New Lessons Every Day

I have found myself learning so much every day I am with students.  I am more aware today of the diversity in my town than ever before.  It is fascinating to walk into different schools and be cognizant of each different dynamic across town.  It is a great lesson in flexibility and adaptability for any substitute teacher.   Strategies that work with students in one neighborhood school may not work with students in another.  I have found that academically there is a level of continuity between the elementary schools and this is encouraging.

For the next two weeks I will be working in the same fifth grade class in a school in the north end of our town.  The building itself is one of the older school buildings in town.  I heard one person liken the school to a little parochial school.   I connect to that statement on many levels!  Much of my experience has been in the satellite schools around town that were all built in the 70's.  The older in town buildings are multi floor, brick buildings with old radiators and oversized windows.  They have a charm that the newer buildings lack.

During my time with these students not only will I cover all the required academic materials but I am hoping to soften the underlying social dynamics that seem to disrupt all levels of learning in class.  I'll be using morning meeting, closing circle and a myriad of reminders throughout the next weeks in the hopes of effecting at least a small change.  We shall see.  I'll be starting with the following: