Weekly Greetings!
Last week we finished the Six Keys we need in our class for a successful year. Each day I introduced a new key by reading an age appropriate story that was connected with the focus key. We then talked about what that key could look like in our class. The next step was to create a symbol that represented that key and do a craft that showed a picture of something relating to that key. Finally, the students had a special little treat that symbolized the key. The basic examples of the symbols, treats, and books are:
1.) Safety- The book used was a humorous book called Never
Ride Your Elephant to School. We then discussed
what it means to have a safe class and things we could do to help each other be
safe. For a symbol, we cradled our arms like
rocking a baby. The Kindergarten made a craft that was a golden key with a
safety ring attached to it. The 1st and 2nd grade students
drew themselves doing some of the safe things we discussed, then they drew what
it would look like if the broke the safety rule. Life Savers were the
treat because we help each other stay safe.
2.) Love
and Belonging- The book used was Rainbow Fish. The focus was that
fish school and stay together to create a caring community. We discussed what
it looks like to have a feeling of love and belonging in our classroom. For a symbol we crossed our arms as a hug, and younger students created
another golden key with a rainbow fish on it.
The 1st and 2nd grade students again made a
compare and contrast page of respecting the key, as compared to breaking the
rule. A Hershey’s Hug was the treat because we love and care for each other.
3.) Freedom
and Independence- The book used was All
By Myself. We talked about how the little
boy in the story was learning to do things on his own. The more we can do
independently, the more freedoms we can have in our classroom. Then we reflected
on how we could model that in our class. For a symbol we used waving our arms to
fly like a Superhero, because they are all super students with lots of
potential. Each group did a similar craft to remember the key. To celebrate the
lesson we enjoyed a Starburst fruit treat because each student is bursting with
star power.
4.) Fun and
Enjoyment- The book was Amazing Grace. Using
Grace’s fun loving experiences, we talked about what it looked like to have fun
and be happy in our classroom. For a symbol we used big smiles, and each younger student created another golden key
with a smiley face. The 1st and 2nd grade students continued
to make a compare and contrast page of respecting the key, as compared to
breaking the rule. A Twizzler treat twisted into a smile was used as the treat
because when we have fun we smile and are happy.
5.) Valued
Purpose- The book used was another Rainbow Fish book called and the main
point was that each one of us are special and we will be having valuable
learning experiences while in school this year. The craft for the Kindergarten was
a golden key with a shell filled with precious treasures in it to tie into the
story. Another compare and contrast page was
completed by the 1st and 2nd grade students. For a symbol
we patted our hearts because the students are full of gifts and treasure in
their hearts that they will discover this year. For the treat they all got a rich
Dove chocolate, just like each one of them is full of rich hidden treasure
inside.
6.) Success-
The book used was The Little Engine That Could. We discussed how to be successful by not giving up and “thinking we
can” do things even when it might seem hard. For a symbol we used two thumbs up
and again the Kindergarten students made another golden key showing a trophy
for success. The 1st and 2nd grades completed the last
page for their compare and contrast book. An Almond Joy treat was the special
treat for the key because the students will be filled with joy when they
succeeded.
When we finished all six keys, we revisited each
key and discussed everything the students remembered about what that key will
look like in our classroom. Each student will have their own key book to help
them remember what is needed for a successful year. Then I read The Hare and the Tortoise, and discussed never giving up despite how
impossible something may appear. Each student made a school promise that is
recorded on a worksheet with a picture showing themselves keeping their
promise. The promises will be posted on the Commitment Wall outside our classroom
and displayed all year.
On Friday, each grade group worked together on a cooperative learning activity. We read a book called You Are Special and they were each given a puzzle piece to express what they feel good about doing. There are pictures for the 1st and 2nd grade, but too many Kindergarteners were absent on that day so I will have pictures from their puzzle when they can all complete it.
In addition, everyday during Math the students have an opportunity to work together at the Math Path center, if they have correctly completed their daily assignment early. I have introduced colorful mats for the students to use to help them remember to stay in one location when working together. That way the others can complete their work without distraction, as you can see in the photos to follow.
This week I will start sending homework home every night through Thursday. On Friday, I will send home the class work that was completed that week for you to review with your child. There will also be a book for you to read to your child to help with their language development. The number one factor in student success is how much a child has been read to at an early age. If the book is returned the next day, then they can pick another one to take home. Some nights there will be a photo copied reader for them to read to you. If your child does their homework every night, then they can pick from the prize box on Friday. This year I also plan to do something special with the students that have done their homework regularly each month.
Have a great week!
