During the month of September, each class at Atkins Elementary paired with another grade/class to collaborate on ‘Respect’. Students were taught a Character Strong definition of respect. Mrs. Patterson’s and Mrs. Sonka’s classes listened to a read aloud book on respect, reflected on how they could show respect to others, and created a hallway display depicting what they learned.
Collaborating with another classroom helps foster a strong sense of community. It also gives students the opportunity to learn from and appreciate different perspectives. Through this experience, both classes learned that respect means seeing value in all people and things and treating them with care. Students shared their ideas through turn-and-talk conversations, created drawings, and wrote about ways they can demonstrate respect toward others.
Both Mrs. Sonka’s and Mrs. Patterson’s classes contributed to this collaborative project, sharing their learning through illustrations and written pieces. Students thoroughly enjoyed working with their “buddy class” and building connections through this shared experience. They are already looking forward to our next opportunity to learn and work together!