This year, my school is becoming an A+ school.  This blog is intended to document the hard work and hilarity of our journey to A+ status.

As if this challenge is not monumental enough, add on a change of grade level, a new slate of teammates, a new classroom, an entirely new set of Common Core and N.C. Essential Standards, and I feel that this year will be completely blog worthy! It is my intent to invite some additional hard-working and hilarious teachers to blog with me, so that you will enjoy the perspectives and resources of various grade levels. 

What is A+?  I had the same question.  While looking forward to our five day A+ training in July, I had to do some investigating on my own.  This website explains and includes the following quote:

"The A+ Schools Program is a whole-school reform model that views the arts as fundamental to teaching and learning in all subjects. A+ Schools combine interdisciplinary teaching and daily arts instruction, offering children opportunities to develop creative, innovative ways of thinking, learning and showing what they know. In A+ Schools, teaching the state’s mandated curriculum involves a collaborative, many-disciplined approach, with the arts continuously woven into every aspect of a child’s learning." 

My teammates and I are incredibly excited about this opportunity!  I hope you enjoy following along as we embark on our 2012-2013 Journey to A+


Kristin Jackson