The students arrived today! Students entered at 8:00 and were checked in. Once all students had arrived, they were escorted to their classrooms where they met their teachers. Our two model teachers took students on a tour of the room and began to build community immediately through inclusion activities. Common items found in both the primary and intermediate classes were:
Procedures Boards:
Click on the images to view larger images. Both Welcome procedures include directions to greet the teacher with one of the three H's (handshake, high-five, or hug), to find their spot, to greet their classmates/group mates, and to get started on their days.
While students and model teachers were getting acclimated to each other, the HET consultants were explaining to participants the theory and research behind setting up the emotional environment for learning. Participants were then prepared to complete their first classroom observation. They entered the observation room of the classrooms and watched the model teachers building community. Teachers were taking students on a tour of the room. Students were encouraged to interact with different parts of the room.
Multiple Intelligences
Sheila Lade, Primary Model Teacher, facilitated a discussion revolving around a display of the different "SMARTS" or multiple intelligences. They were then given a chance to identify their dominant "smart" by posting their name on the display with their intelligence
Multiple intelligences include:
*Word Smart (Linguistic Intelligence)
*Picture Smart (Spatial Intelligence)
*Nature Smart (Naturalist Intelligence)
*People Smart (Interpersonal Intelligence)
*Self Smart (Intrapersonal Intelligence)
*Body Smart (Bodily-Kinesthetic Intelligence)
*Logic Smart (Logical-Mathematical Intelligence)
*Music Smart (Musical Intelligence)
The Theory of Multiple Intelligences was developed by Dr. Howard Gardner over 20 years ago. It has been refined throughout the years, but the central tenant that different intelligences account for a broader range of human potential and adults has remained. Teaching to the different intelligences is an important component in HET.
Lifelong Guidelines
The Lifelong Guidelines provide a common language that helps to guide us in determining appropriate
expectations for behavior that supports learning. They set the stage for a safe and learner-friendly environment. Brenda Russell, Intermediate Model Teacher, introduced the lifelong guidelines with a wall display and a discussion of famous people who exhibited those lifelong guidelines. Each of the famous people highlighted had an obstacle to overcome. Each lifelong guideline also has a non-verbal cue to help students remember the meaning.
The Lifelong Guidelines are:
*Truthfulness:
*Trustworthiness
*Active Listening
*Personal Best
*No Put-Downs
Closing for the Day
Both classes prepared for their "Being There" Experiences that would take place on the following day . Participants were able to see the way the model teachers set the stage for the Being There Experiences during the second observation of the day. Preparation for the experiences took place during the afternoon Town Hall Meetings.
The Primary Class prepared to visit Six Flags White Water: Atlanta for a behind-the-scenes tour with park officials to find out what the park has done to conserve water. They would also visit Sope Creek Park to see water in its natural state and to enjoy a picnic lunch. 
The Intermediate Class prepared to visit Georgia Tech's Solar Decathlon House. They would tour the house to discover many ways that alternative sources of energy (especially the sun) can be used to produce usable energy.
For more pictures from the day, more explanations, and close-ups of displays and Australia, click here.
