All Things CLASS

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.  

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?  

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.  Please feel free to use/share it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Diana, thank you for sharing this resource. May I have your permission to share it with our Early Childhood teachers? I am the STEM Lead Coach for Easter Seals North Georgia and we are looking at the Instructional Support domain of CLASS  and how we can leverage the Creative Curriculum to deliver quality STEM instruction.

------------------------------
Melanie Flores
Atlanta GA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Hello Diana,
Thank you for your response. We are also looking at ways to cross-walk Creative Curriculum to CLASS and have a few resources available to us, but I like your idea of seeing what teachers glean from examining the guides themselves. I am not seeing the attachment you referenced in your post. I have the Coach's Guide to Creative Curriculum, an older version, which includes a section on CLASS.

------------------------------
[Nancy] [Hafner]
[Community Engagement Specialist]
[Willmar Public Schools, ISD 347]
[Willmar] [MN]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 11:13
From: Melanie Flores
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Diana, thank you for sharing this resource. May I have your permission to share it with our Early Childhood teachers? I am the STEM Lead Coach for Easter Seals North Georgia and we are looking at the Instructional Support domain of CLASS  and how we can leverage the Creative Curriculum to deliver quality STEM instruction.

------------------------------
Melanie Flores
Atlanta GA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Hi Nancy,
I only attached a CLASS self-assessment checklist I created.  The tool I referenced, The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist, is a new version of The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Implementation Checklist (from The Creative Curriculum for Preschool, 4th Edition).  If you have that, you could still have teachers make comparisons between The Creative Curriculum and CLASS.  However, the format of the old checklist makes it a little more challenging to match teaching practices.
Is that what you were asking about?

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 11:53
From: Nancy Hafner
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Hello Diana,
Thank you for your response. We are also looking at ways to cross-walk Creative Curriculum to CLASS and have a few resources available to us, but I like your idea of seeing what teachers glean from examining the guides themselves. I am not seeing the attachment you referenced in your post. I have the Coach's Guide to Creative Curriculum, an older version, which includes a section on CLASS.

------------------------------
[Nancy] [Hafner]
[Community Engagement Specialist]
[Willmar Public Schools, ISD 347]
[Willmar] [MN]

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 11:13
From: Melanie Flores
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Diana, thank you for sharing this resource. May I have your permission to share it with our Early Childhood teachers? I am the STEM Lead Coach for Easter Seals North Georgia and we are looking at the Instructional Support domain of CLASS  and how we can leverage the Creative Curriculum to deliver quality STEM instruction.

------------------------------
Melanie Flores
Atlanta GA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

​Diana,
Thank you for this CLASS checklist.  I can see it being very useful for teachers to focus practices on CLASS standards.
I would like to share with our teaching staff.  Do I have permission to copy and reuse?
Thank you,

------------------------------
Beth Burke
Education Specialist
Hillsboro
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 11:13
From: Melanie Flores
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Diana, thank you for sharing this resource. May I have your permission to share it with our Early Childhood teachers? I am the STEM Lead Coach for Easter Seals North Georgia and we are looking at the Instructional Support domain of CLASS  and how we can leverage the Creative Curriculum to deliver quality STEM instruction.

------------------------------
Melanie Flores
Atlanta GA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Original Message------

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ
------------------------------

Thank you all so much for sharing on this topic--please keep the responses coming!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.  Please feel free to use/share it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

​Thank you so much.  I really appreciate the time you took to develop this.  I am going to use this {putting your name on the form to give full credit :) }.  This will be a great tool for me to use when I do MMCI and when I coach teachers one on one. I see this friendly tool being very useful to teachers who are brand new to the CLASS tool.

------------------------------
Thresa Offord
Downey CA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 18:21
From: Diana Stanley
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

It is very interesting to see your post as I am working on finding/creating resources in addressing this with both new staff and seasoned staff.  However, we are also integrating with Conscious Discipline.  I am a coach/mentor now but previously spent over 20 years as a teacher so I will start with my experiences in learning and integrating for myself.

I learned Creative Curriculum first as it has always been the curriculum in our program since I first began teaching and I have seen it evolve over the years.  Conscious Discipline was introduced to our program next. I embraced it as I could see that every behavior management strategy I had used as a parent and/or as a teacher that was successful was grounded in Conscious Discipline philosophies.  Additionally, I could see how it perfectly fit in with The Creative Curriculum.  In fact, Dr. Becky Bailey (creator of Conscious Discipline) is referenced in The Creative Curriculum's Vol. 1 p. 158 in regards to responding to challenging behaviors. Finally, CLASS was added to our program.  As an experienced teacher, I could see how smoothly CLASS integrates with both The Creative Curriculum and Conscious Discipline.  I am using my knowledge and experience in all of these to mentor new and seasoned staff.

I feel it would be best to start with The Creative Curriculum as it provides information to set up the classroom and prepare for students.  It gives you the foundation for your classroom and class.  The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist is a valuable tool to set up the classroom, prepare for students, and prepare teachers for the teaching practices they should implement consistently.  You can then easily cross-reference between the checklist and the CLASS Dimensions Overview or the CLASS Dimensions Guide.   For example, from The Fidelity Tool Teacher Checklist: Teacher-Child Interactions #9 The teacher establishes a positive classroom climate.  You can see that the indicators match up to the dimensions and indicators in the CLASS Emotional Support Domain.  Actually, I think it would be a good activity for seasoned teachers to do the matching between the tools themselves.  For new teachers, I would use the cross-referencing as a way of introducing CLASS without overwhelming them.  Additionally, I used the checklist Leslie Burris shared on the Self-Assessment thread to create my own version.  I added some items so that it more completely covers the CLASS Dimensions and reworded some items to be more user friendly to new staff.  We will be giving this tool to all teachers for their own use.  I have attached it.  Please feel free to use/share it.
​

------------------------------
Diana Stanley
Humboldt AZ

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Original Message------

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.  

