🙂

I’m happier now. Once again, Cleveland Elementary will be filled with all the joyful noises that come from having children and staff in the building. Once again, teachers are preparing to teach our students. Once again, I can wander the halls and visit classes (actually, I did that during the strike, but it was really boring).

This week we will organize all students into their classes. Students will re-connect with friends, discover new friends, and in some cases, be a little bit upset because they may not be in the same class with some friends. The first week often finds us helping children (and sometimes parents) deal with many emotions related to class placement or class organization.

Thoughts about Combined Classes

We will have combined classes. Language is a very powerful tool, and I feel strongly that we have combined classes, not “split” classes. Combined classes do not have to have separate learning activities for each grade at all times. Some exercises and assignments will be different, and some will be the same. Teachers are not “splitting” their students into two groups. Each class will become one learning group, where students and staff will work collaboratively to create an excellent learning environment for everyone. Teachers use a variety of learning strategies and assessment strategies to deal with the varied learners in each class.

Sometimes we get stuck on the notion that everyone should work with only people in their own grade. Why? Combined classes give us the opportunity to allow children to work with people who may be younger or older than they are. In my experience, I have not often worked with people who are the same age as myself. I think we have one other 47 year-old in the school (but I will never say who, as about 90% of the Cleveland staff is female, and no way I am sharing their ages here).

Teaching is a wonderfully complex job, and every class presents the opportunities to work with a variety of learners. If you want to talk about combined classes or class organization, I am available.

I am looking forward to seeing my wonderful staff work with all our little learners in all classes. It will be an awesome year.

Take care