There are regularly scheduled grade level meetings where the teachers look at long and short term plans for how they would like to move forward with each of the different lessons. They do not plan to teach every lesson at exactly the same time or in exactly the same way. But, they do try to stay within at least one day of each other, particularly in math. They do, after all, move all 105 of their students into appropriate math groups to provide additional support or enrichment based on scores from the previous math unit's test. If the teachers don't keep up with one another, the students will be left behind.
The scheduled meetings aren't where the real actions takes place. Once a plan is in place, there are dozens upon dozens of quick meetings in the hallway, in someone's classroom, in the lunchroom, in the copy room, or wherever the teachers can find two minutes to have a very quick, no nonsense conversation. They are frequently touching base to talk about which lessons have been finished, what worked, what didn't, what questions arose, and what suggestions they have to share.
None of the teachers are working solely as individuals behind closed doors in their classroom. They are all one big team, looking out for each other, trying to ensure each others success and the success of the students. Time is precious and everyone knows it. There are constantly teachers popping into another classroom offering to run something to the office "because I'm headed there anyway" or checking to see if someone needs copies of a literacy packet, math test, or newsletter. It is a smooth running machine and everyone is supporting everyone else. I'm trying to keep my eyes and ears wide open to figure out what exactly is making it work and hoping to take some of that magic with me.
I am so happy that you notice this in your placement too! I have also noticed in my first-grade pod constant communication between teachers, moving students around in classrooms for literacy education, making copies for everyone and sharing resources. It truly is a close knit community that could not operate at the same level if a piece was missing. One thing I have noticed in middle school is this communication is much different. There still is a level of communication, but sharing of materials is much less common. Your post helped me to realize that I took for granted all the inter-workings of the elementary school, these vital elements that can get lost in the shuffle of the middle school day. Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI also see this in my school and it's interesting. I've also noticed how the veteran teachers help the new teachers learn the ropes. There seem to be a lot of ropes! There also seem to be teachers that I don't see very often in the office, making copies, or popping in and it makes me wonder why.
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