Now that our positions are known, we'll begin talking about the grade-level model that we'll employ. There are many different ways that we can do this with three teachers and approximately 75 students. The question is, What is the best way to break up the learning objectives to meet all students' needs with depth and strength?
There are many factors to consider beginning with the students' needs. What do these 75 students need to learn well? Next, what is required to teach the grade-level expectations well--how many different areas, projects, or units should one teacher be responsible for in order to teach well? Also, we have to consider space. If we're going to continue to develop our STEAM focus, we'll need space for all of the supplies and projects, and if we're going to teach composition well, that teacher will need full time use of computers. Who will store all the books too?
Once our individual and collective priorities are made, I'll then begin to review this year's efforts, then revise and embed that work into a revision of this year's websites to reflect next year's program. I'll cull through all of this year's work and decide what worked, what needed revision, and what doesn't make the cut for next year. I'll also identify weak areas--areas that need greater research and I'll do that work. We'll need to order the supplies necessary to run the program too.
In many ways the curriculum programs we teach are like the gardens we tend. We look forward to the perennials and prune them to keep the blooms fresh and bright. We also add new annuals to brighten up the learning garden. We decide how the activities are placed for best result as well, and space the learning for optimal for growth. I look forward to this both collegial and independent activity in order to teach children well.
