Friday, September 14, 2018

Friday Musings: The 2018-2019 Teaching/Learning Year Takes Shape

Thanks to the efforts of a wise systemwide colleague and the Wayland Public Schools Foundation, Sam Drazin, will share his wisdom with students next week. 
The school year is taking shape. As I get to know students, a good pattern of teaching and learning emerges. Getting to know students is supported by a number of events and routines including the following:
  • pupil exchange session when teachers from last year share notes and information about this year's students.
  • review of past and current assessments
  • student service delivery meetings
  • class meetings, observations, and lessons
  • parent and student surveys
The week's efforts included multiple lessons including an introduction to the home study routines, the timeline project, online learning menus, and sign-in routines. The week's learning included a focus on numerical expression, learning about the brain and body, positive learning mindsets and behaviors, and continued study about the colonial period and the King Phillip's War via our read aloud. 

The week's challenges included:
  • coaching students with regard to error, resistance, teamwork, and procrastination
  • coordinating service delivery schedules
  • creating optimal organization routines and room set-up
The classroom's new furniture has definitely lifted my spirits and allowed me to teach in more modern day ways. This has been a big plus to the year.

Looking ahead, next week will focus on the following efforts:
  • continued efforts related to numerical expression and brain/body science
  • professional learning related to our environmental stewardship life science grant/unit
  • coaching students' effort to follow routines and complete tasks with care and success
  • providing student response to their many learning efforts and challenges so far
  • learning from a special speaker, Sam Drazin. 
I must say it has been a terrific start to the school year--one of the best! May it continue.