Month: September 2020

Last week we discussed as a class how we want to feel and how we want to act when we are together. We agreed that it is important to all be on the same page when it comes to expectations in our classroom. The students worked in small groups to answer the following questions:

• How do you want to feel at school?
• What do you need to be able to learn successfully?
• What can you do to make sure you are ready to learn?
• What are some problems that you have had at school or in class in the past?
• How can you be a good classmate?

We then came together as a group and picked out similar words and ideas in our answers. Finally, we came up with a classroom contract that addressed all of our ideas. The contract is an agreement between all members of Division 7 to try our best to live up to the standards that are important to us. Each of us have signed the contract to show that we are in agreement. So, without further ado, here is Division 7’s classroom contract:

Our Classroom Contract

We, the members of Division 7, promise to work as a team. We will make sure everyone feels happy, safe, and included. We will do this by:

             1. Treating everyone with respect.
             2. Putting others before ourselves.
             3. Creating a safe learning environment.
             4. Being ready to learn and have fun!

By signing this contract we pledge to be our best selves.

Please talk to your child about what the classroom contract means to them and ask them why it is important to uphold!

Today Division 7 was introduced to Learning in Depth (or “LiD”) for the first time. There was much excitement in the air as they learned that this would be a year-long project where they would get to take the journey from learner to expert to teacher.

What is LiD?

LiD is a dynamic program where each student is assigned a topic that they will explore for the whole year. The idea is that they will have the freedom to explore their topic from any perspective they choose at a pace that suits them. By the end of the year they will have acquired knowledge in great depth and breadth, rather than “learning a little about a lot”. We will be working on our LiD projects on average of an hour each week throughout the year.

Why LiD?

Some of the potential benefits of the LiD program:

• generates a deep understanding of the nature of knowledge
• engages imaginations and emotions in learning
• builds confidence and pride in knowledge
• develops expertise in organizational and research skills

How Can You Get Involved?

Another wonderful result of LiD is that it encourages you to learn along with your child. Parents often enjoy seeing their child’s progress in self-directed learning. While the idea is not to allow your enthusiasm (and perhaps superior research skills) to take over the project, I hope you will find joy in supporting your child explore their topic at home. Your child will occasionally be bringing home tasks that encourage them to reach out to family members, friends, and the community to learn more about their topic.

Where to Start?

Your child brought home a large list of possible LiD topics today. It also shows the criteria for choosing a suitable LiD topic. Students were asked to think carefully about the list and discuss it at home. On Monday, they will be asked to choose their top five topic choices; I will then select a topic for each student based on their interests. Please talk with your child and help them choose some topics that will hold their interest for the year.

I hope you are excited to join us on our LiD journey this year!

Dear families of Division 7,

I am thrilled to welcome you to our classroom! I use this blog to keep our classroom community up to date on the exciting things we are learning and doing so please check back often or subscribe using the button on the right. If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year do not hesitate to contact me.

The start of this school year has been like no other. I appreciate the patience and flexibility of the students and parents as we learn new ways of doing things in order to stay safe at school. I am sure that there will be more challenges and changes coming our way but I am confident that Division 7 will be able to face them together.  Last week was our first full week together and as I got to know the students, I began to get quite excited about all of the opportunities for learning we will have this year.

Stay tuned!

~Ms. Rudolph