PS13: Creates a welcoming environment, including establishing routines to inform parents about their child's day and to assist parents to separate and reunite with their child
Evidence 1: Welcome Packet
Description: This packet is mailed to all registered families at the beginning of August.
Analysis: In an effort to introduce myself to families and to aid in the transition process these items are mailed to families three weeks before the beginning of school. This packet is followed by a phone call to each family asking them to share any hopes, goals or concerns that they have for their child during the upcoming school year. I also ask families to detail eating and sleeping routines. This first contact with families aids in classroom set-up and lesson planning.
Good Afternoon Families,
We were super surprised by today's weather! I had planned some indoor, rainy day activities, but we quickly threw those out the window when we saw how beautiful it was.
We had a great morning meeting where we checked the weather, guessed what Jocelyn brought in the mystery bag, and figured out that the number of the day was one! We also sang some songs and read about the prophet Enoch in the Bible.
After snack we decided to go on a walking field trip to the climbing rocks at the college. When we got there we discovered that it might not be the safest place to play, as they were beginning to set up for graduation. Instead we walked over to play on the rocks by the library. We had great fun using all of our muscles as we climbed up onto the rocks and then practiced jumping down to the ground. We also discovered some dandelions that had gone to seed, and had a wonderful time blowing and pulling all of the seeds off.
We finished our morning with PE. Mr. Ketcham has been playing games that encourage mulit-step direction following. It is amazing to see how these guys continue to grow from week to week.
After lunch we went into the computer room at the main school. Zach and Jocelyn practiced writing some letters (Jocelyn worked on the letter I, and Zach worked on the letter T), while Avalon and Mhairi had some practice learning how to hold their pencils just right so that they could have better control over their burgeoning writing skills.
Have a great night!
Description: Each day I send an email to families detailing our day.
Analysis: Communication is so important in an educational setting. I don't get to see all of my families at the end of the day because I leave before they arrive. By sending a daily e-mail, I am able to ensure that all families know what happened during our time together. I also e-mail or call families if children have a rough day, get injured or seem to be acting out of the ordinary. This aids both parent and child in the end of day transition.
Evidence 3:
Photo of Taryn's Mom Assisting with Gingerbread Houses
Description: Taryn's mother assists children while making gingerbread houses.
Analysis: Families have differing holiday traditions. Last year at Christmas we invited families into our classroom to share those traditions with us. Taryn's family makes gingerbread houses and delivers them to neighbors each Christmas, so Michelle (Taryn's mom) collected supplies and taught all of Taryn's friends how to make gingerbread houses. Our gingerbread houses were then given to our buddies at the main school. During this time period our class was introduced to many traditions for Christmas and Hanukkah.
