In the beginning of my “Inquiry Adventures”, I spoke about how I got the inspiration to do this Inquiry on “Classroom Community in Split Classrooms” from my practicum class.

I have an amazingly warm, lovable and ready-to-learn group of Grade 1s and Kindergarteners that I’m so lucky to call my students. My inquiry question sprouted from my initial shock that most of the activities during the day were done separately (so Grade 1s have a separate task and K’s have a separate task). They do have DPA, PE, Library, Math, Centres, and Morning Meetings together… but a huge chunk of the day does go to language arts (Daily 5) etc.. where the students do different tasks.

I have learned a lot from my research on this inquiry question. I have learned a lot of practical things to do to help encourage classroom community and unity within my split class. During my long practicum, I really hope to bring in a lot of “team building” classroom community building activities that will be suitable for both groups of students. I am planning to bring MindUp! into the class as well during my long practicum! So that would be another thing that both the Grade 1s and the Kindergartners can do together!

So far, based on my observations and research, my SA has been doing a really great job fostering a really great, welcoming and safe classroom climate! Hopefully I’ll be picking up on some of her tactics so that I can continue to implement it during my long practicum 🙂