Hello there.
CC Meeting today was pretty intense, but in a very positive way. The kids and I did a lesson on promises and how that ties to respect. We talked a lot about why we have teachers and why teachers are sometimes hard on us. I loved hearing that they all thought that I was hard on them because I care about them and their futures. Proud moment for me! We also talked about how I promise them certain things as a teacher. We played the promise game. I would say a promise to them, and then they would say one to me. So, I said I promise to never humiliate them. We talked about how when I say things sometimes certain people get a gut feeling that I am talking about them specifically, but they agreed that I don't single them out by name. I shared with them how my 9th grade SS teacher at Sr. High called me stupid in front of the entire class. I remember exactly how I felt and remember putting my head down and crying. I also remember it to this day, which means that I was scarred. I never want another child to feel what I felt. We also talked about how sometimes being around people that have the same problem as we do (example-talking out in class) actually helps us to overcome that problem. Today, I grouped the kids together with their desks and told them that I had a specific reason behind their seating arrangement today. I put them with others that had similar character traits as they did. Some kids really loved helping others, some kids are always positive leaders, some kids have difficulty keeping their desk area clean or organized, some kids generally start talking domino effects. I shared with them, that in each group I specifically put a strong leader on purpose. That leader will eventually turn the group one way or the other (positive or negative). I absolutely know this will happen in many of the groups in here. I told the kids that I wished I had a 24/7 video camera so I could bring all of you and show you the exact moment that the leader changes and starts to bring around the entire group. So, so powerful. I did not tell any group the reason behind my grouping strategies. I told them that they personally knew or would eventually figure it out. I also shared that the groups would look different tomorrow due to so many positive and some negative choices observed throughout the day. Lastly, we talked about how I want kids to leave this room with a higher IQ and a higher EQ. I shared with them that they should not be respectful or responsible or trustworthy because if they are not they will get money taken away. They should do it because it is the right thing to do. At home too. We took a second look at the poster we made awhile back that says I have pride in myself. I stressed the I part. It is not Ms. Erickson has pride in me or Mom/Dad has pride in me. It is I have pride in myself. That is not money or reward driven. That is character shields up and ready! I truly am so proud already of the progress made in this classroom. I am proud to be their teacher every single day! What I love most about this classroom is the risk free environment we have created. I can be up front and honest with these kids and they can do the same with me. They know that if I hurt their feelings or they are having any kind of feeling they can come talk with me. That is a teacher's dream, but it is my reality!!!! How lucky am I???
Academically today, we were busy, busy, busy! We did some assessments in both math and language. Overall, they went very well. Kids are retaining what they are learning and able to show mastery even over longer periods of time. Awesome!!!
I shared yesterday that we were having a guest speaker in Spelling today! Weird I know, but man was it cool. The lesson was entitled Fire Safety and went off the spelling word alarm. Each week, kids have a lesson in their text books that bring a word to life in the real world. So, this week I brought in Trevor's Dad to teach it. He is a Billings Fire Fighter. Man, the kids were all sorts of into it. He made those words come to life and interesting. I could not have had the same effect. They all passed the activity at the end too! And....as an extra bonus we all now know where our nearest fire extinguisher is at!!!! Thank you so much Mr. Trevor's Dad!!!!
More and more kiddos have exited out of addition on xtramath and moved into subtraction. What I am noticing is that once they do, they fly through subtraction as well! I have printed certificates to hang in the hallway for those that have moved on! Awesome work everyone. Keep practicing those sessions at home too.
In reading today, we took a break from LEAD 21 materials and started a novel called, There's An Owl In the Shower. We started Chapter One in class. In 30 minutes we practiced how to write a 4th grade three part prediction twice, found a metaphor, created 4 cause and effect statements, two examples of time and place settings, and wrote two inferential statements with text evidence to support them. And, we didn't even finish Ch. 1!!!! Crazy skill work today. The book is a hoot (no pun intended). It fits perfectly with our endangered animal studies. The kids will really enjoy the book.
Spelling tests are tomorrow. So is PE and Fitness Club. I promised the kids that I would join in on the fun with them tomorrow. I LOVE fitness club!!! Rumor has it our principal will also be there!!! Wow, who is brave enough to throw a dodge ball at Mrs. Meier???? I am not even sure I am that brave. :0)
Tonight's homework is DynaMath pages 4-7. Some kids didn't finish their synonym work either. Check the planner. Do you see highlighter marks? It is the procedure, and has been since day one, that kids highlight the work coming home BEFORE they leave group to pack up. I have noticed many kids not doing this. Also, is your child's writing readable? Do you feel it is their best work? I encourage you to NOT sign it daily if you can't read it. It is designed to be a communication piece between you and your child. If you can't read what they did all day, then the communication is not happening and the book is useless. If your child's handwriting is readable AND they highlighted (not circled or underlined) their homework today please write PLANNER in the planner for $10 tomorrow. If not, please ask them why and what is going on. Maybe they need a highlighter????? (They know where my extras are if they need to borrow one).
Well, hopefully your BELIEVE fundraiser stuff got all picked up and delivered ok. Looked like some fun stuff down there. We have the reward assembly tomorrow as well. :0)
Have a wonderful night1
Ms. Erickson
