One of the components of our biggest classroom is an Emotion Wheel, and we've established the routine of students entering the classroom and moving their names to what they are feeling today. This simple act achieves so many educational and developmental goals.

1. Increasing the Emotional Intelligence and vocabulary of our student body. More than simply having a vocabulary exercise of how "content" is different than "joyful," we are increasing our students' fluency and awareness of their emotions.

2. Creating a trusting community. We, as teachers, include ourselves on the Emotion Wheel, as a way to nurture the sense of trust in our classroom. This helps build empathy within the classroom, which hopefully extends into the larger community as well.

3. Helping students to regulate their emotional responses. Yesterday, a student, (we'll call them "Jay"), was frustrated with the day's reading assignment. Rather than just shutting down as they would have the first week of school, Jay got up and moved their name on the Emotion Wheel to represent what they were feeling at the time.

For all adolescents, developing skills and the ability to articulate and appropriately express their emotions is a vitally important aspect of their education, and therefore plays a significant role in our curriculum.

At Lake Creek Academy, we believe that fostering a love for reading goes beyond simply assigning books. We strive to create an environment where students can immerse themselves in the world of literature and cultivate a lifelong passion for reading.

This week, our students took the initiative to transform our reading corners into cozy havens of literary exploration. Armed with blankets, pillows, headphones, and other creative accessories, they personalized their reading spaces, making them uniquely comfortable and inviting.

These personalized reading nooks provide students with a sense of ownership and encourage them to embrace reading as a personal and enjoyable experience. By creating a space that feels like their own, students are more likely to delve into books with enthusiasm and curiosity.

We are incredibly proud of our students' creativity and dedication to fostering a love for reading. Their personalized reading corners serve as a testament to the power of creating a welcoming and inspiring environment for literary exploration.

Email our Director Brianne at brianne@lakecreekacademy.com for more information.

At Lake Creek Academy, we believe every student deserves an inclusive and supportive learning environment. We understand that learning disorders like dyslexia are a part of what makes each student unique, and we are committed to providing the accommodations they need to thrive.

We don't just wait for a formal diagnosis; we listen to our students and their families. Our approach is to be flexible and responsive, often implementing accommodations based simply on a student's request. A perfect example of this happened recently with one of our fantastic 6th graders.

This student, who has dyslexia, asked us to order the Bear Grylls Adventure Series for our library. Why? Because these books use a special font designed to make reading easier for individuals with dyslexia. This simple request highlights our core value: empowering students to advocate for their own needs. We were thrilled to fulfill the request and add these books to our collection.

Our goal is to create a community where every student feels seen, heard, and supported. By working together, we can ensure that all students have the tools and resources they need to succeed both in the classroom and beyond.