Welcome to Back to School Night! Facilitator Introduction I am a - PDF document

Welcome to Back to School Night! Facilitator Introduction I am a Mom of 5 and 3 grandsons, former Navy Sailor, Instructor, Facilitator and Teacher for over 20 years. Love the great outdoors; if indoors must have windows. I am loving this environment. Please see “Staff Feature” on ileadspringmeadows.org Multiage Education Multiage Education is not: ● Simply putting two or three grade levels together without a purpose Multiage Education is: ● Child Centered ● Continually shaping and developing program to suit learners ● Shared control between learner and facilitator Social­Emotional Benefits: ● Sense of community ● Leadership development Each learner gets academic content they need: ● Specific instruction based on ILP’s ● More one­to­one and small group with facilitator during independent Daily 5, Daily 3 and Project Time ● See the following website for a great description of multiage education. It is very short, but very descriptive: http://www.multiage­education.com/multiagen­b/themulticlass.html Morning Meeting: Why every day: ● Learners become used to being listened to ● Teachers to whole body listening themselves ­ I really see my learners during this time, body language, voice, reactions, I can read what they like or dislike, how they respond to different things and different dynamics ● Forms foundation of our respectful community ● Creates a positive school culture Structure: ● Greeting: Learners, Facilitators and Care Team greet and welcome each other ● Sharing: Learners share something about themselves or their lives and the rest of their peers listen and ask follow­up questions or offer comments. Three learners may ask either a question or make a comment ● Activity: The group completes an activity that encourages teamwork while re­emphasizing social or academic skills. ● Morning message: Learners read a short message from their teacher, usually describing what is to coming the day ahead. ​ . ● http://www.edutopia.org/practice/morning­meetings­creating­safe­space­learning Positive Outcomes: Morning Meeting “sets the tone for: ● Respectful learning

● Establishing a climate of trust ● Motivating students to feel significant ● Creating empathy ● Encouraging collaboration ● Supporting social, emotional and academic learning Class Culture & Expectations: The learners have worked for weeks to create a truly authentic and relevant classroom mission statement. It is posted in our classroom. ● Do not make a problem for yourself or others. If you do I will do something. ● Please see the Letter of Expectations attached to the weekly update Most basic statement of expectations in our class: “If you create a problem for yourself or others. I will do something.” ● Might be immediate or delayed ­ depends on situation Technology: right time, right place, right material Project Based Learning ● Student Interest Driven ● Themes developed for this year based on learners ● Some themes will remain some will change next year ● Once Projects developed, standards infused and also infused as project unfolds ● Presentation of Learning (POL) is at the end of the project ­ authentic audience to present idea; plans; or product ● Example themes: Community, innovation, ● Projects are authentic and interdisciplinary Daily 5 ● Most of the details are in my weekly updates ● Read to Self, Work on Writing, Read to Someone, Word Work, Listen to Reading ● Individual needs met­ based on assessment data and during rotations of areas needed I can meet with individuals or small groups ● Spelling & Vocab will be assessed for “Words Their Way” and we can individualize spelling and vocab needs ● Journally everyday Daily 3 ● Structured with mini lessons in Numbers Corner ○ Calendar ○ Data Collection & Analysis ○ Computational Fluency ● Rotations through Math by myself, math with someone, math through writing ○ Until assessment data available we are doing foundation computational fluency games, activities, and group learning. ○ Currently working with small groups on breaking down word problem and math vocabulary

Work Accountability ● Home/School Connection ­ I will keep in touch with what work and goals need to be completed and accounted for as they are created. ● I am available through email and if you need to talk in person or over the phone just let me know ● You are always welcome to visit our class and participate in morning meeting, reading, team building, etc. Specialty Classes ● Art and Spanish are one hour classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays ● PE/Movement ­ we do a lot of very active team building after lunch that does not include their lunch/recess time. Also, when we see a need to move, take a class walk, do a little workout, etc. we make it happen. ● Exploratorium (beginning in mid­October) ­ Learners will participate in projects that will ask them to problem solve, design, and reflect collaboratively with a partner. Learners will have access to the computers and various programs and software and other hands­on materials. The Exploratorium is facilitator­led, with the intention of exposing learners to STEM content and possible career paths. Individualized Learning Plans ● Each iLead learner will create at least one academic and one social/emotional ILP goal ● These goals are developed based on assessments and/or areas of interest ● 3 checkpoints throughout the year: ○ January: First Report of Progress (Narrative­based) ○ End of March: Learner­Led Conferences ○ June: Student Learning Showcase & Second Report of Progress ­ Learners present all of their learning and growing throughout the entire school year ● Parents can sign up for ILP meetings through the facilitator ● The meetings are 30 minutes and if you have more than one learner in a class they need separate meeting times (We will try to make them back to back) Volunteers Opportunities! ● Volunteering will become a big part of our community ● As opportunities and specific needs become clear I will send out information ● If you are available and willing to volunteer you will need to complete a FBI background clearance prior to volunteering Questions ???