Collab Lab Memo Staff Initiative
Collab Lab
K-2 Curriculum Innovation & Choice
Date: September 2026
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TO: All Grade-Level & Specialist Faculty
SUBJECT: Introducing the Collab Lab Initiative
FROM: Cheryl
TIME ALLOCATED: Selected After School Staff Meetings - Sept. 8, Oct. 27, Jan 5, Feb. 9, April 6
Dear Pakachoag Educators,
In early childhood education, we often celebrate the power of choice, agency, and inquiry-based discovery for our students. This year, we want to bring that exact same spirit of professional empowerment to you .
Our K-2 students thrive when curriculum elements are highly responsive, tactile, and collaborative. No one understands this delicate balance better than the teams working in our classrooms daily. To honor your expertise and provide the space to address student needs directly, we are launching Collab Lab: Collaborative curriculum development projects of your choice.
Our Core Commitment
We are dedicating our upcoming After School Meetings to team-directed projects. You choose the goal, you design the curriculum strategy, and you decide on the end product.
Whether your passion is restructuring our phonics delivery at your grade level, integrating Empowering Writers throughout the curriculum, building play-based curriculum activities, or drafting interactive social-emotional check-in routines, the choice is entirely yours. You will work in grade-level, specialist, or cross-grade teams of your choice to complete a shared goal. If you wish to work on an individual project, that is Ok too.
Please review the details on the following page regarding the timeline, professional guidelines, and the flexible "Deliverable Menu" of project options. I look forward to supporting your creativity and professional leadership! When your team has decided on your project, email me the details. Please include the team members and what your project is addressing for your students.
Collab Lab Page 1 of 2
Initiative Blueprint
Framework, FAQ, & Key Timelines
FAQ & Roadmap
Who is in a team?
You may work with your existing grade-level team, specialist group (PE, Art, Music, Library), special education / intervention partners, or a self-assembled cross-grade team (e.g., a K-1 vertical alignment team). Suggested team size is 2 to 5 members.
What makes a project "appropriate"?
Projects must be curriculum-related, supportive of early elementary (K-2) development standards, and designed to improve student outcomes or educator practices at our school.
What is the expected end-product?
Teams can choose how to demonstrate their work (examples - instructional kits, digital resources, physical centers, or alignment charts) or propose a custom deliverable that fits their project needs.
Project Timeline & Milestones
Phase 1
Team Pitch
Submit your idea(s) as a team.
Sept/Oct
Phase 2
Build & Test
Collaborate during Meetings to draft and refine resources.
Oct. - April
Phase 3
Classroom Check
Test pilot materials with students in the classroom.
Jan - April
Phase 4
Showcase
Share team projects during our last staff meeting of the year.
May / June
Ready to ignite your team's ideas?
Take the time to start planning!
Collab Lab Page 2 of 2
Collab Lab Slides Professional Collaboration | K-2 Faculty Launch
Collab Lab
Empowering our grade-level and specialist teams with time, choice, and agency to innovate K-2 curriculum.
Design. Test. Share. Inspire.
Presented by Administration
Our Foundation
Why Collab Lab?
Teacher Expertise
The best instructional ideas come from the educators working with our students every day. We trust your professional wisdom.
K-2 Centered
Early learners need responsive, sensory-rich, and developmentally appropriate materials. This initiative provides the space to build them.
Dedicated Time
No extra meetings or weekend work. We are protecting Wednesday PLC hours specifically for your team's self-directed project.
Collab Lab: Professional Agency in Action
Team Parameters
Choose Your Team & Goal
1
Form Your Team
Work with your grade-level team, specialist colleagues, or vertical cross-grade partners. (Suggested size: 2-5 educators)
2
Define Your Focus
Select any curriculum area (ELA, Math, SEL, Motor Skills, STEM) aligned with our K-2 developmental standards.
Project Scope Checklist
Curriculum-focused and student-centered
Collaborative in nature (shared responsibility)
Aims to solve a real classroom need
Results in a usable deliverable for K-2 staff
Collab Lab: Designed by Teachers, For Teachers
The End-Product
The Deliverable Menu
1. Instructional Kits
Create tactile toolkits, sensory math mats, science bins, or a set of phonics sound wall components.
2. Digital Playlists
Curate a classroom-ready directory of interactive games, videos, or virtual read-aloud activities.
