IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

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We’ve had a great first two days of school, packed full with experiences to get to know each other and our classroom better. We have written our first books of the year, explored some of our math materials, read some amazing books, and enjoyed free choice time (painting, sensory tables, blocks, and more)! Here are some pictures of our first two days!

Exploring the pattern blocks

Today during math workshop, the kids were put into groups and set out to explore several materials that we have in our classroom. I challenged them to find as many different ways as they could for their manipulative. I noticed that Aidan arranged 12 little plastic bears in two neat rows. Upon asking him what he created, he replied, “It’s a rectangle.” That caused Hutton some confusion because he looked at it and said, “No, I see eleven!” Aidan and I looked to Hutton for some explanation about how the 12 bears arranged in a rectangle could mean eleven, but he showed us he was right too- the two rows Aidan had so neatly and carefully formed together looked like a one and a one next to one another- eleven. We talked in a group about how each of us had been correct- we had all seen the material in different ways and gave the bears different uses.

Aidan's bear formation

How many kids will it take?

As I walked to see what some of the other groups were doing, I saw Monica and another friend were working on a very long creation that stretched from one end of the classroom to the other. It was huge! Monica exclaimed excitedly, “Its even taller than Mrs. Argus!” I asked Monica if she was absolutley positive that it was bigger than me. How could she be sure? We decided to have me lay down on the floor next  to the creation to see for sure who was taller. Monica was right- “Way taller than Mrs. Argus!” But the interest didn’t stop there. Cameron wondered, “How many people tall is it?” Children began laying next to our creation to see how many would reach the other end of the room. We decided it was about five children long. Some children wondered about building another long creation tomorrow and trying to extend the length. I wonder what other ways of non-standard measurement the kids will come up with.

We had an exciting day in our classroom!  Today we did a little bit of everything.  We started Reader’s Workshop and Math Workshop.  The kids really enjoyed choosing their own books and exploring our materials.  Towards the end of the day we had Free Choice time where they got to explore the long awaited block area! Everyone was excited to play with the blocks and trains.  I am looking forward to tomorrow and all of the adventures we will have together.

Hello! I am Mrs. Grotjan and will be working with all of the classes this year as  the studio teacher. I graduated from Butler University in 2001 and taught the last 9 years as a special education teacher at the Warren Early Childhood Center.

I grew up in Carmel, and still live there with my husband Scott and four children Emma 12, Molly 11, Sophie 3, and Collin 3 months.

I have been busy gathering and organizing materials this summer for our studio and can’t wait to share the space with our families and see the children begin working there.  Please stop by and see the studio with your children on August 4th during back to school night.

I am so happy that you are going to be a part of our community this year! Hopefully you are as excited as I am for the learning we have ahead of us!

I would like to share a little bit about myself with you…

I grew up just north of Indianapolis, in Westfield, Indiana. I lived with my mom and dad and my younger sister and brother. After high school, I attended Butler University, where I studied elementary education. I graduated in 2011, and was thrilled to find out that I would be teaching here at the IPS/Butler University Laboratory School! I am currently living in Broadripple, where I enjoy reading, painting, and working on projects for my house.

I can’t wait four our school year to begin! One of my favorite things about teaching is getting to know each and every one of my students. We are going to spend our time learning together and from each other!

Our first day of school will be August 8th, but hopefully I’ll get to see all of you before that, when we have our Back to School Night on August 4th at 6pm. You will get to see what your classroom looks like and meet the rest our friends!