We're Off!

We had a busy and excellent first day. The time just flew. It was immediately obvious that I have a group of energetic and delightful children!

How We Start Our School Days
Some of you may not know that the 2-3s begin their day with a chance to be physical and social. Last January, a third grader began coming in and asking me for time to blow off steam before she came in the room. Like the Pied Piper, she attracted classmates who began to jog around the gym with her. I heard the need and saw the benefit of this transition time and have embraced it fully ever since. Please read last year’s blog post about this decision--The Benefits of Exercise—if you haven’t seen it.

Arriving at school by 8:40 will ensure that your child receives the benefits of this special time. We are back in the room at 9:00.

Creating A Community
We start our year off with a sustained and deliberate focus on creating a positive and connected community. We talk about our routines, our need to carefully tune in to each other, and the balance of fun and work we’ll have. We practice lining up, try things again when we aren’t meeting the expectations, and think about how we are moving in and using our space. We talk about the need to “think twice and act once” so that we take the best care we can of ourselves and our friends.

Yesterday afternoon, we discussed what it means to take academic risks. I told a story about one of our current 3^rd graders that offered a metaphor and language to encourage perseverance and taking academic chances. Last year, this child worked so hard to jump to the third bar on the monkey bars. She couldn’t do it. She was obsessed! She would talk to Darcy and get pointers. She was cheered on by us and other children. But right from the start, she told us she was scared. This child knew that her fear was not allowing her to leap out as far as she needed. One day, enough courage was mustered and she made it!! She’s now an old pro.

Yesterday, we talked about how fear can hold us back from “making it to the third bar.” I told the children that we all needed to be sure that everyone was encouraged to put the fear aside about our abilities and give it a go—that we all had a responsibility to make sure our classroom made that possible. How we talk to ourselves and each other about the work we are doing—being positive and making no negative comparisons—will ensure everyone can take chances.

This was a prelude to a read aloud. I often share the picture book Wings by Christopher Myers. The book’s protagonist, Ikarus Jackson, has wings. The wings make him different—wonderful or weird, depending upon the perspective of the children at his school. Ikarus is mocked and his flying is stilled. That is until a child, who has also faced criticism from her peers, shouts out how beautiful Ikarus is. He then is able to fly again. We had a wonderful conversation about why the book might have been written and what lessons it teaches us. Don’t criticize. Encourage. Make sure everyone can jump to the third bar.  

And, we’re off!!!

Here are the children meeting in pairs or trios to brainstorm what the 2-3s might present at Assembly.