[Tea"cheer"]

I am team teaching a multiage room this year and am really beginning to freak out about building community with them. I am worried that there is going to be so much apprehension from my younger kids...I am not sure how to go about it in a manner that all feel comfortable. How many comm. bldg. activities do you think would be good per day...especially the first week of school? I appreciate your help!

[BettySpeller]

41 multi-age students? Wow....that's not a community~more like a small city.

No advice to give...just "good luck"

[Tea"cheer"]

Hahahahaha! You are right! There will be 4 adults in the room, so we have a pretty good ratio going on. Thank goodness!

[eliza4one]

I will think of some activities, but want to recommend some books that I use that really get the class thinking about themselves as a 'whole' and about what type of person they need to be to contribute successfully to a community. Also, what it takes to be a successful learner.

I teach 3rd and the kids absolutely love these books! Even though some seem young. They all have an important message. (We always have a discussion during/after).

Mr. Peabody's Apples
It's Not Fair (there are 2 different titles, I read both)
Listen, Buddy!
The OK Book
We're All in the Same Boat
The Crayon Box that Talked

I know there are more...just can't think of
them right now.

[MrsCroak]

give yourself a little time to get to know them individually and pair them up. I don't know what age range you'll have, but can the older kids act like helpers to the younger kids?

[time4class]

A fellow PTer posted a link to the song WHAT I AM by Will.i.am
We are a k-8 school and are going to use it. There are Sesame Street Characters and the rapper so hopefully will be good for all. The song is great and we have some grade 8 students who play the drums so that will help.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cyVzjoj96vs

[Tea"cheer"]

Thanks for the book and song ideas! My team teacher and I are lucky in that the majority of the kids in our room are those that we looped with. We definitely want to partner them up. The age levels are a little uneven with 5 more second than 3rd graders, but we also have 5 that neither one of us had before. We have a busy weekend ahead of us.