Teacher trainings weeks 6 and 7

We are lumping together our previous two weeks, because with so much going on, the trainings were a bit out of order.

We visited Goa two weekends ago, and then some of our friends and family arrived in India to visit, so our trainings weren't exactly on schedule.

So, we focused the previous two weeks completely on assessment. We discussed what assessment is, why it's important, and how to assess.

Each school received a COR assessment guide that instructs how to observe, document, and score children on a range of topics including:
- Approaches to learning
- Social and Emotional Development
- Physical Development and Health
- Language, Literacy, and Communication
- Mathematics
- Creative Arts
- Science and Technology
- Social Studies
- English Language Learning

Under each main topic, there are several more specific items that teachers should look for while observing, totaling 36 items. We explained that to complete one child's assessment, they will be required to observe and document each of the 36 items, and then score the findings based on our COR guide. The assessment should be done in completion for each child at least 2 times per school year.

We stressed the importance of natural and authentic observation as opposed to formal testing to track our students' growth.

Learning this style of assessment takes time, so we decided to spend the rest of the time we have with the teachers just on this area of teaching.

We asked our teachers to spend the next week simply documenting what their children are doing. To write down as many notes as possible during free choice time, small group times, etc. Next week, we will work together on scoring the notes and talking about how to discuss the findings with parents.

Teacher training week 5

For our fifth week with the teachers, we used our time to review some of the skills we have worked on over the past four weeks. After going over open-endedness (a word we've just created) in every way possible, we decided to help the teachers put all of this information to good use.
Because we supplied them with so many new and useful materials, we helped the teachers think of creative, open-ended, and engaging activities to complete with the students.
The teachers have all put a large focus on alphabet recognition, so one activity we discussed with each school was the use of play dough to help learn about letters and literacy. We helped the schools write out activity plans using play dough and letter mats to allow the children to explore with. Because each child will be at a different level, we discussed the importance of allowing the children to make choices about how they will use the materials. Some children may attempt to form the letters with the play dough on top of the mat, some may recreate the letter next to the mat, some may make words, and some might just use the play dough to explore and create something else.

Remember, it's all about choice and meeting children where they are :)

After we dropped off the materials to the schools last week, the teachers jumped right into using them in their lessons and activities. The children were eager and proud to show us what they had made with their new play dough. Here's a photo:

On another note: We have been receiving great feedback from the teachers and schools about the new teaching methods! Last week, the teachers from KARE School informed us that now that they have introduced play-based and activity-based learning, the children ask for these activities daily, and they have already seen improvement in their classrooms and students :)