in line.
Beneath the friendly smiles, shy grins, and steely gazes, we can sense our new students' excitement and anxiety. Feelings we recognize because we are feeling the same way. A new school year and an overwhelming sea of new faces-what lies in store for the year ahead?
As teachers, we know our new students come to us with apprehension: Will I know anyone in my class? Will I make new friends? Will my teachers be nice? Will I feel comfortable? Our students need to feel a sense of belonging. They need to feel comfortable and safe in order to take the risks necessary for learning. They need to feel valued for their strengths and their uniqueness and feel supported when it comes to their challenges. Taking the time to develop a sense of community within the classroom is the most important thing we can do to start off the school year. The time invested now pays off every single day throughout the year.
The buses pull up to the curb. Doors slide open, and children with fresh haircuts and brand new sneakers climb off. Weighed down by backpacks stuffed full of school supplies, they find their places in line.
Beneath the friendly smiles, shy grins, and steely gazes, we can sense our new students' excitement and anxiety. Feelings we recognize because we are feeling the same way. A new school year and an overwhelming sea of new faces-what lies in store for the year ahead?
As teachers, we know our new students come to us with apprehension: Will I know anyone in my class? Will I make new friends? Will my teachers be nice? Will I feel comfortable? Our students need to feel a sense of belonging. They need to feel comfortable and safe in order to take the risks necessary for learning. They need to feel valued for their strengths and their uniqueness and feel supported when it comes to their challenges. Taking the time to develop a sense of community within the classroom is the most important thing we can do to start off the school year. The time invested now pays off every single day throughout the year.
Getting to Know you
The first thing we do on the first day of school is get to work! Some students create sculptures, others make posters or fill out questionnaires. It is important to offer choice, so all students can find a "Just Right" way to express themselves.
The first thing we do on the first day of school is get to work! Some students create sculptures, others make posters or fill out questionnaires. It is important to offer choice, so all students can find a "Just Right" way to express themselves.
Let's Chat!
Over the next several days we use our creations as a springboard for "Dynamic Discussions" during our line share. First, the teachers role-play a less than dynamic discussion; students are quick to make suggestions for improvement. Next, we brainstorm a "Recipe for Dynamic Discussions."
Over the next several days we use our creations as a springboard for "Dynamic Discussions" during our line share. First, the teachers role-play a less than dynamic discussion; students are quick to make suggestions for improvement. Next, we brainstorm a "Recipe for Dynamic Discussions."
Now we are ready to begin! We form two lines with partners facing one another. We take a few minutes getting to know one another before rotating to the next partner. We stop frequently to assess our discussion skills. We add to our "Recipe" and revise where needed. Somewhere along the way we realize it feels really good when someone listens carefully to what we have to say and shows interest by asking questions. We realize certain kinds of questions lead to more interesting discussions. We brainstorm a list of these "Deep Thinking Questions" for reference. We will continue to add to this list as the year progresses.
It takes several Morning Meetings, but by the time we finish, each one of us has had the opportunity to get to know everyone of our classmates!
We are off to a great start and well on our way to becoming a caring community of learners!
We are off to a great start and well on our way to becoming a caring community of learners!