About Our Classroom |
Responsive classroomIn kindergarten, we base our classroom management system on the Responsive Classroom approach. The approach of the Responsive Classroom integrates teaching, learning, and caring into the daily program. These components are set in the content of commonly shared values, such as honesty, fairness and respect. They are implemented through the development and strengthening social skills, such as cooperation, assertion, responsibility, empathy and self control.
Each student plays a role in the classroom by holding a classroom job. This encourages students to take ownership over their classroom. Our goal is that each child will be responsible for his or her own learning and behavior. We accomplish this by first sharing our Hopes and Dreams. The discussion then moves into how the classroom environment needs to be in order to achieve our Hopes and Dreams. Through positive reinforcement, modeling and daily practice we encourage the students to learn and to behave in a caring and responsible manner. When a student does not follow the rules, a logical consequence is applied. More information about the Responsive Classroom approach can be found at responsiveclassroom.org |
Additional activitiesInner Peace - This quiet time helps create an atmosphere of calm, safety, reflection, and restoration. Inner peace takes place after recess and gives the children a break from the rigors of academics and demands of social interaction, a break which will help them be more productive and engaged in the afternoon. During inner peace time, children are quiet and are working completely independently from their classmates. They may be reading, working on unfinished work, working in their code books, drawing, or quietly resting their heads. In this quiet time they are often reflecting on the happenings of the day so far.
Book Buddies - Once a month or so, we meet with our 4th grade book buddies. We pair off and read books together. Sometimes we read in our classroom, at the park, or even on our awesome roof deck! Field Trips - We will go on about 5 field trips this year (not including the walking trips we'll take around Hoboken). Homework - Children should be reading and be read to each night. |