About My Classroom
Everything we do in my classroom and in Team 61 is about BUILDING COMMUNITY and EMPOWERMENT.
Building Our Community Through Community Meetings
To foster a sense of community and create a comfortable and safe space in our classroom, we begin each day with a community meeting. Students sit in a circle so they can see all their peers and we begin with a greeting. The greeting usually involves a verbal welcoming and some sort of handshake. What takes place after the greeting usually depends on what is going on in the classroom. We may play an activity to get to know each other, share excitements from the weekend, or launch a lesson. If there is ever an issue that occurs in our class or on our team, community meeting is a safe place to discuss it. My sixth graders enjoy this part of the day as much as I do!
Click on the pictures to learn more.
Click on the pictures to learn more.
Empowering Through Choice
Allowing students to feel empowered begins in my class with CHOICE. Students know it is their choice which can create or hinder their success. Some choices students have a voice in include:
- Type of seat they want to sit in (chair, yoga ball, or stand)
- Opportunity to MOVE FOR SUCCESS (move to an area that is better for themselves and their peers)
- Ability to pick their partners in group assignments and
choose how they want to work (independent, partners, or small group) depending on the activity
Giving Students a Voice During Genius Hour
On my team and in my classroom, I hope to empower my students to identify their passion. For an hour each week students are given the opportunity to research and present on topics THEY CHOOSE and are given the freedom and independence to explore their passions and curiosities. Genius Hour is truly THEIR time to explore and try to get the world unstuck about something.
Click on the pictures to learn more.