Hello families!
I have several
things to share with you before we meet on Monday & Tuesday for listening
conferences. All of this is also posted on our
crew news on the website: http://mrslaurens14-15crewblog.blogspot.com/. I encourage you to spend a few minutes
this weekend/next week exploring our crew site. I have updated the FAQ section
that has information about the communication, schedule, birthdays, classroom
norms, and more.
ROOM LOCATION CHANGE: My room has moved. I
am now at the end of the hall where Ms. Amanda’s class was last year. It is
room C102. :)
First Day of
School: Drop-Off
This year, we have
decided to try to streamline the "drop-off" on the first day of
school. In the past, teachers have stood outside with signs and students have
attempted to find their teacher - however, we have found that having 400+
students, teachers, and parents out front makes for a crazy start to the school
day. This year, drop-off on Wednesday will be the same as it would be for any
other day. At 8:30, the front doors will open and students should make their
way to our classroom.
Pick-Up
Our crew dismisses
from outside near the small trees in front of the school. Students must say
goodbye and high-five me before they are allowed to leave school - to ensure
that I have seen the adult who will be taking them home. You may park and come
pick up your child or wait in the pick-up car line; if you are in the car line,
we will only load the first two vehicles in line at a time to maintain order.
Wednesday, our first day, is an early release day as usual - pick-up will be at
1 pm.
Lunch Time/Snacks
Our crew's lunch
time this year will be at 11:45. I encourage students to bring a healthy snack
on Mon, Tues, Thurs, and Friday. I also encourage all students to bring a water
bottle to school.
Something Special
in the Mail for Students
Have you gotten my
card in the mail? Your child should be receiving a card in the mail in the next
day or two. In this letter, I introduce myself and welcome students to my crew.
At the end, I request that students write a letter back to me which they can
give me on the first day of school. :)
Classroom Set-up
Your child’s education ->
What does 21st the 21st century classroom look like? Let’s have the learners decide. :)
Under construction
Students will be collaborating in setting up their learning space.
Minds Under Construction
Working together to learn together.
Unstacked desks?
Piles of supplies? Blank walls? --What is this all about?
When you visit the
classroom on Monday or Tuesday, you will notice that tables are pushed against
the walls, chairs are still in stacks, and the classroom doesn't look as you
might picture it the days before students arrive. Many teachers at Renaissance
are asking for students to help us design and set up the classrooms in the
first days of school again this year. We had great success with this endeavor
last year. Students will become the classroom designers and engineers. They,
perhaps better than anyone, know what spaces are necessary in a classroom, as
well as how those spaces might be used. Allowing students to take control of
the classroom environment really gets at the heart of Expeditionary learning.
It provides opportunities for creativity, leadership, critical thinking,
teamwork, and stewardship. It also gives me an opportunity to find out what
students value about school, as well as how they think and work together. This
will be a great way to begin the year: working together to learn
together.
Asking students to
shape the space they spend so much time in increases student ownership and
makes the space ours, not just a classroom where students learn in for the
year. I look forward to seeing what students want to do with our space; I am
sure they will come up with ideas I would never have thought of.
Here are a few reminders/updates for next week:
-Listening Conferences are Monday and Tuesday (8/4-8/5). I can't
wait to meet you and hear all about your child!
-Wednesday (8/6) is the first day of school.
*Students will come
directly to the classroom instead of meeting outside (such as in years past)
*Don't forget that Wednesday is an
early dismissal day, and school ends at 1:00.
-Friday (8/8) Picture Day
-Friday (8/8) Back to School Carnival 4-7: You can splash this
teacher at 4:30.
Hope to see you all
there! :)
Have a fabulous weekend, and I will see you next week!
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