Vision, Mission and Values Project at Blair Elementary

Posted on: March 20th, 2017 by jnovakowski

The two kindergarten classes at Blair Elementary took part in our district’s Vision, Mission and Values project in February. As our district develops new Vision, Mission and Values statements, student comments and contributions are being collected to inform the process.

I worked with teachers Lauren MacLean and April Pikkarainen to develop questions to be a part of their regular routine of morning provocations for when the students arrive at school. 

IMG_1818 IMG_1817 IMG_1816 IMG_1815

As the students chose what materials and question to engage with, we had the opportunity to capture some of their thoughts about what schools could be.

IMG_1823 IMG_1824 IMG_1827 IMG_1830 IMG_1831

The students had clear ideas about what schools should have and how they should be designed. They talked about natural spaces and spaces to work together. There was a lot of conversation about how schools are for all children and that happiness is a feeling we should have at school.

IMG_1833

The classroom teachers then facilitated a sharing circle during which students shared their ideas about school. We unpacked the questions around Vision, Mission and Values with the students. The students “turned and talked” to a partner about one of these questions.

IMG_1832

IMG_1836 IMG_1838 Lauren

Building on and connecting to the ideas they heard from their classmates, the students were given time to go back and revisit their creations and ideas.

IMG_1841 IMG_1842 IMG_1847IMG_1852 IMG_1853 IMG_1854

IMG_1856 IMG_1857 IMG_1858 IMG_1859

I was able to “interview” some of the students and capture their thinking about what schools could be. This tweet kind of sums up the wisdom from these amazing kindergarten students:

Screen Shot 2017-03-20 at 11.01.16 AM

I am looking forward to a district gathering in April when artifacts from classrooms across the district will be available for us to think about and am glad that the voices of these kindergarten students will contribute to the important discussions our district is having.

~Janice

Comments are closed.