Building a community of learners
For the first few weeks of school, our focus is on building a sense of community amongst the children and the key adults they will be working with. The quote below is from “Starting the School Year Right” by Thomas Guskey in The School Administrator, August 2011 (Vol. 7, #68, p. 44)
“The first two weeks are the most important time in the school year for all children … What happens during this critical period pretty much determines how the rest of the year will go.”
It is important that the children have time to get to know their new classmates and to explore and develop relationships. The children need to feel safe in their new environment in order to learn. They need to trust and respect the members of their learning community so that they can develop as risk takers and experimenters. Throughout the year they will learn with and from each other as they conduct their individual and group inquiries. Time spent now building a strong learning community and developing a culture of collaboration will stand us all in good stead as the the year progresses.
August 27th, 2012 at 2:29 pm
I love KC and I like playing with the blocks (Aiden)
I like KC because it is good and I can see my sister when the door is open. (Scarlett)
I like KC because I like playing with the children (Yungi)
I like this place and I like playing with the toys and I like KC. (Jaiden)
I like bringing the blocks outside because it is fun. (Angus)
August 27th, 2012 at 10:14 pm
Dear cowdyt and KC,
Thomas Guskey’s words are quite wise but I would go further by saying…
The first year of school, whether we call it Kindergarten, Preparatory, Reception or any other name, is the most significant year in the educational life of children. If we can capture their imagination, stimulate their curiosity, guide their exploration of learning and support their needs, we can set them on a lifelong learning journey.
Having, a number of years back, taught a Kindergarten class, I had the enjoyment of seeing our early learners opening their eyes to the world. The comments of Aiden, Scarlett, Yungi, Jaiden and Angus remind me so much of that class now many years back.
@RossMannell
Teacher, NSW, Australia