Rotation B students were FABULOUS today! They came in excited but focused in on the tasks at hand. Having missed them last week, due to our half day, I was feeling some pressure to move them along toward catching up with the other classes. They are settling in and becoming more comfortable with each other too.
This week we discussed our SAGE class rules and expectations. I shared with the students that SAGE is somewhat like brain aerobics class (minus the sweat- LOL.) The work they do here should challenge them and hopefully, frustrate them from time to time. It is not supposed to be painful, but it is intended to stretch their abilities, take them out of their comfort zone and test the way they handle frustration. The safety net is close, although sometimes camouflaged. I need to know what they can handle and so do they.
Each week, the work they do in our room should be hard enough that they are missing at least one or two problems/questions. If they are getting everything correct, I will bump up the level of difficulty until they are missing some. I want to get them to their individual, instructional levels. All of our work (particularly in math and critical thinking) is done over until it is correct. I give small hints if they ask. If I feel like they are becoming too frustrated, I will set down with them and work through the problem. I've told them our classroom is a safe place to try something new and a safe place to fail. I try very hard to watch that a student is not getting too stressed, but I sometimes miss the signs. If your child expresses that SAGE is too hard, please contact me so we can talk about it with him or her.
For our affective, future goals project, the students began the rough draft paragraph about their aspirations. We discussed indenting, the position and purpose of a topic sentence, supporting details and a wrap-up or conclusion sentence. Although we had not had time to finish this draft, everyone had gotten a good start by our computer lab time.
In the lab, we reviewed the parts of the computer and the related vocabulary words. We also practiced how to locate their personal folders on the shared drive. They really listened well and jumped right into their typing. Using Microsoft Word as our tool, everyone was able to type what they had written on their rough draft and most were able to compose as they typed to finish the rest of their paragraph. Along the way, we learned to use the "tab" key to indent, the space bar to space appropriately between words and after punctuation, to format the font for style, to right click to correct spelling errors and to save and print our documents. Bravo boys and girls!
After a beautiful outside recess and our lunch, they finished drawing a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. The students also worked to finish their construction paper head. They are excited to share them with you at our Open House on October 6th.
At the end of the day, we discussed Bloom's Levels of Thinking and what each level might look like. Next week I will introduce our Exploratory centers and the students will have an opportunity to look through the choices and choose their first center of the year.
Wow, what a busy day! Your children should sleep well tonight! I know I will!
Friday, September 23, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Friday, September 9, 2011
Awesome First Day of SAGE
Today was our very first Rotation B SAGE class. It was fun to see my returning students and exciting to meet our newest classmates.
We started our day with the other students from Briarcliff as they gathered around the flag pole to remember those who died ten years ago on September 11th. Our custodian, Mr. Wes, explained the proper way to handle the flag and the reasons and procedures for flying our flag at half staff. Mrs. Place, our principal, shared the appropriate etiquette for an audience when our national anthem is performed. She briefly reminded us all of the events of 9/11 and talked to the students about why we remember and honor those who lost their lives on that tragic morning and those who serve in our armed forces. We then listened as Mr. Wes beautifully sang our national anthem.
Back in our classroom, we briefly discussed their questions, the sadness I feel when I remember the events of that day, the news coverage that will preoccupy this weekend and the importance of celebrating our human spirit and compassion.
After an unusually somber start, we relaxed and did a Skittles activity to get to know our classmates. We learned of swim teams, fishing trips, boy scout camps, adventures in amusement parks, trips to the top of tall mountains, camping weekends and fun days with family and friends. I learned that some of my students value recess above all else, (not a huge surprise...) we have several people who love reading, art and science and all of them were getting hungry an hour before it was time for our lunch! I was also repeatedly told they hoped we were starting centers today, (which sadly, we weren't.) Most importantly, we learned that we have many things in common.
Next, it was their turn to get to know me a little better. I passes around my purse and each student retrieved an item from its contents. I told them they needed to put on their detective hats and look for clues about me in the item they had chosen.
Brianna shared that she believed I liked the color pink and that my middle name is Anne (with an "e.") This she deduced from the fact my wallet is pink and my driver's license gave away my full name. Xander discovered I had a dog named Elsie, who was due for two shots when he found a postcard from my veterinarian. Charlie, who pulled my iPhone from the purse, proved to be a definite digital native as he perused my iTunes library, discussed my most recent text message and carefully assessed the groups of apps and games I had downloaded. I kept looking over his way to be sure he wasn't purchasing something off of Amazon. com! I don't think we have time to list his observations of me and I'm not sure I really want you to know all of them!
Theo found my latest tech tool, a teeny, tiny video camera I purchased this summer. Not surprising, he knew I liked new technologies. The students were excited to learn how easy it is to use and that my plan is for them to make some videos with it this year in our classroom. Cady found an orange and figured I liked them and wanted it for a snack today. From a promotional card from a gallery gift shop, Scott reported that I must like jewelry and pottery.
