Partnering in the Classroom

When I think back to when I was in school and the level of interaction between my teachers and my mom, I'm a little amazed at how different the classroom is today. Even in my daughter's class, who's in first grade, there seems to be so much more effort on behalf of her teacher to keep me informed on how she's doing. If she's had a bad week I can expect to receive a note in her bag discussing what's going on and what my husband and I can do at home to help. I appreciate that so much. Granted,we live in a small town, there's 10 kids in her class, and she only goes to school 4 days a week, but if teachers everywhere are making that kind of effort I feel good about our education system and where it's going. The same goes for in the classroom. I remember getting in trouble for getting out of my seat or talking in class and now it's encouraged! I can only explain it as "controlled chaos" when it's allowed  in first grade and kuddos to any teacher that can contain order and encourage learning at the same time!!