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Third and Fourth Grades
Introduction
Jo and Jeremy are the team teachers in the third and fourth grades. Jo has been a part of Harmony school from the first day of the Elementary Program in 1977. Some of her interests include the out-of-doors, the human body, animals, and traveling. Jeremy began his career as an art teacher and joined Harmony in 2005. His interests include gardening, playing guitar, and taking care of the classroom fish tank. He is also an artist and shows work periodically in the local community.
Class Periods
Our school day is broken up into classes based on subject matter along with a healthy amount of breaks. Children engage in a variety of activities during their free time including card games, running around, dodge ball, bookmaking, drawing, socializing, swinging, snacking and sometimes even chatting with their teachers. Following those breaks are the following class periods.
Read Aloud
There is no better way to learn about exciting literature then to read it! Our read aloud books are our favorites and the kids always look forward to these relaxing times of being read to. We read fiction and nonfiction and the topics often coincide with those we are studying throughout our curriculum.
Themes
Our theme time is an opportunity for the class to pursue a variety of subjects which specifically interest us. The topics we have addressed include Animal Architects, Indiana History, Human Biology, Water, The Civil Rights Movement, Trees, etc. We emphasis hands-on activities and off-campus explorations.
Authoring
Our kids are at a special point in their development as writers. Many have only written very short stories and are still learning the basics of what it takes to be a quality writer. We use a workshop style curriculum to teach our kids many techniques they can use to generate good writing ideas and follow them through. We learn the general cycle of most good written pieces and ask each participant to vigilantly follow through with their great ideas. The kids share their work with one another throughout the writing process. We publish the best from each child’s writing throughout the year and we celebrate the culmination of each unit with a final Author’s Chair.
Math
For a subject that catches a lot of slack, math can be a lot of fun. We balance the repetition of formal arithmetic with a solid look at the foundations of our number system. We play games, use manipulatives, solve problems, reason logically, and stretch the boundaries of what we think of as math. Along with this more creative approach, we solidify our foundations in the basic operations through moderate repetition and weekly quizzes.
Reading
Our reading program stimulates the innate love inside all of us for quality literature. We have an extensive library of trade books which is constantly changing. Children increase their proficiency and comprehension through silent reading, reading aloud, literature circles, and other opportunities to learn about new literature and talk with others about their latest read.
Bodyworks
We believe in a healthy lifestyle and a healthy approach to both individual and team sports. Our classes encourage cooperation and teamwork as well as sportsmanship and a drive to do ones best. We offer choices such as soccer, kickball, badminton, Frisbee, basketball, hockey, and yoga.
Citizenship
A cornerstone of our classroom culture is the citizenship that all of us must portray each and every day. A multiage classroom offers opportunities for student mentoring and group problem solving. We try and put the power into the hands of our kids as much as possible and push them to explore their ability to establish a positive community and solve the inevitable dilemmas that arise. These ideas embody themselves in many ways throughout our curriculum, but can best be described inside the structure of Family Meeting.
Family Meeting
No less than every two weeks (and often at least once a week) the children formally take over the classroom in Family meeting. This activity gives the children a voice in:
1. Examining school/class issues with an eye on finding solutions
2. Uplifting the quality of our relationships and classroom goals
3. Supporting our collaborative sense of community
4. Voicing opinions about a variety of subjects
The structure of our Family Meeting breaks down as follows:
Agenda – a clipboard is available in the classroom at all times. Student may add issues that they have to it when they feel it needs address by the classroom community. When a full agenda is reached, we have a meeting. Most often, our meetings happen on Fridays and they can last from a half hour to an hour.
Voting – The kids sometimes choose to vote on an issue. This can embody itself in a straw poll, a heads up vote, or a heads down vote. Our classroom generally works on the majority rule, but we make sure to point out the flaws in this system and try our best too compromise so that all are accommodated in some way.
Discussion – instigating a conversation is to role of the individual or group of people that placed an item on the agenda. They will share why the item has been brought up, give some examples of what they are talking about, and then speak specifically to what they need from the group. The discussion is then open to all and an attempt is made to hear all voices and then bring the issue to the requested end.
Kid’s Roles – Our meeting have a structure much like any meeting. The “Caller” is in charge of the meeting. They choose items from the agenda and call on individuals to speak during the group conversation. The “Timer” keeps time and stops the conversation when time is up. The “Freeze Action” person keeps the group together by pointing out when a member of the group is not abiding by the expected behavior. Finally, the “Scribe” notes decisions we make for the future.
Harmony Education Center
909 East 2nd Street, Bloomington, IN 47401
ph: 812/334.8349 fax: 812/333.3435
Comments? webmaster@harmonyschool.org
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