Welcome to Kindergarten

We have spent lots of time looking at our HSE21 journey from the inside, so it is possible that we might be a little "house blind."  We thought it might be helpful to get a perspective from outside, so this week's entry comes to us from Jody Britten.  Jody is a great supporter of HSE Schools, and this years she has for the first time a child in kindergarten.

Below she shares what she has seen and felt as her son began his first year at Fall Creek Elementary School.

From Jody Britten: I Wonder....

This year we started kindergarten at HSE and whoa, the first four months have been quite the ride! We started this year with a parent open house. We heard the school administrator’s calming tone as she welcomed us all and introduced her staff.  When we got to the classroom a friendly, smart teacher in a classroom that was absolutely beautiful and designed for learning awaited. Here’s what we observed…

Jody wondered what her sons would
see when they walked into HSE Schools.

Daylight. Huge beautiful windows that weren’t just for looking, but were used as a functional classroom space for reading, wondering, working, etc.

Elements of Nature. Fish, geckos, plants, wooden benches, leaves, real pictures of real places, and art supplies that were all made of real materials (leaves, beads, fabric, twine, etc.).

Student work will be
documented here....

Color. Even though the teacher had staged her room so that it was a learning opportunity waiting to happen (she didn’t preposition the alphabet, numbers, calendar, etc. she had it set up so the kids could do that), there were calming, engaging colors all around. It felt relaxed, cozy, creative, and a space that would really support learning.

Student Ownership. Did we ever see student ownership! Like I mentioned there weren’t pre-made decorations climbing the walls but spaces where the kids would create, mirrors where kids could draw self-portraits, flexible seating (picnic tables and pillows instead of hard plastic chairs and desks with their name tag already taped on). Everywhere we looked we saw opportunities for students to make that classroom their own.

Nature inside and
outside the classroom.

Opportunities for Engagement. I was thrilled to walk in and see quality materials EVERYWHERE! Materials were displayed at the height of the kids, ready for exploring, ready for learning, and ready for wondering. The kids that were visiting the classroom didn’t want to leave. They were instantly pulled into the environment by their natural curiosity. The environment was staged for engagement, not direction. Curiosity, not delivery. Inquiry, not presentation.

I Wonder. I didn’t truly realize how much I say, “I wonder…” to our kids, until I heard our son’s kindergarten teacher say “I wonder…” as we walked around the classroom and felt a tick of appreciation. Our new kindergarten student is all about the wondering and I am excited that this is part of his classroom environment at HSE. A day of learning for him (given the environment that we observed) would not just be about being told, memorizing, and copying but making sense, practicing in ways that are meaningful to him, and figuring things out. 

Create spaces that foster
engagement and collaboration.
Yep.  That's a fishbowl.

Since that back to school night I have realized that there are people (mostly individuals) working hard to make all of what we saw on back to school night even possible. So the last few months there has been a lot of grateful and thankful at our house, even more than usual. Why? Because even though we as parents can’t see all the research, thinking, planning, scrutinizing, training, preparing, and reflecting that happens at HSE, it is happening (and happening a lot).  There is just no way those learning spaces, strategies, and approaches could exist without all of those things in play.

Want to help HSE Teachers?
Click the link in the text to
Donor's Choose!

“This will be a good year,” was the only thing I could say as we loaded into the car to come home and so far my predictions have rung true. 

One More Message from Jody:

Since it is November (and the season for being thankful) help us support HSE teachers in their classroom project through Donors Choose. If you haven’t pitched in yet, take a look and see if there is any room this month for supporting one of their projects! 

Fresh Eyes: Our Challenge from Jody

Have a great week, HSE.  

The next time you walk into your room, do a little experiment.  Try to see your room through the eyes of your students and parents.  What do you think they will notice first?  What will they think you value most?  

Thanks for helping us take a fresh look, Jody!

Your HSE Teaching and Learning Team

• Jan Combs, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning
• Stephanie Loane, Director of Elementary Education
• Tom Bell, Director of Special Education
• Jeff Harrison, Director of Educational Technology
• Phil Lederach, Director of Secondary Education