There are so many reasons that small group instruction is a good format for learning. I had always known that teaching small groups was better for differentiating instruction, but the more small group instruction I do this year, the more benefits I discover. Small groups are good for targeted instruction. When students in a small…
Fair Does Not Necessarily Mean the Same
For the past few weeks, we have been talking about the Quaker value of equality in community meeting. One query that has come up is, “Does equality always mean that people are treated the same? Does everyone have to get the same thing for it to be fair?” At the elementary age, students have a…
Day of Service
On October 10, Chicago Friends School students participated in Chicago Friends School’s first day of service, presented as an alternative to the Columbus Day holiday. Because we are studying where our food comes from right now, as part of our Trash and Treasure theme, I wanted to do a service day that engaged kids in…
Creating School Rules, as a Community
This week, we started the school year, by engaging students in the creation of rules for this school year. Engaging students in rule-making helps them to enter a community and feel like they have equal stakes in how the community functions. It also allows them to voice their concerns, wishes and ideas about the kind…