A New School Year:  Building a Community of Learners

       With the Common Core Standards right around the corner, teachers are reflecting more on student learning to meet a rigorous curriculum.  Our 4th grade team at the public elementary school where I teach decided to try something new.  Each of the three teachers in our team would take on several subjects for all students in 4th grade.  One teacher will teach math.  Another teacher will teach science and word study (spelling).  I will teach language arts (reading and writing) and social studies.

“The First Day of School” planning was unusual.  The average upper grade elementary school teacher has at least 30 students.  I was preparing for triple that amount, nearly 100 students.  In addition, I thought of how to handle the “rotation” of students coming from my colleague’s classes.  A rigorous curriculum should also be fun, but sane.  The answer?  A color-coded classroom management system featuring colored dots, journals, folders, etc. for each class.  It also included a number system for each student consistent with my colleagues.

Our first day of school focused on the students and building a learning community (classroom, school, and home).

READ ALOUD

First Day Jitters  (by Julie Dannegerg, illustrated by Judy Love) offered many opportunities for learning!  Several teaching strategies included prediction and “think,pair, share.”  Visit the following websites for more information on the book, First Day Jitters.

http://www.charlesbridge.com/

http://www.juliedanneberg.com/

http://judyloveillustration.com/

CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT

1.  Safe, clean, nurturing, and inviting classroom.

2.  Classroom Library:  Leveled reading books, genres, and author study.

3.  Classroom Walls:  Some posters, but mostly bare since it will be filled with a celebration of student work in the coming weeks.

4.  Desks in collaborative groups.

5.  Student Net Books and Class Promethean Board (WiFi classroom).

6.  Student textbooks and materials.

7.  “Getting to Know You” activities.

CLASSROOM RULES (Rewards, Consequences, High Expectations)

Students generate responses as to what rules will help them learn.  Answers are put on Post-It notes.  We co-create a chart with the following rules:

1.  Respect

2.  Response

3.  Responsibility

4.  Try your best!

5.  Have fun, but help other learn, too.

ACCOUNTABLE TALK

VALUES and “GETTING TO KNOW YOU” ACTIVITIES

The “First Day of School” is sprinkled with “Getting to Know You” activities and “round circle” discussions.  We write an acrostic poem and create a “Value” chart reflecting our hobbies, family, friends, favorites, goals, hopes, and dreams.  It coincides with learning about Constitution Day and about being a good citizen.

OTHER:  Classroom Procedures, Conflict Resolution, Weekly Schedule, Classroom and School Tours

WELCOME LETTER AND “COMMUNITY BUILDING”

A “Welcome Letter” is sent home to the parents and students.  For parents, I include a “questionnaire” asking them about any hobbies or talents they would like to share with our class.  Also, I include  volunteer opportunities and community-school fundraisers.  For students, I assigne a fun activity and had the students interview their parents to ask them the following question:  “How did I get my first name?”  The students write the response on paper and bring it to school the next day.  The assignments help open the door to many possibilities in writing and community building.

When it comes to “a community of learners,” the concept extends beyond the four walls of the classroom.  It’s not just a school team, but also a partnership involving parent, teacher, child, and our business community.