As we talked at conferences, 5th grade will be implementing practices to prepare students for middle school next year. This week students are going to start a few of the ideas.
First, students will be able to choose their seats at lunch. Behavioral expectations and consequences will remain the same with Mr. Henry asking students to move seats or owe time during recess.
Second, with us starting a new unit in math, ELA, and science, students will start keeping things in their lockers to get during transition time.
Third, students will have transition time to use the bathroom, get a drink/fill water bottles, and get supplies necessary for the next subject be back in the classroom on time. Many students bring water bottles, but for those who do not might want to start bringing one. Eventually students will only have a number of opportunities to leave the room during instruction each week, like they do at middle school. We have already started having a transition time for the bathroom and the kids are doing awesome with it! Lastly, I will begin to send some activities home to be completed and sent back to school. These will not be graded, but will benefit their learning while also teaching the responsibility of taking things home, completing them, and bringing them back to school.
We are in the beginning stage of this and will not have consequences at this time for the newly implemented ideas. We are discussing what consequences will look like when we get to that point. This will be a work in progress, of course. As we find kinks, we will get them worked out so students are set up for success. I appreciate your excitement and encouragement with the ideas. I am looking forward to the kids gaining this independence and know they are too! As always, if you have any questions, please reach out and let me know!
