DSRR PTA Newsletter Aug. 25, 2010

Connect 4 is the name given to the K-3 classes that work together in the pod. These classes include Jenny Copeland's kindergarten, Chandra Verbic's 1st grade, Charlotte Young's 2nd grade, and Karen Cook's 3rd grade.

What is the DSRR Connect 4 Learning Community:

Is the practice of teaching children of different ages and ability levels together in the same learning community at specific times during the week.
Is where the children progress along a continuum of simple through more complex material at their own rate, making continuous progress.
Is where children typically stay with the same learning community for K, 1st, 2nd, & 3rd.
Is where, with the beginning of each new school year, the students are familiar with the routine, teachers, & students of the learning community.

The Rationale for DSRR Connect 4 Learning Community:

Children are able to work at different developmental levels to Build upon learning abilities and build upon the skills of our high achieving students.
Students stay with their learning community which helps teachers get to know students well and provide for continuity in their learning, and children avoid the anxiety of adjusting to a new teacher annually.
Age and achievement differences are accepted among children.
The Learning Community lends itself well to integrated curriculum, cooperative learning, and cross-age mentoring.
Instruction is individualized for each child so all children are challenged.

Connect 4 teachers attend Leader In Me Global Conference

Karen Cook, Jenny Copeland, & Chandra Verbic from the Connect 4 POD team attended a 2 day "Leader in Me Global Conference" in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania this summer. The Connect 4 team will be implementing this program into their classrooms this year. During their 2 day conference they heard from Stephen & Sean Covey the authors of 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Leader in Me, & 7 Habits of Happy and Healthy Kids. During the conference the teachers learned the importance of the philosophy of the "Leader in Me" concept. They are very hopeful that after other teachers see the positive impact these principles can have on students they will want to implement them into their own classrooms. Here is what they learned. You can also visit www.theleaderinme.org to learn more, and how you can use these principles as parents at home.

The Leader in Me process helps develop the essential life skills and characteristics students need in order to thrive in the 21st century.
The Leader in Me is integrated into a school's core curriculum and everyday language so that it isn't "one more thing" teachers and administrators have to do. It becomes part of the culture, gaining momentum and producing improved results year after year, benefiting schools and students in the following ways:

Develops students who have the skills and self-confidence to succeed as leaders in the 21st century.
Decreases discipline referrals.
Teaches and develops character and leadership through existing core curriculum.
Improves academic achievement.
Raises levels of accountability and engagement among both parents and staff.
The Leader in Me process also helps to create a common language within a school, built on proven principle-based leadership skills found in Dr. Stephen R. Covey's best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People:
- Habit 1: Be Proactive® · You're in Charge
- Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind® · Have a Plan
- Habit 3: Put First Things First® · Work First, Then Play
- Habit 4: Think Win-Win® · Everyone Can Win
- Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood® · Listen Before You Talk
- Habit 6: Synergize® · Together Is Better
- Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw® · Balance Feels Best