Joyful Learning

This week we have settled in to our routine and academic structures. Reading groups are in full swing, Orton-Gillingham is up and running, writing notebooks are filling with words and pictures, and students are actively involved in math problem solving and experimentation. Our classroom is abuzz with the joy of learning!

Circles of Learning

This week we engaged in a rich and empowering discussion about learning. In groups with our companion classes, students and teachers alike thought about learning as a circle, ever-expanding and constantly evolving. In the center of our learning circles are those things that we feel are strengths of ours. Usually these are skills that we have practiced for a long time, but they may be things that come easily to us because of own natural predispositions. On the edge of our learning circle are those things that are less easy for us, skills that require more work and attention. We call these things our growing edges. After discussing these circles of learning, each child and teacher created their own individual learning circle. Once everyone had completed this activity, we came together as a group to share our learning circles. The children's respect and care for each other was palpable as they responded and supported each individual and their brave statements. And thanks to all the parents who are openly engaging in this project by completing their own learning circle. Please return them and we will hang them along with ours!

Parents' Night

Thanks to all for your heartfelt participation during our Parents' Night this week! We so enjoyed getting the chance to share our classroom and program with you. We invite you to come to our October 6th Curriculum Overview night for more discussion. And don't forget to check out The Dunn Institute's Learning Difference Awareness Conference for fabulous offerings, www.dunninstitute.org.

Ask us About . . .

*Our Learning Circles.

*Making posters with our Buddies.

*Independent reading.

*Fact bracelets.

*Our reading books, "Shortcut", "The Man Who Walked Between Two Towers", "Sheila Rae the Brave" and "Poppleton".