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?  

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

​Hello!

Here are some additional resources that help with the alignment of Creative Curriculum as well as Conscious Discipline to the CLASS tool. Hope these are beneficial!

------------------------------
Brittany Lockard
Master Coach
Geminus Corporation
Merrillville, IN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 12:16
From: Kelley Zimmer
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Hi--Our Head Start program has been using the Creative Curriculum for years and have found (happily) that CLASS aligns seamlessly with Creative Curriculum.  We also began introducing Conscious Discipline about four years ago and again have found that Creative Curriculum, CLASS, and Conscious Discipline (the three Cs) just make good sense together.  I will admit that for the first few years many of the teaching staff would struggle to articulate which part was which but I don't consider that a big deal as long as they are using all of the parts intentionally and working towards being able to better express what it is that they are doing, and why what they are doing is important both for the parents and the classroom observers who come and go.  At our monthly teacher meetings I always try to "chunk out" parts of each of the three C's and then look at how they are alike and how they are different.  

I'm very happy with Creative Curriculum, CLASS and Conscious Discipline.  They go together well.  I feel they enhance our program greatly.  Thanks!  Kelley

Original Message------

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Thank you for this, Brittany! This is exactly the kind of document I have been looking for to incorporate CLASS into the mindset of our teachers using Creative Curriculum. Much appreciated!

------------------------------
[Nancy] [Hafner]
[Community Engagement Specialist]
[Willmar Public Schools, ISD 347]
[Willmar] [MN]
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-13-2018 12:24
From: Brittany Lockard
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

​Hello!

Here are some additional resources that help with the alignment of Creative Curriculum as well as Conscious Discipline to the CLASS tool. Hope these are beneficial!

------------------------------
Brittany Lockard
Master Coach
Geminus Corporation
Merrillville, IN

Original Message:
Sent: 08-07-2018 12:16
From: Kelley Zimmer
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

Hi--Our Head Start program has been using the Creative Curriculum for years and have found (happily) that CLASS aligns seamlessly with Creative Curriculum.  We also began introducing Conscious Discipline about four years ago and again have found that Creative Curriculum, CLASS, and Conscious Discipline (the three Cs) just make good sense together.  I will admit that for the first few years many of the teaching staff would struggle to articulate which part was which but I don't consider that a big deal as long as they are using all of the parts intentionally and working towards being able to better express what it is that they are doing, and why what they are doing is important both for the parents and the classroom observers who come and go.  At our monthly teacher meetings I always try to "chunk out" parts of each of the three C's and then look at how they are alike and how they are different.  

I'm very happy with Creative Curriculum, CLASS and Conscious Discipline.  They go together well.  I feel they enhance our program greatly.  Thanks!  Kelley

Original Message------

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

Hi everyone, 

Thanks for sharing in this discussion! I just wanted to post a quick update that we are working on an updated alignment between Creative Curriculum and CLASS. We are in the review stages. I hope to have some more specific updates soon! 

Thanks, Vicki 

------------------------------
Vicki Kintner-Duffy
CLASS Specialist / Special Projects
Teachstone
Memphis, TN
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

While working at Head Start we used Creative Curriculum in addition to CLASS.  They went hand in hand and really interweave together.  In fact we first learned the Curriculum tool and later learned how to use CLASS.  While using Creative Curriculum we had a big focus on social emotional relationships, relationships with the children and classroom environment.  For this reason it was not a surprise to the teachers when we introduced CLASS and their score reflected the expectation of positive environment, interactions, etc. in addition to deep thought provoking language and learning.

------------------------------
Brenda Lowe
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------

We started off this school year with a full day of professional development for our teachers and assistants around this topic. We used the Beginning of the Year study and broke down the first couple of weeks, having the staff create something they can actually use in their classrooms from the lesson plans (e.g., making the Three Little Kittens poem chart and props) for each section of the day, as we tied in tied in the open-ended questions and other prompts the curriculum provides in Intentional Teaching Cards and the study guide with CLASS strategies. According to the evaluations, our staff has a much better understanding of how, if they follow the curriculum with fidelity, they will also be using CLASS strategies throughout their school day.

------------------------------
Dorothy Fredrick
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 09-04-2018 20:18
From: Brenda Lowe
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

While working at Head Start we used Creative Curriculum in addition to CLASS.  They went hand in hand and really interweave together.  In fact we first learned the Curriculum tool and later learned how to use CLASS.  While using Creative Curriculum we had a big focus on social emotional relationships, relationships with the children and classroom environment.  For this reason it was not a surprise to the teachers when we introduced CLASS and their score reflected the expectation of positive environment, interactions, etc. in addition to deep thought provoking language and learning.

------------------------------
Brenda Lowe

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2018 13:16
From: Sedra Spano
Subject: Integrating CLASS with Creative Curriculum

I'm interested in hearing stories from others (teachers, coaches, directors) who have used both CLASS and Creative Curriculum, or have supported teachers in learning about and using both.  Specifically, how have you trained teachers (or been trained yourself) in such a way that shows how these two tools work together....rather than feeling like two separate things to learn. We don't want new teachers to feel overwhelmed--but we want to support them to deliver their curriculum using effective interactions.

If you started with one or the other--which did you start with?  Is it better to focus on CLASS and effective interactions first or train on the curriculum first?

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

------------------------------
Sedra Spano
Regional Director
Teachstone
sedra.spano@teachstone.com
704-641-6802
------------------------------