Two Teachers, One Fabulous Classroom!
We are both very excited about the upcoming school year! A job share environment allows the expertise of two teachers to be packed into one classroom. Both teachers plan for instruction together and assess your child's progress collaboratively. We are in constant communication with each other on all details of the classroom. We do not view our job share as a way of splitting up work. Instead, we each have ownership over all aspects of the classroom and often joke that together we have "one brain and one heart". This is why we are known around the school as "McPo", a combination of both or our names! Now, we will take some time to explain our plan to make your child's fourth grade experience unforgettable!
Innovative Curriculum
Findley is an authorized Primary Years Programme (PYP) World School. The word "programme" is a little misleading. It's really an educational organization of schools that all are committed to the same PHILOSOPHY. Mrs. McLandrich is the school's PYP coordinator, so you will get communication from her in that capacity throughout the year as well.
That philosophy includes:
For more information, follow the Findley PYP Facebook page!
That philosophy includes:
- INQUIRY: Students having a strong voice in how they learn. While we are still responsible for teaching the same standards, our instruction is organized in a way that students are able to DISCOVER information and CONSTRUCT meaning for themselves. The teacher acts more as a coach that helps the students along the journey. Students work independently and collaboratively on research projects throughout the year. We help inspire students get curious about concepts and teach them how to find answers to their own questions.
- INTERNATIONAL MINDEDNESS: We strive to help all students to become global citizens. These are people that understand they are "part of a bigger world and work to make it a better place." As teachers, we expose students to local and global issues that are significant and relevant. We encourage students to take responsible action.
- CONCEPTUAL LEARNING: Instead of teaching topics, we will have conceptual units that fit into one of six PYP transdisciplinary themes. For example, instead of a unit on the Oregon Trail, we may have a unit on MIGRATION. We can study migration in any period of time and in any place around the world. Instead of having "PYP time", we will learn about this concept through reading, writing, science, social studies, art, music, and even math.
- LANGUAGE: Each student at Findley receives Spanish instruction! Our goal is to incorporate the language they learn during Spanish class into our classroom as much as possible.
For more information, follow the Findley PYP Facebook page!
Community Building
A strong classroom community is important to any classroom. However, we know that it is even more important in our case. Both teachers need to have a personal relationship with your child. This will help them transition between teachers throughout the day. Both Mrs. Pogue and Mrs. McLandrich believe that students learn best when they feel valued and honored.
We are beginning the first week of school with Mrs. McLandrich and Mrs. Pogue teaching together at the same time. This will help us get to know the community together. It will also show the students how well we work together as teachers and how we have the same expectations. We have many special projects that will help us get to know your child on a deeper level. Every child has a story, and we want to know each and every one!
Throughout the year, we will continue the community building. One way is through community circle. This is a time when each child gets to share successes or struggles with the class. We laugh together and get to know each other as people. This helps students value each other and learn to show empathy. It is also a place for us to solve problems together that our community may be facing.
We are beginning the first week of school with Mrs. McLandrich and Mrs. Pogue teaching together at the same time. This will help us get to know the community together. It will also show the students how well we work together as teachers and how we have the same expectations. We have many special projects that will help us get to know your child on a deeper level. Every child has a story, and we want to know each and every one!
Throughout the year, we will continue the community building. One way is through community circle. This is a time when each child gets to share successes or struggles with the class. We laugh together and get to know each other as people. This helps students value each other and learn to show empathy. It is also a place for us to solve problems together that our community may be facing.
Clear Communication
With two teachers, clear communication is essential. This website is going to be an essential tool for parents to gain insight into what happens in our classroom on a daily basis. Here is what you can expect:
- SEESAW - We send regular updates on learning engagements from the classroom through the Seesaw app. See the communication section of the website for more information!
- WEEKLY REFLECTIONS: On Fridays, your child will complete a reflection sheet that is connected to a behavior goal they set for themselves. These will be connected to the PYP attitudes and approaches to learning (skill). This will be checked by the teacher and any additional comments will be included, if needed.
- EMAIL: To ensure that everyone is aware of communication, we request that you direct all emails to both teachers. While we won't both send a response, it will enable each teacher to remain knowledgeable about all home-school communication. Likewise, we will each always copy the other teacher on email correspondence.
Routines
Clear, consistent routines will be essential for helping all students transition between teachers and successfully learn throughout the day. Below is an example of some routines and procedures that both teacher will expect that will help achieve that goal:
Tuesday: Mrs. Pogue Morning/ Mrs. McLandrich Afternoon
Wednesday: Mrs. McLandrich All Day
Thursday: Mrs. Pogue Morning/ Mrs. McLandrich Afternoon
Friday: Mrs. Pogue All Day
- TRANSITIONING: When students are working independently or in groups and we want them to transition, we will play a song. The song is an indicator to look at the "directions square" on the white board. This will have directions on where to go and what to bring.
- LEARNING: Each instructional block will be organized in the "workshop model". We will start with a mini-lesson, students will then try the strategy out independently or in groups while the teacher helps, and then end with a reflection on how it went. This structure allows us to give greater independence for students, while maintaining enough structure to set them up for success.
- FOCUSED PARTNER WORK: In the first weeks of school, we will create charts of expectations for working in groups with the students. We will practice effective collaboration strategies with the students. We will refer back to the charts throughout the year so the expectations are consistently reinforced.
- SCHEDULE: Our teaching schedule is as follows
Tuesday: Mrs. Pogue Morning/ Mrs. McLandrich Afternoon
Wednesday: Mrs. McLandrich All Day
Thursday: Mrs. Pogue Morning/ Mrs. McLandrich Afternoon
Friday: Mrs. Pogue All Day