Join the Conversation!

Q: What happens when a group of teachers gather together with no agenda, except for the goal of discussing the common experience of teaching the same grade?

A: A lively discussion ensues, especially if the gathering is part of the Peers Classroom Conversations series!

Our new seminar format has attracted an eager following of teachers from public and independent schools from all around the greater Boston area. At our first event in November, we welcomed nearly 30 kindergarten educators for an informal evening of dinner, stories, new acquaintances, and ideas. Topics included
school entry age
strategies for incorporating learning centers into the classroom
assessments and resources in early literacy
daily schedule
class size
differences and similarities among our classrooms and school communities

At the end of the kindergarten evening, many people asked if they could return for another meeting, a request that was easily honored. As the spring semester has proceeded, we have convened Classroom Conversations for first and second grade teachers, as well as a follow-up gathering of kindergarten teachers from the fall seminar. More topics have been raised, and many have been revisited. We engaged in a great discussion of the purpose and benefit of field trips for young students, the best math tools we know for primary grades children, the rewards and challenges of different classroom configurations, outdoor play, and methods of observing children and documenting their growth. Return visits will be scheduled for everyone so that the conversations can continue in person. The format and attendance of these seminars has confirmed for us once again that the people who really know about teaching are the individuals who actually teach.

In addition, we have opened online discussions about the topics that arose in our seminars, which are open to any interested participants through our website. Take a look; join the conversation; or make arrangements to attend one of our upcoming evenings.

Classroom Conversations for Third and Fourth Grade teachers will take place on Thursday, April 26. As always, there is no cost to attend; we only ask for RSVPs by Monday, April 23 so that we can order enough food and refreshments. Please e-mail Lauren Goldberg at lgoldberg@belmontday.org to secure a spot for yourself or your colleagues.

In early December, a group of educators from the New York area convened EdCamp New York, hosted by The School at Columbia University. EdCamp New York was modeled after a similar “un-conference” that had been held earlier in the year in Philadelphia. Lauren Goldberg, Peers Forum Coordinator, was among the 300 participants. Lauren led a discussion about best practices in teaching and attended several other sessions along with educators from all over the East Coast.
Read full article »

We recently welcomed two returning Peers to our school for a classroom residency. Teresa Quinton and Kenny Reichel, a 5^th grade teaching team from the Atherton Hough Elementary School in Quincy, Massachusetts, spent a morning visiting with our 5^th grade classes. Teresa and Kenny attended the 2009 Summer Institute, where they first met Belmont Day School’s 5^th grade team of David Downing and John Sucich.  All four teachers were glad to reconnect and to have the opportunity to share ideas about teaching in the context of a live lesson.

Read full article »