How do I know what is happening in my child’s classroom?
Daily E-Mails
Each classroom team sends out a daily e-mail. In this e-mail you can often find
information about what happened that day, daily curriculum plans for the
following day, what the teachers are thinking about and friendly reminders for
families.
Curriculum Projections (sample attached)
Curriculum projections are offered in the same format throughout the center as a
method of informing you about the big project ideas that are begin developed and
explored by teachers, children and parents. They include the Ideas in progress,
teachers and/or children’s questions, many possibilities for activities to support
our ongoing research into the ideas and an indication of the areas of development
being fostered by the specific work.
Journals (sample attached)
Classroom journals serve as a form of documentation throughout the CDC that
records and reflects the work of the children and the teachers. The journals are not
meant to be comprehensive but rather to be reflective of the life of the classroom
and the developmental progress of the children. Format and content for the
journals can include photographs, children’s words and conversations, examples
of children’s work, and adult text that further extends observations, wonderings
and/or reflections about the children’s work. Because of the “daily” nature of the
journal entries, the focus shifts and can include content that shows the
development of a curriculum thread, a single child’s development or discovery, a
captured moment in the life of the group, or a specific happening during the day
that was significant. Often the classroom journals will reflect back to the posted
curriculum projections for each classroom.
Parents are encouraged to participate in this vital documentation by reviewing the
daily journal entry with your child at pick up or drop off times. It is an excellent
tool to start conversation with a verbal child. Reviewing a journal that does not
specifically include your child can enhance your understanding of ongoing
curriculum in the classroom, can be an opportunity to learn about upcoming
development for your child and of course is a vehicle to help build your
relationships with teachers, other children and other parents in their group. In
addition, we invite parents to respond to the team with any ideas, comments or
concerns that are prompted by the classroom journal.
Daily Notes (Inf-Tod program)
Children enrolled in the infant and toddler program have an individual daily note
each day. The daily note provides detailed information about care giving routines
as well as an anecdotal note about some aspect of the child’s day or observation
of his/her development.
On-going documentation
Each classroom keeps on-going documentation of the project work that is
underway on classroom or hallway walls, in project binders or other formats. Just
stopping to take a careful look around will offer you a wealth of information.
Portfolios
Individual child assessment is done through a portfolio format. Portfolios are
working tools used for authentic assessment of children at the CDC. A portfolio
is made up of selected observations, anecdotal notes, conference goals and notes,
work samples, photographs, curriculum documentation and other carefully
selected material chosen to represent your child’s experiences as a learner.
Primary teachers update each child’s portfolio three times a year and portfolios
are used as a basis for parent conferencing and individual goal setting.
Daily, Weekly, Monthly check-ins with your primary teacher
Open and continuous communication between teachers and parents, working
together as a team for the benefit of the child, is essential to each child’s
experience in the CDC. We encourage parents to communicate regularly with
their primary teacher and be proactive about the frequency and format (e-mail,
telephone, face to face) of communication that will assist them in feeling
comfortably informed.
Parent Conferences
Formal parent conferences are scheduled twice annually. In addition, both
parents and teachers are encouraged to initiate and schedule conferences as
needed.
Parent Meetings
Individual classrooms may hold a couple of parent meetings each year to build the
classroom community and afford parents an opportunity to build relationships
with one another and build understandings about classroom work.
Time in the classroom
Parents are welcome in our classrooms! Whether you are visiting your individual
child or able to participate in curriculum invitations, time spent in the classroom
will provide you with a wealth of information and possibly some questions too!
Parent Enrichment Series
An annual program of presentations for parents includes sessions related to
developmental topics as well as explorations of current classroom curriculum.