Our Class, Our Family

How wonderful to open the door of the classroom and welcome each student to OUR Manu o Kū 12 community! While I had the honor of ushering the children through the door, it is important that in these initial weeks, the children build a strong understanding that this is not “Mrs. Balubar’s Class” but OUR Class.

To support the children in understanding this concept, I first posed the question to the group, “Is this my class?” Some nodded vigorously, as if to say, “yes, of course, this is your class!” Others gave me quizzical looks, sensing that this question was not as straightforward as it seemed. From there, we discussed that this was not in fact “Mrs. Balubar’s Class,” but was OUR class and a place where we come together as a school family -- learning, playing, and growing together. It is a class in which the children have a voice, the children make choices, and the children hold responsibilities. This concept of putting the children (rather than just the teacher) in charge is not only key in establishing our classroom community, but also mirrors the approach behind Mid-Pacific's inquiry philosophy, in which the children drive and shape the learning.

In holding true to this value, the children had the opportunity to articulate what they believed our class should be like this year. The theme of love, caring, and friendship was a consistent message in all of the children's sentiments, and highlights the kind-hearted, aloha-filled personality of our collective group. Much like a family, we decided that we would need to establish class agreements that we would all abide by in order to achieve an environment in which our new community could thrive. Each child came up with one agreement which we used to co-construct the terms of our class contract. What struck me was the considerate and reflective manner in which each child determined their agreement. There was both variety and similarities--resulting in these seven relevant and thoughtful agreements:

1. Be Helpful
2. Try Your Best!
3. Listen to Each Other
4. Be Respectful and Polite
5. Be Safe
6. Be Kind
7. Be Happy!

The children had time to consider each of these agreements, and by the end of the day on Friday, were asked to sign their name to our class heart, signifying their promise to follow these agreements and officially granting each of us membership in our community. I asked if I needed to follow the agreements as well and whether that meant I should also sign my name, and the children enthusiastically agreed, “Yes! This is OUR class!” I love and appreciate that our agreements are both in the language of the children and demonstrate the values they hold dear.

Along with understanding that they have a voice, choice, and responsibility in how our community will be, we spent a lot of time this week getting to know each other. Developing a sense of community and understanding the diverse individuals that make up our community are both essential for all of us to feel safe, appreciated, and loved. It is only in this type of environment that we will be able to take on the risks and challenges that are a part of deep learning.

Children were given time to explore the different materials in our classroom--selecting books to read from our classroom library, building with math materials, creating with art materials and communicating their ideas through writing, pictures, and speaking. With each exploration opportunity, we were able to see a little more of each child's personality--of who they are and what makes them tick. We had children who immediately went for the animal books--devouring each piece of information about sharks and puppies, horses and chameleons. We had children using the math materials to create sandwiches and carnival games and soccer stadiums. We had writers hard at work making books about flowers, bugs, and imaginative characters. And we had artists peering into the mirror, drawing and redrawing an eyebrow, an eye, a neckline, persevering until it was “just right.”

 

Furthermore, these first weeks are focused on finding rhythm and routine, learning how to navigate through the joys of school while abiding by our agreements, and feeling the security and heart of a loving and supportive community. Each morning we start our day with Oli (Hawaiian chant) and Mele (Hawaiian song) in order to better establish a connection to the land and beauty of Hawai`i--the place and culture that graciously hosts us each and every day. From there, we hold our Morning Meeting to discuss the day ahead, share our thoughts about issues or recent events, and ultimately bond with one another as a community. From there, the children have begun exploring the wonderful world of literacy and mathematics that exists in the magical time of first/second grade, have attended specials classes (C.E., Art, Music, P.E.), enjoyed recess at various playground locations, and of course, have begun their important inquiry learning by taking the first steps of establishing an intellectually-safe and emotionally-inspiring environment in which learning can thrive.

I am so honored to be a part of this developing community and am beyond excited to see what is next for this dynamic group!