Lily discovered my throat lozenges and noted my scratchy voice. She accurately inferred I had a sore throat and my allergies were bothering me. Ashley retrieved a piece of Bazooka bubble gum and figured I must like to read comics. In this case, she was only partly right. The real draw was a good, original bubble gum. They are great detectives and had no idea they were doing higher order, analytical thinking. I wonder what your wallet or purse would say about you?
We had a fun recess, learned our way around Briarcliff, met the principal, secretary and nurse, discussed general school rules and figured out the lunch routine in the Bear cafe. We also tried out a critical thinking program called Logic Links and began the Math Rules problem solving program.
We ended our day by starting an affective project where the students will share some of their aspirations and dreams for their future. They drew a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. Next week, they will continue working on this project and begin their written explanation of their goals. We hope to have this completed by our Oct. 6th Open House.
Our day came and went before we knew it. I know we are going to enjoy our time together! We hope you will follow our adventures here. Feel free to share your thoughts by posting comments. You are also welcome to email me with questions and/or concerns.
You have probably deduced, I am lacking in the art of being succinct. As you and your child become more familiar with our program, I will try to focus my posts on the high lights of our day! Please sign your child's Take Home Folder and encourage them to return it next week. Have a wonderful weekend!
We started our day with the other students from Briarcliff as they gathered around the flag pole to remember those who died ten years ago on September 11th. Our custodian, Mr. Wes, explained the proper way to handle the flag and the reasons and procedures for flying our flag at half staff. Mrs. Place, our principal, shared the appropriate etiquette for an audience when our national anthem is performed. She briefly reminded us all of the events of 9/11 and talked to the students about why we remember and honor those who lost their lives on that tragic morning and those who serve in our armed forces. We then listened as Mr. Wes beautifully sang our national anthem.
Back in our classroom, we briefly discussed their questions, the sadness I feel when I remember the events of that day, the news coverage that will preoccupy this weekend and the importance of celebrating our human spirit and compassion.
After an unusually somber start, we relaxed and did a Skittles activity to get to know our classmates. We learned of swim teams, fishing trips, boy scout camps, adventures in amusement parks, trips to the top of tall mountains, camping weekends and fun days with family and friends. I learned that some of my students value recess above all else, (not a huge surprise...) we have several people who love reading, art and science and all of them were getting hungry an hour before it was time for our lunch! I was also repeatedly told they hoped we were starting centers today, (which sadly, we weren't.) Most importantly, we learned that we have many things in common.
Next, it was their turn to get to know me a little better. I passes around my purse and each student retrieved an item from its contents. I told them they needed to put on their detective hats and look for clues about me in the item they had chosen.
Brianna shared that she believed I liked the color pink and that my middle name is Anne (with an "e.") This she deduced from the fact my wallet is pink and my driver's license gave away my full name. Xander discovered I had a dog named Elsie, who was due for two shots when he found a postcard from my veterinarian. Charlie, who pulled my iPhone from the purse, proved to be a definite digital native as he perused my iTunes library, discussed my most recent text message and carefully assessed the groups of apps and games I had downloaded. I kept looking over his way to be sure he wasn't purchasing something off of Amazon. com! I don't think we have time to list his observations of me and I'm not sure I really want you to know all of them!
Theo found my latest tech tool, a teeny, tiny video camera I purchased this summer. Not surprising, he knew I liked new technologies. The students were excited to learn how easy it is to use and that my plan is for them to make some videos with it this year in our classroom. Cady found an orange and figured I liked them and wanted it for a snack today. From a promotional card from a gallery gift shop, Scott reported that I must like jewelry and pottery.
Lily discovered my throat lozenges and noted my scratchy voice. She accurately inferred I had a sore throat and my allergies were bothering me. Ashley retrieved a piece of Bazooka bubble gum and figured I must like to read comics. In this case, she was only partly right. The real draw was a good, original bubble gum. They are great detectives and had no idea they were doing higher order, analytical thinking. I wonder what your wallet or purse would say about you?
We had a fun recess, learned our way around Briarcliff, met the principal, secretary and nurse, discussed general school rules and figured out the lunch routine in the Bear cafe. We also tried out a critical thinking program called Logic Links and began the Math Rules problem solving program.
We ended our day by starting an affective project where the students will share some of their aspirations and dreams for their future. They drew a picture of what they would like to be when they grow up. Next week, they will continue working on this project and begin their written explanation of their goals. We hope to have this completed by our Oct. 6th Open House.
Our day came and went before we knew it. I know we are going to enjoy our time together! We hope you will follow our adventures here. Feel free to share your thoughts by posting comments. You are also welcome to email me with questions and/or concerns.
You have probably deduced, I am lacking in the art of being succinct. As you and your child become more familiar with our program, I will try to focus my posts on the high lights of our day! Please sign your child's Take Home Folder and encourage them to return it next week. Have a wonderful weekend!
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