3. Assessment Tools
Build play-based diagnostic checks, observational checklists, or standard alignment rubrics.
4. Propose Your Own
Have an out-of-the-box idea? Propose it on your planning sheet and let's make it happen.
All choices are designed to match your specific classroom goals
The Journey
Timeline & Milestones
1. Pitch Project
Submit planning form as a team
By Sept 15
2. Create & Refine
Work during scheduled PLC time
Oct - Nov
3. Test in Class
Collab Lab Proposal Form Planning Form
Collab Lab Team Proposal
K-2 Choice-Based Curriculum Initiative
SUBMIT BY: SEPT 15
Submit to Principal's Inbox
1. Team Essentials
Proposed Project Title
Grade Level / Specialist Dept
Team Members & Collaborative Roles (2 to 5 members)
2. Project Blueprint
The "Big Idea" & Student Need
What curriculum or instructional challenge in your K-2 classrooms are you trying to address? Why is this important?
Subject / Standards Addressed
Primary K-2 developmental or standard domain
Early Literacy / Phonics
Mathematical Play / Numeracy
Social-Emotional / SEL
Fine/Gross Motor or Art
Measurable Outcome
How will you know this resource has improved student outcomes?
Collab Lab Planning Pack Page 1 of 2
Implementation Guide
Collab Lab Delivery Plan
End-Products, Resources, & Administrative Support
Part 3 & 4
3. Product & Roadmap
Select Your End-Product Format
Physical Instructional Kit (Sensory bin, centers, etc.)
Curated Digital Resource (Instructional database, etc.)
Comprehensive Assessment Suite (Checklists, rubrics)
Custom Choice Proposal (Specify below)
Deliverable Description
Briefly describe the physical/digital product you will share during the Showcase.
Action Plan & Milestone Targets
Sept - Oct (Drafting):
Nov - Dec (Testing):
4. Resource & Material Requests
Budget, Material, or Support Request
Please list any material supplies (e.g. storage bins, cardstock, laminating, specific toys/objects) or access requests needed.
Administrative Review & Feedback To be completed by Principal
Approved as submitted
Approved with revisions
Materials Budget approved
Principal Signature
Date Reviewed
Collab Lab Planning Pack Page 2 of 2
Collab Lab Choice Menu Resource Guide
The Deliverable Menu
Flexible Project Streams & K-2 Examples
Option Guide
To support our K-2 students, your team's end-product should be concrete, interactive, and directly applicable in the classroom. Instead of a written summary report, select one of the streams below or propose a custom deliverable that addresses your chosen curriculum gap.
Stream A
Physical & Tactile Kits
Create physical toolkits, interactive boards, sensory centers, or manipulatives that young learners can physically touch, manipulate, and explore.
K-2 Classroom Examples:
Phonics Story Sacks with character puppets and corresponding sight-word cards.
Mathematical Sensory Bins targeting early place value, counting, or sorting.
Fine-Motor Skill Busy Boards supporting hand-eye coordination for kindergarteners.
Stream B
Curated Digital Playlists
Curate and design a structured, classroom-ready virtual directory of digital lessons, games, or videos aligned with core standards.
K-2 Classroom Examples:
Interactive gamified Google Slides decks reviewing simple addition/subtraction.
Seesaw Activity Folders loaded with custom science and weather response journals.
A digital database of safe YouTube read-alouds categorized by SEL character traits.
Stream C
Practical Assessment Suites
Develop diagnostic checks, oral portfolios, or standard-aligned progress trackers optimized for K-2 observational teaching.
K-2 Classroom Examples:
Oral Phonics diagnostic checkcards for rapid, individual student assessments.
Play-based math rubrics utilizing geometric blocks to evaluate shapes.
Social-Emotional observational logs targeting collaborative play behaviors.
Collab Lab Deliverable Guide Page 1 of 2
Milestone Progress Tracker
Action Steps for PLC Collaboration Hours
Team Guide
Use this tracker during your protected Wednesday collaborative hours to keep your team organized, aligned, and progressing toward the showcase. Initial the check-boxes as your team completes each milestone.
Init
Milestone 1: Purpose & Design
Target: Sept 15
Define team roles, narrow down the specific K-2 standard focus, choose your menu stream, and submit your official 2-page proposal form for principal feedback.
Init
Milestone 2: Blueprint & Material Prep
