Project CHILD

So I had mentioned before that I had been attending a Project CHILD training with my new school.  I have to say it was one of the absolute best trainings I have ever been to.  That's saying something because I'm usually far too ADD to pay attention to much of anything.




I'll let you read more about the program on their webpage, but here's a basic overview of the program:

• All of the classes are grouped into 'clusters'.  K, 1, 2 / 3, 4, 5 / (and my school adds 6, 7, 8).  These clusters stick together for three years.  Believe it or not, the students actually all switch classes.  Yes, even Kinder.  Each cluster has 'master teachers' that are responsible for teaching one subject teach: Reading, Math, Writing.  Social Studies and Science are taught by all.
• The instruction is broken into four different parts each day.  You start with an opener/bell work.  Then you have your group lesson about the new concept students are learning.  Afterward the students all visit stations to review concepts they've already learned and cement them into their minds.  Class ends with a closing activity.
• The students actually track what stations they've gone to/need to go to using a Passport.  At the end of each unit, passports are sent home to be reviewed by parents so that they can see what students are doing in class.

There, of course, is a lot more to this program but that's the basics of it.  Like I said, I'm SUPER excited about the idea.  I'm going to have a lot of work ahead of me since the program is only built for K-5; I'll have to do a lot of adjusting for Middle School.  I think though, it'll be amazing for the students.