RUTH LEBLANC spoke of The Real Story 2 to DAN TRIPLETT on 09-08-96
RL>Hi Dan,
RL> 
RL>DT>I do like that grade level but there are times......I tried to
RL>  >switch last year to a 2nd grade but in the 8 years at my school,
RL>  >last year was the only year there was NO movement!
RL> 
RL>Why did you choose 2nd grade? I think I would prefer 1st so I could
RL>pick up where I left off the previous year. I'd love to do that -
RL>especially once I implemented the Mathematics Their Way program.
2nd grade was the only place to move into.  That was until that teacher 
decided to stick around for another year.  So for the first time in 8 
years there are no changes in our staff positions.  I'm ok about it.  I 
actually have a fun class of  27 and 23 kindergartners.  I'm so tired 
though!  :)
RL> 
RL>DT>So for now I'm looking to improve on last year.  I'm trying to go
RL>  >to more of a learning center approach and teach the students to be
RL>  >more self-directed in their learning.  I think for now it will be
RL>  >the teacher directing the self-direction 
RL> 
RL>Exactly what do you do now that is different? Have you ever read
RL>Bobbi Fisher's book Joyful Learning? 
Yes and I'm doing a re-read this year.  In fact I began reading her book 
plus a few others.
I have a friend who swears by
RL>her philosophy, etc. She has her classroom set up into colour centres
RL>with each colour standing for a different area. Each day she
RL>introduces a different workjob for the children to do. The class
RL>rotates around the centres during the week so that by the end of the
RL>cycle they have worked in all the areas - that is the teacher
RL>directed part.
I do this....but it's difficult to teach the kids this routine.  I have 
a saying outside my room that teaching kindergarten is like trying to 
hold a bathtub full of corks underwater all at once.
 She then has a period of time that they can have a
RL>free choice of what they do and where they go at the centres - is
RL>this more what you are after?  
I do all of this now but I want to design the room to run more 
efficiently and avoid so many (necessary?) transitions.  
RL>Does your district/board provide much direction in this area? I think
RL>I have mentioned that I recently went to a workshop put on by my
RL>Board on assessment and evaluation. I learned about rubrics and
RL>portfolios and more about learning outcomes/reports.
Like many districts, kindergarten doesn't get much attention so I'm 
pretty much on my own.
Take care,
Dan
CMPQwk 1.42 445p
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