Mrs. Keller's classroom is just a constant source of positive energy. The main idea of Focus is to teach the kids to look at life differently and understand that so much more goes in to every little aspect of life than they originally thought. Following this, every idea is supported in class, and at least given proper consideration if it's not applicable. There are signs all over the room about how to share ideas, how to listen to other people's ideas, and how to think positively. The students all know that failure is okay, and that especially in this class, it's almost considered a goal for them fail occasionally. Everyone is treated with equal respect, while additional support is provided for each student's individual ideas to allow for equity in their successes. Every student has what they need to succeed. There is also a chart for class jobs, putting the students in charge of small cleaning and maintenance tasks around the room throughout the day. This allows for the students to feel a sense of responsibility and group belonging. Overall, the classroom strongly promotes fairness in all aspects of the word, and the students actually feel more comfortable here than in their home classrooms.
As for what specifically occured this week, the kids basically had a "free day" on Tuesday because the Monday, Wednesday and Thursday groups didnt' come (PARCC testing messed up schedules too badly). The Tuesday group just spent the day doing various math and language logic puzzles, while also continuing their current projects a little. They watched a video on the creation of US currency and all the security measures that our Treasury uses, then planned some of their own currency for the micronations they've been creating. It's really fun to work with them and constantly come up with problems for them to solve, like economic nationalism and taxes and so forth. I'm looking forward to next week when I can see every class again!
As for what specifically occured this week, the kids basically had a "free day" on Tuesday because the Monday, Wednesday and Thursday groups didnt' come (PARCC testing messed up schedules too badly). The Tuesday group just spent the day doing various math and language logic puzzles, while also continuing their current projects a little. They watched a video on the creation of US currency and all the security measures that our Treasury uses, then planned some of their own currency for the micronations they've been creating. It's really fun to work with them and constantly come up with problems for them to solve, like economic nationalism and taxes and so forth. I'm looking forward to next week when I can see every class again!