Hello!  My name is Lauren Whitcomb (“Ms. Lauren”) and I am honored to teach K/1 at Newark Street School.  In our classroom we focus on being curious learners, being kind friends, building community, and developing confidence and independence.  In our small, combination K/1 classroom we know one another well and our teachers and helpers are able to meet students where they are academically, socially and emotionally.  We do a lot of small-group work and use flexible groupings to both extend and support students.  We have fun! We sing, chant, dance and move! And we spend time outside- playing, sledding, exploring and skiing!  I love to integrate curriculum content when possible- for example, this trimester we are studying the Moon and I often integrate science investigations and non-fiction reading into our daily literacy block.  At the end of each day, students and adults share something they are grateful for- even if it was a harder day.