IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

This morning, after Reader’s Workshop we had a wonderful conversations about our individual strengths.  As we build our community, it is important to realize that everyone brings different strengths to the table.  Today, to start this conversation, each student focused on themselves. After a few minutes of talking as a class, each friend was asked to draw and write what they are good at.  We had talents ranging from reading to running!  I am excited to see how we can build on today’s conversation and grow our classroom community tomorrow.

Ruth said she is good at puzzles.

David shared he is good at running while Melina feels her strength is playing the piano.

Today was another great day! We started talking about our Classroom Agreements (agreements that we would all follow to ensure safety, support, and an atmosphere for learning and fun). The agreements that they decided on today were :
1. Listen
2. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
3. Respect

We will see if there are any others as we go along, but we thought that was a great start!

Throughout the day, I noticed a lot of creating. Children were creating beautiful stories using blocks, natural materials, the light table, and paper. Children were creating creative pieces of artwork using playdough during free choice.

I am really looking forward to continuing to see the children grow and prosper in our school community!

Today was a wonderful “Day 2” at the Lab School!

We continue to spend a lot of our day familiarizing ourselves with the procedures and and routines of the day. Learning how the workshops work, building community, and establishing our culture will be a huge focus at the start of our year.

The students enjoyed learning about some new free choice options today. Yesterday, students were able to build with construction materials, color, read books, and play at the sand table during free choice time. Today we opened up play-doh, animals, and painting! Painting is always a big hit during free choice time. Only four students are aloud to paint at a time, however, I assured them that everyone would get a chance to paint eventually.

DayTwon, Abel, and Jaeda working in the sand table during free choice time. They were problems solvers together, and decided that we needed to add water to the sand so that it wouldn’t make so much dust in the air.

Story workshop, which is a new workshop for us this year, is turning out to be a favorite time of the day for many students. Yesterday and today, I modeled the telling of a story in my life using materials from the classroom. I have then, invited students to do the same. They are using blocks, natural materials, figurines, and art supplies to tell a true or fictional story. After independent work time, I chose a student to share her story with the class. The students listened intently as Aaliyah told her story of a birthday sleepover using play-doh. As our year continues, all student will be able to create, share, and publish their stories. I’m very excited about the opportunity to connect the craft of story telling with the practice of writing. I believe both will enhance each other.

Looking forward to the days to come!

 

Addie and Makenzie tell stories with wild animals during story workshop.

Lucas, Beatrice, and Jackson tell stories together with their animals.

We had another great day at the Lab School. Our friends are adjusting to the routines and schedule of the day and transitioning well. Right now during Story Workshop, we are talking about what stories are. This week, we are encouraging the kids to use various materials to tell stories (fictional and real). Using materials helps the kids verbalize their story, which in turn will help them when they go to put their story down on paper. Yesterday, we story told with little plastic bears. Today, friends were invited to use wild animal figurines and barnyard animal figurines. It was so fun listening to everyone share! Later this week, friends will be invited to use multiple materials throughout the room. They will also be encouraged to write and draw pictures of their piece after they have created their story. I have already seen such creativity and enthusiasm in story telling this year so I know this process will be beneficial in helping us develop as stronger writers.

BreAnna and Cariah experiment with the light table.

We also enjoyed exploring more of our classroom today. The light table was a big hit with many friends. It was neat to see BreAnna, one of our older students, showing some of our kindergartners how to use the light table. She even helped create a piece with several younger students. Such wonderful collaboration.

Tags: creativity, story telling, story workshop

We had a wonderful first day of school in room 107 yesterday!

It was a day full of building community and friendships. We spent a lot of our time familiarizing ourselves with the daily routine and procedures and learning what this whole kindergarten and first grade business is all about.

Our day began with morning choices. Students had the option of reading books, working on puzzles, or decorating name tags we’ll wear throughout the week. Once all students had arrived, we had our morning meeting, which consisted of instroducing ourselves, sharing our favorite superhero or Disney character, and singing a song about our shoes.

After morning meeting, we learned how to use the bathroom in our room. We also practiced our first readers workshop together. Students did a wonderful of finding a quiet spot in the room where they could do their best reading.

After readers workshop, we headed to recess and lunch! Upon returning we had a read or rest time, followed by math workshop. During math workshop, we explored one of the math materials we will be using this year, unifix cubes. Students made patterns, counted cubes, and worked together.

After a quick game of freeze dance, we turned our attention to the last workshop of the day, story workshop. I shared with students a story about my summer vacation, which I told using natural materials. Student then had the opportunity to tell their own stories using blocks, natural materials, or studio materials. Again, I was impressed to see how well students worked together and to hear stories already filled with characters, settings, and plots.

We ended our day with some yoga, free choice time, and a handful of “first day of school” books!

It was a full first day and a great way to start of our year together! I can’t wait for the months to come!

Kynden takes advantage of our read and rest time, so that she can reenergize for the remainder fo the day!

Abel and Ellie work on their stories during Story Workshop!