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The First Six
Weeks of School |
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As part of our school wide improvement the faculty at
Abner Gibbs read, studied and adopted an approach called "The First
Six Weeks of School". This is part of the Responsive Classroom,
a social curriculum developed at the Center School in Greenfield, MA.
Our goal as stated in the introduction of "The
First Six Weeks of School" is to foster autonomy. "……students
need to function with autonomy: to function independently without constant
adult control or direct supervision. Autonomy in a school setting means
governing oneself with an awareness of the needs of the community"*.
Our strategies to developing this autonomy include
a Morning Meeting in each day to develop sense of and commitment to
classroom community. In addition, we have defined clear procedures and
practices school wide and provide ongoing practice for the students
in these procedures.
Expectations for student behavior have been clarified and staff have
developed specific, consistent rules throughout the building, using
logical consequences as the primary discipline method for the choices
students make.
Throughout the year classroom and school wide activities will emphasize
the importance of respect for self, each other, and our school.
Intentions During the First Six Weeks*:
1. Create a climate and tone of warmth
and safety.
2. Teach the schedule and routines of the school day and our expectation
for behavior in each of them.
3. Introduce students to the physical environment and materials
of the classroom and the school, and teach students how to use and
care for them.
4. Establish expectation about ways we will learn together in the
year ahead. |
We have had a great start to the beginning of the year. It appears as
our work is already paying off with less confusion during transitions
in the building, less discipline incidences resulting in the Principals
office, students greeting others in a warm friendly manner, older children
watching out and caring for younger students and a calmer more relaxed
lunchtime.
We are off to good start!
* The First Six Weeks, Paula Denton, Roxann Kriete, Introduction
pg 3
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