Our class went through some changes this week. I wanted to share them in case your child came home and talked about it. And also just to explain why things change in our class sometimes.
The main changes took place in how our literacy center/reading group time works now. We have a new rotation system in place, and the students have certain "tasks" to complete during this time before moving on to the work center of their choice that day. Your child may come home talking about "getting my work done" or something that happened at the "fish table". These are all terms and spaces used during our center time. I also adjusted our math workshop rotations, but not as much as I changed literacy center time.
I made these changes to help myself and the students. I have found over the years that all classes are different. I could use one system one year with a certain group of kids, and it could work flawlessly. Now, the same flawless system could fall to pieces with another group. With that in mind, I could tell our system was just not working as effectively and efficiently as I thought it could. So I changed it. And guess what? Your kids are shining even brighter than before. They already act and feel more successful and independent during these times of the day, which is my ultimate goal after all! I am so proud of them and so glad you allow them into my life each day.
I hope you enjoyed the small glimpse into my thought process and why we do some of the things we do! My final thought on the matter is: Change is good!
"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance."- Alan Watts